Lantus medication
For more information check out: Lantus medication today!
Q: Does anyone who takes the medication, Lantus Insulin Glargine, feel itchy after they inject it?
My 9 yr old says she’s itchy after every injection. Luckily it’s just once a day, but she doesn’t like it. We’ve asked her diabetes clinic & the pharmacy & they said that no one else has complained. The pharmacy suggested that she takes benadryl a half hour before she needs her shot. But then she’s so sleepy afterwards. I don’t like to drug my kids if I don’t have to. So I guess that my question is:does anyone else feel any side effects to the medication?
She feels itchy all over & there are no bumps or red patches. Just her claw marks where she has scratched. I know what allergic reactions look like & she doesn’t have any sign of 1. The itchiness can last for hours.
A: It’s not surprising. Especially for a kid. Adults complain about “pain” at the injection site. Kids might call it itchy.
First of all it’s cold. Warming it up might help some. The other reason might be the chemical nature of the insulin itself.
Lantus is a clear solution as the pH it is suppled in. When it is injected, the acidity changes. The insulin is no longer soluble and crystallizes out. This is what makes it release so nicely over 24 hours. It is also what I suspect is causing the itch. Benadryl won’t help. You’re probably just stuck.
You sound like a good parent. Keep it up, and keep asking questions
Q: i have been taking Lantus since few month, but my sugar level gets high at night, is there a better medication
usually Lantus should control the sugar level for 24 hours,and i also take insulin shots whenever i eat sweets or carbs depending on the quantity, but the problem is that Lantus is not controling my sugar level during my sleep, so i sometimes have to wake up and take shots at night, i was wondering if there is something more effective for the night time control.
A: The previous poster is talking about Dawn Phenomenon. This is actually caused by increased cortisol which occurs in the early morning hours to help you wake up. This causes some people to be insulin resistant and run high in the early morning. A pump treats this very well.
The rebound effect occurs when the liver releases emergency sugar in response to a low, causing a high blood sugar. This is also called the Sonogyi effect.
Another option is to split your Lantus into two doses, one in the morning, one in the evening. For some people Lantus just doesn’t last 24 hours.
Q: What is considered very large doses of Novolog and Lantus to take for diabetes?
The doctor has prescribed Novolog and Lantus for my 49 year old husband. He was diagnosed with diabetes 9 years ago. He was hooked on junk food when I met him. He continues with his junk food habits no matter what I do! I beg him to opt for broiled lean meat and veggies and fruits. He stays away from whole grains and fiber rich foods. He keeps his weight down because he loses weight when his blood sugar is high. He eats at least a lot of food every day. Much more than the normal person would. He wants hamburgers and french fries every day at least twice per day. He eats large bowls of cereal with sugar. On top of this, he eats at least 3 large bowls of ice cream per day. Candy bars like they were going out of style. He was already diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. His blood pressure is high and he is a workaholic. He has been hospitalized for his out of control blood sugars which have ran around 680 in the past. His doctor just upped his insulin and Lantus medication to 60 IUs of Lantus and 90 IUs of Novolog per day. Is this considered very large amounts of insulin? I am worried sick about him and do not want to be a widow! His father had diabetes and died of a heart attack at 66. His father did control his diabetes.But his father controlled his diabetes. My husband’s last profile was 11. The doctor said his blood sugars are out of control. My husband does not tell the doctor the truth about his eating habits. What can I do to help him? Thank you and peace!
By profile I mean A1C. It was 11 last time.
Sorry for being repetitive in some of the above info. I am a bit tired. I cannot go back and edit it now. So sorry!
The rest of us do not eat out 2 times per day. He goes out before work and at lunch. Will not take his lunch. Does not care how much trans fat or refined carbs he eats. I do not eat this way. I do not buy ice cream. He buys it gallon at a time on the way home from work. I have a healthy dinner with plenty of fresh veggies waiting for him at home. He rather have junk.
The rest of us do not eat out 2 times per day. He goes out before work and at lunch. Will not take his lunch. Does not care how much trans fat or refined carbs he eats. I do not eat this way. I do not buy ice cream. He buys it gallon at a time on the way home from work. I have a healthy dinner with plenty of fresh veggies waiting for him at home. He rather have junk.
