Have you ever accidentally given yourself an injection of rapid-acting insulin instead of a long-acting (or vice versa)? Share in the comments how you handled this situation.

Activity
- 13 hours, 50 minutes ago
  
  Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
  If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
  The hospital made me disengage my pump and promised to monitor my BG. After 10 hours with an incorrect basal my BG was high and going up. No nurse or doctor was available to administer insulin. I finally reinstalled my pump and forced the hospital to acknowledge that they could not monitor my BG. After appealing to the hospital Board, after my stay, they started using CGM's in all the wards for diabetic patients.
- 13 hours, 52 minutes ago
  
  Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
  If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
  During my hospitalizations for cardiac issues, my endocrinologist (who does not do hospitals) told the attending endo that I was capable of managing the diabetes. I was allowed to mange pump and CGM without any problems. For one stay, I had a pump-using T1D nurse. This was the premier cardiac hospital in the western part of my state, so their handing of diabetes may be more advanced. There are two rules for handing the type 1 diabetic in a hospital setting. 1) Never separate the Type 1 diabetic from his or her insulin. 2) Let the expert in the room handle the diabetes. And bring your own supplies, because the hospital will not have pump supplies, CGM replacements, or your insulin.
- 14 hours, 42 minutes ago
  
  Jan Masty likes your comment at
  Have you (or your loved one with T1D) been diagnosed with retinopathy?
  No retinopathy... But AMD both eyes last 2 years...No treatment available... Unable to wright... bareley able to read only large type... use the talking guy hideing in my computer to read for me... Almost 91 years OLD.... 70 years T1D...
- 15 hours, 10 minutes ago
  
  mojoseje likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  I didn't have a stopwatch out, but it was about 12 to 15 minutes. There was a lot to go over (new devices, etc.). I probably got everything I needed, but, for some reason, I always feel rushed at this office.
- 15 hours, 22 minutes ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  It was so long ago, I don't remember...
- 16 hours, 15 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  It was over 20 minutes but since my Endo has me so well Regulated (A1c 5.4 - 5.6) even Medicare is allowing a Visit every 4 Months. Dex 6 and Tandem CIQ is my Cure!
- 16 hours, 22 minutes ago
  
  Judy Hampton likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  My A1C is normally in the 5 to 6 range also, but I am lucky to have an Endo who answers any questions I may have and discourse on new technologies. He also checks my feet and eyes. He spends up to 40 minutes with me. I have been T1D for 59 years and have been through a pregnancy (hellish) also. I still have many questions about this disease and it’s effects on the rest of my body as I am very active.
- 16 hours, 44 minutes ago
  
  Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
- 16 hours, 46 minutes ago
  
  cynthia jaworski likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
- 16 hours, 53 minutes ago
  
  Anneyun likes your comment at
  If you are an adult with T1D, how much has type 1 diabetes affected your thought-process and decision to have/not have children?
  I was diagnosed at age 12 and I don’t remember anyone talking to me about having or not having children. I married at 23, had an unplanned pregnancy that began when I was 24. I was not seeing an endocrinologist at the time (in 1979), but my OB doctor sent me to one. Both of the doctors made comments to me about maybe ending the pregnancy, but my answer was a definite NO!!! It was a hard pregnancy without the better insulin and technology that is available today. I went into labor approximately 6 weeks before my estimated due date. Since a Caesarian had been planned, no one had explained anything to me about going through labor, so that took longer and was harder on me than it should have been. Anyway I delivered a 7 pound, 11 ounce boy. He had jaundice and a slight heart murmur at first , but that cleared up after a short stay in the hospital. My son is 42 now and bloodwork has indicated he will not become a T1D. Same with his 2 children. That was my only pregnancy. I am now 67.
- 18 hours, 18 minutes ago
  
  Joan Fray likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  It was so long ago, I don't remember...
- 1 day, 9 hours ago
  
