Pen Question

[owlyn]

A few months ago, I switched from using disposable Humalog pens to the Lilly Luxura HD pen and Humalog cartridges. Everything is fine. The Luxura HD pen can deliver half-unit does, which for me is really not a requirement (it's nice to have, but not a necessity). On a recent trip, I got to wondering (worrying, really) what would happen if I lost this pen? I would be without a way to inject. So, I started thinking I should switch back to the disposable pens, as I would just carry a spare on trips as I have always done. So... how do you handle this situation? I really don't want to buy another Lilly (or other) non-disposable pen for use as a spare.

[Scratch]

Hmmm. I'm the sort who always likes to have some sort of backup. I hadn't ever really thought about that with pens that use cartridges.

If worse ever came to worst, you could always keep a syringe or two handy, is there any way you can get a syringe to draw out of a cartridge? If you can't get a syringe to draw from the cartridge, there's always R insulin that can be purchased OTC at the pharmacy.

[RLK]

I would just carry a few syringes. You can draw insulin from cartridges (at least you could with the old ones- the last time I used a pen was 1998).

Do you have some syringes around that you try it?

[rzrbks]

Yep, you can draw insulin out of a cartridge just like a vial/bottle---inject air in and draw insulin out.

That's what I do sometimes to get the last bit out of Lantus and Novolog/NovoRapid cartridges.

[Scratch]

Yep, you can draw insulin out of a cartridge just like a vial/bottle---inject air in and draw insulin out.

That's what I do sometimes to get the last bit out of Lantus and Novolog/NovoRapid cartridges.
Yeah, there's around 12 more units in the Novolog Flexpen that can be used.

[owlyn]

Syringes aren't bad idea... I would have a backup, and I can get the last few units of insulin out of the cartridges. Hmmm... I shall muse on this notion... (Note: I think I am on a sugar high right now. Someone at work had a birthday, and another person made from-scratch chocolate cheesecake as a birthday cake. Better take some insulin, but how much...how much...?)

[DCaplinger]

I hadn't thought about buying disposible syringes to get that last bit out of the pens. I haven't even had to buy them yet (the disposible ones). Sounds like a good project for this weekend. I have yet to really get to know my pharmacist.

Regards,

[UpNorth]

I have 2 Np4's that i use, one for Novorapid and one for Levemir, and i have another 2 NP4's (one silver and one blue) i keep as backups... I always bring my backup pens when going on vacation in case something should happen with my original pens. I'd never use a syringe if i can avoid it... Simply because it's a syringe... I'm not afraid of using them but i don't want to be seen as a possible junkie...