I recently, in January, switched from Novolog to Apidra… I switched because Novolog wasn’t really working for me well- pumping over 120u a day, Apidra’s been great… I’m down to 65-80u of it a day, but my endo and I are thinking I’m allergic to it as I keep getting super infected sites if I don’t change them daily. Has anyone else had this problem? I added a picture of what my sites look like after a day, you don’t want to see one that’s been in the full time… it’s gross! Oh, and I’m pretty sure it’s an allergy and not something like MRSA because it’s still happening on antibiotics that my endo wrote for the first one. The weirdest part about the sites is that they remain hard and raised, about the size of a half dollar, for 2 weeks afterwards…
I’m at my wits end with this issue… I’m willing to change out my site daily, but that just seems to be a temporary fix. Humalog and Novolog are both out due to the non-sensitivity issue. I have an endo appointment on Friday, but I can email her if I need anything beforehand. I don’t think it’s the sets themselves that I’m using as I’ve never had an issue with them before- MM quicksets 6mm’s, but at this point, I’m willing to try any suggestion!
If I were you, I’d inject for a day or two (using Apidra and something like Lantus or Levemir) and see if you still get the reaction. If you do, it’s an allergy to the Apidra. If not, it may be an allergy to the infusion sets (which I’ve heard of some people developing reactions to even after they’ve been pumping for some time with no trouble).
wait… is this an allergic reaction?
I’m asking because I keep having pink marks where I inject my Levemir. Though, it’s not as dakr as in this picture and gone withing 3 days. But still, it happens rather often and I don’t have it with other insulins (well, happens, too, but it is a very rare case).
I used Novolog in my pump for several years and ultimately experienced some of the symptoms you report. I changed my sites every two to three days; it depended on when my pump ran out of insulin. Towards the end of my time on Novolog, whenever I changed the site, the area, about the size of a half dollar, was red and inflamed. It was hard to the touch. The allergic inflammation and redness resolved in two or three days.
I just lived with it for a while but my blood sugar control was poor and getting worse. Finally, about two years ago, I switched to Apidra. The allergic site reactions disappeared and my control started to get better. Don’t get the wrong idea here, I changed several things regarding my diet and exercise at that time and I believe those other changes were the major factors for improving my control. The allergic inflammations, however, could not have been good for me.
In my case, I drew the conclusion that my body doesn’t get along with Novolog infusion and that the infusion sets themselves were not part of the problem.
Good for you for acting on your observations and trying something different.
I have developed an allergy to specific infusion sets before (not sure if it was the adhesive, or plastic, or whatever) but switching infusion sets solved the problem and I stopped getting infected sites. Also, I’d suggest doing what other’s have recommended by trying to inject via pen or syringe for a few days and seeing if you still get the same reaction. Good luck! Let us know what you figure out, I’m curious to find out what’s causing that!
Get your doc to swab the site and have it cultured to rule out an infection. try using a 'dry site" that you do not put insulin through to rule out issues with the actual infusion set, and as people have said, injuect to see if you get a degree of the same reaction.
I’m thinking you may have an allergy to the infusion set or the IV Prep used before set goes in, the tape on the set or the dressing that goes over it. Not necessarily the Apidra… though that is a possibility as well. I agree with other poster, it would be smart to check this by switching to Lantus and injecting Apidra for meals to check this out. Hope it’s not the Apidra, which is working well for you… I tend to think it’s not the insulin only because allergies to the tapes on sets, prep are more common.
I have heard of a few people being allergic to Apidra, possibly to the preservative. It could also be the sites you are using. Try doing the injections as others said. I would try to some hydrocortisone spray (Walgreens) before you put your next site on - make sure it’s dry before you put the site over it. I hope you figure this out, sounds frustrating.
Hmmm, this is very interesting to me as I too am on Apidra and my sites don’t last long at all. I think it could be the wipes I’m using though prior to inserting a new site. My endo suggested soap, water, and alcohol. Keep me updated…
