I had to switch to Humalog from Novolog as well. I found no difference in the two in terms of how it worked.
I did, however, prefer the Novolog pen to the Humalog pen. The Novolog pens I was using clicked down as I injected each unit, so I could count the number of clicks as a double-check to the strength of the dose I had just taken. The Humalog pens don’t click when you inject. So after you inject and start thinking, “wait, was the 3 or 4 units”, you have no way of knowing.
I was also forced to switch from Novolog to Humalog by my insurance company about 3 years ago. Like you, I was very leery of the change as I hadn’t really encountered any issues with Novolog. In my case, I couldn’t tell any difference between the two. I am a pump user and all my settings remained the same.
I’m still fighting the HMO. My cost is back to $100 per vial (or more) and they rejected my grievance form. Even though, I have a very well long-standing documented case of Humalog allergy. Not pleased. And now the pharmacy cant get the Novo discount card to go through at all. The two insulins are the same for many, but not all of us.
Thank you
not as much of an interruption
not as much
as much
So, SOME degree of interruption (i.e., irreparable tissue damage drastically reducing quality of life) is just fine? If the insurance company’s greed only causes the guy to die a little bit earlier, then that’s OK? I disagree.
That is obviously not what I was saying.
Well, it took some time, but I got my Novolog. You people need to learn to stand up for yourselves. I can’t believe anybody could be so weak as to let their doctor or some insurance company prevent them from treating their diabetes. I told them I don’t take Humalog, I take Novolog, and nobody is going to f!?#%*g take it away from me. If I have to fire my doctor, or sue the s#%t out of the insurance company, I will, because this is a matter of life and death. We should support each other on this forum — not encourage each other to fold when some greedy insurance company, or spineless doctor, tries to take away our insulin.
Some things are worth the battle others are not. Humalog vs Novolog wasn’t since for me there is no difference.
Now CGM would be something I would fight for.
My insurance company told me to change from the Humalog I was taking to Novolog. I did some research and decided it wouldn’t be worth a fight for me to refuse to change insulins that were so much alike. It was an extremely easy exchange. I am very careful about picking my battles.
I suppose you’re hoping to find someone here to yell at because of your frustrations with your insurance company.
No one here made that decision. Go ahead and get angry at those who did.
Your second post on this forum was spent throwing curses and calling people weak.
… who exactly isn’t being supportive here?
You.
Sometimes it’s necessary to be frank with people before they start taking something seriously. People here should take their diabetes management seriously.
The people on this forum by and large take their diabetes very seriously. You couldn’t pay me to go back to using humalog and I did have to go through an arduous process to get all of the medications and devices I need to manage my diabetes but for most people unless they have an allergy to one insulin vs another it doesn’t usually matter. You asked for people’s opinion on whether or not to fight for your humalog and they gave their honest answers. Diabetes is a fight every single day to maintain control and for most fighting for humalog vs novolog isn’t worth it. It was obviously worth it to you and congratulations on succeeding with getting approval.
I agree with switching and have switched back and forth between humalog and novo log… I never really liked pumps, and had to buy the humapen savvio from Canada and the Owen Mumford auto pen for MDI, but it sounds like @Muppet missed the part about the novolog still being offered, but at a higher tier or bracket…a prior authorization usually does not help with insurance tiers. On the pump the difference should feel minimal, however, I still prefer novolog… it just seems to work quicker, especially when I’m hyperglycemic.
Exactly. That’s why Humalog an Novolog are different
I agree they are different, however. The insurance companies usually play their novolog is tier 1, so it’ll cost you $120 for 30 days, or you can pay $60 for a 90 day supply of humalog…or vice versa… either way, they are close enough and cost does affect most of my diabetic decisions… I prefer Dexcom over libre, but with the 10 day sensors and blucon. I was going with the cheaper libre… however, I’m now on eversense… and right now its due to lower cost
Penn, all due respect, but your low carb comment is more relevant for T2. Before people rip me, I’ll explain what I mean. First a frame of reference: I’m a T1 diagnosed at age 19, in 1984. I’m now 54 and using a pump for the last 10 years. Because, as a T1, I make no insulin, lowering carb intake involves adjusting two other factors, the amount of exercise and the amount of insulin intake. Pretty much daily, i take a vigorous walk for 30 to 45 minutes depending on my route. If I lower carb intake, after that walk, i would have a serious low blood sugar. A1c doesn’t take into account lows, only spikes as it measures a glucose coating on red blood cells. Treating that low blood sugar would cause a spike and there goes my A1c. It’s like juggling 3 bowling balls: a difficult act.
As to CH_BOS, in my 10 years of pumping I have used both Novolog and Humalog and there is a perceived difference. Also, the stress of that change will mess with your A1c. Do the best you can with what you are given to work with. BTW, no doctor has ever been able to tell me how many more years of life they guarantee me for keeping a 7 A1c, though it is a good target reference.
As always people, YMMV! (your Mileage May Vary)
I never asked for anybody’s opinion on whether or not to let some insurance company dictate how I manage my diabetes. I would never do that. I gave my opinion on the matter.
The funny thing about a forum, you can ask a question but you can’t dictate the answer. Other members are speaking from their own perspective, whether their answer applies to you is for you to judge.
In my experience I find that most people contribute to a discussion in good faith, not to be criticized when their offering is rejected.
This forum loves a good rant but its not a good idea to rant at those that are on your side.
What do you have to lose by asserting yourself to your doctor or insurance company? I would pick battles if I had something to lose from the battle, but I don’t understand why you would be so afraid of standing up for yourself when you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. That attitude is totally irrational with something as important as your diabetes care.
You need to get off your high horse. I never asked a question. I made a point in the form of a rhetorical question to try to get you people to reconsider your thought process and misplaced priorities – your priority should be to manage your diabetes the best you can, rather than avoiding conflict.
Not sure what your point is there.
I am on the side of people living with diabetes – NOT the side of greedy insurance companies or lazy, spineless doctors. It seems to me that some people on this forum are so weak and conflict averse that they’d rather let their A1C go to ■■■■ than stand up for themselves. I would like to inspire you to rise above that timidity.