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Comment by rmrfrmrf | Hacker News Reader

Not sure if this is the same issue, but apparently the cheaper insulin syringes are thicker and cause more pain and bruising. From my understanding, these are shots that need to be administered several times a day in perpetuity. The savvy consumer's options are chronic physical pain or poverty. With that in mind, would you still suggest that people go with the cheaper option?

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Most diabetics, not pumping take two kinds of insulin. One that provides a basal dose that covers the glucose your body produces. One to two injections a day for that. In addition, there is the bolus dosages that are taken with any carbohydrates. So most people on average, eat 3 meals a day, plus any snacking. We are up to about 6 a day here.

The cheaper insulin in the US is garbage and should not be used. period. The problem is the companies are have no pressure to reduce prices. the customers are captive and must pay or die. They make money in other countries that have price controls on the same product.

Most importantly, the consumer should decide what is the best option here. If you are poor and the only available option to stay alive is injection multiple times through the day using thicker needles, perhaps it is still better then die? Or maybe not. I do not want to decide that for anyone.

Life sucks, diabetes sucks, and poverty sucks. More than people who don't experience it can understand.

But you do the best with what you have, and that means picking your pain.

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