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Calling all Tresiba users

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Bloden

Bloden

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi there. 🙂 I've been trawling through old Tresiba-related posts as I'm hoping to start using it in the next few weeks. So, how's everyone getting on? The old posts seem to cover pretty much all my questions, but there's no harm in asking for an update! Don't be shy...😛
 
Just been using it for about a month. Put on it for nocturnal hypos/lows around 3am ish. Struggled first fortnight with the transition up and down changing ratios felt I was going backwards. However got over that and hitting 70/80% range at times with an average of 74% over the last two weeks (freestyle libre). Happy so far now for the statins .
 
Hey Bloden
Haven't seen you around for a while, so nice to "see" you 🙂. Tresiba is still the love of my life, I don't regret breaking up with Lantus one bit, he was quite the bully always wanting his own way that one. Nighttime hypos are still on the manageable side for me with Terry (my pet name, Tresiba sounds so formal now we're acquainted), he's very stable, keeps things on a very even keel. The first few weeks were a bit hairy because I had to change ratios and I'd got so used to the erratic behaviour with Larry (Lantus) it was a bit of a shocker to have an insulin that behaved like it was supposed to 🙄. The biggest downside with Terry is that he doesn't compensate for the bolus in any way which is probably why boluses need tweaking a fair bit. I do have to adjust his dose still but instead of going between 5 units and 16 units as I did with Larry Lantus, I move between 6.5 and 7.5 depending on the weather. It's much easier to handle. The other slight downside I suppose is physical exercise. With Lantus I would just go hypo so I'd have to eat fairly constantly, now I tend to go high then low, but I can live with that, it's certainly better than going hypo every night and up and down like a yoyo all day. I'd get a half unit pen Bloden, because he's very precise, sort of strong but stable, whereas Lantus is unstable and erratic but packs the unexpected punch. The half units make a big difference for me in smoothing out my uneven basal profile. Also don't worry about that longer duration business that was much talked about when it arrived on the scene, it's not quite as you'd expect. It's a bit mind blowing but that's why you take a lower dose, because of the longer profile. I can't explain it but you'll get a feel for that when you start using it. Best of luck with it, hope Terry does you proud :D
 
Thanks, Kookycat. 🙂 It's great to hear you and Terry have a harmnious relationship (after your ups and downs with the evil Larry - it's like a soap opera!).

A question I didn't find the answer to in old threads was: When you change Terry's dose, how long do you have to wait until it takes effect? Like you, I'm much more active at weekends and like the idea that I can change the dose Friday evening and enjoy the effect immediately.🙄

And: When do you take Terry, am or pm? (I take my Lantus at 8pm).

So, @Matt Cycle , @Flutterby, @TheClockworkDodo , @shirley and @newbs - and any other Terry-users - how are you all getting along with Tresiba?

I'm not sure why Dr Boots offered me a different basal - I think it might be because I have multiple and random trends which are impossible to anticipate; and, of course, overnight hypos; in addition, there are also some vertiginous dips (e.g. after lunch) and annoying peaks (e.g. when I exercise) that I can blame on Lantus.
Sorry, I'm gibbering now but I just want to be sure changing to Tresiba is the right move for me.🙄:D
 
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I can't comment on any other basal insulin as I was put straight on to Tresiba at diagnosis, I haven't found any problems with it though, a lot of people have said it has played a great roll in relieving their night time hypos, I take my Tresiba as I'm about to go to bed so around 9:50pm x
 
Me and terry spend our quality time together on the mornings. I have nighttime hypo skillls like you wouldn't believe so no insulin goes near me after 7pm 🙂. All the insulin lovin takes place before dusk. That also helped me when with Larry to avoid peaks at the least convenient time. Probably wouldn't make much difference with Terry since he's such a stable fella, but I'm not itching to try. Dose adjustment wise it's pretty instant for me but I think that depends on dose from what I've read elsewhere so I'm not sure it will behave the same way for you. This is a bit complex but I can efffectively under dose a tiny bit because of the duration and the fact that I don't need much on the way of basal support overnight (I think my body switches off rather than sleep mode 😱). But I have also found I can adjust bolus doses at the weekend and rectify the hypo trend which I couldn't do with Lantus. So I operate on 1:20 at the weekends because I need a little less basal. Not sure that's very clear sorry!
 
