[jon]

Hey everyone,
I've been visiting this site for many weeks and decided it'd be great to finally officially join!
My first question is concerning my Lantus...I take 30-35 units each night (depending if i will be very active the next day) and am planning to split it into 2 doses per day.
For those who have split their dose before, did you simply divide the daily dose into two or did you use a smaller (or larger) dose??
For example, say you had injected 30 units once a day...would you have gone down to say 15 at noon and 15 at midnight?? or something less (or more)?
Thanks for reading : )

 

[jon]

If that makes sense to you all!

 

[jon]

Also, I see many of you post your A1C information and stats...how do I edit my profile to include such info.
Thanks

 

[rubystar2]

I don't know about Lantus, as I don't use it, but to edit your profile, look at that bar across the top. Click on User CP. Options will pop up. I think the option your are looking for would be 'edit signature'. But look around there as there are several options to personalize your profile.

 

[Terrie]

Hello Jon:

It's Good to see you here. Welcome to our Community.

In answer to your question, many decide how to split their Lantus dose by the suggestion of their Endo or trial and error to see what percentage of dosage matches their Lifestyle.

Some do 60/40 percent, 50/50 and others do 40/60. These may be given at 10 hours apart, 12 hours apart or 14 hours apart. Perhaps60% at awakening and then 40% at 14 hours apart, etc. It's really individual to the Person. It is recommended to increase/decrease dosage by 2 units every 2 to 3 days to see the results.

I started with 60% of my dosage at awakening and then 40%, 12 hours later. Time has passed, changes have occured with my other meds., Lifestyle, etc., so now I take 50% on awakening and 50%, 12 hours later.

Some People find that Lantus does not work for them, so they switch to Levemir Insulin instead.

If you folllow Ruby's directions correctly you would be able to put your A1c, dosage, photo, etc., as others have. By going to User CP at the top left, click on edit signature, then scroll down to the message area where you can apply the info, fonts, browse and upload a picture from your computer. Click on preview signature at the bottom of the message area and if it is correct then click on save signature. You may also click on edit signature to change it later, if you wish to.

If you have other questions or comments, please feel free.

 

[jon]

Thanks rubystar2 and Terrie

I split my 32 units each night to...15 at lunch, and 16 at bedtime...it's worked well so far after 4 days. No more highs in the evenings. Readings the last two nights before bed were 8 and 6 mmol/L. Awesome!

I think those highs happened because it was 20-24 hrs after my Lantus dose and the effects had worn off. Here's hoping this split dosage continues to work great!

 

[Terrie]

Hi Jon:

I take it that you are not a morning Person.

Good job on working out your doses better. You're right. The higher numbers were most likely because Lantus doesn't cover the full 24 hours for most People. You will have to eventually change your dosage once in a while....just because Life happens. :rant:

I like your sig. I should put some of my info there.

I hope that it's warmer in Alberta. It's cooled down to 14 c/57 f here. I fell asleep on the swing outside and almost froze my nose off. hwell: Have a Good day.

 

[rubystar2]

As I stated earlier, I don't take Lantus but reading this thread has prompted some questions. Tell me if I have this right or not. It seems your doctor has prescribed you to take a certain amount, say 30 units. Do you, as the patient, decide how to take that 30 units? Terrie, you mention 60%/40%, 50/50 or maybe a 40/60. So do you experiment and decide what works for you or does your doctor recommend all at once or you should split it and how you should split it. I am curious how you know how to use Lantus. The medications I am on is for type2 and you just take them twice a day. Not much thought needs to go into my medications. (Thank God)

 

[Terrie]

HiYa Ruby:

Since I'm a long-termer, I would normally do my own. I would start out low. Then trial and error. Other long-termers may feel more comfortable being guided by their Endo or Family Doctor which is perfectly Fine. I do not recommend that anyone else do this.

Newly dxd. Diabetics of course, would need their Drs. and Diabetes Educator's advice on this topic. Their Dr. would tell them how much Insulin to take and at what percentages and time(s). After they get used to the Insulins and how foods and exercises affect them, then they can either get their Drs. again to suggest the needed new amounts or decide for themselves by trial and error. Insulin doses change a lot just by consuming different foods and beverages, exercise, not even mentioning anything else. Keeping the number of grams of carbs of your favourite/regular foods/drinks in your brain or written down makes Insulin changes much easier.

If I was starting on a pump however I would definitely request help from ***Everyone***. :help: :grouphug: That's a totally different animal. To me anyways.

I will add, and I'm sure most Insulin-dependant Diabetics will agree. that Fast-acting Insulins like Humalog, Novolog, Apidra, etc. and the NPH mix Insulins are more dangerous than the Long-acting Lantus, Levemir, etc.

 

[rubystar2]

Thanks, Terrie. You are so smart!!

 

[Terrie]

Thanks, Terrie. You are so smart!!

Aww, I am not. Tell me more. J/k layball: Please don't. Most Diabetics know this stuff. Thanks. I am Very Proud of you btw Ruby. You have learned a lot in such a short period of time. You're a Fast learner.

 

[rubystar2]

Fast learner? I don't think so. But I certainly do believe in learning from other people's experiences. THEY are the ones who know. I have this terrible fear some day I'm going to need to use insulin and I won't be able to figure it out. :Cry:

 

[Anthill]

Hey Rubystar , You are the star in this fight to control and the more that we talk to each other the more that we learn from each other. I am in this for the company. But I am learning too.

