I'm on the SoloSTAR disposable pens.

[Rob43]

My diabetic doctor has put me on these pens and I take a shot before bed everyday. He wants me to start taking 10 mgs at first and then move up if my blood test comes back high. I have never given myself a shot of any kind before. I'm going to use the short needle. I'm on blood thinner and wondering if this will make me bruise more.


Thanks, Rob.

[Rob43]

Hi, No bruising at all with short needles.


Rob

[Jill-O]

I also just started on this pen 2 days ago. I'd been using a different insulin pen before (a premix 2x a day). Now I take the Lantus Solostar 1x a day, and Humalog pen before each meal. So far, we need to tweak the dosing but I think I will like it much better :)

By now, I'm thinking you've had your first shot and are bound to be smiling as it doesn't hurt, huh :) :) :)

[Rob43]

Yes these pens are much better then the old shots ten years ago. One problem with the new pens is the price. For five pens I pay $150.00 for month from Wal-mart.

Rob

[Jill-O]

That is expensive. My insurance covers most of mine and I am very aware since diagnosis how lucky I am to be insured.

I was looking on the website for Humalog the other day, and I saw they have a new non-disposable pen ("Memoir" or something like that). I'm ignorant on this stuff, but to me it seems like you must buy a pen you use and reuse, and refill with disposable (or refillable?) cartridges. That may cut the cost considerably!

Maybe Lantus has something like this, too? I'm sure there are those here who use pens that are not the disposable kind and could tell you about the cost and how the cartridges work.

Good luck!

[owlyn]

The various Lantus pens have been discussed before. They have different pens in different parts of the world. In the U.S., the Opticlick pen was the one that was used with Lantus cartridges. This pen was despised by almost everyone who used it, and is being discontinued in favor of the SoloStar disposables.

I've written several times about the Lilly Memoir pen. This pen should be avoided, as it is not suitable for travel. Because of its electronics, it must be kept at room temperature and out of excess humidity. Trust me, I had two of them, and I was very careful with the 2nd one. It really needs to be kept indoors, like cats. The Lilly Luxura HD pen is a fine pen and does 1/2 unit doses as well.

Most pens can be obtained for free or at substantial discount by contacting the manufacturer and asking nicely. Also, many doctors' offices (especially endos) have coupons or free pens. The aforementioned Opticlick could only be obtained at an endo's office, and was free.

AFAIK, the cost of cartridges and disposable pens is very close (actually the same), at least in my area.

[Meme2]

My doctor gave me a SoloStar. I didn't know what to do with it. I am used to Vials of Lantus. I read the insert and it said, once opened, the pen can be left at room temperature. I was suspicious of that!! Since my Lantus must be refridgerated to be good so why would that be any different.Well, found out it isn't any different and that it can go bad if left out. The safe way to use this pen is to leave it in the fridge, take it out sometime before injecting - long enough for the pen contraption to warm up - then inject. The pen won't work if cold but the Lantus needs to remain refridgerated or it will get bad and not be worth the pen it's injecting with. I still have not used mine. I am sticking to using my vial and my trusty syringes. I am, however, keeping the 100ml pen for emergencies if I need to depend on the Lantus. I will withdrawl the insulin from it with my syringe and not use the pen except to hold the insulin.

[owlyn]

I don't quite know why you think it needs to be refrigerated once opened, but it doesn't. It just needs to be kept below 86 F. If you keep it in a pocket or leave it in the sun, or in the car, orsomething like that, it will get too warm. It is good for at least 28 days.

[Jill-O]

The packaging actually warns NOT to refridgerate the in use pen.

I've only been on these pens (Humalog and Lantus) for a week and prior was on Novolog pens. My in use pen is either on my kitchen counter, or in my purse.

http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/heroes-smileys-64589/nurse.gif

[Meme2]

I will NEVER believe that keeping Lantus or any other insulin for that matter is safe out of the fridge. I want mine to work as well as possible and so I will - once used - keep it in the fridge. It can't possibly do any harm, IMHO, and in fact, may just help it last longer than 28 days. I bet you didn't know you could use it longer than 28 days, did you? Yes, my Lantus vials last til the last drop!! I don't waste a drop of it. It is always refridgerated as is and will be the pen.

Jill-O: the packaging warns NOT to refridgerate the pen BECAUSE the pen itself won't work if cold. That's the only reason!! The drug company doesn't care about the Lantus or insulin inside because they want you to go buy more so they can pad their pockets with more green. the pen is a giveaway so they don't want to spend any more money on that than they have to. The pen, if not warmed up (and it can be warmed up to room temperature) will break and OOOO then the drug company might have to spend a little out of pocket to "give" you another one. On the other hand, insulin will cost YOU if it goes bad or if Lantus gets cloudy which it will if left out in the "regular" temperatures even. I"m not giving Big Pharm any more money than they are already getting from me.

[owlyn]

I have never had any insulin go bad and have never wasted any due to it being unrefrigerated. This applies to Huamalog, Novolog, Novolin, Humulin, and Lantus. I do happen to use it all within 14 or 15 days.

[Simons70]

Jill- You mentioned seeing that Lantus has a pen that uses cartridges. Yes, it does and has had for several years. I have one of the pens but I did not like it. The wierd shaped cartridge was hard to put in and it was bulky to handle. I quit using it and went back to syringe and vial Last time I was in Rochester in October they told me about the prefilled Lantus Solostar and gave me a prescription for it. I have used the Solostar since than and like it much better than the Lantus pen.
I use the Novolog Jr for my before meal insulin. I use the Novolog Jr because it will do half units. Many times I need to adjust by half units even though I have taken insulin for sixty four years.
Merry Christmas
Simons

[Simons70]

MeMe2-
I was surprised when you said that Lantus needed to be refrigerated. Once I have used the Lantus or Lantus Solostar I keep it at room temperature until the cartridge is empty, which for me is usually 35 to 40 days and I have never had it spoil.
Works for me.
Simons

[sugardumplin]

Yes these pens are much better then the old shots ten years ago. One problem with the new pens is the price. For five pens I pay $150.00 for month from Wal-mart.

Rob
WOW- ROB! I pay $20.00 copay for 5 pens. Insurance is good afterall.

[Rob43]

I do have BC&BS of Tennessee and it pays for medical drugs but my plan is I have to pay up front and the insurance pays 80% back at end of the year. Which is better then not having it.

Rob