KookyCat said:
Me and terry spend our quality time together on the mornings. I have nighttime hypo skillls like you wouldn't believe so no insulin goes near me after 7pm 🙂. All the insulin lovin takes place before dusk. That also helped me when with Larry to avoid peaks at the least convenient time. Probably wouldn't make much difference with Terry since he's such a stable fella, but I'm not itching to try. Dose adjustment wise it's pretty instant for me but I think that depends on dose from what I've read elsewhere so I'm not sure it will behave the same way for you. This is a bit complex but I can efffectively under dose a tiny bit because of the duration and the fact that I don't need much on the way of basal support overnight (I think my body switches off rather than sleep mode 😱). But I have also found I can adjust bolus doses at the weekend and rectify the hypo trend which I couldn't do with Lantus. So I operate on 1:20 at the weekends because I need a little less basal. Not sure that's very clear sorry!
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It's all grist to the mill! Thank you, Kookycat.😛 And Kaylz too.

(I wondered what adding the @ was for...thanks, moderator in question).
 
I also love Tresiba, Lantus was a nightmare for me and Levemir wasn't great so I am so thankful that I got the chance to try Tresiba, and haven't looked back. It has solved the night time hypo problem for me and I haven't had any issues with it, been on it for a couple of years now.
 
Hi Bloden

I've been on it just over 6 months now. It's erm...okay. The flatter profile is fine but I think any adjustments seem to take longer compared with Levemir - not massively so but just a bit longer. I take the Tresiba once a day in the morning. I can't comment on Lantus because I've never used it but I had Ultratard (if anyone remembers it) for 19 years as my basal before Novo stopped making it and I shifted to Levemir - at the time I thought "oh calamity how will I cope?" In hindsight Levemir was fantastic compared to the Ultratard but it's just getting used to something new. Switching from Levemir to Tresiba was less of a worry for me.

My biggest issue with Tresiba is the lack of adjustment that I had with twice daily Levemir particularly regarding exercise. Yes, I know basal adjustment with injections is always going to be a bit of a blunt instrument compared with a pump but I felt I had a bit more room for manoeuvre on twice daily Levemir. Overall assessment then is it's okay but as it stands for me personally I preferred Levemir.
 
Well - go back on it then, Matt !

I always described Levemir as 'more biddable' - because for me and a lot of other people - I could make a change to my evening dose tonight - and I'd know by tomorrow morning whether it was the right move or not - I always saw the effect within the same 12 hours that I did it.

You only get it down to 4 hours on a ruddy pump!

It has to be, whatever suits US - and it doesn't actually matter what anyone else thinks of it, or how it behaves for them.
 
Yup, Matt, I agree with every word TW said. I loved the switch from Lantus to twice daily Levemir.
 
Matt Cycle said:
Hi Bloden

I've been on it just over 6 months now. It's erm...okay. The flatter profile is fine but I think any adjustments seem to take longer compared with Levemir - not massively so but just a bit longer. I take the Tresiba once a day in the morning. I can't comment on Lantus because I've never used it but I had Ultratard (if anyone remembers it) for 19 years as my basal before Novo stopped making it and I shifted to Levemir - at the time I thought "oh calamity how will I cope?" In hindsight Levemir was fantastic compared to the Ultratard but it's just getting used to something new. Switching from Levemir to Tresiba was less of a worry for me.

My biggest issue with Tresiba is the lack of adjustment that I had with twice daily Levemir particularly regarding exercise. Yes, I know basal adjustment with injections is always going to be a bit of a blunt instrument compared with a pump but I felt I had a bit more room for manoeuvre on twice daily Levemir. Overall assessment then is it's okay but as it stands for me personally I preferred Levemir.
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Thanks for your input, Matt.🙂 What do you mean by 'lack of adjustment'? I don't quite understand...:confused:
I suppose one of the main improvements I'd like to see is a dose change that takes effect in the same 24-hour period - maybe I should be changing to twice-daily Levemir!
 
