It’s actually 70% R and 30% N. Perhaps this is intended to match the 30% basal %age of TDD that PWOD run, according to “Sugar Surfing”?
I recall the mix days however I didn’t actually do that as I was reusing syringes (pretty much until the paint wore off and I couldn’t see the numbers…) and practicing my homegrown form of MDI at the time, so I didn’t want to get NPH cooties in my R as I felt it worked better to keep it clean.
So I looked it up, and according to the information that comes with Humulin 70/30, it’s 70% NPH and 30% R. Sugar Surfing is talking about MDI, and since R and NPH aren’t basal/bolus (since NPH counts as some of the bolus insulin), I don’t think those ratios are applicable.
In looking through my old diabetes records while scanning and shredding, it seems that I’ve always used way more NPH than I have R. If my math is correct, my ratios of NPH/R or NPH/Humalog work out to be 85/15 (when I was 10), 67/33 (when I was 13), 90/10 (when I was 19), and 85/15 (when I was 23). I have no idea whether my ratios were typical or not, but maybe taking more NPH than R or Humalog is expected.
Thank you for starting this thread. I am looking into these options as well.
D’oh, you’re right @Jen!! I read it this AM and sloppily googled “aspart” and went “R!” without perceiving that the “in suspension” of whatever was the N part!! Thanks for clearing that up!!! 
^ = someone admitting they were wrong on the internet!!
You are certainly in rare company. Congrats!
It’s all good! Only reason I’m pointing it out is that anyone intending to try this stuff needs to know what’s in it!
My overall less than enthusiastic attitude towards trying any of the “older” insulins is leading me to stockpile a supply of Apidra, along with a crap-ton of AA batteries and Pods and an extra PDM (hidden in various locations) for my daughter in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse (and mark my words, it’s a matter of when, not if 
). Why would NPH, Regular, etc. be more readily available than the nifty modern analog insulins during an extended emergency? Ones time would be better spent with some water buffalos and old textbooks…
Just because I can buy it for $25 a vial at Walmart without a prescription…
[quote=“rgcainmd, post:28, topic:50564, full:true”] Ones time would be better spent with some water buffalos and old textbooks…
[/quote]
Do you have old textbooks that detail how to extract insulin from water buffaloes? And… will they sit still long enough? 
$25 a vial is pretty inexpensive, but how long will a vial last until it expires? (And I mean really expires, as in no longer potent, not merely past the expiration date printed on the vial).
In the event of a ZA, I think I’ll have more luck getting my hands on an old textbook that outlines how to extract insulin than I will finding a water buffalo in order to “borrow” its pancreas. And with my luck, zombies will have a penchant for water buffalo brains. And as everyone already knows, you can’t bargain with the dead. So “You can have the brain if I can have the pancreas, and we’ll call it even” is not going to cut it…
I don’t really know, but if I buy a half dozen vials or so each year and don’t throw away the old ones it seems that I will always have enough for any unforeseen emergency, plus potentially enough to trade with other people who need them
Relion as in Novolin, IMO is a direct substitute with Humulin. Walmart occasionally changes contracts but for past couple years one or the other has been sold at cash price for $24.88 per vial.
I have been using 32 units Lantus + 5 units Humulin R in morning AND 5 units R in evening. I decided to use some of my NPH before it expires and have had to adjust to 35 N + 5 R morning and 15 N + 5 R evening. I would resist any changes w/o CGM and/or ample supply of test strips as I no longer sense Lows, so a short term return to NPH verifies my requirement.
For SHTF - actually after just 1.5 years of using Lantus, I’ve accumulated 8 months of reserve just by purchasing monthly. My concern is keeping my reserve supplies cool enough to survive summertime in the South.
For backpack, bugout or everyday carry, checkout the FRIO products. A variety of sizes are available, I purchased the large to carry several months worth of vials &/or pens. My 2014 Test Of Frio Extra Large Insulin Cooler in SE Texas shows the evaporative cooling to be around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. So if average ambient temperature is 80 degrees, contents of cooler will remain around 70 degrees. The cooling ability will be better in a low humidity environment. Unfortunately, they do not meet the long term cool storage required for insulin.
How well a frio works depends entirely on the relative humidity of the air surrounding it (eg at 100% RH they provide exactly zero cooling) they’re a good product and I use them too, but realistically they are no more effective (likely less, actually) than wrapping your insulin in a damp cloth
so my. is insulins everwhere for my son & daughter. maybe more for my son. she is being a pain. & AA batteries and Pods & PDM. & i ues to have a old textbook that says how extract insulin but i sold it wish i have not. something to pass down to eric.
I live about 20 miles away from the UK’s main Trident Nuclear Submarine base (AKA Ground Zero). My question is: at that sort of distance, would R and NPH be more likely than analog insulins to survive the effects of a 10 megaton airburst?
I thought that was supposed to cause a server meltdown. It really can happen? Who knew!
Just so long as it doesn’t cause a Z apocalypse, we should be okay.