Re: humalog

February 6, 2002

I have been on Lantus for 2 months, and of course just started with Humalog,

so I am by no means the expert here.

With that said:

One of the great things about injecting insulin is that you could eat pretty

much anything you want, and just adjust your insulin to cover it. That is

not what I would recommend, but it could be done.

I would not recommend taking humalog just so you can indulge once in a

while. I would find out what your normal pp meal readings are and if they

are also somewhat high, then humalog may be the right choice. Since you are

already sticking yourself for the testing, you already know what that needle

prick feels like. The insulin injection is much less painful, if you feel

anything at all, so they are not a problem for me.

Also keep in mind that there may be other things besides injections that

could help you. Other oral meds may do it also.

I've been doing rather well with my bg, this morning it was between six and

seven, too lazy to go reread my meter. At 8pm I had some sweets, had a wild

craving and went downstairs to my neigbour to get it. An hour or so later I

was at 9. So that I was higher than six wasn't a big surprise, but normally

my fasting bg is closer to 5.5, been 5.1 a few times.

Would you say that Humalog would be something I should think about? I

don't

think so, plus I'd rather not be injecting myself if not needed.

Marc

February 6, 2002

I have been on Lantus for 2 months, and of course just started with Humalog,

so I am by no means the expert here.

With that said:

One of the great things about injecting insulin is that you could eat pretty

much anything you want, and just adjust your insulin to cover it. That is

not what I would recommend, but it could be done.

I would not recommend taking humalog just so you can indulge once in a

while. I would find out what your normal pp meal readings are and if they

are also somewhat high, then humalog may be the right choice. Since you are

already sticking yourself for the testing, you already know what that needle

prick feels like. The insulin injection is much less painful, if you feel

anything at all, so they are not a problem for me.

Also keep in mind that there may be other things besides injections that

could help you. Other oral meds may do it also.

I've been doing rather well with my bg, this morning it was between six and

seven, too lazy to go reread my meter. At 8pm I had some sweets, had a wild

craving and went downstairs to my neigbour to get it. An hour or so later I

was at 9. So that I was higher than six wasn't a big surprise, but normally

my fasting bg is closer to 5.5, been 5.1 a few times.

Would you say that Humalog would be something I should think about? I

don't

think so, plus I'd rather not be injecting myself if not needed.

Marc

February 6, 2002

Re: Re: humalog

Rick, I think you meant to say DO NOT increase it larger than two units at a

time.

I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME because I

could have some serious lows.

Tootie

Bill, that sounds like a good plan. When you do start increasing the

dosage, do increase it larger than two units at a time... In other

words, bump your 5 units to 7, 6 units to 8, 8 to 10, etc. You will

notice a change in your readings each time you make a change in the

units. You just want to make sure that you don't " overshoot " and wind up

seriously low.

February 6, 2002

Re: Re: humalog

Rick, I think you meant to say DO NOT increase it larger than two units at a

time.

I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME because I

could have some serious lows.

Tootie

Bill, that sounds like a good plan. When you do start increasing the

dosage, do increase it larger than two units at a time... In other

words, bump your 5 units to 7, 6 units to 8, 8 to 10, etc. You will

notice a change in your readings each time you make a change in the

units. You just want to make sure that you don't " overshoot " and wind up

seriously low.

February 6, 2002

Re: Re: humalog

Rick, I think you meant to say DO NOT increase it larger than two units at a

time.

I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME because I

could have some serious lows.

Tootie

Bill, that sounds like a good plan. When you do start increasing the

dosage, do increase it larger than two units at a time... In other

words, bump your 5 units to 7, 6 units to 8, 8 to 10, etc. You will

notice a change in your readings each time you make a change in the

units. You just want to make sure that you don't " overshoot " and wind up

seriously low.

February 6, 2002

Tootie wrote:

> Rick, I think you meant to say DO NOT increase it larger than two

> units at a time.

> I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

> insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME

> because I could have some serious lows.