 

[Terrie]

Goodness Ruby, you have many years before you have to be concerned about using Insulin. You will do Fine. Some disciplined Type 2's go a Good 20 years before they go on Insulin. Actually, Insulin is not a Bad thing as many People think. It does have to be used carefully though. There are some Drs. who put their Type 2 Patients immediately on minimal Insulin to get their sugars in control. They find that this is Very helpful to aid in not stressing out the panceas.

Diabetics are prone to becoming Insulin Resistant. Although difficult sometimes, make it your goal to eat less and exercise more in order to keep your weight down naturally. This will help you to not become Insulin Resistant. You don't want to go there.

I have read your answers to other Members questions and most are correct and valuable. Thank you for helping others and me. By your display of knowledge, I can and do declare you to be a Fast Learner. :first: Good for you.



Hello Peter:

I missed seeing you. I'm Glad that you are here.

 

[rubystar2]

Well, I am a type2 so I am insulin resisitant, right? Correct me if I'm wrong. I am losing weight but have a little ways to go yet. I just can't get very motivated to exercise. :frusty:

 

[Terrie]

Sorry Ruby. I had to leave .

I've heard arguments both ways and have seen it written both ways, so I still don't know who is correct. Some say all Type 2's are Insulin Resistant and some say the majority are but some are not. Did your Dr. say if you were?

These are the usual diagnosis tests:

-2 hour glucose test of 140-199 mg. or
-Fasting Blood Glucose test between 110 and 125

-Triglyceride level of 150 mg/dl or higher
-Blood Pressure level of 130/85 or higher
-HDL cholesterol level <50(Women) or <40(Men)

Risk Factors such as:

Being over-weight(particularly in the abdomen area) or obese having PCOS, being of certain Ethnic origin, etc.

Still, eating less, exercising, losing weight is recommended either way. The IR can be mild to severe. So if someone has it, obviously they would want to be in the mild range as long as possible, if they can manage it.

I'm a Type 1 and not Insulin Resistant but there are some Type 1's who have IR. If I didn't keep my regimem up, I could become IR also. I know it.

Good for you for losing weight particularly with your busy schedule.

A Lady that I met on the web told me that she has to look at food as her enemy. Sad really. But she seemed to be doing Good with that attitude.

 

[jon]

Terrie:

You are right, I'm not a morning person!
However I'm lucky and have a 5 minute commute which allows me to come home and take care of things at lunch rather than in the mornings when I'm rushed! I take my Lantus at around noon and midnight now and I'm getting great BS readings at all hours of the day now!

My new doc had an interesting comment in that the top priority or marker of reducing the chance of diabetic complications is to keep my blood pressure at an optimal level. It makes sense but it's something I never though much of. One simple number, well two!

How is Ontario? I havn't been out there in two years...The weather is real nice out west, we get about 25c every afternoon but the cool mountain air brings us down to 5c overnights!
Falling asleep on the swing sounds fun. Almost Hollywood-like! Hope you didn't freeze too bad

Have a good rest of the week.

 

[jon]

Well, I am a type2 so I am insulin resisitant, right? Correct me if I'm wrong. I am losing weight but have a little ways to go yet. I just can't get very motivated to exercise. :frusty:

Exercise isnt the only thing...having a healthy diet is good as well, but doing both is the best bet! Just take the ever difficult first step and go from there

And don't ever worry about having to someday adjust to insulin, many think it's difficult but with a good doctor and diabetic team, you'll be just fine. They will help you out extremely well until you get comfortable, which never takes too long at all!

As for my diet, I consume about 300g of carbs a day...I didnt think it was too much until I saw some posters on here say they consume just 40-50g...what does everyone else eat/drink per day??

 

[jon]

Risk Factors such as:

Being over-weight(particularly in the abdomen area) or obese having PCOS, being of certain Ethnic origin, etc.

Interesting you mention ethnic origin, I've read about some neat facts...

I live just east of a native reserve here in Alberta where the percentage of residents/descendents who have diabetes is about 30%. A lot of it could be type 2 but it's still a very high number! I've also read about native islands off the coast of Europe where the percentage of people with diabetes is virtually zero!
I guess genetics are a strong factor and because we can't alter our genes, prevention is the best thing for many people!

As for me, I am the product of 7 different European ethnicities so I don't/can't follow any trends :mullet:

 

[rubystar2]

Exercise isnt the only thing...having a healthy diet is good as well, but doing both is the best bet! Just take the ever difficult first step and go from there

And don't ever worry about having to someday adjust to insulin, many think it's difficult but with a good doctor and diabetic team, you'll be just fine. They will help you out extremely well until you get comfortable, which never takes too long at all!

As for my diet, I consume about 300g of carbs a day...I didnt think it was too much until I saw some posters on here say they consume just 40-50g...what does everyone else eat/drink per day??

I think 300 g. of carbs is a lot, but if you are getting good numbers, are at a good weight for you and exercise regularly, then more power to you. I have about 150 g. of carbs a day. Sometimes less. I tried going down to 100 or less a day and I found myself feeling very hungry and then overeating. I figured I wasn't getting enough carbs and my body was letting me know. At 150 I still have good glucose levels and a lot of energy. I certainly feel like I can't have any less than 120 g. of carbs per day.