Health
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  • From: jaciqltz
  •   To: All
  • 1 of 3
  • 1/24/08

Hello,

I am 46 yr. old and have Type 2 diabetes, but I have been on insulin for the last 5 years. I had a reaction to metformin, and then glyburide, so insulin it was!

Now I have a new Dr. and he wants me to switch to Lantus. I currently take 5 UN of R, 4x a day, and 25 UN of NPH am/pm.

I am worried about switching insulin...things have been going well on the regime that I am on, and I do not understand why the sudden switch.

The Dr. said the benefits are, Lantus might help me lose weight, were the insulin made me gain, Lantus is only 1 shot a day VS. the 4 I am doing right now.

What are the benefits of Lantus VS. my R & NPH mix?

THank you.

Jacquie

  • From: _ABCNewsMedUnit_
  •   To: jaciqltz
  • 2 of 3
  • 1/25/08

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

 

Hi jaciqltz and thank you for your question. Here is an answer from Mark D. Pescovitz, M.D., Professor of Surgery and Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine:

 

Lantus provides a more physiologic constant level of insulin. Patients are less prone to highs/low when using it. the weight gain comes from eating to control the changes in blood sugar that one feels. it is possible that your doctor might also suggest very short acting insulin in combination with meals. this is what happens physiologically where the normal pancreas releases insulin at the time of a meal

 

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****
  • From: kayford01
  •   To: jaciqltz
  • 3 of 3
  • 2/19/08

My endocrinologist was Harvard trained.  He visited with me about Lantus.  He told me since my pancreas was still making insulin so I should not be on Lantus.  I took it at bedtime.

I am now on a 70/30 mix. If I am ill then I do Humalog which is faster acting and adjust it by using sliding scale. 

I still take Glucophage plus Avandia and still have trouble controlling sugars.  If I get my glucose levels down with insulin then I gain weight.

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

 

 
 
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