Feeling very vulnerable

[registerlady]

We are so dependent on others to provide the necessary medications for our diabetes, and today's experience has made me very jumpy and scarily aware of how dependent I am on others.

I went to collect my insulin, having completely run out, only to be told by the chemist that they hadn't been able to obtain any from any of their suppliers because of 'manufacturing difficulties'. I came home and phoned my diabetes nurse. She phoned round all the chemists in the area, with the same result. She then phoned the Rep to be told that there are problems at the manufacturers and there is no Insuman Basal anywhere.

I had to contact my GP and ask him to prescribe a different insulin, recommended by the nurse. I collected the prescription and went to the chemist. They didn't have it, but can get it for 11am tomorrow. They could have got it earlier but that particular supplier didn't have it in stock. So now I have to go without two injections before I can get my insulin. So I am stressed even more, on top of depression, grief and PTSD. I don't dare take my BS reading as it is probably through the roof.

I'm wondering how much the French dock strikes have affected this. I live in Kent and can see the chaos of Operation Stack for myself, with supplies not getting through, because the ferries cant use the port and the Channel Tunnel is seriously delayed because of the strikes and the immigrants charging the tunnel and getting themselves killed.

It is very scary being so totally dependent on the manufacturers.

 

[himtoo]

hi there
it is a bit of a lesson learned -- and you will learn from it

I never let myself have none in stock in my fridge

i always have about 2 weeks worth in the fridge when i put my prescription in

valuable lesson learned

 

[noblehead]

Don't ever wait until you get down to your last insulin cartridge/vial before ordering more, that way if you do have difficulties obtaining your insulin when you put in a repeat you still have enough to see you through.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I always have 1 -2 months stock in my fridge. The more popular insulins such as Levemir and NovoRapid are readily available. You might want to encourage your DN to move you over to them or similar unless there is a medical reason for the current choice.

 

[Natalie1974]

Although I'm pretty hot on keeping a stock of insulin...I've had a similar thing happen to me with other medications...mostly due to my rather useless chemist...but caused some serious withdrawal symptoms...it's really frightening when these things happen but try to keep calm and remember to drink plenty of water. Hope it all gets sorted for you tomorrow.

 

[azure]

I always aim to keep a month of insulin in my fridge. It allows for shortages or unforeseen problems.

But yes, relying on a medication to keep you alive is stressful. Roll on a cure!

 

[Sarah69]

I have now changed over to byetta and only get 1 pen per month, if I lost it I wouldn't have a spare because they won't give me a spare!

 

[Ambersilva]

At diagnosis I was advised by the hospital to submit a repeat prescription when I take out a new pen leaving two of that type of insulin in the fridge. The reason given was that if I lost one pen another may fail but that would still leave me with one usable pen while waiting for the repeat prescription to be supplied.