Lantus allergy?

[ccfromtc]

Since I started using Lantus I have been sick with flu-like symptoms. I just get over one bout and get sick again. I have never been this sick before and wondered if it has anything to do with the insulin. I was unable to use Levemar (sp) because it caused very high blood pressure. Do these sounds like allergies and has anyone else had the same problems? I also get up in the morning aching all over and this also started with the Lantus.

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hi,
This would be an unusual reaction to Lantus but certainly not impossible. Did you start any other medications at this time? Or have sick contacts with anyone?

Please speak with your doctor as soon as possible about this and perhaps he/she will suggest a change in medication.

Take care.

[ccfromtc]

I did not start any other meds with the Lantus. I also became proactive last night and stopped the Lantus. I went back to my NovoRapid, Novolin NPH routine. Will see how I feel in a couple of days. Today went well. I want to find out before discussion with the dr. if this could be the problem, otherwise they will have nothing to compare it to because as I am finding out there are many different reactions as there are people. They had problems believing me when I told them about the high blood pressure reaction to Levemir. Funny the blood pressure returned to normal when I got rid of it. :)

[thinkthink]

Common sense told me to stop taking the insulin.  Its hard.  But I have done much better regulating my glucose eating just meat and lots raw veggies (79-166) than I ever did on the insulin (75-490).

I wonder how many other people are told "to seek mental help" when they come to the ER with these symptoms after taking lantus.  Maybe thats why there are virtually no reported cases of this....hmmmmm....

I also wonder what would have happened to me if I would have listened to those people and kept taking the Lantus.....how unwell would I be?? Would I be alive?

[ccfromtc]

Boy is it ever nice feeling healthy again. I have been off the Lantus now since the beginning of April and what a difference. The cramps are gone and other than normal aches and pains, I am not hurting from head to toe. Have not been to see the dr. yet because I have to go in with proof that it made a difference. I think I am ready now. Don't know what it is about these 24 hour insulins, but my body just does not like them. I have not heard of others with the same problems, so must be a person allergy, but won't be taking them again.
Thanks for your responses.
CC

[thinkthink]

I would be interested to know what the industrial manufacturing process is for Lantus or other long acting Insulins.

I have known of cases that are never reported where drugs are so-called 100% safe even though it is a known fact that the a certain amount manufacturing personnel become sick from handling the sealed vials of the drug...I always wondered if the people who used those drugs would have any idea what happened to them.

I have a feeling that this long acting insulin involves mold in some part of its manufacturing process, since I have developed a severe sensitivity to it since I used Lantus.  Mold by itself, without sensitivity can make you very ill (flu-like symtoms, nausea, confusion, mood swings...)

Have you noticed anything like this?

Well, I won't give pharmaceutical companies $10,000 a year so they can make me sicker than they already have....

[Enoch Choi, MD]

i'm glad you're feeling better off your long acting insulin, but i hope the NovoRapid, Novolin NPH are keeping your blood sugar down.  If it's not, you really need to see your doctor.  I'm concerned you haven't seen your doctor since changing it.  At least you could leave a message?

thinkthink, i haven't heard mold is used in the manufacturing process.

[ccfromtc]

Boy if you are right about the mold, that is the answer. I am severely allergic to it, can't even go in the basement of my church because we know it is there and I end up with an asthma attack. Very interesting theory, but I don't know how we would find out. Yes, I was basically sick with the "flu" from the time I started Lantus and had terrible lower abdominal cramps esp. in the morning. At my age, I have mood swings all the time so can't blame that on the insulin. :-)
My sugar levels are actually fine since the change back and my 3 month appointment with the Dr. is coming up in a couple of weeks. Just needed the ammunition to let them see that I am not losing my mind. I was being told it couldn't be the Levemir when my blood pressure shot up, but it went back to normal when I stopped it and I am feeling fine now that I am off the Lantus so I am surmising that it was the cause of the problems.
I really appreciate this discussion since I am learning new things as well. Thanks for all your input.
CC

[thinkthink]

Does your blood sugar go up or down  when you are exposed to mold?

My blood sugar goes up when I am exposed to mold.  But from what I have read, it seems blood sugar is supposed to go down with allergies.  Is this true?  If so, is there an explanation for why my blood sugar does the opposite?

[ccfromtc]

You know I have never checked. I never thought about allergies affecting my blood sugars. I have allergies to so many things I would be checking all the time. :)
Boy you really bring up some good issues and have given me many things to think about. The mold issue is the most serious though. I have presented that issue to the diabetic Yahoo group and am waiting to see if there are any replies. Will let you know.

CC

[ccfromtc]

I just spoke to a rep from Lantus after letting them know about the allergic reaction this morning, and questioned her about mold or other additives that could cause a reaction. She said the only thing in it was cresol as a preservative which I know nothing about, but definitely no mold. So now we are back to square one.
A person on the Yahoo diabetic list has also found that she reacted negatively to Lantus and is giving it up. I have not heard from her yet to know what the problem was, but will update when I hear.

[thinkthink]

Heh, I guess depending on who you talked to, they must have nearly s--t their pants at your suggestion.

There is yet another possibility as a source of mold in these types of products and that is the improper purification (or handling) of the water for injection (WFI.) The implication of this is--not a good one.

I find it odd that NONE of the doctors that has been told of these symptoms has suggested notifying the FDA since these symptoms are --as they say--'not supposed to happen.'

Regardless of whether there is mold or not in this particular medication, the fact that people (like you and I) are having these unexpected reactions is to be taken seriously.  In my case I was told that my symptoms of extreme nausea, violent vomiting and confusion were psychological and not related to the medication.  In your case, it seems you feel the need to PROVE to you doctor that your symptoms were--in fact-- true.  So basically, there may be something very wrong with this