See, this is why it’s so individual and there will never be one treatment that’s “the best” over all others.
One other advantage of shots is being able to do intramuscular injections, if desired. But of course, this option is easily available to both MDIers and pumpers.
How is everything going @Danielle_A?
Not great! Currently back on the pump until I have a longer stretch of days off from work so I can tweak these doses without losing so much sleep. The last few nights on Tresiba I shot up to high 200s/300s (without eating) with consistent correcting to bring it back down and ended up being awake every 2 hours or so, only for it to start suddenly dropping around 6am. I’m not sure if the spike was because I had begun to push back the Tresiba dose to delay the AM dropping or what, but either way I’m losing more sleep with diabetes than I have in the last 18 years! I really want the Tresiba to work so I could have just a small break from the pump, but I’ve found that my basal doses vary so much depending on time so I’m not quite sure I can. I would’ve liked to give it a little more time so I can adjust the doses, but I really think I’ll have to wait until I have time off from work. I’m a nurse in a busy ER and need my rest lol
That’s too bad! I’m sorry it was such a struggle! Sounds very frustrating.
Others on this thread may have mentioned Levemir. Levemir works for about 12 hours, so if you have varying basal needs, then Levemir may be a good fit because you could have a higher dose for the 12 hours of the day you need it. You could also try splitting the Tresiba dose (as discussed above).
Again, I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out very well so far! I wish that it had!
I was having pump troubles too a few months ago. I tried both Levemir and Tresiba but did not find either to be an adequate replacement for my pump basal. I’ve been using Fiasp combined with switching my sites every 2 days instead of 3 and getting fantastic results lately. I’d recommend trying that if you’re able to and haven’t already.
@Danielle_A I loved Tresiba, it worked so well for me and I actually lost some weight while on it too. I didn’t need to gain anymore either but I’m currently pregnant, so that’s a different story.
I actually used Tresiba along with my pods for bolus for a while, but also with MDI for a while. I used the U-200 Humalog pens too (with endo’s approval and rate adjustments for pod bolusing). I dosed at night but if I forgot, I just did it the next morning & had no consequences. There were days when I flatlined at 90 for 12 hours straight. It was wonderful to see. I had been having site absorption issues like whoa! I also cut back a lot of carbs too, since I have to be gluten-free and most gf things are both expensive and higher in carbs. Anyways.
I’m currently on levemir because Tresiba isn’t “approved” for use during pregnancy and I absolutely HATE IT. Its worthless. May as well inject water. Stupid crap. grumble grumble
I hope you’ll figure out something that works for you, but I wanted to throw in my .02 since I actually really liked Tresiba.
I have more experience with Levemir than any other basal when I’ve tried MDI. It works a little bit differently than Tresiba or Lantus, and of course they all work differently for everyone so what I say may not be your experience. It has a short duration, a noticeable peak (though nothing like NPH) and fades out fast when the duration is up. The duration is also dependent on the dose and your body weight. It is not a 24-hour insulin for most people, so try splitting the dose if you aren’t doing that already. Also remember that since the duration is dose-driven, it may last as short as 8-10 hours on a small dose. It can take 2-3 hours to ramp up after injection, meaning that the space between doses can be noticeable and cause spikes.
Yeah, I just didn’t like it enough to keep using it. I wondered about doing it 3x a day but never got around to asking the doc about it since my bg went straight back down to 100 and stayed there when I put my pod back on.
I did see a promo for a new U-500 humalin in the doc’s office! Whoa! Wonder how that would do in a pump??
Doc also said Lilly is expected to release the U-200 Humalog in vials soon for pumps, although I have little faith that it will be any more cost effective.