Let freedom ring
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Drugs, Opinion, Support
For those diabetics injecting insulin and getting frustrating results - this blog's you. I include in this group of frustrating results: hypo unawareness, diabulemia, lethargy, weight gain, erratic blood sugars, and missed periods (for the ladies) - these are all side effects people have experienced once beginning genetically modified human insulin. It so happens it is the only kind available in the United States.
Bev did a terrific blog on the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust and the difference a choice has offered me: more controlled blood sugars, lower blood pressure, less hunger and even a little weight loss - high five! But herein lies the problem - the choice is not easy to come by. Most doctors believe Big Pharma pushed genetically modified human synthetic insulins because it was better. However this, like the insulin analogues - was nothing but stellar marketing with lackluster scientific proof.
If any of those symptoms listed in my first paragraph kept you reading to this point - please ask your doctor to give natural animal insulins a second chance. Do yourself and other diabetics a favor and request information to bring to your doctor by emailing enquiries@iddtinternational.org. The IDDT will send information on natural animal insulins. You may not be interested, but another diabetic may love the fact it will soon be a choice for them. Freedom of choice - isn't the Liberty Bell appropriate here?
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust: A diabetes support charity
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Support, Care, Complications
Since 1994, the UK-based Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) has supported people with diabetes and their caretakers. It is a charitable organization operating entirely on volunteer donations. IDDT is not influenced financially from the drug industry, all their donations are Big Pharma-Free.
IDDT has a wealth of information for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Of special note is IDDT's comprehensive explanation of the GM 'Human' Insulin vs. Animal Insulin debate. Allie has written several posts addressing the issue. Since switching from synthetic to pork insulin, her blood pressure has dropped, her blood sugar control is better and her appetite has lessened. She has also gained tremendous insights from IDDT along the way.
Back in 1994, IDDT collected a load of feedback from people with diabetes and their caregivers on their experience with synthetic 'human' insulin. The top three complaints were loss of warning of hypos or functioning on automatic pilot; extreme tiredness/lethargy; and weight gain of 21 pounds or more. Whether you have researched this debate deeply or are just scratching the surface, IDDT is a good resource. They also award research grants, and their Dream Trust supports young people with diabetes in developing countries.
It's a crime the US only offers genetically modified human insulin. Other countries sell animal insulin. People with diabetes should have a choice of insulins, adverse reactions to synthetics are real.
Insulin pen patent fight: Novo vs. Sanofi
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset
Novo Nordisk, one of the Big Three insulin manufacturers (Eli Lilly and Sanofi-Aventis round out the group), has started legal action in the United States to block the launch of rival Sanofi-Aventis' new SoloSTAR injection pen. Novo claims Sanofi's SoloSTAR infringes on the patents of its NovoPen 4. Sanofi is ramping up for a U.S. launch in the next few months -- they contest Novo's claims and will defend their rights in court.
According to a March 2007 post in Scott Strumello's blog, the SoloSTAR is a disposable insulin pen aimed at the vast type 2 market, and Sanofi's Lantus will be the first insulin used in the new pen. SoloSTAR reduces the injection force by 30 percent or more compared to other leading disposable pens, good for people with poor grip or limited hand mobility. Different pen colors will be offered for different insulins, a nice feature to aid in correct insulin identification.
From my internet and blogosphere research, the SoloSTAR was introduced in Europe last April, and it was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
This isn't the first Novo/Sanofi patent scuffle. Novo has alleged Sanofi's OptiClik pen deliberately infringed patent protections on Novo's Flexpen (post image from www.novonordisk.com). The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust's April newsletter stated the case should go to court sometime this year.
Driver's Education for Insulin
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, Research, Opinion
Like a student driver -- the function of proinsulin (c-peptide) is as critically important as driver's education. The research was done, but because the information highway was just picking up speed (at the time back in '88) dissemination of such research was difficult, at best. Never fear - I found a good study to start things rolling.
Proinsulin (c-peptide) is made along with insulin in a 1 to 1 ratio from the beta cells. After a dose of proinsulin was administered - it took 5 to 10 minutes longer to lower a patient's blood sugar in comparison to insulin, alone. The rise of blood sugar following the lowest point was much slower, as well. In lay terms this means that insulin, coupled with proinsulin (c-peptide), results in a more controlled reaction. Kind of like the teenager with his permit to drive and Dad riding shotgun. The permit gives the kid the right to drive the car, but Dad is telling the kid when to accelerate and when to slow down. Insulin and proinsulin are quite similar in nature except we're talking about a life threatening hormone without the parental guidance.
The antilipolytic effect of proinsulin (tapping fat cells for energy and ANTI means this is stopped) was significantly stronger in comparison to insulin alone. Human proinsulin has a stronger effect on prevention of fat burning for energy in the absence of insulin (ketoacidosis). This seems logical because if you metabolize the glucose in your blood for energy - you will have little (if any) residual glucose to store as fat. Type 2 diabetics have a plethora of c-peptide in their body upon diagnosis but their blood sugar is also high. Looks like insulin and proinsulin reduces the risk of ketoacidosis and regulates fat metabolism.
Why did they decide to manufacture human synthetic insulin without it again? A personal experience pumping piggy proinsulin for 2 days now and I've seen definite control in my blood sugar fluctuations - less than 20 mg/dL in any testing window. It feels like the newly introduced highly purified porcine proinsulin came with a built-in continuous glucose monitor (i.e., C-peptide). More to come...