Thanks for your further comments.
I checked with a friend who is also my GP and with another who is a pharmacist. Both had never head of the side effects but on the other hand were not very surprised to hear of them.
I corresponded with my endocrinologist in Cape Town, who also concluded that...
As a medical specialist (retired) I decided to start using Lantus about 3 months ago after consulting an endocrinologist. I had tried some oral medications before but I could not stomach them. I managed but not too well.
The Lantus did work but after some time unpleasanr side effects may appear...