Insulin

[Cheekysquirrel]

So it’s 4am and I’m lying awake worrying that post brexit there won’t be any insulin. Furthermore because I’m a brittle diabetic and use an insulin pump I may not be able to get pump supplies even if I can get insulin.
A no deal brexit feels pretty catastrophic - I appreciate other life saving drugs will also be affected.
In truth I’m terrified for me and my t1 dad and everyone else whose life span is a matter of a few days if insulin becomes unavailable.
I know supposedly there are reserves being built up but realistically how long will these last? Six weeks? Surely at the end of that six weeks the same problems will still be there.

I’ve always overordered and rotated so have a big stock. I did it as it always felt unsafe even before brexit not to have enough insulin
Also get the penfills as if you can’t use a pump youd need these
Start putting in repeat prescriptions more frequently from now and you’ll manage to build a stock up which may make you relax
Easier said than done I know xx

OK breathe. During the debt crisis in the 1980s American politicians threatened Third World economies with withholding insulin from diabetics in bankrupt economies. Most powerful economy in the world. And they didn't. Because it's unconscionable.

Go back to sleep.

Ps
For a brittle diabetic with no access to a pump I think you’d have to split background doses (this worked better for me than just once a day) or micro bolus short acting throughout the day to mimic a pump

Do try not to worry. I know it’s hard but the UK is still a very short air freight trip from the suppliers that have always been used.
Without getting into the politics, because there is nothing either of us can do about it at 4am, businesses will find a way to supply products, even if at higher costs for an interim period.
As a business we’ve spent months putting our plans in place and we’ve just put a statement out to our customers saying we don’t expect any interruption to product availability. We supply goods with a shelf life of 3-6 months, although not drugs.

I hope you get to sleep soon.

Yup, it terrifies me too (T1 also), but I can't let myself dwell on it too much. I've been trying to order my repeats a little sooner than needed to try to build up a small reserve but I'm not organised enough to do it with any real conviction!

I have to believe that we won't be hung out to dry.

Nothing wrong with building up a reserve. Not the same as insulin but of course better not to have an avoidable a&e trip, I'm stocking up on my medication after nurse I don't normally see told me to increase dose then in the next sentence removed it from my repeat months on still haven't managed to get another appointment so I'm grateful I'd began my pre-Brexit stock which is now quickly running out. But I still have time. Do not lose sleep over something that is not going to be a massive issue in the next 5 minutes.

Also OP what pump are you on. Pm me if you like. We recently changed so I have lots of set change stuff for the old one if the worst were to happen I’d be happy to post if ever you needed it if that helps at all

As far as I know ( DH is Diabetic ) there is a Four Month stock pile, he works in Haulage and isn’t at all worried.

If people who usually don't need the nhs avoid predictable nonsense that clogs up the nhs after a No Deal Brexit, the nhs can focus on people who really need it. So getting extra supplies in to avoid confrontation at the supermarket and to keep anxiety down is a positive step to help others.
Please do what you can not to be a tosspot and let the nhs get on with helping people who might need it.

I think it's a valid concern.
Lots of medicines are already low stock or out of stock (furosemide, bumetanide, naproxen) - most worryingly adrenaline autoinjectors for anaphylaxis. A statement was issued a few months ago saying to use them after their expiry date.
(GP)

Get writing to your MP, and other MPs.

Tell them we are not pawns in their political games and that no deal is not an option. If they allow it to happen they are effectively killing people. There is a withdrawal deal with transition arrangements on the table, they have plenty of time to influence the future relationship so no excuse not to accept it. They should know better than to confuse withdrawal deal with trade deal.

I am sorry you are so worried. I am worried and I don't fear loss of life saving drugs, just a horrible change to my quality of life.

My MP is one that previously supported May but has recently resigned a ministerial post. I have written asking for assurance that they will do anything and everything in their power to prevent no deal. We shall see what they say in reply...