[Nemo]

I'm buying the rapid insulin from Walmart for $25 a vial.
I take my usual dose of Levemir at 6 p.m. everyday. My numbers are just so erratic that I started taking the rapid insulin. I think you're supposed to take it once before each meal if your numbers are high.
My doctor gave me a little regimen that I am to take 10 units before each meal. If my blood sugar is from 200 to 250 I'm to add two units for a total of 12 units for that meal.
I'm trying to eat healthy and I don't want my BS being at 200 so I test my blood about 7 times a day and if it's 170 or 200 I'll Take 5 or 10 units of the rapid insulin.
I think I'm being successful in this but my question to you is, am I being successful?
I'm going by my numbers. If I'm not around 160 I'll take maybe five units of the fast-acting insulin. And it's been bringing my blood sugar down so I'm thinking that's good
I read that the rapid acting insulin starts to work in about 30 minutes, It peaks in 2 to 3 hours and keeps on working for 8 hours.
How should I gauge my numbers? At the two and three hour if my numbers haven't come down should I take a few more units of Rapid insulin? I'm just really in a experiment method here.
Thanks for any help. 😊

 

[itissteve]

Hello, Nemo.

Your question really should be aimed at your doctor or care team. Though we know a lot about diabetes and other Novolog users may report their experiences, none of us (that I'm aware of) are medical doctors . And your care team is who knows you and your other medical conditions and medications/interactions best.

What I've read about Novolog is that it starts showing its effect around 15 minutes after injection and peaks 1-2 hours after you inject it. After 4-5 hours it shows no effect. If you're still seeing high numbers after three hours, are you eating something fairly high-carb at those times? The units you take should correspond to the amount of carbs they have to counteract, so what you're eating just then is important. The amount you'd take to counteract a steak and a side of broccoli is not what you'd need to counteract, say, a loaded baked potato.

 

[Ronnie]

Hello, Nemo.

Your question really should be aimed at your doctor or care team. Though we know a lot about diabetes and other Novolog users may report their experiences, none of us (that I'm aware of) are medical doctors . And your care team is who knows you and your other medical conditions and medications/interactions best.

What I've read about Novolog is that it starts showing its effect around 15 minutes after injection and peaks 1-2 hours after you inject it. After 4-5 hours it shows no effect. If you're still seeing high numbers after three hours, are you eating something fairly high-carb at those times? The units you take should correspond to the amount of carbs they have to counteract, so what you're eating just then is important. The amount you'd take to counteract a steak and a side of broccoli is not what you'd need to counteract, say, a loaded baked potato.

 

[Ronnie]

I dont think the insulin in question is Novolog. My Pharmacy says that right now, out of pocket, novolog is over $300.00 for 100 units. I checked just recently. The $25.00 per bottle is also not fast acting as far as I know. That is not something I have good knowledge of. Nemo. get a brochure from the pharmacist about your $25.00 Walmart insulin. Here is a link posted in 2020 and updated in 2021.
walmart-insulin
Everything You Need to Know About Walmart Insulin I believe Dr. Bernsteines "Diabetic Solutions". He has a recent update and some of it is readable online. It is good that your endo is supporting your use of an affordable insulin. I wish you great success.

 

[Ronnie]

oops. that link did not post. Ill try again Everything You Need to Know About Walmart Insulin

 

[itissteve]

Thanks, Poparon. When I did a Web search for Walmart insulin several sites I would trust put the two together.

 

[Ronnie]

Thanks, Poparon. When I did a Web search for Walmart insulin several sites I would trust put the two together.

I'm sorry, I found the web site and your right. walmart-revolutionizes-insulin-access-affordability-for-patients-with-diabetes-with-the-launch-of-the-first-and-only-private-brand-analog-insulin

 

[itissteve]

Thanks for the clarification, Poparon. It's pretty remarkable that Walmart actually made a useful insulin cheap(er).