Diabetes Monitor - I Forgot My Shot, And I Don't Know If I Should Take It Now

Home > Other > Faq > I Forgot My Shot, And I Don't Know If I Should Take It Now

Publication Date: 12/12/2005

Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.

Question

I am 57 years old, have type 2 diabetes, and I take Lantus at 9:00 A.M. each day. The problem is I forgot the shot. It is now 5 P.M. on Thanksgiving day, and my blood sugar is 241 mg/dL [13.4 mmol/L]. I don't know if I should take it now. I cannot reach the pharmacy because it's closed, and the nurse won't give me the information. She says I have to wait for a doctor to call. Should I take the insulin?

Answer

Well, it's probably a bit too late right now. For the future, you need to discuss with your doctor what to do if this happens again. My suggestions are:

Take the shot of Lantus even though it's late, and check additional blood sugars to see what's happening.
Have short-acting insulin (Novolog, Humalog, or Apidra) around if needed. and ask your doctor how and when to use it.

Be sure to tell the nurse's supervisor that the nurse would not help you.