Am I right in thinking that that the newer insulins like Tresiba and absalagar (lantus replacement) are being pushed because levemir and lantus are reaching the end of their patent protections, and the companies are worried about their profit margins? They may not, in fact, offer an improved experience for all. Or is that just me being cynical? 🙄
 
I haven't posted for a while but read regularly so continue to learn! We changed to Tresiba about 16 months ago following problems with Lantus. It was just totally unpredictable and I read somewhere (perhaps here?) that it doesn't perform well when used in small doses, we were injecting about 8 units per day. Still have some problems with Tresiba and lows overnight but suspect the real culprit is our short acting which seems to last longer sometimes and of course all the other culprits of exercise temperature, an "r" in the month etc. Would not change back and particularly find it better when travelling as doesn't seem to mind if there are delays in injecting as it clearly lasts beyond 24 hours once in your system. Hope that this helps a little
 
Postscript to above post. I find that when we need to reduce or increase our daily dose of Tresiba, it seems to have immediate effect. Our consultant doesn't agree with that though, but that's what we see. Helpful when immediate changes are needed, particularly when ill.
 
Northerner said:
Am I right in thinking that that the newer insulins like Tresiba and absalagar (lantus replacement) are being pushed because levemir and lantus are reaching the end of their patent protections, and the companies are worried about their profit margins? They may not, in fact, offer an improved experience for all. Or is that just me being cynical? 🙄
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In my case, Dr Boots isn't pushing for a change to Tresiba, it's the other way round. She mentioned changing my basal cos of the overnight hypos, I did some research and liked what I'd read about Tresiba. 🙂 You be as cynical as you like, Northie!😛
 
shirley said:
Postscript to above post. I find that when we need to reduce or increase our daily dose of Tresiba, it seems to have immediate effect. Our consultant doesn't agree with that though, but that's what we see. Helpful when immediate changes are needed, particularly when ill.
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Thank you, Shirley.🙂 Very useful info.😛
 
Bloden said:
Thanks for your input, Matt.🙂 What do you mean by 'lack of adjustment'? I don't quite understand...:confused:
I suppose one of the main improvements I'd like to see is a dose change that takes effect in the same 24-hour period - maybe I should be changing to twice-daily Levemir!
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Less flexible would probably have been a better phrase. Not that there's a great deal of flexibility whichever once or twice a day basal you use. 🙄 But every little helps. e.g. If I wish to go for a 40 mile cycle ride so reduce my Tresiba that morning by whatever but when I'm out I think I know I'll carry on and do 80 miles. I'm stuck with whatever I had for 24 hours whereas with the twice a day Levemir I have a chance to alter it when I take it that evening.
 
trophywench said:
Well - go back on it then, Matt !

I always described Levemir as 'more biddable' - because for me and a lot of other people - I could make a change to my evening dose tonight - and I'd know by tomorrow morning whether it was the right move or not - I always saw the effect within the same 12 hours that I did it.

You only get it down to 4 hours on a ruddy pump!

It has to be, whatever suits US - and it doesn't actually matter what anyone else thinks of it, or how it behaves for them.
Click to expand...

mikeyB said:
Yup, Matt, I agree with every word TW said. I loved the switch from Lantus to twice daily Levemir.
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Yes, should have said that was my plan to ask to go back on it when I next see the consultant. Hopefully the pump should be happening sometime soon anyway so it won't be an issue.
 
Matt Cycle said:
Yes, should have said that was my plan to ask to go back on it when I next see the consultant. Hopefully the pump should be happening sometime soon anyway so it won't be an issue.
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Thanks for clarifying, Matt.🙂 I might want to add another hour to my morning walk, but certainly not another 80 miles!😱😛
 
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