Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zolar1 on January 11, 2011 at 5:48pm

The R U-500 is five times more concentrated. You dose 1/5th your normal dose with it to get the same dose as R U-100.

Have you checked into Apidra? My endo says its faster and I read that it doesn't crystallize in the tubing of pumps as much.

Permalink Reply by Janice L Cotton on January 11, 2011 at 5:49pm

Hi, Chadd. I don't know much about this insulin; however, there is at least a couple of discussions around here regarding using this insulin in pumps. I'm nearly certain that one of them is under the discussions in the OmniPod group. Using as much insulin as you use would mean changing out the OmniPod on a daily basis. This is why the switch to using U-500 in the pump.

Permalink Reply by Chadd on January 11, 2011 at 6:02pm

I was on Humulin U-500 and it wasn't working out so well. Blood sugars were in the 400-500's. I hated it, I had to fight to get off that insulin. It wan't until I fell asleep at work and told a co-working I'm not feeling well, I had msn her. She had text my supervisor and found me bouncing calls. I work at a call center for people calling in.

Another tech had tested bg and gave me humalog and I responded.

Now that I'm on Humalog, I'm at 3.5 units per carb choice and take in close to Basal, well is just high per hr. My sites are getting bad and changing infusion sets all the time. I thought maybe after finding Humalog U-500 , if there was such a drug out there and not having my leg pulled on false advertisement it would be true.

I need something to work, I'm tired feeling like crap all the time. I'm getting burnt out and fustered here. I'm starting to feel there is not point to all of this.

Permalink Reply by Zolar1 on January 11, 2011 at 7:39pm

From another place I read that they were developing 'smart insulin'.

Maybe that will come on the market soon?

Have you tried Chromium supplements?

Permalink Reply by Boston on January 12, 2011 at 8:27am

Dear Chadd,

Would love to know more here. Which pump are you using? When you say "carb-choice" is that per carb, or per carb-serving? Are you T1 or T2? I know about the quandary of bad sites and I have been disappointed with the MD response to this reality. The frustration factor is understandable. I have conferred with so many who keep trying to balance everything and it is really quite hard, especially when being high/low takes all your energy away. If other meds are in the picture these confound the action of insulin at times.

Dont' give up. stay online.

Boston
twin0102@gmail.com

Permalink Reply by Chadd on January 15, 2011 at 4:58am

I'm on the Minimed 722 pump till Tuesday. I'm upgrading to the MiniMed Revel. Warrentee had ran out on November. I'm not going to trust in not having warrentee, so I was approved in having a new pump with my insurance.

I've started on 2 different supplements. Fenugreek and Gymnema Sylvestre.

I've been a T1 since I was a baby.

I've made a few changes in eating less carbs, drinking tea instaed of pop. Kinda lost in what to drink for tea. Just trying to figure out what is the best stuff to do.

Permalink Reply by Zolar1 on January 15, 2011 at 5:24am

Chadd, just remember, fenugreek is a potent source of xenoestrogens. Anything containing Flaxseed or it's oil or derivatives have the absolute highest amount of xenoestrogens. Might as well take female hormones. You get less of an effect. And you're less likely to grow hooters.

This alone can make control issues a bit more difficult.

Try looking for Bitter Melon.

Permalink Reply by Robert on December 26, 2011 at 1:18pm

In the morning when I get up, I take 55 units of the Lantus insulin. Then I take Humalog 20 units before each meal, and then I take Humelin-R 45 units at bedtime. This seems to keep my BG at an acceptable level. If I do not take the Humelin-R 45 units at bedtime, then when I get up the next morning my BG is in the 200 to 300 range. Two boxes of the Humalog pens (for a total of ten [10] pens costs $223.27 with my insurance. I send money every month to the American Diabetes Association; hoping that someone is working on a cure for his horrible disease, and NOT playing games on their lab computers. The insulin pens are a Godsend. On CNBC (Comcast Cable Channel 45) they have a show called "dlife" - and it is very interesting and informative. My diabetic peripheral neuropathy pretty much has me a prisoner as I can barely walk.

Permalink Reply by Gerri on December 26, 2011 at 2:46pm

Lots of interesting research to make monthly donations to, including Dr. Faustman at Mass General. The ADA isn't using your money for a cure. Personally, I wouldn't give them a cent.

Permalink Reply by Robert on December 26, 2011 at 1:38pm

Does anyone know why you can buy the Humelin-R insulin over the counter, but you need a doctor's prescription to buy the Humalog insulin pens? They are both fast-acting insulins. Just curious.

Permalink Reply by Gerri on December 26, 2011 at 2:15pm

Humulin R is not fasting acting. It's an intermediate insulin. NPH, also not a rapid insulin, is available without an Rx in most places in the US. All the rapid acting insulins require prescriptions.

Permalink Reply by Robbie on July 1, 2012 at 5:51am

I have been on this for years. It is a very strong insulin and you have to be very very careful with is because of lows ..My doc took me off lantus and the sliding scale and put me on 8 units in the morning and 8 units at night, It just seems I have to check sugars more often..good luck to you