>

> Tootie

Hi Tootie,

You are absolutely correct. I corrected myself in a follow-up post. Too

bad there isn't a way to delete " erred " posts! (

Rick

February 6, 2002

Tootie wrote:

> Rick, I think you meant to say DO NOT increase it larger than two

> units at a time.

> I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

> insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME

> because I could have some serious lows.

>

> Tootie

Hi Tootie,

You are absolutely correct. I corrected myself in a follow-up post. Too

bad there isn't a way to delete " erred " posts! (

Rick

February 6, 2002

Tootie wrote:

> Rick, I think you meant to say DO NOT increase it larger than two

> units at a time.

> I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

> insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME

> because I could have some serious lows.

>

> Tootie

Hi Tootie,

You are absolutely correct. I corrected myself in a follow-up post. Too

bad there isn't a way to delete " erred " posts! (

Rick

February 6, 2002

> I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

> insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME because I

> could have some serious lows.

***According to the pamphlet that comes in the box of insulin (I think

that's where I read it), if you are using 1-9 units, increase only 1 unit at

a time every few days, and if you are using 10 or above units of insulin,

increase 2 units at a time every few days. I'm sure larger increments would

be appropriate for those very insulin resistant people who take large doses

of insulin.

I have found that it takes my body that few days to adjust to a new

anything: med, dose, food, whatever.

Barb

February 6, 2002

> I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

> insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME because I

> could have some serious lows.

***According to the pamphlet that comes in the box of insulin (I think

that's where I read it), if you are using 1-9 units, increase only 1 unit at

a time every few days, and if you are using 10 or above units of insulin,

increase 2 units at a time every few days. I'm sure larger increments would

be appropriate for those very insulin resistant people who take large doses

of insulin.

I have found that it takes my body that few days to adjust to a new

anything: med, dose, food, whatever.

Barb

February 6, 2002

> I had to call my diabetes doctor last week to ask about increasing my

> insulin and she said DO NO INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS AT A TIME because I

> could have some serious lows.

***According to the pamphlet that comes in the box of insulin (I think

that's where I read it), if you are using 1-9 units, increase only 1 unit at

a time every few days, and if you are using 10 or above units of insulin,

increase 2 units at a time every few days. I'm sure larger increments would

be appropriate for those very insulin resistant people who take large doses

of insulin.

I have found that it takes my body that few days to adjust to a new

anything: med, dose, food, whatever.

Barb

February 6, 2002

> One of the great things about injecting insulin is that you could eat

pretty

> much anything you want, and just adjust your insulin to cover it. That is

> not what I would recommend, but it could be done.

**The trouble with covering large portions of carbs with larger doses of

insulin is that if you are insulin resistant, excess circulating insulin in

your system can be a real problem for your heart, your weight, etc. I

follow the law of small numbers: small amounts of carbs = small amounts of

insulin, tighter control and less room for error.

Barb

February 6, 2002

> One of the great things about injecting insulin is that you could eat

pretty

> much anything you want, and just adjust your insulin to cover it. That is

> not what I would recommend, but it could be done.

**The trouble with covering large portions of carbs with larger doses of

insulin is that if you are insulin resistant, excess circulating insulin in

your system can be a real problem for your heart, your weight, etc. I

follow the law of small numbers: small amounts of carbs = small amounts of

insulin, tighter control and less room for error.

Barb

February 6, 2002

> Re: Re: humalog

> Bill, that sounds like a good plan. When you do start increasing the

> dosage, do increase it larger than two units at a time... In other

> words, bump your 5 units to 7, 6 units to 8, 8 to 10, etc. You will

> notice a change in your readings each time you make a change in the

> units. You just want to make sure that you don't " overshoot " and wind up

> seriously low.

Rick, an others,

I've been doing rather well with my bg, this morning it was between six and

seven, too lazy to go reread my meter. At 8pm I had some sweets, had a wild

craving and went downstairs to my neigbour to get it. An hour or so later I

was at 9. So that I was higher than six wasn't a big surprise, but normally

my fasting bg is closer to 5.5, been 5.1 a few times.

