carrying extra insulin

[Kendall]

I have noticed on a few threads that many or most of you seem to carry extra insulin with you at all times. How do you keep it from going bad? Do you keep it on ice all day?

I have a kit that has all sorts of supplies but I never carry insulin aside from what's in my pump because I'm afraid of it going bad. I only use 25-35 units a day. That is just over one vial every month. If that vial went bad in the first week of the month, I'd be in big trouble. Where I live, the summer temp is regularly 100 degrees (38 C) or more.

I'd love to hear how you all do it because there have been times that it would have been very useful to have backup. I only bring insulin with me if I'm away overnight.

[Eddy]

I have noticed on a few threads that many or most of you seem to carry extra insulin with you at all times. How do you keep it from going bad? Do you keep it on ice all day?


I usually refrigerate during the day, but not always.


I have a kit that has all sorts of supplies but I never carry insulin aside from what's in my pump because I'm afraid of it going bad. I only use 25-35 units a day. That is just over one vial every month. If that vial went bad in the first week of the month, I'd be in big trouble. Where I live, the summer temp is regularly 100 degrees (38 C) or more.


I was diagnosed 29 Apr 2007, and released from hospital on 2 May. I forget the temperatures at the time in Los Angeles, but I carried my Lantus and Humalog (at the time) around with me... then refrigerated while at work or "home". Kansas summers aren't much cooler, and often are warmer.

In short: I avoid "too hot" temperatures for "too long", but don't always keep insulin refrigerated. I typically need to throw out the vials at the six week mark, when things start getting wonky; I've never gone past eight weeks.

[RobiJo]

I keep unopened vials and pens in the fridge and that's it.
I carry Symlin, Humalog and Levemir pens in my purse at all times. I use the humalog pen if I feel my pump site is bad but I will be home soon enough to change it, and I use the Levemir if I won't be home in the next few hours. I don't tend to carry extra pump sites around. The insulin pens are smaller and easier for me. On occasion I've filled pump cartridges with my humalog pen too if I couldn't find an old blue thingy and plunger in the depth of my purse. I discard the Levemir after about 6 months, as I only use it on rare occasion--but when I have I was really glad I had it with me.

I also carry a Humalog vial at all times. I use 80-90units a day in my pump, so it's not there for very long, about 10 days. I use the vial to fill pump cartridges.

I avoid hot temps for a long time (I don't leave it in my car in summer.)

If you want to carry some around I would recommend a pen. You can use it to fill cartridges and as a backup in case of a pump or site problem. Pens have 300 units rather than 1000 and would work better b/c of your lower TDD.

[Richard157]

You should not allow the insulin to be in direct sunlight on a hot day. I never leave insulin in my car at any time. I think I have read that insulin is still good even if it reaches a temperature of 86 degrees F. I use a pump and the resevoir of insulin is next to my body for as much as 3 days where it gets very warm but it has never gone bad. I have never used one of those special insulin carrying cases for keeping the insulin cool. I have used insulin for 62 years and I have never had insulin go bad because of hot or cold weather. Be sure to watch the expiration dates of your insulin though. That is very important.

[Gordonm]

I am on a pump and I only carry it with me if I am going to stay overnight. I do usually have a needle close by and can get insulin out of the tubing or resevoir if the pump fails.

[VinceF]

I carry insulin with me all the time. I use something called a frio wallet. It uses water to keep my vial well within range even on the hottest days. One water soaking lasts me up to 5 days then I resoak it over and over again. I think I've been using mine for 6 years. I know others here use them too. I think I paid around $25 for mine.

-Dave

[Tattoo azz]

yeah i would suggest a Frio wallet too especially if you live in a state that gets hot quite regularly

[RLK]

I only carry extra insulin if I'm traveling overnight. The rest of the time, I carry a prescription for a single vial of insulin. If something happens, and I can't get home during the day, I can always go to a pharmacy and buy a new vial. No concerns about cooked or expired insulin this way, and the back up script is nice to have for travel.

[kgm0612]

I keep a Novolog pen in the refrigerator at work for emergency purposes only, and some pen needles in my desk draw. The only time I carry a vial of insulin with me is when I'm traveling. If the vial has been opened, then I keep it at room temp. If it's a new vial, I put it in a small insulated cooler with a gel pack to keep it cold until I arrive at my destination.

Karen

[Subby]

I get 3ml penfills for all my insulin needs, and put one with a syringe in my tester case as backup/emergency insulin.

I like penfills for a few reasons:

- Smaller capacity means that any one vial is open for a third of the time less than a 10ml vial. It means fresher insulin all the time. Every time I fill my pump (a 3ml pump size) it's a freshly opened vial.

- Very small size means it tucks neatly into my tester case. Add a syringe and the package is still minimal, compared to a fat 10ml vial or a pen (although a pen is a similar option if you prefer it).

- Small capacity mean that when I've carried a spare around for a couple of weeks, which in normal weather and circumstances is the usual time I replace my spare, the waste is 1/3 of if it was a 10ml vial.

So this is a good way to minimise the waste, which in my opinion is necessary waste if you're going to carry backup insulin discreetly, without going to the lengths of the hassle of a cold bag or something.

This is one of those issues I've had endos and DEs laugh at me fondly for being "weird", when to me it is eminently practical and desirable to use and carry smaller receptacles of insulin.

[Kendall]

Thanks for all the input. I think I will have to check out the Frio cases. My husband seems more paranoid about insulin getting warm than I am. The penfill option sounds great too, especially because of how little insulin I use. I think I will talk to my new endo about this when I go in a few weeks.

[MJM]

Frio Wallets are brilliant. I use them when travelling to warm climates.

[Stuboy]

frio case! all the way! every diabetic should have one :D

[birdyland]

I LOVE the frio wallet.... it works better than anything!

I put a usual doses and extra dose in my wallet.... and leave the vials in a mini cooler in my room.

[IrishJoe]

I keep my kit in a '6 pack' chiller i got for about £3/$5 which keeps it cooler than the ambient temperature.

If I am going for a long trip in a car on a sunny day I will put an icepack in to keep it a bit cooler but I dont re-refridgerate it.

Also I find it helpful to use tippex/white-out on the lid of the pen and then to write the date I took it out of the fridge so I know if I've had it out more than 28days.

[sixuntilme]

I use a pump, but I keep an insulin pen in my bag at all times. I have a stash of them in the fridge and five of them can usually last me six months. Since I don't tend to keep my purse too far from me, temperature isn't ever much of an issue.