Poll - meds supply duration

[kidvid]

I'm not trying to start a "survivalist" thread. I just want to know what experienced T1 diabetics the world over consider to be a "reasonable" supply of insulin and associated supplies.

How long would your existing (as of today) supply of insulin and non-medicine supplies last (insets, needles, cartridges, pens, strips)last if you used it at the same rate as you always do? Without trying to make it last longer?

Joe

[Belinda]

actually much longer than a year....sorry but I have a stock up problem..LOL...actually I got enough supplies for my pump to last at least 2 years.....they just keep sending them...finally called and told them to STOP>>>>:love:

[Shotokan]

I only have pump supplies to last about 3 months. However, I can always go back to MDI. I have lots of syringes and insulin.

[jeggeman31]

I did have 1,700 freestyle strips and 9 vials of insulin but I just gave them away to someone who needed them more than I. So I now have about 3 months of supllies on hand.

[HelenM]

Mine is only 0-1 month because of the strips, needles and lancets. I don't normally pay for them but legally ( I think) the pharmacy is only allowed to dispense one months requirements at a time.
I have more insulin (maybe 3 months) as the pharmacy doesn't work out the dosage prescribed and will give me a box of lantus and novorapid pens each time unless I say I don't need them.

[spring]

****, where is it that you guys live? My pharmacy (and mostly the insurance!) doesn't allow for more than a month's supply. I can get maybe two months for the insulin, like Helen, but I was only able to get 200 strips at a time by telling them I was an athlete and required the ability to test multiple times. (I'm not really but ****it, I don't test 4 times a day I test 10 or so!) They're very paranoid about people selling off their supplies to diabetics without good coverage/giving them away or needles to druggies (nevermind that they're subcutaneous only).

[Lex4153]

Yeah, I can't get more than a month's supply. If I'm a few days early, I have to get an override and say I'm going out of town.

[JasonJayhawk]

Based on the insulin in my refrigerator right now, I'd say I have about 3 month's supply. Like everyone else has said, though, during a critical time, reducing insulin and (obviously) food (hey, if we're in a crisis, will I have that much food rations?) will make it last longer.

But I'm in the middle of the country, so a tornado would more likely be my problem.

[JediSkipdogg]

****, where is it that you guys live? My pharmacy (and mostly the insurance!) doesn't allow for more than a month's supply. I can get maybe two months for the insulin, like Helen, but I was only able to get 200 strips at a time by telling them I was an athlete and required the ability to test multiple times. (I'm not really but ****it, I don't test 4 times a day I test 10 or so!) They're very paranoid about people selling off their supplies to diabetics without good coverage/giving them away or needles to druggies (nevermind that they're subcutaneous only).

You just need to ask for a little more than you want. For me I test about 7-8 times a day by my prescription is written for testing 10 times a day. DO that for a year and you have a huge surplus on your hands. Same with insulin and my pump supplies. I just tell my doctor I want better control and she also likes to give extra out in case of problems so someone always has a small backup. Doctors that make patients live script to script with no bonus are terrible. What happens if you drop that vial of insulin? Yes, they do crack if they drop far enough (personal experience once.) If you don't have a bonus and you aren't after your next refill date, you're SOL.

[Belinda]

MOST insurances pay for a 3 month supply of maintenance meds and supplies which insulin and supplies are that...you need to check your policy, have doctor write you a script for the 3 months supply that is good for a year, and like someone said.....tell them you test...6, 7, 8 times or more to get it written for more. I was so happy I had a huge surplus when the Gulf Coast got hit...I sent a huge supply down there with a volunteer doctor from my area.

[kgm0612]

On hand I have about a 6 week supply of test strips.
A month's supply of Lipitor and Metformin
4 vials of insulin (novolog), which could last me close to 3 months
5 Novolog pens and a bunch of pen needles for backup.
3 month supply of pump supplies
Several extra glucose monitors
and..............at least 3 years of lancets! LOL

Karen

[Simon]

Most GP's in the UK will prescribe 3 months worth in one go though my new GP won't be pushed to give more than 2 months because he's worried he will be liable if I start selling them! :mad:
It will be less of an issue once/if electronic transfer of prescriptions gets going. Should be later this year.

[JasonJayhawk]

I did have 1,700 freestyle strips and 9 vials of insulin but I just gave them away to someone who needed them more than I. So I now have about 3 months of supllies on hand.

You have gained about 2,000 good awesome karma points from that transaction. I can't imagine how many people would have sold them on eBay for huge profits, despite insurance rules and all.

[jeggeman31]

You have gained about 2,000 good awesome karma points from that transaction. I can't imagine how many people would have sold them on eBay for huge profits, despite insurance rules and all.

Thanks Jason.

I do what I can to help people. I don't know how some people keep up with The D and don't have insurance.

[Tokyo Cate]

Each time I visit the hospital, I get new supplies and that is about every two to three months. I have been requesting less insulin because there is no room for CHEESE in my fridge with all of the insulin, etc. in there now.

[Keezheekoni]

Each time I visit the hospital, I get new supplies and that is about every two to three months. I have been requesting less insulin because there is no room for CHEESE in my fridge with all of the insulin, etc. in there now.
Oh, come on now... there's got to be something else in your fridge to get rid of! There's ALWAYS room for cheese! :D

Rikki

[jillsp]

I have 3 months supply of pump stuff, but I have to keep fighting with my insurance company about strips. They will only give me 200 a month NO MATTER what my endo puts on my scripts. Pisses me off. I also have about 6 weeks worth of insulin at a time and was just considering having my doctor rx me more b/c I start getting freaky and speculating, what if bird flu hit (I know, I'm on the crazy train, but I think it sometimes!) or another hurricane (I'm 30 miles from Galveston coast) I want lots of supplies backed up.

[notme]

I am in the process of stocking up now. My insurance plan lets me order about every two months for a three month supply. I have to do that because I have to pay for all of the medical supplies up to $3,500.00 and then my insurance pays 100%. I need to stock up now that I have reached my deductible for this year.