Why Lantis?

I have had diabetes for 28 years, and I live in Canada, where Lantis is not sold, because of a pricing dispute with an arms-length government body. I just started using Lantis, by crossing the border and paying the ridiculous price for it because of the claims I've heard from users. Okay, so here's my question to verteran users of Lantis. Is it that much better? In the last few days I've read people say they are taking two doses of it. I thought the point of it being so incredibly expensive was because it was peakless. I myself am noticing a peak at around 17 hours...but I'm still working to confirm this. Is it worth the price?
This is a terrific website by the way.
Lesley

[JDRF-Team-SS]

Hello Lesley40,

First I want to apologize for the delay in my response.  I am so sorry.  

Also. I need to tell you that I am not a medical profesional, so my input is solely based on personal experience and knowledge.

My son, now 9-1/2 was diagnosed at the age of 3 and my sister, now 32 was dagnosed at the age of 24.

My sister is on lantis and humalog.  She takes only one shot of lantis a day.  She takes this at bedtime.  She has been on lantis for 5 months.  (she used to take NPH)  She does not notice as many peaks and valleys as when she was on NPH, however, she has heard from people other than medical professionals that it really only lasts 18 hours.  My sister feels that being on lantis has helped her.  Her opinion is that if after giving it some time, a person does not see a big difference, it would not be worth it if it is Very expensive.  She likes that she is not taking the 2 shots of NPH and doesn't seem to have as MANY lows.  (she still has them, of course, but, as she says that is the nature of the beast)

Keep in mind, for her it has been 5 months since she started on lantis, so there may be others who have been on it longer that will comment in response to your post.  

(My son is now on the pump and we never did try lantis)

Again, I am so sorry for the delay.

Keep us posted and I am sorry I cannot tell you more.

[Markie]

I started the free Lantus trial 3 months ago. I have found that it does have a peak. And it doesn't last the a full 24 hours. So I am splitting the dose between breakfast and dinner time shots. But, for me, the benefits of using Lantus are still very worthwhile.

My blood sugars have become a lot more predictable. And managing them has become a lot more flexible. In the last three months, my HBA1c has declined from 7.7 to 6.3, and I expect it to come down to about 5.8.

Using Lantus has highlighted the importance of getting the basal rate right before messing with other control elements. I now have reasonably stable blood sugars during the course of the day.

Dealing with the Dawn Phenomenon is an unexpected challenge. Bedtime NPH peaks when the DP kicks in. So I used to wake up with normal blood sugars. This doesn't happen with Lantus. So I bolus 4 units of Novorapid as soon as I wake up in the morning.

I have now got the basal rate sorted out. And I am shifting my focus to more suitable eating, bolusing and exercise patterns. The combined effect will be excellent control. Using Lantus got me started on the track to normalising my blood sugars. And I feel that this goal is now within reach.

So, in answer to your question, Lantus is definitely worth it. Currently, Lantus is not subsidised here in New Zealand either. So I will be paying the full price too.

Cheers,

Mark

[ursamere]

I have been using Lantus for almost a year.  It has eleviated some problems, but it isn't perfect.  I have refused to take 2 daily injections, that seems to negate the publicized advantages.  I no longer have the overnight lows that caused problems with Lente/Regular humalin and that has helped.

[Lesley40]

Thanks for the answer and comments. So far, after about a week and a half, I do notice Lantis is more "forgiving" if I can use that term and I am already seeing fewer peaks and valleys. I agree with Mark that I have a stronger sense of my basal insulin need. But I also agree that it's not perfect so I will carry on for about 6 months, and re-evaluate.

Lesley

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Lesley,
I'm a pumper (and not a physician), but I've read reports from many Lantus users. As folks've posted here, many do see a peak of some sort.  One person seemed to find her peak within 4-5 hours of taking her shot.  Thus, she switched from taking it at nite to taking it in the morning & using the peak "feature" to lessen her breakfast shot.

It is very important to not Lantus with short-acting insulins.  Some folks recommend taking Lantus shot in a different body part if you're also taking a short-acting shot at the same time.

Good luck with it.  I wonder why it's not (yet?) available in Canada, and I do hope you see continuing good results.

[JDRF-Team-SS]

Hi Lesley40,

Just checking in to see how Lantus is working for you.

Let us know how it is going.  

Sincerely,
SS

[Huckypuck]

I have had type 1 diabetes for a little over a year. Got diagnosed on 9/11/03 of all days! I am currently 28 years old. I take humulog with each meal and Lantus before bed. This is the only treatment meathod I have ever used. My A1c average over the past year is about 5.2. My average blood sugar is 110. When I first started using the Lantus I was getting several low blood sugars during the day (probably still honeymooning) but now I only get maybe 1. I do have the dawn phenomenon occationally where my pre breakfast blood sugar is actually higher than my post dinner sugar the night before. Other than that, everything is very predictable. So far, so good.

[Mr_Gatorade]

Yes, Lantus really, really IS that much better.  If you can afford it--it's quite an expensive drug.  


I have only taken it once daily, so I don't know why people take it twice daily.

Take it from someone who has used NPH basal insulin and regular insulin for years and years.   Lantus is very much worth its high price.