Side effects of analogue insulins?

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Pumper_Sue said:
You will be told it isn't available or it's going to be discontinued and or it doesn't work in pumps 🙂
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When I first mentioned possibly changing insulins a few months back, my nurse glossed over it and said that insulins don't usually offer any side effects other than hypoglycaemia. So I am expecting some form of resistance from my health care team.
C.
 
Catherine-louise said:
Oh no! :confused: Any idea what I should be saying if I do get fed this line?
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Tell her pumps were in use before synthetic insulin was invented. Also the government has said animal insulin must remain available in the UK.
 
grovesy said:
It is still listed on Wockharts website!
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I should ruddy well hope so as many thousands all over the world use it, me included 🙂
 
Blind your diabetes nurse with science. Say that you are allergic to the E Coli traces in synthetic insulin. Or the yeast traces in Humalog. They are definitely different in their molecular form, so a switch to Humalog might work, but my hunch is that an animal insulin would be better, because your body is more likely to ignore it. Don't take no for an answer. Loads of people worldwide can't tolerate analog insulins. My mum hated the stuff, completely lost hypo awareness.
 
When the flat refusal comes it normally means they know nothing about animal insulin and have no intention of getting off their articles to find out. 😡
When I met an Endo about 7 years ago it was due to an emergency admission for a Addison's crisis, I saw him a few weeks later in an outpatients clinic he said he had never prescribed it before or had any patients on it so would I kindly tell him about it. He then proceeded to write it all down so he could follow it up. Others throw their hands up in horror at such old fashioned treatment, because they know nothing about it this in their eyes equals non compliant on my part.
 
Gosh, it's frightening how ignorant they seem to it all. I hope they are a little clued up on how animal insulin works in the pump otherwise I am way out of my depth to take it upon myself to use it without their guidance.

I think I will definitely push for the animal insulin switch. Im a little worried that I may react badly to it, I've never used animal insulins before. How likely is an allergic reaction to porcine? Or is there a way I can start slowly and gauge any reaction to it in good time? (This may be me being overly cautious, just don't know what to expect).
C.
 
Catherine-louise said:
Gosh, it's frightening how ignorant they seem to it all. I hope they are a little clued up on how animal insulin works in the pump otherwise I am way out of my depth to take it upon myself to use it without their guidance.
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It's very simple to use you just bolus 30 mins before you eat and set your basal at least 2 hours before it's needed as I explained to you before 🙂
 
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Reading through this thread, it still seems that you need to do some fasting tests to find out what profile you need for your basal rate on yr pump. I do not know anyone on a pump who does not have some changes in the rates through the 24 hours. Until these are sorted it is very difficult to get anything else right.

Once you have an appropriate insulin to use in your pump, get the rates sorted. Then focus on other ratios. It takes a bit of work but it will be worth it.
 
Morning All,
Just phoned and spoke to my diabetes nurse, she was surprisingly on board. She says she doesn't think switching over insulin will make much difference to the way I feel but that she will speak to my consultant, and if she is willing to allow me to try porcine, get a prescription sent over to my GP surgery. She said she realises that unless I've tried changing insulins to see if it makes a difference that I won't be able to put my mind at rest. She really sounded like she thought it wouldn't make much difference.

Still, just got to wait to hear back now! Fingers crossed!! 🙂
 
Catherine-louise said:
Morning All,
Just phoned and spoke to my diabetes nurse, she was surprisingly on board. She says she doesn't think switching over insulin will make much difference to the way I feel but that she will speak to my consultant, and if she is willing to allow me to try porcine, get a prescription sent over to my GP surgery. She said she realises that unless I've tried changing insulins to see if it makes a difference that I won't be able to put my mind at rest. She really sounded like she thought it wouldn't make much difference.

Still, just got to wait to hear back now! Fingers crossed!! 🙂
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That does sound promising. Remember to change your insulin duration on the pump, you will need 6 hours at least some people need more.
 
Pumper_Sue said:
That does sound promising. Remember to change your insulin duration on the pump, you will need 6 hours at least some people need more.
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Well I said to her 'how does it work? Will I have to make sure my basals are set two hours before they are due to kick in? With it being a little slower acting than NovoRapid?' And she said 'no, no, you use it pretty much the same way as NovoRapid...' Hmmm... Anyway, see what the consultant reports back with! I'm so hoping I can give it a try before the end of the week!
C.
 
Catherine-louise said:
Well I said to her 'how does it work? Will I have to make sure my basals are set two hours before they are due to kick in? With it being a little slower acting than NovoRapid?' And she said 'no, no, you use it pretty much the same way as NovoRapid...' Hmmm... Anyway, see what the consultant reports back with! I'm so hoping I can give it a try before the end of the week!
C.
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I can assure you the dsn is wrong, but who you choose to believe is entirely up to you 🙂
 
I've no idea what I was told to do with Novorapid, it's been that long. But fine, do what you're told - and only change it if it doesn't work.

Except in this particular case - I would be guided by Sue, for the simple reason that since jabbing in plenty of time before eating absolutely WAS what we all had to do when we all used animal insulin - the rest of what she says does makes total sense!
 
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