Son started Lantus, Insulin Pen

[PNWmom]

My son recently changed from NPH/R/H to Lantus and humalog pens. This is his fourth day on Lantus. He is doing fine but I am having problems trusting the Lantus - when his b/s drops below 100, I want to give him a can of apple juice, and of course that causes a moderate high. Also, he is not interested in stopping to eat as many snacks and meals because he does not have to 'feed' the NPH. Are these common problems in families starting on Lantus? It's as if my son and I are not making the most of this honeymoon period of a good insulin.

Thanks

P.W.

[Larry68]

I would like to give a SERIOUS warning about Lantis and a pen system. I have been a diabetic 40 years, and started on Lantis about a year ago, replacing NPH for my basil insulin (I also take Humalog with a pen). I injected Lantis with a syringe, and as I never had a problem with NPH when it sometimes entered a vessel, I did not draw back before injecting.

The result, when I hit a vessel, was a drop in blood suger from 180 to 30 in 1/2 hour! I consumed about 48 ounces of orange juces and 2 bars of chocolate in 15 minutes just to stay conscious! I had never gone into insulin shock or been below 50 mg/dl in my life before this.

The concern: The pen does allow drawing air to insure the Lantis is not injected into a vessel. It should NEVER be used without this precaution. i.e. A PEN IS UNSAFE WITH THIS INSULIN!

B.T.W. I no longer trust or take Lantis, as it relies on forming crystals under the skin to prevent immediate release of the entire dose, and I consider it dangerous for regular use.

[violetta]

Your son is on the Lantus pen I did not know they came in a pen in the US.I take Lantus and my doctor is telling me that they do not come in a pen in the US only in Europe.I was on a different type of insulin 30/70 and it just did not work for me and that was a pen now I am back on the needle and I do not like it and never will I take the Lantus with the needle.

[JDRF-Team-wak]

Yes this happens a lot, when switching to lantus or the pump.  Lantus is a long acting insulin that has no peak it gives you a steady basal rate similar to the insulin pump. I realize that it is hard to trust the the insulin enought to not have a snack, but it does work, and it is hard to resist the urge to react to the number.
When my daughter started the pump, it took us a while to adjust to the fact that you do not have to eat unless you are hungry, that we did not have to chase the insulin or give extra.  It has been 6 months now and I still feel that I should be reacting tosome of those 90's.  Let the lantus do it stuff, and enjoy the honeymmon.