He also buy sugar filled cereals at the grocery store because he knows I wont buy them. I only make oat meal. I have mixing bowls in the kitchen. The other bowls are “too small” for him to use. He uses the large mixing bowls. If I get rid of them he will only get more. I have called the doctor to tell him the truth before. He denies everything. But the doctor sees through him..He has been to get education on his diet. They also have educated me about what to make. The problem is he won’t eat it. I am so frustrated!
Forget about portion contol! ! he will scarf down 3-4 huge whoppers at BK every day at llunch. Plus 2 orders of french fries and a huge icee. May as well be pouring sugar right in his bloodstream. I make a lean turkey sandwich on whole wheat with carrots and celery. Plus some home made soup in his thermus. He brings home everything I send with him in the morning. He tells me he had a craving for junk food. This is every day. I am tired of packing lunches he will not eat!
I put it in his car. He brings it home. We go back and forth. He won’t eat good food. I have tried and tried and tried. I also go to the doctor with him sometimes. I am tired of his lies to the doctor. We do argue so I avoid this by calling the doctor and do not go with him.
A: Personally, dear lady, I would consider the doses of your husband to be large, but there’s a reason why the doses are so big … it’s because it’s the only way to even attempt to bring his blood sugar levels down.
You mention that you’ve already experienced the effects of his blood sugar levels getting out of control … with his admission to hospital. Sadly, that is likely to continue. With his blood sugar levels being so far out of control he is doing damage to his internal organs.
I’m sure you already know that heart problems, nerve problems, kidney failure, eye problems, etc. are all brought about by failure to keep blood sugar levels as near to ‘normal’ as possible.
The bad news, I’m afraid, is that your husband is pushing himself towards an early grave. (Please believe me, I receive no satisfaction from saying that. Unless he takes stock and tries to do something about his condition I’m afraid there’s very little hope for him.)
Has your husband been given an appointment recently to speak with a dietitian? It sounds like he could do with it.
Your husbands HbA1c result indicates that his blood sugar hovers around 314 for most of the time. (HbA1c results are given as a percentage of the amount of glucose attached to haemoglobin [hemoglobin]. Unfortunately, that often leads to some confusion amongst diabetic patients. They see the number 11 and think that their blood sugar level, which is measured in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), means that their average blood sugar level must be around about 11. (we use mmol/l … millimols per litre in the civilised [civilized] world. lol.) Even then, that reading would be too high. (You can easily convert mg/dL to mmol/l by dividing by 18.)
I really wish there was something that I could say that would help your husband to see the sort of life he’s letting himself in for. I, myself, have developed a number of complications over the years, and I can tell you it’s not from the want of trying. I’ve done my utmost to try and keep my blood sugar levels ‘normal’. I now use a pump (have done for 10 years now) which, although it gives me better control, is still not perfect. I’m not entirely sure how things work in the United States (I’m presuming that you’re from there seeing as you talk of your husband having a blood sugar level of 680), but maybe you could approach your husband’s doctor to see about the possibility of this.
Some more bad news, I’m afraid, is that your husband’s “workaholic” status is likely to not continue for very many years. I used to be exactly the same, though in a not very physical way, and was pensioned off in 1991 due to ill health. I do hope that your husband comes to his senses before it’s too late, and I do apologise for being the harbinger of doom. That was never my intention.
Be well, dear lady.
If you do wish to talk more about how diabetes can, and may, affect someone, do please feel free to email me. (Click on my avatar/photograph and click send email.)
Q: I am a Type 1 diabetic. What is the best medication to use instead of Humilin U?
I think my endo.. is just nuts . They tell you take this, try that sometimes not even knowing how the hell they work. I was on HumilinU. This med is now discontinued in Canada. My Dr. says take Humilin N or Lantus. Please could anyone who is on these meds give me some feed back. lantus is very expensive too. I am now taking 18units of Toronto Regular penfill and 40units of humilin N.
A: To all the type 2’s responding: STOP IT! This is a type 1 question.
Dear asker,
I feel for you because the exact same thing happened to me. Humulin Ultralente was a superb insulin. I can’t believe those moron drug companies stopped making it. It is discontinued in the US as well. They probably stopped making it because it was cheaper than Lantus or Detemir.