  TS likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  jo likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  jo likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
- 1 day, 14 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I tried to donate them to my healthcare system but was told they were not allowed to take them. I tried a couple of other places- same story so I now will have to put them in the garbage
- 1 day, 14 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I'm still looking for someone to give them to.
- 1 day, 14 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
- 1 day, 14 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  My other was gave them to the Endocrinologist office to give to people who needed them
- 1 day, 15 hours ago
  
  Trina Blake likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
- 1 day, 16 hours ago
  
  Amanda Barras likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
- 1 day, 16 hours ago
  
  Richard Wiener likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
- 1 day, 17 hours ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
- 1 day, 17 hours ago
  
  pru barry likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
- 1 day, 17 hours ago
  
  pru barry likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have given most to my doctor to give to someone in need. Some I gave to my chiropractor for his son.
- 1 day, 17 hours ago
  
  Sue Martin likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  My unused diabetes supplies like meters, that I was given but don’t use, just sit in a drawer. I wish there was someplace to send them. Any ideas, folks?
Clear All

Have you ever accidentally given yourself an injection of rapid-acting insulin instead of a long-acting (or vice versa)? Share in the comments how you handled this situation.

While research finds that nearly 90% of people diagnosed with T1D have no relatives with the disease, you might have other autoimmune conditions in your family. Do any of your biological relatives (people who share the same genes or blood as you) have other autoimmune diseases?

Sarah Howard

Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

32 Comments

Bob Jackson

I took fast rather than the long. I just kept a close eye on my blood sugars.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Jen Farley

I used to color code them, before my pump. I also kept them in different parts of the fridge. The short acting or most used, I kept in a easy to reach area (like the egg area) the long acting would go into a bag in the fruit and vegetables drawer.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Mark Schweim

Yes, but it was back before Insulin Pump use started, I think in 2001 or 2002.

But why is this question being asked again? this SAME EXACT question was just asked literally less than a week ago, with only very slightly different wording including an example of taking Humalog instead of Lantus.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
1. T1D Exchange
  
  Hi Mark! We realize we’ve made a scheduling error on this question, which was originally asked this past weekend. We have written thousands of questions since Question of the Day began and will continue to ask thousands of other questions in the future. We apologize as mistakes happen because we are, after all, human. Thanks for bearing with us, and check back tomorrow for a new question!
  
  2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Milly Bassett

I almost did one time. I had the needle in my thigh and a realized what I was doing that I had the wrong color pen. From then on I kept my fast acting away in a different location to where my slow acting pen is at. it helps.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Kristen Clifford

You asked this question just last week! You guys need to go digging for more material

2

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
1. T1D Exchange
  
  Hi Kristen! We realize we’ve made a scheduling error on this question, which was originally asked this past weekend. We have written thousands of questions since Question of the Day began and will continue to ask thousands of other questions in the future. We apologize as mistakes happen because we are, after all, human. Thanks for bearing with us, and check back tomorrow for a new question!
  
  1
  
  2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Sherolyn Newell

I had a strong fear of doing that, so I checked the pen at least two times before I used it. Now I have a pump and I once touched the bolus area with my thumb by accident and told the pump 10 units instead of 10 carbs. That was scary, but I figured out the problem pretty quickly. Had to consume a lot of carbs though.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Beckie McCammitt

Just ate a ton of carbs to cover the short acting, then did my normal long acting dose

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Carol Meares

Very early on in diagnosis MDI, I think it was switching NPH with regular. I believe you have already asked this question recently. I believe it happened in 1993 or 4. It happened in the morning. I was traveling with family. I had 2 cousins with T1D there to help. I went for the buffet and was able to cover for the 12 units of regular which at that time was about 4 times the insulin I needed for breakfast.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Jane Cerullo

I use my Iport for bolus insulin and inject my basal so pretty hard to do for me. Also pens are two different colors and bolus is via InPen.

