Logbook about switch to Humalog, Introduction.

>>>> Personal logbook about switch to Humalog insulin, Introduction. Last update: April 3, 1999 <<<<

Actrapid ==> Humalog

In the beginning.....

Because I was very curious about the results and personal experiences, I've written a lot of messages in the Diabetes Forum on Compuserve, with people who were involved in the trial with Lyspro insulin in the USA. They sounded very enthusiastic about the use of this insulin.In early 1996 Lyspro (Humalog) was approved by the FDA. Since June Humalog is also available in Holland and other countries in Europe.

What is Humalog?

This insulin is almost the same as normal human insulin, except two amino-acids have changed place; that's why it was formerly called Lyspro insulin. This insulin starts working within 15 minutes after injection and the total action time is about 3 hours, compared with Actrapid (human Regular insulin): 30 minutes and 8 hours.

Ofcourse this is my own description of this insulin, click here to view the information about this insulin as it is made by the manufaturer; Eli Lilly.

Why write this logbook?

Because I've used the combination of Actrapid and Insulatard (formerly known as Protaphane) for a very long period, I hope you can imagine this change will have some impact on my diabetes control and regulation. That's why I decided to start this logbook to keep you (diabetic type 1 or professional involved in this workfield) informed about my personal experiences.

Please read this day-book only as a personal history in order to add to your knowledge of this topic.
If you have questions or ideas about this day-book, please leave a note!!

Before the switch, during regular weekdays I ate the following (amounts of) food and used the following insulin regimen. The last column shows the proposed new insulin regimen. Because of the possibillity Humalog will act different, less insulin will be used to start with.

TIME:	Food intake:	Old insulin regimen:	New insulin regimen:
Breakfast	2 slices of bread with cheese Coffee	8 Actrapid	6 Humalog
Between breakfast and lunch	2 slices of bread with cheese Coffee
Lunch	5 patatoes vegetables meat	8 Actrapid	6 Humalog
Between lunch and dinner	2 slices of bread (mostly with cheese)
Dinner	4 slices of bread Milk and coffee.	14 Actrapid	12 Humalog
Before sleeping		8 Insulatard	8 Insulatard

Of course, the first week I will measure my BG's very often. The first goal of this switch is to arrange a good basal insulin regimen.After that, I hope to manage my diabetes in such a way to feel (more) comfortable with it.

I've got E-mail from different persons. When reading these replies, it made clear some conclusions I've made are not easy to understand. At the end of each (work) week and weekend I've written global conclusions which are better to understand I hope. Comments made per day do have some emotional aspects as well. Nevertheless I have decided to write these comments as well so this will give a complete impression.

Ofcourse it isn't neccesary for every reader to reply via E-mail. When you want to discuss this or other topics concerning diabetes please use the USENET newsgroup MISC.HEALTH.DIABETES and/or the Diabetes forum of Compuserve. In Holland, FIDO (BBS-network) does have an echomail area (Dutch) concerning diabetes (diabetes.028).