[Elle]

So the last time I was at my endo's (sept), my HBA1c was going the wrong direction...from 7.2 to 7.8 (neither of these good!). Throughout October I have been writing everything down...and I mean everything...and it seems my max dose of gluconorm per meal (4mg) won't even cover 15 or 20 gms of carbs. Does that mean what I think it does? That I'm not making much insulin of my own these days? I've pretty much given up on the gluconorm in the last couple of weeks and have tried to REALLY low carb it (but not quite Dr. Bernstein), and cover with rapid insulin.

 

[Guest]

When Gluconorm was first released as an oral anti-diabetic agent its dosage came in 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0mg. 11 years later your prescription is double that maximum. I'm wondering here if you titrated up from a lower dose...or did your caregiver start you out at 4.0mg?

Reading up on Gluconorm it describes Gluconorm as mimicing the insulin secretion of a normal pancreas, to provide fast and flexible management of blood glucose when it is needed most - with meals. I'm a little confused, though. Stating that it mimics the pancreas when taken before a meal almost sounds like it's an oral, bolus insulin, which is impossible because you can't take insulin orally...the digestive process in your stomach destroys it.

If you think that you're not getting what you're used to from your Gluconorm, and it seems you may not be, you might get together with your caregiver, explain your concerns and ask for a trial basal insulin like Lantus, or Levemir. Diabetes is such a one-size-doesn't-fit-all disease that the combination of management prescriptions and regimens are probably as diverse as the number of diabetics in the world.

I'm sure you'll get it figured out!

 

[foxl]

Oh okay -- it is called Prandin in the US.

I myself prefer insulin.

 

[Elle]

Thanks you two. I have an appt with my endo at the end of Nov and will talk to her about a basal insulin....in fact, I am going to see if I can get in earlier as that feels like a long time to bouce around...

 

[Elle]

Had a session with my endo's nurse practitioner yesterday. We've swapped out my Novolin (which apparently has 8-12 hour 'staying power') with Levemir to see if this help. No more gluconorm, just Novorapid to cover meals. Let's see how this goes!! Day one today....

 

[Shanny]

Good news, Elle . . . I hope this works a lot better for you!

 

[Guest]

Excellent! I think once you find the correct dosage with Levimir that your management will improve. Please, keep us posted...as we'd like to know whether our suggestions help you, or not.

A question: In your new prescription for Levimir, did they write you a script for once a day or twice-a-day injections?