Day 6: Five Steps Toward Success
When trying to achieve a personal goal, it helps to know that there’s someone in your corner.
With the Day by Day Guide, you’re not alone.
In addition to diet and exercise and other diabetes medicines, here are some tips to help you
achieve blood sugar control while taking Lantus®.
Stay Positive
When making lifestyle changes, make just one at a time. Then set goals, make a plan stick to it, and evaluate
your results. And remember to stay positive.
Don’t Blame Yourself
Get your blood sugar levels within your target ranges. Remember diabetes is a balancing act and your numbers may not
be within those target ranges every time. Don't take it as a personal failure, take action.
Make Small Changes
Don’t blame yourself for having diabetes. You did nothing wrong. Some people need glasses because
their eyes don’t focus well. Some don’t hear well. Your body happens to have difficulty processing blood sugar.
Explore Your Feelings
When you’re taking insulin, take some time to explore your feelings. Talking with
a CDE can help. Some people feel upset, angry, frustrated, or afraid when their
blood sugar levels are out of range. This, again, is totally normal. In time, you’ll
learn to manage your blood sugar levels—and better understand your feelings.
Don’t Forget to Laugh
And last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to laugh. Laughter actually reduces stress hormones.
Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the
inactive ingredients in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution.
It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless
with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with
others.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may
experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision.
Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life-threatening. It may cause harm to your
heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including
itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your
doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin
pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and
follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
Click here for Full Prescribing Information for Lantus®.
Click here for information on Sharps Medical Waste Disposal.
The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes
only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding
your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions
about your health or treatment.