Humulin NPH sucks. It acts too fast and is done too quickly. That is the reason I switched to Ultralente many years ago. Then I was forced to make a choice between Lantus or NPH. Well, forget the NPH. I tried Lantus, however, ‘they’ say you can’t mix it with Humalog. So my quantity of shots went from 2 a day to 4 to 6 times a day. Nice.
Then the Lantus started making me sick, and it didn’t last as long as advertised.
My last resort was Detemir (Levermir, whatever, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, WTF??!! Use one frikkin’ name).
This Detemir insulin seems to be ok for me, but I miss the Humulin U for the reduced quantity of injections and low cost.
If Lantus doesn’t pan out, try the Determir.
Q: If you’re in jail for a couple of nights and you’re diabetic, do they have to give you the proper medication?
A friend of mine was jailed for 3 days and 2 nights in Austin, TX. She is a Diabetic type 1 and the nurse at the jail took her insulin away and told her that they do it differently there, that however you take your insulin at home is not how they do it there. My friend told the nurse she takes 22 u of Levemir at night and 12 u in the am and uses a sliding scale of Novolog depending on what she eats. They only gave her 14 u of Lantus and wouldn’t give her any short acting insulin for food. My friend then ended up spending those nights and days with constant high blood sugars ranging between 350 and 500. Is this legal of the jail to alter your medication and is there anything she can do or someone she can contact to seek settlement for her troubles?
A: Your friend needs to contact her doctor and have the doctor contact the nurse at the jail and give medical orders. Normally nurses will take blood sugar readings and give the proper amount of insulin. I am very curious as to how your friend knew that her blood sugar was between 350 and 500, if she knew that then she should have demanded to talk to the nurse to adjust her insulin.
Your friend should seek the advice of a personal injury attorney but somehow I don’t think that she has much of a case, you have to remember also that if they took your friends medication away and the dosage was on the bottle the nurse was doing exactly what was prescribed, that is why I stated that she needs to contact her doctor for new orders.
Q: I had bypass heart surgery in May. Why do I still have shortness of breath?
I was doing well but in last month I have been short of breath. I am taking Coreg, Altace, Warafin, Zocor and Lantus Insulin. I think its the medication so doctor has significantly cut my doseage in last 3 weeks. I find that I don’t get as light headed since he cut my doseage. My blood pressure is normal and my lungs check out ok. My oxygen level is 98 to 100%. I don’t have the stamina and can’t figure out why. Doctor is puzzeled also. My blood sugar levels are also great and within range.
A: Have you had a treadmill test lately??, Echocardiogram or electrophysiology tests?? These diagnostic tests may answer your question of feeling short of breath. You mentioned doing well the months following the surgery; did you just recently attempt to go back to your normal routine and found that you can’t? Other then medication changes, anything else change in you life or lifestyle? A couple of things come to mind: Your ejection fraction isn’t the same: What color are your stools? Are they dark brown or black? If so, your blood may be too thin from the warfarin and your bleeding internally, thus decreasing your H & H levels. Post bypass surgery isn’t one of my strong points, but I hope some of the answers help out. Good Luck.
Q: Lantus used to control blood sugar. Does it cause?
a problem with the ability to reach orgasam? My husband just started this medication last week and he can’t seem to reach orgasam. He gets an erection just fine. Has anyone else had this problem?
A: Lantus should have no impact on orgasm… I’ve taken it for years with no problems there.
However, he might still be adjusting to the change in blood sugars, and it may take several weeks for his body to adjust to the the blood sugars.
Its also possible that he may need more vigorous or longer stimulation… when I first became diabetic, there was a period of time where I could ‘go at it’ for hours and not orgasm… (I was in much better shape back then).
In the long term, he should return to normal orgasms… and he’ll be able to get it up much longer if he keeps his blood sugars stable and within a ‘normal’ range…
One of the side effects of diabetes is an eventual failure to achieve an erection. Along with nerve damage.
Give it some time, and everything should be fine. If its not in a month – he needs to see his doctor.
Peace,
-dh
Q: Insulin on a plane is checked luggage ok?
