• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

change of insulin

A

alanfisherman

Member
Messages
9
Location
Burham-on-Sea Somerset
Dislikes
giving in to disability
I was told by my chemist that my insulin was not going to be available in the uk after December 2010.
The insulin is Human Mixtard 30.
I have type 1 diabetes following an operation in 1989 for pancreatitus where I had my sleen, gall bladder and 95% of my pancrease removed. (This is usually caused by heavy drinking, but I do not drink!!).
I have been on mixtard for quite a long time, I was however taken off mixtard about 3 years ago by the Diabetic nurse at my doctors. 2 years ago I had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital and had a stent inserted. During my stay in hospital I was visited by the hospital diabetic consultant who asked what insulin I was taking. On telling him I was on Novarapid he at first did not believe me and I showed him my Novarapid. He told me that I should be on Mixtard and whoever changed my insulin should retrain as this insulin was NOT an excepted course of treatment for my diabeties.
I have now been told to contact my surgery to arrange for another type of insulin to reolace Mixtard and am not keen to have another Insulin supplied by my diabetic clinic at the doctors surgery, am I entitled to ask to go to my Diabetic clinic at my local hospital?. Sorry this question is so long!!
 
Hello Alan

Novo are being a bit naughty to discontinue production of Mixtard 30. What they want is for everyone to transfer over to using bolus/basal which will mean many PCTs paying out for much more expensive insulins. Happiness on 2 injections a day is no longer going to be taken into consideration as far as the insulin companies are concerned.

If you want to stay on 2 injections per day, Lilly do a preparation called Humalog Mix 25/75. Novo's Mixtard 30 is 30/70 so there won't be too much of a difference if you change to 25/75.

If you are happy on 2 injections and can plan out your meals all ok so that yr bg levels are within acceptable targets, then stay that way. If you move to bolus/basal you will find yourself needing to inject 4-5 times a day as you inject the basal usually twice a day and the bolus three times a day. You will also have to find out about counting your carbohydrate to a ratio of insulin that you use at different times during the day.
 
Hi itts
Thanks for the info, I will ask the diabetic nurse what she has in mind but the info you have provided gives me good ammo for asking for an insulin pump if I am to inject 4/5 times a day, but maybe the insulin you mentioned by Lille souds as if it should do the trick.
I will let you know how I progress, once again thanks for the information
 
Hi Alan

Truth is all of us insulin dependant peeps would benefit from using a pump but getting one is another thing. You would have to use bolus/basal first for 1 or 2 years to then see how you get on with multiple injections. Many people have tremendous trouble with hypos using the regime where they inject too much bolus insulin or if they forget or deliberately dont do the injections they then face landing up in hospital with ketoacidosis.

If you do find yourself being persuaded to move to bolus/basal make sure that your dsn explains to you all about insulin to carb ratios. Many on the forum go on a DAFNE course to find out about ratios but its not clear anymore as to whether PCTs are going to carry on funding them. Many people cannot get the time off from work to attend these courses as they run for 5 days.

Regarding twice a day insulins; Aventis do a range of insulins called Insuman which you can have a look at. Also, Workhardt do a small amount of animal insulins that can be used.

Good luck. Post a message to let us know what you decide to do.
 
Hi itts
Thanks for further info re insulin.
I have suffered since about 1995 with low sugar without an explanation, the diabetic specialist at the hospital suggested it could be that the 5% left of my Pancreas kicks in now and again without warning, as it did in late 1989 which enabled me to regain my HGV and PSV licences as I did not require any medication during this period and my sugar was normal.
As mentioned this stopped in 1995 and I sent my licences back to D V L A.
I am now 67 year old having retired early at 62 due to a second back operation which failed but that is another story, sorry for the waffle, regards Alan
 
HI Alan

I think you will find this link informative explains equalivants (sp)

http://www.iddt.org/news/nearest-equiva ... ixtard-30/

You can request your GP to refer you to the hosptial, also if you interested in a insulin pump you would have to see the hospital clinic any way, so mention this when you ask for the referal..

As to the insulin pumps, each clinic has it's own way of doing things, some clinics are more pro-active for pumps, others seem to do their damedest not to give you one, even though the NICE guidelines say they should :evil:

There is no time scale to how long you either got to be a diabetic or how long you've been using MDI, nor do you have to attend carb counting training course before going onto a pump, you could go straight on a insulin pump from day one of dignoises of diabetes... You can learn carb counting and the insulin pump both at the same time, but it is a very steep learning curve involved, but not impossible...

Hope this helps
 
Hi jopar
Many thanks for the info, will let you know how I get on but am not looking forward to aproaching doctor as our surgery will not spend too much if they can help it. This is how I was taken off mixtard before anyhow will try, once again thanks for input
 
Alan

Just clocked where you come from, I live about 9 miles away :D

I've PM'd you some information concerning pump clinics in our area and the consultants to be referred too.. As Weston hospital send their pumpers to Musgrove..

If you need anymore information just give us a shout..
 
Hi jopar
Thanks for info, have had dealings with Bridgwater hospital regarding eye damage and have been refered to Musgrove and am pleased with the service from both. Have been told that I may need laser treatment later but at present am within limits for driving.
Will try your reccomendations and let you know in due course Thangs again Alan
 
Back
Top