Re: The drugs don't work for me

[Guest guest]

> Does anyone have problems with Actos making you hungry?

Actos didn't, but when I started Lantus, I felt hungrier for one or two

days, and then the effect seemed to stop.

What kind of diet are you following? Some people feel less hunger with LC

diets.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my basal

bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

CarolR

katakaniki wrote:

My doctor

> keeps increasing my Lantus at night to help my morning rise, but my

> numbers in the morning are still the same as before I started the

> Lantus. Always around 165!

[Guest guest]

Carol,

What is UL, Is it a different brand name of Insulin?

I use Humolog during the daytime & NPH at night.

Also take 4 Diamicron MR. as well.

I'm having quite a time right now,with the blood sugar numbers.

They are bouncing around anywhere from 12 down to 4.

Not as high as they were a little while ago,but definately not where I want them

to be.

Which is the normal range between 4 to 7.

It's very frustrating!!!!!!

I'm adjusting my insulin according to the blood sugar numbers.

I am in the rehab pool 5 days a week,doing stretching movements for 3 of thoses

mornings for an hour & do Aqua fit for 45 minutes the other 2 days .

I'm a Weight Watcher member & it's really frustrating watching the pounds come

back on,thats what happens when I have to increase my humolog insulin very much

for awhile.

Sorry this ended up beinfg so long.

From Ontario.

Carol wrote:

The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my basal

bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

CarolR

[Guest guest]

Carol,

What is UL, Is it a different brand name of Insulin?

I use Humolog during the daytime & NPH at night.

Also take 4 Diamicron MR. as well.

I'm having quite a time right now,with the blood sugar numbers.

They are bouncing around anywhere from 12 down to 4.

Not as high as they were a little while ago,but definately not where I want them

to be.

Which is the normal range between 4 to 7.

It's very frustrating!!!!!!

I'm adjusting my insulin according to the blood sugar numbers.

I am in the rehab pool 5 days a week,doing stretching movements for 3 of thoses

mornings for an hour & do Aqua fit for 45 minutes the other 2 days .

I'm a Weight Watcher member & it's really frustrating watching the pounds come

back on,thats what happens when I have to increase my humolog insulin very much

for awhile.

Sorry this ended up beinfg so long.

From Ontario.

Carol wrote:

The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my basal

bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

CarolR

[Guest guest]

can some one tell me about UL.I am now on Humalog and I seem to need

more and more of it,also take Glucophage 2000mg

does UL replace humalog?

Carol wrote:

> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my basal

> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>

> CarolR

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

can some one tell me about UL.I am now on Humalog and I seem to need

more and more of it,also take Glucophage 2000mg

does UL replace humalog?

Carol wrote:

> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my basal

> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>

> CarolR

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

can some one tell me about UL.I am now on Humalog and I seem to need

more and more of it,also take Glucophage 2000mg

does UL replace humalog?

Carol wrote:

> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my basal

> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>

> CarolR

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

One reason I can think of probably has to do with the " rolling gently "

direction versus the vigorous shaking that it really requires to get the

granules distributed evenly.

If the granules aren't distributed evently, since they're what's

responsible for the timed release of the insulin, then the timing would

be off, thus giving rise to the " unpredictable results " argument that

seems to be so prevalent.

Also, UL works best when 2 daily does are taken, 12 hours apart, and

the required doses may not be the same. This apparently is not widely

known or even suggested by Lilly. And it does take some experimentation

to determine the proper amount. So this isn't a " one-size-fits-all "

situation, which doctors are so fond of giving out.

There may be other reasons -- these are just my own conclusions.

Vicki, happy UL user for 7+ years now

Re: The drugs don't work for me

>

> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my

> basal

> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care now,

> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>

> CarolR

>

> katakaniki wrote:

>

> My doctor

>> keeps increasing my Lantus at night to help my morning rise, but my

>> numbers in the morning are still the same as before I started the

>> Lantus. Always around 165!

[Guest guest]

When I elected to go back to insulin, I asked my endo for UL, tho I told

her I was aware she didn't like it. She said it wasn't that she didn't

like it, her patients had problems. As we have discussed here, the

doctor does not have the time nor the means to individualize an insulin

regimen for every patient. We here, who also belong to DSM, have seen

how time and strip consuming that can be, plus how much expertise the

fine tuning requires. Not to mention the engineering background.

Lantus is easier and great for those people for whom it does a good job.

I wasn't one of them.