Would you say that Humalog would be something I should think about? I don't

think so, plus I'd rather not be injecting myself if not needed.

Marc

February 6, 2002

Eat a lowcarb diet and watch portion size and you'll lose weight. Oh, and

exercise, smile. Vicki

<< now how do I lose the weight

and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

>>

February 6, 2002

Eat a lowcarb diet and watch portion size and you'll lose weight. Oh, and

exercise, smile. Vicki

<< now how do I lose the weight

and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

>>

February 6, 2002

Eat a lowcarb diet and watch portion size and you'll lose weight. Oh, and

exercise, smile. Vicki

<< now how do I lose the weight

and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

>>

February 6, 2002

> This is true...and probably the reason many people connect insulin

use with

> weight gain. Because, of course, if you eat as much of whatever it

is you

> want and cover with insulin, if you eat more calories than you

burn, you'll

> gain weight. Pure and simple. Vicki

>

oh yes the weight gain. I have gained 30 pounds since I started

insulin my dr said its because my bgs are better. that being

uncontrolled will keep the weight off. now how do I lose the weight

and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

February 6, 2002

> This is true...and probably the reason many people connect insulin

use with

> weight gain. Because, of course, if you eat as much of whatever it

is you

> want and cover with insulin, if you eat more calories than you

burn, you'll

> gain weight. Pure and simple. Vicki

>

oh yes the weight gain. I have gained 30 pounds since I started

insulin my dr said its because my bgs are better. that being

uncontrolled will keep the weight off. now how do I lose the weight

and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

February 6, 2002

, there are lots of success stories in the shared files for this list.

The URL is at the bottom of each message. Many people have learned to

control their bg's, lost weight and had success with lowered cholesterol and

blood pressure as well. A lot of these stories involve lowering

carbohydrate intakes.

I don't believe you've gained weight because your bg's are better. I

believe you've gained weight because you are eating more calories than your

body is using, and the insulin has got your bg's better control.

Barb

> oh yes the weight gain. I have gained 30 pounds since I started

> insulin my dr said its because my bgs are better. that being

> uncontrolled will keep the weight off. now how do I lose the weight

> and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

February 6, 2002

, there are lots of success stories in the shared files for this list.

The URL is at the bottom of each message. Many people have learned to

control their bg's, lost weight and had success with lowered cholesterol and

blood pressure as well. A lot of these stories involve lowering

carbohydrate intakes.

I don't believe you've gained weight because your bg's are better. I

believe you've gained weight because you are eating more calories than your

body is using, and the insulin has got your bg's better control.

Barb

> oh yes the weight gain. I have gained 30 pounds since I started

> insulin my dr said its because my bgs are better. that being

> uncontrolled will keep the weight off. now how do I lose the weight

> and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

February 6, 2002

, there are lots of success stories in the shared files for this list.

The URL is at the bottom of each message. Many people have learned to

control their bg's, lost weight and had success with lowered cholesterol and

blood pressure as well. A lot of these stories involve lowering

carbohydrate intakes.

I don't believe you've gained weight because your bg's are better. I

believe you've gained weight because you are eating more calories than your

body is using, and the insulin has got your bg's better control.

Barb

> oh yes the weight gain. I have gained 30 pounds since I started

> insulin my dr said its because my bgs are better. that being

> uncontrolled will keep the weight off. now how do I lose the weight

> and keep the bgs good? Food is a real problem for me!

February 6, 2002

Barb wrote:

>

> I don't believe you've gained weight because your bg's are better. I

> believe you've gained weight because you are eating more calories than

> your body is using, and the insulin has got your bg's better control.

>

I agree Barb. My doc warned me when I started using insulin that I was

going to begin to use or store that glucose that I had been peeing off.

She warned me to expect an immediate gain of at least 10 lbs. I have

tried to be very careful with what I eat, not going crazy because I can

cover it with Insulin. The result is that I have lost about 8 lbs since

I started on insulin a few months ago. Not a great amount, but not a

gain either! I am pleased that it is possible to gain better control of

my BGs and still lose weight without going crazy with hunger.

Rick

February 6, 2002