I’m currently taking 20 units of Lantus at bedtime. For some reason, I’ve been waking up low in the last few days, the first time it happened it was at 57, the next day it was 72, and just this morning it was 62. I was wondering if this is part of the “honeymoon” phase of newly diagnosed people, and what I can do to help prevent this?
What are your readings before you actually get into bed? Are they within the range? Here in the UK I’ve been advised to go to bed with a BG reading of about 8 mmol/l (approx. 140 mg/dl), but I seem to do fine on or about 7 mmol/l (approx. 125 mg/dl).
I would think that if you’re going to bed with an appropriate BG reading then you may need to start reducing the Lantus a unit or two.
The “honeymoon period” refers to when insulin injections have recently been initiated and it is easier to stay in control. I think it’s because the insulin you inject stimulates your pancreas to secrete what’s left of its own insulin. The honeymoon period eventually wears off.
As Stephen said, you may need to reduce your basal dose. I have been doing that for a few months now, myself. Just about got it right, matter of fact I am reducing 2 units tonite and 2 units am (split my Lantus dose). I was dropping 50 pts. at nite and I was dropping 60-90 pts. late afternoon.(without ANY humalog on board). Good luck, it takes time!
Would reducing it by 1 unit make any major difference?
I don’t know with you,everyone is different…can you ask your doctor? I know you are new to this, I would discuss it with your doctor and see how they suggest you go about it.
think by 2 increments a night is good, ask doc. I take 50 units of lantus!! I use to take 35 when i was first diagnosed, the good old days.
I was told 1 unit of lantus = 30pts.?? I has been working for me in getting my basal right. I take 8 units at 9-10 pm and 18 units 8-9 am ( as of tonite and tomorrow) I USED to take 45 units am!!! Too much for me, I was dropping on top of dropping with too much Lantus and then adding Humalog with meals…crazy! Now I am staying pretty steady after Humalog wears off. Things always change with this D. I have found that self education is key, and just trying different doses works for me.
If you are still in the honeymoon, your pancreas can produce insulin so you have to be careful. I would go to bed with a higher target (maybe 125) and set the alarm for a 2am or 3am blood sugar check. I would lower the Lantus if I saw a pattern, and, since you have a three-day pattern of waking up low, I would reduce it. I would ask the endo by how much. I am only familiar with using Lantus for three months for an 8 year old child. We would reduce by half units. I don’t know if a man would reduce by one unit or two.
If you are honeymooning, I would do one unit changes at a time.
I know a lot of people have the same problem because Lantus does have a peak. I would try taking Lantus in the morning instead of at night and see if that makes a difference.
Injected insulin does not stimulate your pancrease to produce more insulin, by the way. The only affect it might have would actually be the opposite, because the body works like a natural see-saw.
another thing you might consider is using a different kind of long-acting if changing the time you take lantus and/or taking it in 2 half doses doesn’t help. Levimer works roughly the same, but in some people it works much better than Lantus does. Lantus also induces psychosis in a very very small percentage of teenagers…but that’s a whole different story.
Hey Jonesy,
Would be helpful to know that your bedtime readings are to know how much you’re dropping by morning.
I’ve been told to increase or reduce by 1 unit at a time & to use the new dose for three days to know the effect.
If you’ve previously had high morning BG, not a good plan to take Lantus in the morning.