My son in law has lost to much weight since he started taking this and he stays dehydrated. He did not having these problems before.
NovoLog FlexPen - Can novalog flex pen make you lose weight?
Question posted by ozie20013 on 26 Oct 2012
Last updated on 2 October 2018
5 Answers
butterflylynn
28 Oct 2012
Is he on any other type of long acting Insulin? I take the Novolog 3 x day before each meal. I also take Lantus as my long acting insulin. I also take Metformin twice a day. If he is taking Metformin that will cause Nausea & decrease his appetite.
It sounds like you Definitely need to take him to a Different Endocrinologist as the Dr. he has now should be changing his medications to help regulate his Numbers.
Also you need to be careful what he is drinking.. Water is the best to keep him hydrated.
Please Do Not wait to find another Dr. as his body is not reacting correctly.
And I have never heard someone losing weight due to the Novolog.
What medication was he on before the Novolog? I wish you the best.
Kathy
endlessPred
29 Oct 2012
I agree. One other thought I had is that he is not using the pen correctly and doing too much insulin or doing it after the meal.
Be sure he does the air shit of 2 units first. That gets out bubbles and air out of the needle. Then be sure he is dialing it properly. If it were me, I would be helping, since both of you ned to know how to use the pen in case he can not.
yummycake
10 June 2018
I have been on novolog for one month. I have lost 15 pounds. I have more energy than before. I now have my life back back. I have two great Doctors they call every two weeks to make sure I'm ok.
endlessPred
27 Oct 2012
Novo log flex pen is simply a method of delivery. It is insulin. Just like a syringe but far easier to use. It comes in NPH and R. I have been using it for years.
If his numbers are all over he may not be checking his blood sugar properly or he is taking the wrong amount of insulin.
Blood sugar level is best taken fifteen minutes or closer to when one is to eat. Do not do after eating, a common mistake.
The endocrinologist ought to have given a sliding scale for the insulin. Mine is as follows for R insulin. Over 120 to 150, 2 units; 151 to 200, 3 units; 201-250, 5 units. 251 to 300, 7 units; 301 to 350, 9 units. Over that head to a hospital. Over 200 recheck blood sugar afyer insulin is given in fifteen minutes. If has not dropped closer to normal, wait ten more minutes and add 2 units. If still a problem call physician or ER for help.this is my schedule and may be different for him. However he should have a sliding scale for his daily levels.
Readings are to be taken four times per day.
Uncontrolled blood sugars are very serious. I was told that weight loss is extemely serious. Ten pounds in a month when not dieting needs a doctor visit and blood work. He is underweight so it is more than diet adjustment.
Please get him in to an endocrinologist as soon as you can.
DzooBaby
27 Oct 2012
How are his blood sugars running? sometimes uncontrolled blood sugar that is too high can cause weight loss because the body cant use any of the circulating glucose for fuel. If his sugars are running in good range then it might be that he is just eating better. He does need to stay well hydrated. Being hydrated is SO VERY important for the body to funtion properly and to get rid of toxins and wastes. What makes you feel he is dehydrated? Is he just not drinking much or has he stopped urinating? If his sugars are high or if he has stopped urinating these can be danger signals. Diabetes can lead to kidney disease and the kidneys can shut down and stop producing urine so if he is not urinating take him to the emergency room to get his kidneys checked!!
ozie20013
27 Oct 2012
His blood sugar is all over. He had better control on the other insulting. He has been to the hospital and the Dr. Everytime he goes they have to give him fluids. He drinks a lot but it does not keep him hydrated.
ozie20013
27 Oct 2012
He is almost under weight the Dr has told him he needs to gain back to 180 for his body type he is140 and still losing. I just feel this insulting is not working for him.
kaismama
27 Oct 2012
If all this is the case, and his doc is doing nothing, then he needs to see a new endocrinologist. If he is following his diet, drinking enough, and exercising and he is still running high, then he would at least need the dose increased. And he should have the dehydration issue investigated. If he is truly drinking enough, it has to go somewhere. It sounds like he needs a full work up.
88peterbilt
27 Oct 2012
i know that when my sugar stays high i cant get enough to drink and cant go to the restroom and every person i know that has sugar problems a hard time losing weight the pancreas is what makes inslun for the body.
kaismama
27 Oct 2012
Another thought is, they may not be giving him the ivs because he's dehydrated, they give fluids for a very high blood sugar. It helps bring it down.
DzooBaby
29 Oct 2012
Does he urinate a lot? What is he drinking? Tea and coffee do not hydrate a person, they actually dehydrate because they cause you to urinate more fluid out than what gets put in. Water is truly the best to drink. It sounds like he has very poor control. He may need a different doctor. If his primary doctor is trying to manage his diabetes, he needs to see an endocrinologist which is a specialist. If he is seeing an endocrinologist, he may need to seek a second opinion. He has to be sure that he is checking his blood sugars often, eating properly (he may need to take classes along with the person cooking for him so that they know what is good for him to eat-too many carbohydrates will keep his blood sugars high) and he also needs to be sure that his pen is working properly and that he is using it correctly. I, personally, dont like pens but they can be the easiest for some people to use.
kaismama
29 Oct 2012
I was thinking too it looks like he has poor control. I've seen too many primaries try to manage diabetes and they haven't a real clue what they are doing. Many tell the patients just stay away from sweets. I am always astounded when people tell me its the sugar that is the problem, nothing else.
kaismama
27 Oct 2012
Insulin won't cause side effects, your body produces it and needs it. Its probably because his blood sugar is running lower and he's probably eating a better diet to manage that. If he's concerned about his weight loss, he should tell his dr. There is no excuse for dehydration, he should be drinking alot of water as a way to help manage his blood sugar.
88peterbilt
27 Oct 2012
Ive been on novilin 70/30 for a year now and cant lose weight my mom is diabetic, i have a friend that was on insulin all his life so i dont think that it would make him lose like that. it would be a good idea to get him to a doctor that specializes in diabetics sone as u can.
kaismama
27 Oct 2012
Quite a few people lose when they get their blood sugar controlled. Mostly because they have a better diet.
Missyjane
2 Oct 2018
Are you sure its working, that's what happens- weight loss- when your sugar is high as a kite!
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novolog, novolog flexpen, weight
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