Diabetes on a budget: Novolog v. Lantus

Thanks, Rick. I’ll check out the mail order companies. :slight_smile: Elaine

Right now I don’t use enough (8 units/day) to empty the bottle in five weeks, but maybe someday!
:slight_smile: el

Well, “rationing” is always the complaint, wherever you are. Right now the USA rations health care supplies and services by 1) health (ever been denied coverage?) and by 2) wealth. Our status as 27th in mortality rates demonstrates that 26 other countries do a better job w/ their population.

I know your system works better. Our infant mortality rates are shameful. Most of our population is un-insured or under-insured. About 1/2 the bankruptcies here are health care related.

Exactly, at least with the UK all the money is going into providing the best possible treatment compatible with offering treatment to all.

While it’s hard to get a pump over here, I just spent a week on a DAFNE course and I feel like I’m in a position now where I can achieve control that is near enough as good as a pump on Basal/Bolus. How much would a 1 week course with a Diabetic Specialist Nurse and a Diabetic Specialist Dietitian (with a short contribution from a Diabetologist) cost in the US?

There are money concerns, and there is the cases of GPs not wanting to give people as many test strips as they need, but this is more about ignorance of the condition among GPs (who have breadth not depth of knowledge on mediical issues) than rationing.

Wow. My insulin seems to lose some effectiveness after 3 weeks, but maybe that’s just the short-term stuff. Hmm.
Do you do a very low-carb diet?

I take it once a day. My experience is that it fades some, too. I don’t keep it refrigerated, cos it hurts more when cold. Call me a baby!
:slight_smile: el

You are very welcome :slight_smile:

Hmm. 2 -3 day wash out for Lantus? I didn’t know that!
:slight_smile: el

i’m part of the program. Really easy paper work to fill out, the only hard part is getting your doc office to do it fast enough. All my insulin is free, based on my income, i don’t know what i would do if it wasn’t free…probably not take any insulin at all. But if you have insurance they might not accept you.

Does walmart sell a off brand of "lantus"
I keep all my insulin refrigerated and i use it up to the last drop. I’m definitely afraid of running out of insulin because of money. Right now i use prescription assistance programs. I wrote a blog about money and prescription dealings with my diabetes educator(not good).
What kind of insulin is used in a pump? Is it any “cheaper” in the long run?
thanks

Humalog, Novolog, and Apidra can be used in a pump.

There are no generic forms of name-brand insulins like Lantus, Novolog, and Humalog. From what I’ve read, this is because producing hormones lik insulin is more complex than most drugs, and no generic producer has gone for it yet.

Also, I think some of the newer insulins are still protected by law.

I’m sorry Barbra that is not true

Generics of Insulin

Note that I said “name-brand Insulin.” I should have probably been clearer about that.

There are generics for Regular and NPH insulin available.

There are not generics for Lantus, Novolog, Humalog, or most other basal or rapid acting insulins.

You can read more about the how’s & why’s here:

When I red all of this I can’t believe what I’m reading…
You have to pay for your insilun???
In Belgium everything is free, except indeed the glucokit pen when you have a very bad hypo and the needles for the shot pen, rest is all free…
I hope your social system will change so you all get it free also…

here in the US we have to pay :frowning:

send me a box, and I’ll climb in it and come to Belgium!

I’m not sure I understand your last sentence. Everyone dies and people in the USA have one of the best life expectancy rates in the world. If you are speaking of strictly infant mortality rates, then you must realize that direct comparisons between countries are not a reliable metric because different countries have different criteria for what is and is not a live birth. The USA happens to count every single infant mortality in its numbers, whereas other countries only do so if the infant met a certain weight, or length, or survived for 24 hours, or a combination of these criteria (or other criteria).

There is much wrong with the USA health care situation and competition by a government program may very well be an excellent solution. I don’t believe you can simply pick another country’s health care plan and expect to be able to plug it in here and have it work.

Well, it isn’t “free”, you just pay for it in a different way than we do.

Isn’t that the truth!