Guest guest Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Hi , I personally think the insulin pen is the most accessible for blind people. The Count-a-Dose would work, too, but then you need to carry several things around (syringes, insulin vials, and the device itself) and a pen is far more compact than all that. I don't think you need to worry about the pump. The pump is fairly complex and would not be prescribed to someone just starting insulin. Typically it is used by people with type 1 diabetes who cannot get good control even on multiple injections a day, or who prefer the pump to shots for whatever reason. Even for type 1s, though, it would not be given to somone just starting on insulin. The only insulin you would have to mix is if you are on NPH. This is an older insulin so I'd be surprised if it's what you will get prescribed, and NPH only has to be mixed if you are using syringes; if you're using pens, you just use one pen for each type of insuln. The newer insulins like Lantus and Levemir are actually not supposed to be mixed with anything. It is likely you will be prescribed a long-acting insulin to be taken once or twice a day (Lantus and Levemir are both long-acting), and possibly a rapid-acting insulin such as Humalog or Novolog to take before meals and snacks, but this really depends on what your blood sugar readings are like. Jen On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 11:38 AM, Markel wrote: > > > Hi, > My physician wants to put me on insulin but I told her I needed to find out > which method of administering the insulin would be more accessible for me > since I'm totally blind and don't want to depend on anyone to give me my > shots. > I've read about several methods and I know it all depends on what type of > insulin she prescribes me and I know some insulins you have to mix together. > I figured the pen would be easier rather than the usual syringe method. > I really don't want the pump because I'd have to have someone sighted help > me set the thing up. > The national federation of the blind sells the count a dose I think but I > don't have the finances to purchase it and the utility only works with the > DB syringes. > Could you all share with me the method of injection you use and whether or > not you need assistance with your shots? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Hi , I personally think the insulin pen is the most accessible for blind people. The Count-a-Dose would work, too, but then you need to carry several things around (syringes, insulin vials, and the device itself) and a pen is far more compact than all that. I don't think you need to worry about the pump. The pump is fairly complex and would not be prescribed to someone just starting insulin. Typically it is used by people with type 1 diabetes who cannot get good control even on multiple injections a day, or who prefer the pump to shots for whatever reason. Even for type 1s, though, it would not be given to somone just starting on insulin. The only insulin you would have to mix is if you are on NPH. This is an older insulin so I'd be surprised if it's what you will get prescribed, and NPH only has to be mixed if you are using syringes; if you're using pens, you just use one pen for each type of insuln. The newer insulins like Lantus and Levemir are actually not supposed to be mixed with anything. It is likely you will be prescribed a long-acting insulin to be taken once or twice a day (Lantus and Levemir are both long-acting), and possibly a rapid-acting insulin such as Humalog or Novolog to take before meals and snacks, but this really depends on what your blood sugar readings are like. Jen On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 11:38 AM, Markel wrote: > > > Hi, > My physician wants to put me on insulin but I told her I needed to find out > which method of administering the insulin would be more accessible for me > since I'm totally blind and don't want to depend on anyone to give me my > shots. > I've read about several methods and I know it all depends on what type of > insulin she prescribes me and I know some insulins you have to mix together. > I figured the pen would be easier rather than the usual syringe method. > I really don't want the pump because I'd have to have someone sighted help > me set the thing up. > The national federation of the blind sells the count a dose I think but I > don't have the finances to purchase it and the utility only works with the > DB syringes. > Could you all share with me the method of injection you use and whether or > not you need assistance with your shots? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Jen pretty much answered your questions I think. I'll add that you will be able to use an insulin pen absolutely independently as a blind person. You need not worry about that part of taking insulin. Since you are newly diagnosed, get into the habit of checking your bg readings frequently. that means at least 4 times each day, or maybe as many as 8 or 9 times a day. Yes, you read that correctly! You need to know where your bg readings are in order to administer insulin properly. Feel free to ask any further questions. Dave Visit: http://www.bardtalk.com and find answers to commonly asked questions concerning BARD. Join the online discussion list, and discover many other resources to help make your digital talking book experience more enjoyable! insulin Hi, My physician wants to put me on insulin but I told her I needed to find out which method of administering the insulin would be more accessible for me since I'm totally blind and don't want to depend on anyone to give me my shots. I've read about several methods and I know it all depends on what type of insulin she prescribes me and I know some insulins you have to mix together. I figured the pen would be easier rather than the usual syringe method. I really don't want the pump because I'd have to have someone sighted help me set the thing up. The national federation of the blind sells the count a dose I think but I don't have the finances to purchase it and the utility only works with the DB syringes. Could you all share with me the method of injection you use and whether or not you need assistance with your shots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 hi was wondering how does the lantis slow acting work if i do 80 units how much does it release every hour . and just wondering can you use the novalog and the lantis together my brother n law does both so wondering . amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 yes, you can use both, just not together in the same syringe. The lantus suspention is messed up when mixed with another insulin in the same syringe. It's just not novalog either. Humalog does the same thing. My Mother in law is on the humalog/lantus combo. I 'm not sure about the release per hour though. I do know that it has a very little plateau, that's why it's better than humulin and lente . insulin hi was wondering how does the lantis slow acting work if i do 80 units how much does it release every hour . and just wondering can you use the novalog and the lantis together my brother n law does both so wondering . amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 How did you arrive at the dosage of 80 units? That's a lot of insulin. Lantus is a long duration insulin that at one time claimed to last 24 hours. It probably lasts 20 hours or so, but this varies I'm sure from person to person. I believe many diabetics take 2 Lantus injections per day, which ends up providing 24 hour coverage. Dave did you receive your NLS player yet? Expecting one soon? Join the BARD Talk support list by sending a blank email to: bardtalk-subscribe Visit: http://www.bardtalk.com and find answers to commonly asked questions concerning BARD. Read the FAQ at: http://www.bardtalk.com/faq.php insulin hi was wondering how does the lantis slow acting work if i do 80 units how much does it release every hour . and just wondering can you use the novalog and the lantis together my brother n law does both so wondering . amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 i had been at only 32 and my blood sugar has been like fasting 237 so i started going up and yesterday it was 170 today it was 206 i need to go back to the doctor but dont have the money right now . i had read somewhere that when they start you out on lantis its on a very small dose it said that type 2 useally need between 80 and 110 so i tried it and it is working i just want off all those bad pills . amy insulin hi was wondering how does the lantis slow acting work if i do 80 units how much does it release every hour . and just wondering can you use the novalog and the lantis together my brother n law does both so wondering . amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 I forgot that type 2's require higher dosages of insulin. Sorry for my statement that 80 units was a lot of insulin. Dave did you receive your NLS player yet? Expecting one soon? Join the BARD Talk support list by sending a blank email to: bardtalk-subscribe Visit: http://www.bardtalk.com and find answers to commonly asked questions concerning BARD. Read the FAQ at: http://www.bardtalk.com/faq.php insulin hi was wondering how does the lantis slow acting work if i do 80 units how much does it release every hour . and just wondering can you use the novalog and the lantis together my brother n law does both so wondering . amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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