Hi Increasingly cynical,
I totally believe that the problems many type-1s are having with BS control could be directly linked to synthetic insulins being unsuitable for some patients. I also feel that doctors' tunnel vision as far as treatment for type-1s goes,is a concern.
There's a young lady on this forum recently diagnosed with kidney probs, in her 30s and on synthetic insulin. The story of Monica Winn, the 90 year old type-1 who's been on animal insulin since 1927 shows that it is poss to live to a ripe old age with no complications if you're on the right treatment. There's also a lady on this forum who's been on animal insulin for 43 years with no complications.
I got chatting to a sales assistant in matalan a couple of months ago, who told me her type-1 duaghter was having awful probs with control and was feeling ill on analogue insulin. I told her about my experience, and that it was prob worth her daughter discussing it with her GP. I went to matalan yest, and saw the same woman, and asked how her daughter was. She told me that she'd seen her doc, got switched to animal insulin, and her control and health are much better. Many people report similar changes in health following changing insulins, including myself, and I have been PMd by many forum members with the same issues. I wish I'd been offered animal insulin years ago, and it angers me that it is considered obselete and old fashioned by some doctors, when it clearly is the answer to many many patients problems.
While I was having very erratic control,BS varying daily between 2-16 and sometimes higher, my HBA1c was still within the acceptable range, so I was considered by my doctor, to be well controlled, and therefore my concerns were ignored. If my blood sugars had continued any longer like this, its obvious that I would be heading for serious complications-despite an 'acceptable' HBA1c! When considering making a complaint to my consultant about the way my erratic BS, and other problems were ignored, I realised it would be pointless, as they'll have the HBA1c 'get out clause'-their proof that I WAS well controlled! :evil:
Jus