Hi all I was wanting to know if any one has had lantus insulin and if so what it was like for them, the doctor is going to put my son on it as he is a brittle diabetic and they want to see if it can stabalize him,so any info would be appreciated. regards dianne

That's what my husband uses. What would you like to know?

Hi Julie
I was wanting to know if it does what they say does it keep the levels more stable than the protophane, and are there any side effects. thank you dianne

I would suggest he first try beef insulin ........ it is available on PBS and in australia is marketed by Aspen pharmaceuticals

I was so brittle I was having 4 to 5 hypos a day and afraid to go to bed at night

in nearly I year on beef I have only had a total of 4 hypos

if lantus is accidently injected into a blood vessel it causes immediate severe hypo ......... docs wont tell you this but do a net search

also many diabetics are so brittle due to so called human insulin which is genetically engineered

see http://www.vision.net.au/~scofa/iddta/gm.htm

koz

Hi koss
we talked to the doc years ago about the beef insulin but they said it was not avaliable on the pbs now, and it was no longer available .regards dianne

Dianne

I am on beef insulin and have been for a year - I am in western australia I get it on the PBS

you doctor is either not informed or trying to fob you off ( the latter most likely)

the specialist flatly refused to put me on beef so I dumped him and my GP put me on it ......... I am positive I would have been dead by now if I hadnt changed

I also have neuromuscular problems that dramatically worsened when I started on GE insulin and they are slowly improving now I am off it

there symptoms like hot flushes and joint pain and depression went virtually overnight

here is a link to show Aspen pharmacare still have it

http://www.aspenpharma.com.au/products.asp

http://www.aspenpharma.com.au/our_company.asp

their phone number is 02 8436 8300

koz

Hi Dianne!

I've been on Lantus for several years and it's been a good choice for me.

I am also brittle, and - as with your son - what works one day doesn't necessarily work the next. (I carry food and juice with me everywhere I go.) So I understand a little bit about what you and your son are dealing with. I am an adult, and I'm out of step with more typical management routines, so my experiences might not be of much value. But for what it's worth...

Lantus is given at bedtime, and the only fuss it kicks up occasionally for me is a drop in my morning blood sugar.

I don't use it for total replacement. Instead, it gives me a steady base of coverage, and each time I eat I take a small dose of regular insulin. I eat several snacks a day instead of larger meals, so I wind up with 5 or 6 injections a day. Multiple injections have never bothered me, and it's reduced the challenge of keeping everything balanced, my blood sugars are more stable, so for me it's a good choice. Every day is different, and this allows me to treat each day on its own terms. The added bonus is that I also get some flexibility in my diet that most others on a rigid time and dose routine don't have.

I hope you'll post again and let us know how your son fares on the Lantus.

Have a safe weekend.

TCC