Yeah, Lantus burns a bit more. Haven’t been able to completely avoid that, but it doesn’t burn as much all the time.
Hi Megan…I am T1 on the minimed pump for about 6 years now. I do understand the whole being hooked up to a machine thing. I tried CGM for 72 hours and having that second site just drove me insane. You are still fairly new to T1 and may still have some function with beta cells. When I was first diagnosed, I used Lantus and Humalog and my A1C’s were around 5!
I had to go on the pump when my insulin resistance grew. I now inject symulin before every meal and find my insulin requirements are the lowest ever. That means I’m actually able to maintain my weight, which is always a consideration for me while I’m chasing tight control. Over the years my pump nurse has helped me fine tune the bolus wizard and teach me the whole insulin on board calculation which is a real help in avoiding BG lows. The other thing that helped was only using a site 24-48 hours. That avoided scarring and site malfunction from the heat in the summer! If shots are working for you right now, go for it! Your routine will probably change over the years so keep an open mind about pumping. I got T1 as an adult and it was tough - but I’m sure treating T1 when you are a teen is so much harder. You’ve got so much more to deal with than before you were T1. Good for you for speaking up - this is a disease you will have to manage for yourself until they find a cure.
I did opposite - shot and then pump. Love pump and on a third of the amount of Lantus and humalog. With pump you need to carb count correctly and often and even though you do for shots you can get away with not bolusing and seeing little change to BGL with 7-12mmols.
Sport is easier with pump as dont have to adjust basal day before etc…
Diagnosed 1 year also at 37
just go with whatever works for you - just aim fo good control and post prandial at 2 hrs below 7.8mmols
Can I also suggest that instead of spitting lantus - first move it the timing you give it eg: if you feel that it is running out in less than 24hrs - move it so run out time coincides around breakfast where your bolus will cover it. Also when transferring from lantus to a pump it takes a good 2-3 days to get lantus out of your system so doubt it will be dropping. it is designed for once a day. try moving timing first. Same if you get a little peak and tend to go low at the same sort of time each day - move injection so that time period coincides with mornign tea - you can then have a snack without a bolus.
36 yrs here and I’m on the same regiment. I take my13 u of lantus at 11pm, even if I’m out I can take it with me (like the novolog) and take it. I think timing is the important part but I am a little careless about that. but maybe taking it at lunch time would work? I keep hearing about people splitting the dose and can’t figure out why!? I’ve never had an issue. Even asked the Lantus reps about splitting doses and they looked at me like I was crazy. I’m sure research has given them an accurate end to the effectiveness. Why would I want to take yet another shot!! I was having lows in the middle of the night, lowered my lantus and it’s been great!
What I have discovered over the years is (at least for me) the longer the needle, the less pain! Yes, it’s true !! (again, at least for me) First noticed the burning with the lantus, used an older and longer needle once, no pain. I now use the longest needle for everything and it’s a hundred times better. I give them all over, upper - front and back of thighs, butt, stomach, hips both high and low, arms are a little difficult. I am on a sliding scale for my novolog and adjust up and down according to exercise and food. Usually take around 4 to 10 units per meal.
I feel the same way about the pump. First thing anyone with knowledge asks me is “are you on the pump?” and then are stunned when I say “no”. It’s not the answer for everyone and Pump lovers need to understand that. What works for one, may not work for others. I may try one someday but why fix what’s not broke, last A1c where 5.7, 6/4, 5.4!!! Only interested in the Omnipod or the new Solo - no tubes for me. The fact that I hear many people on the pump say they went back to shots for awhile “for a break” says a lot.
I have looked into a CGM because of my hypo unawareness, we’ll see how that goes.
It is quite simple. My assesment is that 4 out of 10 Lantus users will not have 24 hour coverage. Most users just think that it is normal that they have times with reduced insulin sensitivity. In reality they experience the effects of the degrading Lantus. Of course the representatives do not know nothing about other insulins or dosage splitting. Lantus is sold with the argument of easyness and negative side effect are just ignored. I have nothing against Lantus IF it works as expected. I just get the creeps when people have to suffer because they do not fit into the marketing campaign. People do split their insulin because their metabolism needs that. One shot more is a fair price for good control. We should not treat them as being strange since we know how different we react to different insulins.
I think what is good is that diabetics and doctors have choices. I used shots for 28 years and went to the pump and would never go back. But then I remember a world without pumps and when the thought of a pump was a little more than a pipe dream. In fact I saw one of the first pumps, it was carried on a cart and pushed in front of the patient.
In terms of places to inject, I usually used the outside of my upper legs. Hit the fat not the bones. My upper arms, and stomach. Again got for the fat of the body. Inner legs hurt like the dickens, So I always avoided them. The same with the lower arms (below the elbow). My mom always went in her butt, but I didn’t like that so i stayed away from that area.
