Low on cartridges - buy w/o prescrip? Reuse old ones?

[diabeticnjapan]

I currently live in Japan. I had a 6 month supply of cartridges before coming here, but I am about to run out. I am on the Japanese National Health Insurance, see a diabetic doctor once a month (required), and get most of my supplies there, but unfortunately Animas cartridges are not available in Japan. They use an old Minimed pump.

I love my Animas, so I was wondering if anyone has reused their cartridges before? I know the official line is to change them after 2-3 days, but...or, how long can I use them for max? I always change after 3 days.

Another option, can I order Animas cartridges without a prescription? I've tried contacting Animas directly and haven't gotten a response yet.:mad:

[ctskierguy]

I'd contact your Dr. here in the states. Get him to issue a prescription, then arrange to have them shipped to a friend. Have your friend Fedex them to Japan.
It will be expensive to ship, but with the right documentation it should not be a major problem. Just check things out with customs in Japan before you ship in medical supplies.
Or you can have them shipped to me and send me a round trip airline ticket. I'll gladly bring them to you. :D

Mike

[jimbob]

I've reused the same minimed cartridge for 2 months safely without any problems, I hang on to a couple just for such emergencies.

[JediSkipdogg]

Are you talking the cartridges for the insulin or the infusion sets? The cartridges you can reuse time and time again until you feel it's slightly hard to fill the cartridge because the o-ring is failing. Some will say it may let bacteria in, but I truely don't think that's a concern. I've reused cartridges before 3-4 times before putting a new one in.

If you are talking infusion sets, then you are SOL. Those need to be changed every 3 days so you will have to find a way to get some. Will Animas not ship to you at all? Do you have any relatives not in Japan that Animas could ship to and then them forward to you?

[diabeticnjapan]

I mean the cartridges that hold the insulin. What about old insulin that is still in them?

It's good news if I can reuse them for a few weeks.

[pumpman]

Reuse the insulin reservoir? Of course. I reuse the reservoir over and over for at least one month, I've heard people going many months on the one cartridge.

I just squirt the old insulin back into the vial, i've heard many people on this forum do the same.

As with the bacteria getting into the reservoir, it'd be more likely that the bacteria would enter through the exposed canula wound (the sil sets offer no protection) or through the quick-release needle.

So...yes you can safely use the same reservoir for a few weeks.

[Cyborg]

I very often reuse my Animas reservoirs. Since they seem to hold at most 175 units for me, they barely get me through 2 days. Then I refill it and put it back it. By the next day, it's time for a site change, so I'll change the site, but not the tubing or reservoir. Often I'll use a reservoir for 6 days, which is 2 site changes.

Keep the refill needle in the insulin box in the fridge with the insulin and reuse it to fill the reservoir again.