Has anyone ever got a bad batch of insulin?

[Ronbo51]

I use an insulin pen 4 X a day and my sugar has been under control but the last time I got a new pen my sugar shot up to the 280 range and even though I increased my insulin I can't seem to get it back down.  I opened a new pen, hoping that I just got a bad pen.

[skb]

Yeah sure. I have heard of many members raise such issues over at Diabetes forums. I think it is quite likely. 

[bigskygal]

Since I don't use insulin, I have no experience with the pens. Maybe you should contact your supplier.

[walkerwally1]

I don't use insulin either but I can sure believe that it is possible to get a bad batch.  It could have been left in a place that it got too hot and I think that will cause it to go bad. 

[Ronbo51]

Turned out it was not the insulin.  Dr. prescribed prednisone for inflammation and that was the culprit.  It is a tapered dose and will done in a few days so I will just increase insulin (dr gave me a sliding scale) and it should be back to normal soon. 

[skb]

Dr. prescribed prednisone for inflammation and that was the culprit. 

Yup that's very likely. I have been more or less drug free for the past 12 years. Last December a Dr prescribed me 2 blood pressure medications. One was an ace inhibitor and the other a beta blocker. I started having episodes where my heart rate would drop down to 27. It was scary. Thankfully the pills were discarded into the dustbin.

[walkerwally1]

Yeah, steroids often cause a rise in blood sugar.  It does seem to vary from one person to the next but at least you can help by changing your insulin dose.  At least it is not for a long time.