Then there is the occasional person for whom one insulin works and

another doesn't. Some people respond much better to Novalog than

Humalog and vice versa. In a few cases, allergies come into play.

One size does not fit all, yet the health care professionals have been

taught a certain protocol and find it difficult to step out of the box.

In the end, you are the one who must customize your treatment and you

also need a lot of patience. It is a good thing that help and

encouragement are available on the better diabetes lists.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

No, UL does not replace Humalog. It's to be used in addition to it.

It's an older insulin that doesn't require a prescription and it's about

half the price of Lantus. Most doctors have little or no experience

with it so they rarely recommend it . And there are lots of " horror

stories " about it being unpredictable, but in my experience, this is

totally untrue. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it needs to be taken

about 12 hours apart, twice a day. The appropriate dose may not be the

same for the a.m. as the p.m. dose as our bodies may react differently

at different times. Some testing is necessary to reach the appropriate

dose.

If you want to try it out, there are quite a few people here who take UL

who can help you with appropriate dosing.

Vicki, happy UL user.

Re: The drugs don't work for me

>

> can some one tell me about UL.I am now on Humalog and I seem to need

> more and more of it,also take Glucophage 2000mg

> does UL replace humalog?

>

> Carol wrote:

>

>> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

>> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my

>> basal

>> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

>> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

>> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

>> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

>> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care

>> now,

>> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

>> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>>

>> CarolR

>>

>

> --

> I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used

> to be!!

> Lynda

[Guest guest]

Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

No, UL does not replace Humalog. It's to be used in addition to it.

It's an older insulin that doesn't require a prescription and it's about

half the price of Lantus. Most doctors have little or no experience

with it so they rarely recommend it . And there are lots of " horror

stories " about it being unpredictable, but in my experience, this is

totally untrue. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it needs to be taken

about 12 hours apart, twice a day. The appropriate dose may not be the

same for the a.m. as the p.m. dose as our bodies may react differently

at different times. Some testing is necessary to reach the appropriate

dose.

If you want to try it out, there are quite a few people here who take UL

who can help you with appropriate dosing.

Vicki, happy UL user.

Re: The drugs don't work for me

>

> can some one tell me about UL.I am now on Humalog and I seem to need

> more and more of it,also take Glucophage 2000mg

> does UL replace humalog?

>

> Carol wrote:

>

>> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

>> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my

>> basal

>> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

>> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

>> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

>> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

>> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care

>> now,

>> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

>> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>>

>> CarolR

>>

>

> --

> I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used

> to be!!

> Lynda

[Guest guest]

Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

No, UL does not replace Humalog. It's to be used in addition to it.

It's an older insulin that doesn't require a prescription and it's about

half the price of Lantus. Most doctors have little or no experience

with it so they rarely recommend it . And there are lots of " horror

stories " about it being unpredictable, but in my experience, this is

totally untrue. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it needs to be taken

about 12 hours apart, twice a day. The appropriate dose may not be the

same for the a.m. as the p.m. dose as our bodies may react differently

at different times. Some testing is necessary to reach the appropriate

dose.

If you want to try it out, there are quite a few people here who take UL

who can help you with appropriate dosing.

Vicki, happy UL user.

Re: The drugs don't work for me

>

> can some one tell me about UL.I am now on Humalog and I seem to need

> more and more of it,also take Glucophage 2000mg

> does UL replace humalog?

>

> Carol wrote:

>

>> The more I hear about Lantus the happier I am that I can't afford it.

>> Since I started using UL I haven't had any problems with it and my

>> basal

>> bgs are in the 88-93 range all the time. I've come across one study,

>> done in Japan, that compared UL and NPH and determined that UL caused

>> more lows. I guess that's what doctors are basing their decisions on

>> when they prescribe Lantus??? I know there must be other studies out

>> there - I just haven't found them or looked for them - don't care

>> now,

>> I'm happy with my fbgs. Is there some really good reason why these

>> doctors are afraid to try UL when the Lantus doesn't work?

>>

>> CarolR

>>

>

> --

> I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used

> to be!!

> Lynda

[Guest guest]

Lynda, UL is taken in addition to humalog as your background insulin.

This is the insulin that keeps your numbers even when not eating. The

humalog is to handle the additional glucose produced by food.

Glucophage is taken to quiet your liver down so it does not put glucose

into your system when it is not needed. It also somewhat enhances

insulin sensitivity.

Tell us about your numbers and your humalog usage.

Helen

[Guest guest]

-Well tomorrow I will get UL and will start testing testing testing

because the humalog is not getting me where I need to be.