Tiny bottle of insulin, Lantus. Must be kept cold and he will not need it during the flight. Is it ok packed in a checked suitcase in a small lunchbox with a blue freezer icepack? Do not have the original cardboard box with perscription data on it just the bottle with its original lable. Will this be ok? The only medication he will be carrying on will be a small perscription bottle of capsules.
A: Yes, that’s fine. However, you might consider taking it on board to avoid the possibility of lost baggage.
Q: For Diabetics and others who take regular medication?
There has been a lot in the media recently about Lantus insulin and a possible correlation with the incidence of cancer. Whilst most doctors are advising patients to stay on the insulin due to the inconclusive nature of the study, I was curious as to what most would do in this particular situation:
You have a lump or anomaly of some sort that has been tested and shown to be benign, but is still present and obvious on your body. Then, you read that the medication you have been taking is associated with cancer, albeit in small sample studies with varying results. Would you change to a different medication regime just to put your mind at rest (or ‘to be on the safe side’) or would you take the doctor’s advice and stay on the medication?
It’s so hard these days in such an over-mediated world to know what is truth and what is hype. What would YOU do?
A: I’d stay on it if I trusted my doctor. I’m on multiple medications; one of them has a possible side effect of cancer, especially if I don’t limit my time in the sun or use sunblock. I really have to stay on it (it’s anti-rejection medication for my transplanted kidney and pancreas). Even if there was another choice, I’d stay on it, because it works very well for me.
Regarding the insulin – I’d probably stay on it if it was controlling my blood sugar well. I was on an insulin pump the last 4 years I had diabetes, and pumps don’t use Lantus.
Q: Need a contact to get lantus eithr low cost or gettg it provided, no insurance. pain in feet, need relief.?
My 19 year old son has type 1 diabetes and had not been taking his insulin. I got involved and started him on a two hour testing with a sliding scale of insulin based on sugar readings. He has been having horrible pain in his feet and legs and there seems to be no way to relieve the pain. They especially hurt when he walks and has been using crutches and a walker to help out. His ketones were off of the chart, since he has no insurance the doctor worked with me to get those down and now he is doing better, but his feet still hurt a lot and he is taking pain medications, but the doctor only wants him to take one every 5 to 6 hours so he really doesn’t get total relief. It’s very difficult to just stand by and not be able to help him get any relief. I know getting his sugars consistent in normal range will help, but we ned some ideas until it’s been long enough. He’s still running up a little high before 7am when his lantus is due.
A: Being a diabetic, your son is prone for foot problems as well as eye, and kidney. He may have pins and needles sensations or sharp pains in his feet, if his legs swell, that is an early indication of renal problems. You should make sure that he gets a BUN and Creatnine with 24 hr urine clearance. He also needs to see a Diabetic foot specialist. I don’t recommend you change his insulin without the consent of an M.D. as the physicians assistant says, although I believe she is qualified, but does not know his history. You don’t want his insulin to go too low in his sleep that sometimes cause comas. Some doctors office teceive free samples, and for those who need it they are willing to help out with the samples if they have it. 1 800 300 0978 is the number for Lantus, I am sure that they may be able to help you or send insulin to your physician so you can get some. They may send you forms to fill out to see if you qualify financially, have your doctor complete his portion and mail it off asap.
Q: i have type2 diabetes and my dr. wants to switch me from nph to lantus good idea????
i have many lows day and night is this medication better? no smart answers this is a serious disease o.k.
A: Lantus is much more stable insulin. it’s considered a 24 hour peakless insulin. You might be getting lows because of the NPH peaking at different times in the day and night. People are less likely to have lows on Lantus. Although it’s considered a 24 hour insulin it’s also possible that it doesn’t last as long in some people or lasts longer in others. It’s not uncommon for people to split their dose. You can always switch back or to something else.
Q: How can I get my heart rate DOWN?
My recommended heart rate to burn fat is 123. But my heart rate stays around 166 even when barely exercising. Why is my HR so high and how do I get it down while exercising. I;m diabetic I take Insulin (lantus), Vitorin for cholesterol, amaryl, and gloucophage, but I had this heart rate problem before any of these medications.
I’m 29 years old.
A: I don’t know your age, but a rate of 166 can be extremely dangerous. That is very high.
I had a rate of 110 or so and found out I was hypertensive (high blood pressure). Please go see a doctor right away- you will probably need something to bring your heart rate down, and then find ways to get a good diet and exercise.
