I’m a very brittle Type 1 diabetic who has suffered from Type 1 for 40 years (I was diagnosed at age 23 and I’m now 61).
I’ve been using a Dexcom G6 CGM for 3 months.
I use Tujeo or Levamir for all-day basal level long-acting control…
For mealtime insulin, I’ve used “fast acting” insulins as Humalog and Novolog since they became available about 25 years ago. I have superb ObamaCare “platinum level” insurance, so I pay no more than $20.00 for a month’s supply (2.5 vials/month).
Over the years, especially in the last 8 years, I’ve found that I don’t get any “action” from Humalog or Novolog (10 ml vials) for 3 to 4 hours after injection after which they cause a quick reduction in my blood sugar (200 --> 80 in 20 minutes or so)… The problem is that their “action” doesn’t happen for a looooong time after injecting and it’s unpredictable. I’ve tried different injection sites (arm, leg, belly, intra-muscular) with the same unpredictable and highly undesirable results…
I know, I know… It’s “scientific fact” that Humalog and Novolog are supposed to start acting within a half hour after injection.
Two months ago, I substituted Fiasp (10 ml vials) for the Humalog/Novolog. Same price ($20 for a month’s supply)… so cost is not prejudicing my report here. Although the results were better than Humalog/Novolog, I still was waiting for 1.5 to 2.0 hours for the insulin to have any effect on my blood sugar level and the “peak bolus action” was still unpredicatable…
I was shopping at Walmart a few days ago and just on a whim, bought a vial of Humulin R which is sold for $25.00 per vial over-the-counter (that is, without prescription) at Walmart.
Being peeved off at my situation with the “fast acting insulins” such as Humalog/Novolog/Fiasp, I injected 15 units of this “old-fashioned” insulin before brunch (my big meal of the day). I had not had any Fiasp since 6 PM the night before and had not eaten since 9 PM the night before.
To my incredible shock, this Humulin R started to gently lower my blood sugar in less than 15 minutes after subcutaneous injection into my belly. Within 25 minutes my blood sugar had been lowered from about 210 (tested with a finger stick) to 80! My blood sugar hovered around 130 to 140 until dinnertime (at about 8 PM).
Planning to eat dinner, and wanting to test my fantastic results with Walmart Humulin R, I took 15 units about 15 minutes before eating. Same fantastic results. Blood sugar lowered from 160 to 75 in about 20-25 minutes, wonderful blood sugars while I slept (130-140 as measured by the Dexcom G6) and great control till noon today when my fasting blood sugar rose back to about 200.
Same results from today’s brunch…
I haven’t had this fantastic blood sugar control in YEARS… Although your results may vary, this $25 Walmart Humulin R is both affordable (Humalog/Novolog/Fiasp cost over $150 a vial if you don’t have insurance), gives fabulous and predictable blood sugar control and is readily available.
Moral of the story… Don’t go chasing after the latest insulin fads that the drug companies are advertising, especially if you don’t have insurance. Trying Walmart insulins (they have NPH as well) may obviate your need to spend incredible amounts of money for the “latest fads” in insulin…
Personally, I’m sticking with Humulin R and am going to have my doctor prescribe it so that my insurance will cover it. THANK YOU WALMART!!!