If it has granules in it do I have to get bigger needles will it not

clog up ? I will be asking for help Im sure,lol

whimsy2 wrote:

> Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

> UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

> eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

> taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

-Well tomorrow I will get UL and will start testing testing testing

because the humalog is not getting me where I need to be.

If it has granules in it do I have to get bigger needles will it not

clog up ? I will be asking for help Im sure,lol

whimsy2 wrote:

> Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

> UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

> eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

> taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

-Well tomorrow I will get UL and will start testing testing testing

because the humalog is not getting me where I need to be.

If it has granules in it do I have to get bigger needles will it not

clog up ? I will be asking for help Im sure,lol

whimsy2 wrote:

> Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

> UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

> eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

> taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

my # are always around 200 or more I take 35 u of humalog befor my meal

Helen Mueller wrote:

> Lynda, UL is taken in addition to humalog as your background insulin.

> This is the insulin that keeps your numbers even when not eating. The

> humalog is to handle the additional glucose produced by food.

>

> Glucophage is taken to quiet your liver down so it does not put glucose

> into your system when it is not needed. It also somewhat enhances

> insulin sensitivity.

>

> Tell us about your numbers and your humalog usage.

>

> Helen

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

my # are always around 200 or more I take 35 u of humalog befor my meal

Helen Mueller wrote:

> Lynda, UL is taken in addition to humalog as your background insulin.

> This is the insulin that keeps your numbers even when not eating. The

> humalog is to handle the additional glucose produced by food.

>

> Glucophage is taken to quiet your liver down so it does not put glucose

> into your system when it is not needed. It also somewhat enhances

> insulin sensitivity.

>

> Tell us about your numbers and your humalog usage.

>

> Helen

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

OK went to Publix and got UL at $29.95 which I am sure can get cheaper

at maybe Wally World but wanted to start now with this.

whimsy2 wrote:

> Are you only taking Humalog? Because that's really just for meal bolus.

> UL is used, like Lantus, for " background " for the times you're not

> eating, to keep your BGs level between meals.. And if you're only

> taking Humalog, it's no wonder you're having problems.

>

--

I'm not yet where I need to be, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!

Lynda

[Guest guest]

UL, or Humulin U, is a long acting insulin that covers what's called the

" background " , or all-the-time bg. Humalog is a very short acting

insulin designed to cover the extra amounts needed to handle meals. So

it sounds like you are taking glucophage to act as a " background "

handler and Humalog to cover the carb count of your meals. In my case

that would be putting the cart before the horse, since I need a long

acting insulin like UL or Lantus to handle the 24-hr background insulin

needs, and for me, that had to come first. Then I could start working

with either R or Humalog to cover mealtime carb consumption. Taking

more Humalog at one time isn't going to cover any background insulin

needs because it acts too quickly - it doesn't stay with you for more

than a few hours. You can see action charts and descriptions of the

various insulin types at the Eli Lilly website, and in Dr. Bernstein's book.

CarolR

[Guest guest]

I've read that one problem with UL today is that most people have switched

to Lantus, so the UL doesn't turn over very rapidly at the druggist's, and

it's more apt to have sat around for a long time. This could cause a

decrease in potency, which would only reinforce the idea that it's not

reliable.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

I've read that one problem with UL today is that most people have switched

to Lantus, so the UL doesn't turn over very rapidly at the druggist's, and

it's more apt to have sat around for a long time. This could cause a

decrease in potency, which would only reinforce the idea that it's not

reliable.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

There's an expiration date on all insulin bottles.

I always check the date on my UL when I buy it to make sure it's current

and not likely to expire before I finish the bottle -- which usually

takes me 4 to 6 weeks to finish. Even now, the expiration date on the

UL I buy is about a year in the future.

Vicki

Re: The drugs don't work for me

>

> I've read that one problem with UL today is that most people have

> switched

> to Lantus, so the UL doesn't turn over very rapidly at the druggist's,

> and

> it's more apt to have sat around for a long time. This could cause a

> decrease in potency, which would only reinforce the idea that it's not

> reliable.

>

> Gretchen

>

[Guest guest]

I get my UL from the local pharmacy, 3 vials per fill. They never have

three; they always have one. In a couple of days, I get my other two.

This may be their way to assure up to date stock.

Helen

[Guest guest]

I get my UL from the local pharmacy, 3 vials per fill. They never have

three; they always have one. In a couple of days, I get my other two.

This may be their way to assure up to date stock.

Helen