ALLERGIC TO INSULIN!!

[LYDIADUSTBIN]

Hi there!

I have developed gestational diabetes again. This is my second pregnancy and this time its been picked up a bit sooner. I had a rough time last time as I was allergic to pretty much every type of injectable insulin I was given. I developed raised red and itchy reactions around the injection site. I was advised to take Piriton (didnt want to take due to being pregnant) and my Gp also suggested Eurax cream which is not recommended in pregnancy. I tried cold weater on cotton wool and even calamine lotion. It was so horrible!!!

Anyway the reason I am writing is because I thought it was known that people could develop advserse reactions to insulin. However, my hospital and my GPs had not heard of it.

Would be really interested to hear from anyone who has had the same problem and would be fascinated to know what, if anything, they did to relieve the suffering. Obviously being pregnant means extra precautions but I am desperate to find something that works, having started on HumulinS on Tuesday.

Many thanks and best wishes to all of you. This forum and all who contribute are tremendous

 

[sugar]

Hi there,
I am pregnant too...so I understand completely the problem with looking for something to help the itching. I am T1, so the diabetes aspect is slightly different. I am not allergic to insulin...but I do get teh red itchiness sometimes around injections sites. I used to get this a lot...but it has been better since I changed needles. I now use short ones...can't remeber the length, and I thought that this made teh difference...but you question made me think! Was I allergic to the old needles...I do have a problem with some metals making me itch. Could this be the case with you?

Alas, when it comes down to it, the most important thing for you and baby is to control your blood sugar as much as possible. My consultant gyacologist (sp??!) who specialises in diabetes told me that Euraz was fine...it was just that it hadn't been fully tested on pregnant women. I was still very nervous about using it though! If the itching is unbearable, and you have changed needles, tried all the insulin that they reccomend, the only way I know of to reduce the itching would be to radically change to a carbohydrate free/low carbohydrate diet. You would probably still need to take insulin...but much less, which should cut down the itching. Fergus, who post on the board here is the resident expert on this. Be aware though that radically changing your diet is best done with medical advice, as it will impact the amount of insulin you need.

I really feel for you, this is the last thing that you need! Good luck

 

[LYDIADUSTBIN]

thanks so much for your replies. i do appreciate you taking the time to respond.

i have found a clicky thing at Boots that seems to work with the histamine receptors - you click it and a few minutes later soemhow the itching feels less. its a green and black thing - cost about £8
I would recommend it. A bit too sceptical about trying creams and tablets.

Also I have been meticulous with using a separate needle after priming the injection. the fact that there is no insulin on the needle when i inject seems to help a little.

i will have a proper chat with the diabetic team when i see them next

thanks so much

lydia xxxx

 

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of anyone being allergic to insulin. I must say though when I inject in my stomach my stomach does get abit itchy but when I inject in other places they seem to be fine. Lydia, I really hope the thing you bought works for you

 

[LYDIADUSTBIN]

thanks for the support jodie x

 

[nadine]

i was allergie to the insulin they put me on an devloped gastroparesis from it , an now waiting to have a gastric pacemaker fitted but my doctors an hospital are useless an the nhs might not pay for my pacemaker . i getr no help or surport oo and cant eat too

 

[Orchid]

I remember when I was first diagnosed with diabetes (34 years ago, when I was only 9) this happened to me when I first starting taking the injections. My mum used to do the injections for me then, because of the itchiness they (from the hospital) sent out a nurse every morning for a couple of weeks to do the injections to see if it was something my mum was doing wrong - they were longer needles back then, and it made no difference the nurse doing it! I can't quite remember now how it cleared up or how long it took, but it did disappear after a while, and I was never bothered with it again.

Orchid x

 

[JanAus]

Hi,
It sounds like you are having an adverse reaction to the excipents (additives) in the Insulin.
Sometimes changing the brand of Insulin you are using helps.
I know of people who have had a problem with Humalog, but do OK on NovoRapid.
What Insulin regime are you on at the moment ? What have you tried ?u
I am currently seeing an Immunoogist about this ...

Jan
(in Australia)