Hi grandmasunflower
Your describing such “classic symptoms” of insulin users that just cannot tolerate certain types of insulin.
I suspect the confusion over whether your Type 1, Type 1.5 or Type 2 is compounding the situation. Interesting your hospital said Isuman is the only insulin they can prescribe as you have tried all the rest! (i.e. Levemir, Lantus & insulatard).
More likely it’s:
- The “hospital policy” that is prohibiting prescribing any other basal insulin.
- NICE Guidelines for the treatment of certain types of diabetes rather than “guidelines for patients who require insulin”
- The consultants preferences.
- Research funding - when pharmaceutical companies provide funding to enable hospital Trusts to undertake research.
- Funding of the diabetic nurse specialists. The latter is when nurses are employed by the Trust (hospital) but their post is funded by a pharmaceutical company – in reality it is often the only way NHS Trusts can afford specialist nurses and its not just in diabetes care this happens. Unfortunately sometimes (and it does depend on the individual nurses knowledge and experience) the diabetes services will be “pro” a certain type of insulin rather than offering choice.
Yes diabetes care is very complex!!
Is your General Practitioner supportive in helping you find suitable basal insulin?
Consider discussing the issue with the hospital's PALS (Patient Advocacy & Liaison Service).
You might have to consider pursuing a special case with the hospital and/or clinical commissioning group to try animal insulin – in the issue of cost animal insulin is actually cheaper
hence they cannot turn you down on that reason!
best wishes
Tx
Type 1 - Diagnosed June 6th 1970 aged 4 years - no complications.
Using Porcine (Pig) Short Acting Bolus and Bovine (Beef) Lente Basal Insulin.
PRO INSULIN CHOICE ADVOCATE.