Wanted; A trick or tip to solve a potentially serious problem

N5SBP · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:46 AM

My wife regularly uses two different insulins. One is fast acting and meant to be taken in small doses (I guess). Two times now she has gotten them mixed up and scarred the bejesus out of me. The first time she went into full insulin shock (?) with seizures etc in her sleep...very scary. The last time was the other night but she realized it before going to bed so she dealt with it OK.

My question is: does anyone have a simple technique for marking insulin bottles so she could see instantly that she had the wrong one in hand? My thought was a small diameter wide red rubber band.

Penny · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N5SBP

My wife regularly uses two different insulins. One is fast acting and meant to be taken in small doses (I guess). Two times now she has gotten them mixed up and scarred the bejesus out of me. The first time she went into full insulin shock (?) with seizures etc in her sleep...very scary. The last time was the other night but she realized it before going to bed so she dealt with it OK.

My question is: does anyone have a simple technique for marking insulin bottles so she could see instantly that she had the wrong one in hand? My thought was a small diameter wide red rubber band.

Using a fast acting pen, like Novolog comes to mind for me. I use Lantus and a regular syringe at bedtime, and the pens during the day.

Pumper2020 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:54 AM

How about if you were to but a "RED" sticker on the bottle of fast acting that way its kind of a reminder "Warning " fast acting becareful?

N5SBP · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:57 AM

Penny, what is a "pen".

N5SBP · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:59 AM

Yeah, I thought that would work too. Now just need to find one. I'll bet Staples still carries stuff like that. I used to see stick on dots that were about 3/4" diameter in international orange color - that would get her attention.
thx,
jim

xMenace · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:04 AM

I always did the pen & syringe thing. It kept them separated nicely.

The best way is to go on a pump.

Penny · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N5SBP

Penny, what is a "pen".

I use a disposable Novolog Flexpen for fast acting insulin. It looks like a fountain pen, and has a very small disposable needle. It is easy to carry with you and hard to mistake it for anything else.

xMenace · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N5SBP

Yeah, I thought that would work too. Now just need to find one. I'll bet Staples still carries stuff like that. I used to see stick on dots that were about 3/4" diameter in international orange color - that would get her attention.
thx,
jim

Dots become too routine. Get a pen from your pharmacist. I always got mine for free, but I don't know what current practice is.

Penny · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:11 AM

NovoLog® FlexPen® is easy to teach, easy to learn, and easy to use. See if this works.

N5SBP · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:16 AM

All good ideas. I will pass this link to her. Maybe she will join herself.
Thx agn,
Jim

notme · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:19 AM

I purchased to two insulin bottle covers at Wal-Mart. One is orange and one is green. They are insulated and if you drop the bottles they are protected. They also distiguished between my two insulins (at the time). Ask the pharmacist at Wal-Mart. I bet they still carry them.

BriOnH · #12 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

I always did the pen & syringe thing. It kept them separated nicely.

The best way is to go on a pump.

and 100% agree.

Sorry to read about your wife's mix up. A friend of mine that I play golf with did the same thing one night but luckily realized it and called 911 immidiatly.

It's an easy thing to do.

pens like:

The Opticlik for Lantus (long acting insulin):

The novpens for Novolog insulin (the Novopen 4 is better then the 3 but have to admit I find myself using the Demi since it offers half units, which = tighter control for me)

Demi Pen:

Numbers are hard to read and the delivery mechanism is rather clunky but accurate as opposed to the awesome Novopen 4:

99 out of 100 diabets (it seems) LOVE the pump and it would undoubtedly be the best solution for insulin delivery.

patricia52 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 12:01 PM

even restaurants distinguish between regular coffee and decaf. You would think the manufactors would have already thought about this. maybe if enought people complain then they will come in different color containers and maybe different shapes as well, then no one would ever have to second guess.

Mich · #14 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 02:47 PM

I used to use Lantus and Novolog. I kept a great big blue rubber band wrapped around my Novolog bottle several times. No mistaking it for anything else.

babs2000 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 04:13 PM

I keep my Opti-click pens in two different drawers in the kitchen. I took 32 units of fast acting Apidra one night. Luckily I realized it and started drinking OJ and eating sweets. It still dropped. That's when I put the Apidra and Lantus in two drawers. Good luck! Beth