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

How easy is it to get pork insulin?

B

Bea24

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 3
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi

Just want to know if anyone has had better control on animal insulin after switching from synthetic.?

I was diagnosed 24 years ago after Endometriosis destroyed my pancreas and put on novorapid straight away. I had very good control until I reached 56 then my levels have been up and down more times than a yo-yo. Diet and exercise regime has not changed and I did the menopause at 36 after hysterectomy.

I have allergies to certain medicines among other things and wonder I'm not tolerating the Fiasp and Tresiba anymore?
 
Looks like you can get it, have a read here:
www.diabetes.co.uk

Animal Insulin

Animal insulin was the first type of insulin to be administered to humans to control diabetes. Animal insulin is derived from cows and pigs.
www.diabetes.co.uk www.diabetes.co.uk
 
I was on synthetic which was ok then they put me on human which I couldn't tolerate so I asked to go on pork , a few years later my diabetes specialist nurse wanted me to go on a pump but 2 of my local hospitals refused me a pump with pork insulin but a Dr at manchester royal said I was the patient so it was my choice . that doctor left and the one who took over wasn't all that keen on me being on pork but didn't stop me and I stayed on pork until a couple of years ago when I went on closed loop and I switched back to synthetic . The reason I wanted pork was that there was a rumour that synthetic /human could be more likely to cause cancer but I got cancer anyway . The pork is a bit harder to keep good control for me anyway. If you want to go on pork you may have to insist , The IDDT insulin dependant diabetes trust is a charity that was set up to ensure pork was still available as some people can't tolerate human or synthetic , if you have any questions or have problems getting pork they can advise you.
 
Just checking re. change in reaction to your two insulins from age 56…you haven’t been put on any other drugs have you? I have been on/ off the antihypertensives drug indapamide 2.5 mg over the last 5 years ( as a symptom of Long Covid), every time I restart and particularly about a month in I have to raise the Toujeo dose by about 40%, and similarly the Fiasp. Took a lot of research but eventually found it is a rare side effect, but perhaps there are other drugs that do it too!
 
I couldn't tolerate human insulin, so went on pork insulin until I went went on my first pump and was given Humalog which is a fast acting insulin. I've been on it for 20+ years without any problems.
 
Many thanks for the replies. I am trying to get an appointment but in my area it's almost impossible. I haven't changed any meds but have developed more allergies in the last 6 years.
 
Back
Top