Good luck with the switch.
rick phillips
This is a great discussion. I’ve been Type 1 for 9 months and at this point I’m happy with MDI. I have a fear of the pump dumping Insulin while I’m asleep so may never try it, but who knows. I take Lantus in the morning because it gave me lows at night. Lately my morning fasting seems to be rising 120s to 130s but I’m waiting until I see the endo in July. Thinking I need more Lantus. Lantus 10 units, Humalog 1unit per 20 carbs. (altho that can vary from 15-30 carbs for whatever reason).
I’ve had diabetes for almost 13 years now. and I’ve been on MDI for all of them. I want to get a pump… but even with insurance, that ain’t happening.
I usually take 28 units of Lantus at bed in me stomach, and then 6-12 units of Humalog (depends on what I eat) at meals in my stomach or the back of my arms.
of course… its constantly changing (gotta love puberty…) so give it a month and it will probably be different =)
Kathyann…I did start to see climbing BG levels about 18 months into T1 treatment. I thought it was something I was neglecting to do properly. What was happening during that time was that I still had a few functioning beta cells that slowly died off. I started training for the pump at about 18 months so I was in close contact with my endro as my insulin needs began to change. The period after diagnosis while your body still has the ability to assist with insulin is called the honeymoon period - cause it does not last! There are some research studies going on right now for the newly diagnosed T1’s to see if the valuble beta cells can be saved. Researchers think it’s likely a cure for T1 would be available for those who still have beta cells way before a cure is available for us old timers.
Try longer needles, it works!!
This is from lantus’ website;
Aventis recommends taking Lantus at bedtime. Lantus’ actual duration of action is 18 to 26 hours. Although the timing varies from indiviual to individual, it appears to be consistent in the same indiviual. The advantage to bedtime dosing is that for most people any gap in Lantus’ activity would happen after dinner and this gap could be covered with a little extra Humalog or Novolog in the dinner injection.
It does vary, you just have to adjust. I’m lucky in that once a day works great.
So in plain words: Lantus users with a coverage below 24 hours will experience reduced insulin sensitivity after dinner and a part of their bolus insulin is used to cover the Lantus gap. For these people it also means that dinner can not be skipped even to eat later or earlier can cause the BG to climb because gap and bolus are out of sync. Sounds not very compatible with changing work chedules and an active lifestyle with changing eating times. Again, if Lantus works for 24 hours I am totally fine with this product I just want every user to check if he might suffer from the negative aspects of the one shot regime.
Hey Megan - the higher the number in needle gauge means the needle we inject with is more fine/smaller (less painful). I know, sounds strange, you’d think a 26 gauge needle would be finer because it’s a smaller number, but it’s not (and I used 26 gauge when I was living in England - where I used a glass syringe and the needle that I had to sharpen on a stone was meant for an elephants behind - NOT MINE . I adapted though - and grew a truck and sucked up peanuts with my nose … ONLY KIDDING - just had to make you laugh there!
You are by no means alone in walking away from your pump. There are a great many of us who have done so… and do not look back! There are some pump users who like zealots preach the “pump gospels” and will not accept differing views… thinking our actions are “HERETICAL” (ie think witch burning; “bad diabetics” witches same-same )
The short answer to your question, the pump technology requires a great deal of tweaking to get it perfect and right. For some that never happens. It is far, far more involved than slapping on a pump and POOF, all the diabetic problems/issues disappear instantly. ROFLMAO…
Wearing a pump you still have to “stay awake” screw-up and you go low/high just as easily.
If pumps did what they implied or advertised, we’d all have them. Control would be perfect and very easy. It is good marketing, great PR, but the pump will not solve the many problems different people possess, it is NOT a magic pill. Pumps have wonderful benefits, if, IF you can get them to work as promised/implied. A critically important if…
To answer your specific questions.
The angle that you inject can make a difference, as can whether you use alcohol swabs. (DO not use them unless there is a specific & special reason) Alcohol can make things sting.
How are you storing your insulin? Are you injecting it straight from the refrigerator? Cold insulin stings pretty good too. Roll the vial/pen for a little bit, warm it up in your hands before using it.
Legs, butt, arms are all great places to shoot. Its gonna hurt a little no matter where you put it because it is a needle, a “metal splinter” puncturing your skin. Done fast, done more and the injections will not bother you as much. And hey what the other choice, right??? Inject, dead… ok inject sounds just fine to me.
We are all going to use different types and amounts of insulin. You are a teenager, a young woman. I am a man, far older than yourself. You will understand my approach/formula but will likely use far different ratio than I do, because you’re 15, and not 44.
Diabetes is not about being “normal”, it is about staying alive, doing the best we know how and hopefully hopefully staying SANE doing it.
Stuart