Another alternative to high-priced insulin

In response to Dr. Hothersall’s op-ed “High cost of insulin puts people’s lives at risk,” I’d like to say that there is an alternative that could be tried by some while we’re waiting for the big-pharma lobbyists to do their thing and our legislators not succumb.

I’ve been a Type 2 diabetic for over 40 years and was insulin dependent for 30 of those years. My late husband took care of the finances, and I was aware that insulin was expensive but just knew we had to avoid the “doughnut hole.” Upon his death when I was faced with the actual cost of insulin, which in 2014 was costing us $2,500 out of pocket a year, I vowed to do something about it.

First I talked with my doctor at the Cleveland Clinic and told him I’d just read “The End of Diabetes” by Joel Fuhrman, M.D., so he agreed to monitor my weaning off the insulin. Being a vegetarian for over a decade at the time, it was easy to go vegan, and I lost over 50 pounds and slowly (about five months) got off the insulin and on to Metformin, which costs me nothing.

Admittedly, I missed the eggs and cheese so went back to being a vegetarian. I not only feel and look better but have saved over $18,000 and have few high and low sugars.

This is not recommended for Type 1 diabetics or for that matter all of the Type Two’s, but if just one person reading this who has Type II talks with their doctor, I promise that insulin independence will be a huge benefit for you.

Portia Miles Smith

Oakland