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

pork insulin

E

evita0_8

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all, I'm new to this site but have been a diabetic for 27 years. Have been on pork insulin all of this time (my choice) My Drs have been trying for years to get me to change over to human insulin and I am now thinking they could be right. I have been warned the change over may bring a few problems with hypos and things until I adjust. Has any one any advice or opinions. My next appointment is in june.

Denise
 
evita0_8 said:
Hi all, I'm new to this site but have been a diabetic for 27 years. Have been on pork insulin all of this time (my choice) My Drs have been trying for years to get me to change over to human insulin and I am now thinking they could be right. I have been warned the change over may bring a few problems with hypos and things until I adjust. Has any one any advice or opinions. My next appointment is in june.

Denise
Click to expand...

Hello evita .
Wondering why ? they wish to change your insulin now after so long a time ?
Why are you feeling they could be right ?

I use pork insulin as I am unable to tollerate both levemir or lanctus human insulins.
I reacted to the preservatives in these.
Developed huge red swollen welts with 'each' injection site .

Pig as an amimal is the nearest horizontal match to us humans .
Am told there is less synthetics and preservatives with porcine insulin than the human insulins.
Hence why I was tried on it and it suited me much more with no side effects .
But that - this is just 'me' ....
I am happy to stay put on it given my med intollerances the HCP'S are happy for me too .
As it problem solves things for both them and me too .

I have found any hypo with porcine insulin has a kick like a mule and does give me
great hypo awareness early .
I can recognise the shakey sweats and always 'know' this is a hypo easily for myself.
I can use and control my BG levels well with porcine and use it split dosed twice daily .

The fact your appt is in june - gives you time to decide what you need and wish to do .
Are you happy and wish to give human insulin a try ?
After so long on porcine insulin - have you any side effects with it ?

Hope my post can help you a bit .

Anna.
 
Hi Anna , thanks for you reply. I've always been happy to stay on pork insulin but the drs keep telling me it's easier to control on human. It doesn't matter what or how high my BG reading is before I go to bed it always drops down low around 2am. The Dr has told me with human insulin it stays stable all night and wont have a sudden drop like with porcine. They have also said it's easier to count the carbs. My HBA1C has been just over 9 the last couple of years and they now think my body might be fighting the insulin as I always use to have a reading of around 7. Apart from that I have no problems with my diabetes. I am also worried about not getting the signs of a hypo if I change to human insulin. At the moment I don't really know what to do. Last year I thought I was ready to change but changed my mind at the last minute. They keep telling me that there isn't many people left on porcine and that soon it will be very hard to get hold of, so it was so nice to hear from someone still on it. Like you said I've got until june to make up my mind.
Thanks again I have some thinking to do.

Denise
 
Hi Denise

Pork insulin tended to lower my bg levels a bit too fiercly whereas bovine insulin didnt.
As far as I know the IDDT fully support diabetics using animal insulin and Workhardt still make it. I dont think there are any plans for it to be stopped.

Do you find yourself going hypo every night or just some nights. Can you get up about 30mins before you think the hypo will happen and eat some carb if necessary. Testing your bg levels will help you no end.
 
Hello Denise.

Dunno if this would make a big enough difference but I always have 4 small crackers buttered before bedtime.
This has prevented me from going too low at night ... :thumbup:

Or switch the heavier unit dose around ? So you dont go too low when you least want to.
I am even now with 20/20 split dose 8am then at 8pm and can manage this well .
But used to use less pre bedtime - before the 4 crackers buttered carb trick .
Had to titrate more as my BG's were getting above 10 upon waking .

IDDT has helped and supported me with finding my way successfully with animal insulin.
Have spoken to both jenny and martin on the phone.
Jenny sent all my unused human insulin off to Africa for the children to use instead :thumbup:

I have and use their animal insulin only stickers so no-one will give me human insulin.
Also use my Hospital Passport with all my animal porcine insulin needs and regime/routine in it .
[used these just 2 weeks ago when in hospital and it really 'did' help immensley as so few are using the
animal insulins and nowadays "less nursing staff" know seem to know about it!]
With the Hospital Passport they let me self administer my own insulin/victoza regime.
[all I needed was a nurse to assist me as I was one armed/handed]

Wockhardt havent any plans to 'stop' making or supplying it as far as I know ...
I " need " animal insulin with being unable to tollerate the human insulins .
Have loads of intollerances to medication anyways the HCP's know this is the case and fact with me.

You can always give things a lot of thought and ask all the questions you need to prior to making your decision.
Hope this can help you a little bit more ...

Anna.
 
Thankyou for you replies. I've been a diabetic for over 20 years and am now realising how little I know. Think I have a lot of reading to do. If I can get my Hba1c down (9.2 at present) think I might stay on porcine as I have no other health issues so why change something that is working. Although one of the benefits of human insulin is you inject and can eat straight away or so I've been told. I do hate waiting 20 minutes after my injection because sometimes I remember it at the last minute. Oh well as you said a lot of thinking to do and then I may have questions.

Denise
 
Back
Top