3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Yaffa Steubinger

Fortunately I knew it right away. I ate the kitchen of all juices, sodas, and sweets. It never went below 45.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
T1D Exchange

Hi everyone!
We realize we’ve made a scheduling error on this question, which was originally asked this past weekend. We have written thousands of questions since Question of the Day began and will continue to ask thousands of other questions in the future. We apologize as mistakes happen because we are, after all, human.
Thanks for bearing with us, and check back tomorrow for a new question!

8

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
1. KarenM6
  
  Thank you T1D Exchange! I know making all these questions is hard work… takes a lot of creativity, language skills, memory, and technical know how just to code the darn things.
  I am of the opinion that we should just celebrate having these questions and being able to talk about our experiences (no matter how often the question is asked!) 😀
  You all have my thanks and support!!!!! 😀
  
  1
  
  2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
2. T1D Exchange
  
  Thank you for the kind words, KarenM6! We appreciate you!
  
  1
  
  2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Natalie Daley

If you know how much insulin you have taken, you know how many carbs to counter it.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
mojoseje

Mistakenly double boluses on my pump. My husband had to call an ambulance.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Becky Hertz

Most likely no but I’m not sure.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Estelle Smith

I took rapid-acting one night shortly after diagnosis when I was very tired and not paying attention. So that meant I had taken almost 5 times as much rapid than normal. In training I had been told to keep hard candies to treat lows, so that’s what I did.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Bob Durstenfeld

I answered yes, but it was more than 20 years ago when I was using NPH and Regular insulin.

2

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Pauline M Reynolds

Just once, but it was so long ago, I don’t remember how I took care of it.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
kim bullock

Yes I have taken my diabetic dogs insulin twice.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Mary Thomson

Yes, one time.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Twinniepoo74

Yes done both I just kept a eye on my blood sugar but the long acting quickly took it as soon as possible.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Janis Senungetuk

Oh yes, many years ago when I was still using beef/pork Regular and NPH. I ate a bag of Cheetos because that’s what I had available.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
KarenM6

This is just a copy and paste from the last time. I can’t get my brain to settle on whether to comment or not… so, here is my experience:

Decades ago…
I was a teenager and distracted by who-knows-what. It was dinnertime and I gave myself my morning dose number, but used only my meal dose type of insulin.
So, 3 or 4 or 5 units of regular became 50+-ish units of regular. (50+-ish morning included NPH and reg. I was also on twice as much insulin as my body needed, so ’twas not a good situation all around.)
My Mom took me to the ER and they dripped glucose into me for awhile.

I’m pretty sure I _almost_ did this again later on in life… again, distracted by life. But, this second time I caught it before injecting.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Caitlin St. Jean

I did this once in college, gave my night time long lasting intended shot with short acting by accident. My roomate stayed up with me all night as I ate tons of food to avoid a bad low. It worked out but it felt horrible having to eat so much.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
RegMunro

Giving short instead of long means lots of activity and lots of eating carbs for a couple of hours until things settle down again
Since starting with CGM I’ve not made this mistake, strangely

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Teresa Carlile

Ended up in the ER to correct low glucose

1

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Mig Vascos

A few times when we only had vials with NPH and Regular. Once I gave myself 17 units of regular instead of 17 units of NPH. The minute I gave myself that shot I realized I’ve picked up the wrong vial.
It’s not difficult to make mistakes when you do something all the times and many time under stress and in a hurry.
I use a pump now and have to be very careful whether I give myself for example 0.5 or 5 units. Luckily we have more safeguards now built into the pump.

1

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Ginger Vieira

YUP! Thank goodness for emergency glucagon — I used a GVoke prefilled syringe. Without glucagon, I would’ve had to spend the rest of the night eating bowls of cereal!

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Brad Larson

One time. 20 units of Humalog instead of Lantus. Just carbo-binged for the next 2-3 hours. Normal AM dose for breakfast is 12 units.

2 weeks ago Log in to Reply