Bovine/synthetic insulin

[bonerp]

Hi ,
Back in the day, I used to be on porky pig insulin. Was it called actrapid and monotard?? Something like that.

Anyway when I was younger I used to have horrendous hypos - quite voilent. My ma and pa used to pin me down, slap me about and ram food down my throat...! Sometimes it was quite simply 999!

Now since being on synthetics like humalog /humamixes / novorapid / lantus etc (I've tried them all!), I dont have these severe moments anymore and luckily too because i live alone!

Now maybe its because I was growing up/puberty/poor control I dont know. Or could it be because synthetics stop such rapid hypos coming on??

I've always wondered about this?? I read something recently on the novorapid site about reduced hypos and it made me think about it again!

Reason I'm asking is I would be happy to try pig insulin in my pump - as long as these bad hypos dont return. Is there a risk they will?

thanks
Paul

 

[bonerp]

thanks Sarah.

I remember my first meter - it was about the size of one of those old portable cassette players lol!

I dont remember when I started using it though unfortunately! I doubt it was when I was 10 though (1981) which is when I was having bad hypos.

On novorapid I have to adjust basals from 2 hours before the event so thats the same.

Maybe the slightly slower acting insuling will stop the post mean hypos Im experiencing.

Do you know what the duration and profile of the stuff you are using is? Or the name then I'll have a look online?

thanks

 

[janabelle]

Hi Paul,
that chart Sarah mentioned is still available from Diabetes UK. Ring their care-line 0845 120 2960, and they'll send u a copy free of charge.
Wockhardt's number is 01978 66126. They have a great medical advice team there, very helpful and friendly.
Also worth looking up the IDDT(insulin dependent diabetes trust), a great source of information. Their number is 01604 622837
Jus