Hi @Vicky, I’m sorry to hear about your problems with reactions to insulin. I’m assuming that you have already talked to an allergist about desensitization and/or using antihistamines or steroids to help control your reactions. Have you had allergy testing to determine what exactly is causing your reaction, the insulin itself, one of the preservative(s), or something different like the latex in the rubber stopper at the top of insulin vials? Have you connected with an allergist who has experience treating someone who has had the same problem as you? With rare allergy conditions, especially, allergists may not really know what they are talking about because their only experience is reading articles published in medical journals and they have no first-hand knowledge treating someone with the condition. I’m not allergic to insulin, but I do have experience with severe allergies, including a rare allergic/autoimmune condition that can be difficult to treat.
Thank you. Jen. Unfortunately, all of this has already been done and investigated.
Hi @Vicky,
Have you tried using a pump with extended boluses rather than rapid boluses of insulin? I did a google search, and it seems that spreading insulin delivery out (with extended boluses or temporarily increased basal rates) rather than taking a big bolus all at once can help the body tolerate insulin better. I’m guessing it’s similar to how pump therapy tends to be more successful than taking one big shot of basal insulin for people with an insulin allergy.
Do you know what mechanism is causing your reactions (I assume so, if you’ve had testing)? Is it IgE antibodies, IgG antibodies, or some other type of reaction? There are some newer medications like omalizumab that can help specific types of reactions (IgE antibodies) that might be worth discussing with your medical team.
Also, I remember reading a blog a while ago by a woman with an insulin allergy who had steroids mixed in with her insulin so that she could tolerate it. It might be worth contacting her (the blog hasn’t been updated since 2014).
Good luck in getting this figured out.
Jen, I have been on an insulin pump for 32 years. Yes and I have been tested for both types of antibodies. Do you happen to have that person’s blog addressed?
Their e-mail is linked through their blog profile. I’ll send you a PM with it (since I don’t know if that person wants it posted where it will be google-able and thus spam-able).
You mentioned above that you are on shots. Do the shots not cause more of a problem for you than the pump?
This is complicated but Levemir is the basal insulin I am on temporarily until they can find a solution with small doses of Apidra. No more than 6 units a day. Otherwise, the symptoms creep back.
I was using Apidra in my pump.
I just sent her an email. You are the best! She may not answer but it’s definitely worth a try.
My diabetes is not controlled on shots. I had 3 patterns on my pump. Not…able to get there with shots. I have actually used my sensors on my pump to identify what is happening with the Levimir. Great information but explains why I can’t be on shots forever. This is tracking with no carbs for 4 days.