Question from Whitefish, Montana, USA:

I am an independent practicing FNP (family nurse practitioner) in a rural area. I have lived with type 1 diabetes for 36 years. I am the person local doctors and other FNPs come to regarding type 1 questions. I was recently asked about one patient in particular. She has had systemic reactions, severe body rash, shortness of breath, when she has used Humulin insulins and Humalog. Because of this, she has gone back to pork insulin after attempting the other on a couple of occasions. With Lilly stopping production of animal insulin, what are other options for this patient?

I would also like to ask about Lantus insulin (glargine). I find that most of my type 1 patients have to take increased amounts to help control their blood glucose. For example, one patient wears an insulin pump with Humalog and the basal rate is 14 to 15 units per 24 hours (A1c in the 5.0 to 6.0 range), total daily dose of 25 to 35 units. If she takes a break from using the pump, she takes up to 40 units of Lantus for basals and then still runs blood sugars in the 300 to 400s mg/dl [16.7 to 24.8 mmol/L] in the morning and has great difficulty keeping them down during the day, taking Humalog for highs and carbohydrates eaten. Any thoughts on this? Ultralente works much better for her, but still not as good as animal product insulin.