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Bad Dawn Phenomenon since Lantus

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Posted 10/22/2006 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
OK, I hate this stuff. Was on ultra lente for many years and since they've quit making something that was affordable and worked....I've had to switch. Been on it for several months and every night I go hi after about 2AM. Doesn't matter what I eat or don't eat. If I take more lantus at bedtime I go low. I already split my dose 1/2 morning, 1/2 evening. Sure does mess with what little sleep I do get. (fibro takes care of the rest of the sleep) I test at least 2 times a night since I'm up anyway and always end up taking more humalog to correct. Anyone else have this problem?

Chutz
Posted 10/22/2006 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
I was having the excact same problem. morning highs, crashes ect. I was on 32 units of Lantis at night and was taking 15 - 25 units Lispro before each meal. I tried incresing lantis and would crash while sleeping and during the day. It didnt matter if I ate or what I would always wake up with highs from 210 - 400!
My new doc finally convinced me to try raising my Lantis and lowering my reg to what I thought was almost nothing. Turns out I have had it wrong for last few years since I went on Lantis. I was trying to control with reg instead of Bolus. But I have now got MY formula which believe it or not is 60 units of Lantis at night and now only taking 2 - 10 units regular before meals and it is working great!
What I had to do was Stop the reg after evening meal and go up lantis. The next day I started with 2 units of reg if I was above 160 and slowly worked from there.
Hey It is working for me so I am happy. Talk to your doc about amounts you are taking and see if you can dial it in.
Good Luck and hang in there.
AL
Posted 10/22/2006 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Al for the ideas!! My doc is cool with me trying what will work. He's great. He did suggest I go up on the lantis but I've been nervous about it cause sometimes I don't eat as regular as I should. Do you only take your lantis at night? or split? What total units do you take cause I can get a ratio from that compared to me?

Thanks again,
Chutz
Posted 10/22/2006 7:45 PM (GMT 0)

I switched to Levemir from Lantis and have found my nighttime bloodsugars to be MUCH more stable.  Might be worth talking to your doctor about....

B.

Posted 10/23/2006 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Belyro,

Thanks for the idea. I've never looked into other brands before....frankly never heard of Levemir. I looked it up online and did some reading...might be worth a try. You guys are great!

Chutz
Posted 10/23/2006 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Chutz,
I'm only on 15 units of Lantus at bedtime but along with that I'm on 1000 mg of metformin in the morning an at night and 2mg of advadia morning and night. Are you splitting up your oral meds?

Hate to state the obvious but are you keeping your food and exercise journal? Any correlation there?
Wish I could be of more help... My numbers have been great lately... Wish I could share them with you.
Posted 10/24/2006 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I take my lantus in one dose in the evening. I tried splitting it for a while but it didn't help.
Working out your formula can take a while which ever meds you take but in the long run it is worth it!
As far as most doctors go I concider them my advisor not the guru on the mountain that knows all. They don't. No one but the person going through this knows what is really going on with your body. Keep a written log of what you have done, ate, activities with you. That information is invaluable.
If you and your doc deside to try increasing the lantus cut way down on regular insulin and allow your bg to go a little high for a couple of days to find the numbers that work. BUT DON'T do this on your own, always have the docs or diabetic educators in your corner. Any time I change any meds I make sure my wife family and close friends know in case there is a problem they can help or give information if you are not able to. And if you are not wearing a medical alert bracelett, GET ONE. The time saved by someone knowing your condition is worth more then anything else you can do for yourself.
Posted 10/24/2006 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I should add something to my previous post - I do split my Levemir between morning and evening. A lot of people don't have to, but I find it works much better for me.

B.
Posted 10/24/2006 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the great info! I do split mine too...always has seemed to give me a smoother ride.

Yep, I have a bracelet. Sometimes it's in the bottom of my purse, but it's with me. Also two ID cards in my purse. I use a MediJect injector for my insulin and it's in there too. You advice on letting those around you know you're 'messing' with your regime is great advice to all of us. I try to remember to tell hubby. I also have fibromyalgia and take narcotic pain medicaitons for that so the balancing act is pretty wild some days. I test my BG's 5-6 times/day. Sometimes up to 3 of those are during the night.

During the summer when I'm off work I get a routine working pretty good. Then fall comes and back to school. Each quarter my teaching schedule changes. Sometimes it runs thru lunch, sometimes not...so each quarter I'm on a different time table. Adds to the juggling.

Again, thanks to all for your sage advice. It has truly helped me get some new ideas to try.

Chutz
Posted 10/25/2006 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Chutzie,
I bought myself a beautiful medical alert bracelet on eBay that is 18K gold. I don't mind wearing it because it's pretty. I have metal allergies so the gold is the only thing I can wear. I wear it 24/7 and (I'm yelling at you here!) you should, too! If you are unconsious EMT's are trained to look at your neck, wrist and ankle for some type of medical information bracelet. They are not trained to look in your pocket, fanny pack or purse! But I didn't really respond to this thread to yell at you... so don't get mad at me... Just don't want you to get in a fix 'cause you weren't wearing your med alert id.

Wanted to give you a good idea. I carry a 'Balance' Bar or a Zone bar in my purse at all times. One of these with a glass of milk is a complete meal and one of them with a glass of water will hold you for two hours, minimum. They aren't perfect in flavor but the are balanced in carbs, proteins and fats and really easy to eat quickly. I'll admit, they don't taste like the candy bar that they first appear to be but they are very nutritious and you can often buy them close dated (or outdated) at Big Lots stores for as little as 25ยข each. When I run out of the cheap ones I buy them at Sams Club.

Hope this helps.
Posted 10/25/2006 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
I carry glucose tablet in purse, pocket and all vehicles. Plus food items tucked everywhere I go.

Chutz
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