The rising cost of insulin is causing diabetics to ration supplies of the live-saving drug and forcing them to make choices about spending, one man with the disease tells the Herald.

Andrew Silva, 23, of North Attleboro is a recent college graduate and has had Type I diabetes since he was 7. On three separate occasions since 2013, he has suffered initial stages of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. The condition is worsened when the body can’t produce enough insulin.

Silva has become an activist for the issue, having experienced for himself what it’s like to go through complications.

In a tweet quoting recent news coverage of how the price of insulin is causing rationing, Silva said rising costs are a “problem” and that the diabetic ketoacidosis he suffered was “an agonizing experience.”

Silva talked to the Herald yesterday about his personal experience dealing with the disease and the newfound struggle many diabetics have with finances:

“What I can say from my experiences of ketoacidosis, although I’ve only been in the early stages, is that it feels like heartburn that won’t go away. You’re basically puking up your guts, you have trouble concentrating. It feels like a radioactive device is in your midsection.

“The cost of insulin hasn’t had too much of an impact on me yet, but there are people who have to make decisions about how they spend their money based on how much insulin they have. Some people have to ration insulin and it takes a toll on their health. People have to decide whether or not they can go out or if they just have to spend money on drugs to keep themselves alive.

“I have on numerous counts spoken with people that have Type I diabetes, who have to try and make insulin last as long as they can because of the rising cost. It’s a big issue.

“At one time, diabetes was a death sentence. With the development of insulin, diabetes became less of an issue.

“The price of insulin has become astronomically high and I would hate to see diabetes going back to being a death sentence just because it’s become unaffordable. I don’t know exactly what is going on, but my hypothesis is that companies, manufacturers and middlemen are the root cause.

“This isn’t happening in any other first world nation. People being able to afford insulin is almost unheard of around the world.”