Q: What are my mother’s chances of survival?
My mother is 76, diabetic, and until 18 days ago was living independently. After we found her on the floor the next day, she was diagnosed with a “grave” massive stroke. She is paralyzed on the right side, her blood sugar is around 525 even with increased medications (Lantus and insulin) and running a high fever. She is on a feeding tube which was started so that she might have a better chance of recovery. At this time, we believe she understands (at times) what’s going on around her, but she can’t open her eyes, but can move her left arm somewhat. When someone is on the phone, she actually will hold the phone to her ear then pull the phone away when they say, “Goodbye.” We are so confused because we see small signs of hope that she’ll make it, but then we lose all hope when she can’t even swallow or move…we’re so sad.
A: Linda, As your mother is now about 18 days past her stroke and still alive, her chances of survival are good. It is also a very good sign that she can hold the telephone near her ear. At the time of the stroke, there is an immediate loss of function due either to a clot or a bleed in a brain artery. Many die immediately, but your mom has survived. At the start, there is some swelling of the brain which often goes down and the patient improves. I predict that she will survive this stroke, but she is likely to have some permanent loss. What it will be depends upon what part of the brain may have been damaged. My prayers are with your mother and you.
Q: Type 1 diabetic multiple medications?
OK, I am not looking for advice on how to eat, exercise etc, etc I see my diabetes educator 3 times a week , my Endocrinologist every 2 months plus my internal medicine doc. So I am well taken care of, I have been a type 1 diabetic for 12 years and 4 years ago I had a baby and was diagnosed with Graves disease soon after her birth. I have had the radioactive iodine treatment for my thyroid because my glucose levels were so high; I have changed my insulin for the old R & NPH to the Novolog and Lantus. My glucose levels are still high we have seen a small drop in the levels going from an average of 400-600 down to 200-400 usually in the high 300 to low 400 is where we are at now. I have had T-3 &T-4 blood tests and the thyroid hormone is pretty much gone we have not started the replacement hormone yet. Now this being said I had a talk with my internal medicine doctor a couple of days ago and he wants to put me on a medication that people with type 2 diabetes use. Is this normal, I have never heard of this and was wondering if anyone else had. If anyone knows someone who has done this or what the results might be.
Sure I will let you know what he says. As far as the pump I looked into it and just didn’t like the idea of sleeping and well…… you know with this machine next to me.
Thanks guys and gals, I just thought I would ask, I am on the fast acting insulin the novolog starts working within 10 min or so and the lantus is just the 24 hr. But I thought I would ask and see if any of you had heard of this reversal of meds.
A: I suggest the insulin pump by medtronic along with exercise, check medtronic.com for more answers and better control of your diabetes.
Im very happy with my insulin pump control for my diabeties.
Good luck, and I hope this helps…
Q: Should he be taking all these meds
I have a friend who is on the following medication.In the morning he takes 27mg Concerta(1x/day)500mg of Robaxin(4x/day),100mg of Docusate (2x/day),20mg prilosec (1x/day) ,8mg Deconamine SR,81mg(2x/day) EC Asprin(1x/day),5mg Glucotrol(2x/day),150mg Wellbutrin (2x/day),250mg Keflex,20mg (4x/day for ten days he is on day 2)Sular,1000mg(1x/day),Metformin (1x/day). At night he takes He is being treated for Diabetes,Depression,High blood pressure and Sleep Apnea. At night he takes 25cc Lantus Insulin. 3mg Lunesta, and 25mg Seroquel should he be taking all these meds at these meds at the same time. Can someone answer this for me or point me in the direction to go and by the way these were all prescribed by Uncle Sam
A: That looks like a lot of meds, but it’s hard to tell with all the info up there. Also, I don’t know what several of them are. Anytime you have a question about meds, the best thing to do is consult a pharmacist because they are the ones who work with them all day everyday. they know what each one does and what any possible side effects would be.
I would write down all of the info on a piece of paper and go to a pharmacist you trust. Sit down and have a conversation with him and see what his professional opinion is. I have yet to have a pharmacist steer me wrong, even when doctors have given me the wrong meds (not saying anything bad about docs, they just have too many other things going on.) Good Luck! =)
Related Posts