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Let's chat about "Walmart insulin." Accessing it isn't without financial or logistical burdens. It is not patently affordable or accessible. Using this insulin, compared with more modern, newer insulins, adds more âbiologicalâ and âsocialâ burdens to surviving.
Thread (1/x)
Thread (1/x)
Walmart insulin is R and NPH. We used these insulins in the 80s and 90s before "modern day" analogs became available in the late 90s and early 00s.
Many of us survived using these but not without consequences. Many of us didn't. https://newrepublic.com/article/157686/nonprofit-grifters-want-cut-coronavirus-bailout
Many of us survived using these but not without consequences. Many of us didn't. https://newrepublic.com/article/157686/nonprofit-grifters-want-cut-coronavirus-bailout
Over the past 5 years, more people know this insulin exists and is available as an option. That's because of pushback on insulin activists. Still, not all patients know.
In 2015, it was a "little known fact" & many doctors didn't know it was possible. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/14/459047328/you-can-buy-insulin-without-a-prescription-but-should-you
In 2015, it was a "little known fact" & many doctors didn't know it was possible. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/14/459047328/you-can-buy-insulin-without-a-prescription-but-should-you
It would be rare for someone using this insulin to be under the guidance of a provider.
If you can't afford analog insulin, a doctor is likely out of reach. Doctors don't always know this exists or how to implement a regimen, as it hasn't been standard of care for 20 years.
If you can't afford analog insulin, a doctor is likely out of reach. Doctors don't always know this exists or how to implement a regimen, as it hasn't been standard of care for 20 years.
If you have one, a provider sees you for 2/8760 hours a year.
Functionally, there isn't guidance. And, unless someone can remember detailed insulin regimens from the 80s & 90s (most of us weren't diagnosed let alone adults), one must use their own body as a live experiment.
Functionally, there isn't guidance. And, unless someone can remember detailed insulin regimens from the 80s & 90s (most of us weren't diagnosed let alone adults), one must use their own body as a live experiment.
The best and most detailed guidance people can find on how to use this insulin is going to come from forums, blog posts and a youtuber's poverty experiment.
Should that really be the case when a delicate biological function needs to be kept in balance? https://beyondtype1.org/treating-type-1-diabetes-without-insurance-overthecountert1dchallenge/
Should that really be the case when a delicate biological function needs to be kept in balance? https://beyondtype1.org/treating-type-1-diabetes-without-insurance-overthecountert1dchallenge/
Logistically, people must also have access to Walmart or CVS, who have exclusive deals with the insulin manufacturers to sell this stuff.
These stores are not everywhere! https://twitter.com/Wolf1661/status/979851609470533632
These stores are not everywhere! https://twitter.com/Wolf1661/status/979851609470533632
Interestingly, in the state of Indiana (the only state where an insulin manufacturer HQ is located), you cannot buy this insulin without a prescription.
You would have to cross state lines in order to access this.
You would have to cross state lines in order to access this.
Financially, $25 a vial is not patently affordable.
Even with all the best knowledge & price shopping, monthly costs for insulin, syringes and test strips will be out of reach for most. You may not be able to get syringes easily either. https://twitter.com/lollydaggle/status/1304856507406745600
Even with all the best knowledge & price shopping, monthly costs for insulin, syringes and test strips will be out of reach for most. You may not be able to get syringes easily either. https://twitter.com/lollydaggle/status/1304856507406745600
There are extreme social costs to using this insulin. Because of strict insulin and meal timing "modern work/school schedules and especially worker availability expectations do not mesh easily, if at all, with older insulin regimens." https://medium.com/@julia.boss/jose-gomez-marquez-asks-so-why-cant-we-use-the-orange-one-older-insulins-85877819bb57
These social burdens are more extreme when trying to implement these regimens with children. https://insulinnation.com/treatment/why-walmart-insulins-arent-the-answer-to-high-insulin-prices/
Beyond financial, logistical & social burdens to using this insulin, there are biological burdens as well.
The biggest question is "is this stuff even safe to dose?"
Maybe. But, there are inherent, biological risks because of the timing when the insulin is active in the body.
The biggest question is "is this stuff even safe to dose?"
Maybe. But, there are inherent, biological risks because of the timing when the insulin is active in the body.
These risks can be mitigated with careful planning, support and diligence. But, given all the other barriers to insulin access that may push a person towards using Walmart insulin, careful planning, support and diligence may be harder to come by.
For Josh Wilkerson, he made the switch to this insulin when he aged out of his stepfather's insurance plan when he was 26.
He died at age 27. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/he-lost-his-insurance-and-turned-to-cheaper-form-of-insulin-it-was-a-fatal-decision/2019/08/02/106ee79a-b24d-11e9-8f6c-7828e68cb15f_story.html
He died at age 27. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/he-lost-his-insurance-and-turned-to-cheaper-form-of-insulin-it-was-a-fatal-decision/2019/08/02/106ee79a-b24d-11e9-8f6c-7828e68cb15f_story.html
