My insulin seems to "go bad"
Do you ever experience a sudden jump in BG after wearing your pump for a few days.
I have found that I can't fill my pump because the insulin seems to lose effectiveness
after I have used the first 120 units or so. I only fill it halfway now. I'm experimenting
with keeping the pump outside the covers at night, not keeping it in my back pocket
if I can avoid it... etc. as I think it is the heat that must be the culprit. Anyone else
with this same kind of experience. I've had sudden high blood sugars a number of times
and the only variable that brings me back to normal performance is changing the insulin.
????
I have found that I can't fill my pump because the insulin seems to lose effectiveness
after I have used the first 120 units or so. I only fill it halfway now. I'm experimenting
with keeping the pump outside the covers at night, not keeping it in my back pocket
if I can avoid it... etc. as I think it is the heat that must be the culprit. Anyone else
with this same kind of experience. I've had sudden high blood sugars a number of times
and the only variable that brings me back to normal performance is changing the insulin.
????
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on -
May be some felt between the pump and the body.
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Permalink Reply by Jake on -
How many days are you using the site for.....?
Some people.. can only use a site for 2 days, before their BG climbs up.... its probably not the insulin....
You might need more frequent site changes.... or it could be the set/insertion.... Try changing the set every two days a couple of times.. If this helps. you can probably get away with using the cartridge for two site changes, mebby more, but YDMV... If you are using a metal cannula set.. you REALLY should be changing every 48 hours... The one advantage is if you dont have an adhesive sensitivity/allergy, you can usually get away with less adhesive products... if im only using a set for 2 days, i can usually skip the skin tac/skin prep... and just use alcohol/CHG (hibistat).. let dry and slap a tegaderm down and be done with the prep ;)
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Permalink Reply by Jen on
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I agree with this. I change sites every 2 or 2.5 days because if I leave it in longer than that my BG climbs a lot. It's gotten better since I switched from Humalog to Apidra, and also since I've moved sites to areas that haven't been used frequently. But I would look at your infusion sites rather than the insulin suddenly going bad.
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Permalink Reply by Lex on -
I noticed the same thing happening to me a while ago and my pump trainer informed me that the plastic of the tubing and reservoir begins to breakdown and dilutes the insulin. I've been making it a point to change my site every 2-3 days. That has been extremely helpful. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on -
Lex, I also was having problems with Apidra breaking down fast in my cartridges. When it is hot out, I have to change them every day and a half. The Animas clinical manager for my area also told me that the cartridges should be changed every 2 days.
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Permalink Reply by Rheanna Husmann Isakson on -
Try using Novolog instead of Humalog. I was told it's "heartier" it isn't as affected by temp. I still use syringes but I kept on the with the Novolog and haven't had trouble with it loosing its umph.
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Permalink Reply by Melitta on
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As other people have said, usually the culprit is a site that has gone bad, not the insulin. I hope you are able to figure it out!
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Permalink Reply by Doris D on -
I agree with the site maybe causing you some trouble too but my and Humalog just didn't agree. I ran "HI" alot of times with it. When my Dr changed me back to Novolog I have been having a better experiance with the bs's
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Permalink Reply by carolyne hart on
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As usual, great feedback with differing conclusions. In trying to come up with the
consistent variable that is thwarting my otherwise predictable blood sugar
I have been changing the site first. Usually I conclude that it's something I did
or didn't do and up my dose, and then after chasing the high all day with more
and more insulin, I change the insulin, too. Immediately I get positive results and
the normal dosage brings my blood sugar back down. My diet is pretty steady
and I'm pretty aware of how stress and exercise affect my readings. I use about
13 units for basal and 13 for bolus a day. I do change my site about every two or three
days. I haven't noticed leaving it in longer creates any major impact except the site
begins to get red and sensitive. I'm on humalog. Does any of this info affect the debate on
whether or not the insulin is degrading or not? Or the line? Thanks for your feedback, guys.
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Permalink Reply by Jake on
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Try novalog. Technically humalog isn't approved specifically for pump. In us. It can crystalize in the set/tubing/cannula but usually when its too hot. Also try for every 2 not 3 for a bit
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Permalink Reply by JaninaWalker on -
I have been researching the same problem since June. I use the Solostar Lantus pens that are disposable so there is a pump right inside the insulin that pushes it forward. The first insulin used in the pen is ok but the closer to the pump I get the worst I feel and the more insulin I need to take to get the same effect. I’m on my 7th cartridge that I have had trouble with and it applied to all of them while I had no trouble with Lantus for the 5 years prior to that
I asked my doctor whether I was developing a resistance or allergy to the insulin, so I said I feel ok taking repeated doses of short acting insulin so perhaps I need to be on a pump. So he said you are the type of person who can do it.
I got the answer when at my first seminar to learn how to use a pump, before I switch.
The seminar leader said plastic degrades insulin even after 3 days.
The fact that you are having a problem on the PUMP means even more that I don't want the bother of a pump as the plastic degrades insulin problem is also evident there. You can find others have talked about it, if you search for the right words. One user said even in a hot shower the insulin is made worse because of the heat.
If you take insulin in and out of the fridge the temp change degrades insulin the manufacturer told me.
It is obviously because there is plastic inside the pump that helps control the release, just as there is a plunger in my disposable Lantus pen.
So I am absolutely certain this is the reason. It has been a major problem for me so long I have spent hours researching it.
So it is not the type of insulin that matters but the plastic inside.
So thank you a LOT for your insight because it means a pump is just as much a problem as the disposable pens. It is not the insulin that is at fault, but the plastic.
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