Comments on: Test Driving Insulin

By: Gary D. Snow, Ph.D.

Gary D. Snow, Ph.D. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:04:58 +0000

I tried both Levemir and Apidra. After a couple of months my control was less effective than when I used Lantus and Humlog. I’m back to Humalog and Lantus. Works much better for me during a 24-hour cycle. I also get much better control with syringes…simple, basic syringes…than with a pump, and find it far more convenient. The electronics and pens really fall short. Just gimmicks, I believe, that don’t make things better. The industry continues to get wealthy off of fancy gimmicks. :>)

By: MelissaBL

MelissaBL — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:34:57 +0000

@AmyT and Betsy. I use Apidra in my pods with no problems on Day 3. Used Apidra in my Cozmo and my Minimed Paradigm, too. No one at Insulet has ever told ME they don’t recommend it.

By: » Wayback Wednesday: The Quest for Animal Insulin - DiabetesMine: the all things diabetes blog

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:00:56 +0000

[...] Test Driving Insulin [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:40:04 +0000

I had bad skin reactions to both Humalog and Novolog, so I am now pumping Apidra. I don’t personally find it any faster, but the difference for me is that I have sites that last more than 24-36 hours before they would fail due to extreme irritation. Prior to going back on the pump I gave Levemir a try for two weeks and it didn’t work for me at all – in fact it seems to have accelerated whatever is causing the irritation I now experience with Novolog, since I had previously used Novolog for almost 8 years with no notable problems, and that changed, fairly suddenly after being on Levemir.

Are the two really related? I have no idea, but I am glad that Apidra is available for me to use, and I am crossing my fingers that it will continue to work well for me.

By: Symposier

Symposier — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:27:12 +0000

I have always used Lantus Insulin, and really did not know that there were other options like Levemir. I’ve used Lantus for 6 years and never have had a problem, I think that the only way I could change is if My endocrinologist tell me to do that. But in my next visit to him i will ask about this Levemir and why he never mentioned it.
Great article, Thanks!!!

By: June S.

June S. — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:13:42 +0000

I switched to Apidra when my endocrinologist swore it did not cause clogging in pump tubing. I had been having occasional problems with insulin delivery by pump while using Humalog. So far, so good, and it has been almost 2 years ago since I first switched to Apidra!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:08:35 +0000

With the NPH and Ultralente insulins, I think I remember hearing that both of those patents were expiring and drug companies began to switch people over before both patents expired since they wouldn’t loose the revenue streams.

I had near perfect A1C with a routine that used both. Had one low after a jumping time zones and got a doc who tossed out the N & U. Seriously miss those insulins since the more expensive insulins haven’t lived up to their promises (or effectiveness).

By: Edwin

Edwin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:20:19 +0000

Thanks for your suggestions.

The carbohydrates cause a high rise in blood sugar that causes the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin drives the protein building blocks in the meal into muscle cells to hasten healing from intense workouts.

By: nr

nr — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:20:54 +0000

Good post. However, I’m not really sure why the insulin manufacturers concentrate so much on being the “speed champions” as you say. Though it is obviously a benefit for the insulin to start working more quickly, it seems like it is not necessarily a benefit to have it completely through your system more quickly.

At some point, if the insulin acts too quickly surely it will be too fast compared to the speed of digestion and processing of the carbohydrates. I certainly have to be careful when I eat big meals that I extend part of my bolus. Otherwise, I will get a low or good blood sugar within the first couple hours after eating, followed by a high blood sugar as the insulin gets used up faster than I digest.

By: Nevada

Nevada — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:57:29 +0000

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