travelling with lantus

[kelvin]

Hi there,
I am type 1 who for a few years used pre-mix of 70/30 Novolog. It worked OK, but I found when I had high blood sugars that it really screwed up my readings because of the delay in the intermediate acting insuling. Anyway, I am now trying Lantus and Novorapid. I have a few unresolved questions regarding Lantus - 1) Is it necessary to keep it refrigerated all the time? If so, what would I do if I am going out for the evening and I need to take it with me to give my shot. Likewise, if I go camping or travelling, how would I get around the refrigeration of it at all times? I don't refrigerate the Novorapid because I take it to work with me, and I have no fridge at work.
So far I like the Lantus and Novorapid because it allows me to eat whenever I want and the amounts I want to without the anxiety of dreading really high blood sugars.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate feedback.

[gettingby]

Hi Kelvin and Welcome.
I go camping all of the time in the Spring and Summer. As long as you keep both insulins out of extreme temperatures and direct sunlight, they should be no problem. I've never had a problem with mine.

[Erin]

Yeah, i never refrigerate my "in use" bottles. I've never had a problem. But I'm a city girl in climate controlled environments 90% of the time.

If it's going to be really warm (summer) you could look into getting one of these:

http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/diabetes_travel_frio?medid=g1

[VanDamage]

i was always told that i had to keep my lantus and novalog cool,so i bought a small cooler like one of those hand held ones at target and the gel pack that freezes works great. hey btw i really dont have to keep it refrigerated all the time?

[JediSkipdogg]

i was always told that i had to keep my lantus and novalog cool,so i bought a small cooler like one of those hand held ones at target and the gel pack that freezes works great. hey btw i really dont have to keep it refrigerated all the time?

You just need to keep it between 45 and 80 degrees. Anything below that and anything above that causes it to start to break down. So it all depends on where you travel with it and where you keep it. Like if you go from home to work, you can put it in your car and then take it into work and be fine (unless you happen to work in a steel factory at 100 degrees, lol.)

I personally have 2 of the following (my bro use to use one) and they work great. You freeze the ice pack inside and then stick it in the case with 2 vials of insulin in it. It's cold enough that it doesn't damage the insulin by freezing it and yet it keeps it cold for a very long period of time (16 hours.)
http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/images/diabetes_insulinprotector.jpg

[liz32]

Where did you get that? I've never seen one around here and would love to get my hand s on one? Could ya let me know? Thanks..it would be great for when I'm sailing all day.
Liz

[rzrbks]

Those are Indeed fine containers.

I, however went to the local Cheap, Cheap, Store and spent $4.95 U.S. for a very small soft-sided cooler ( it's big ebough to hold 3 cans of coke) and spent another $1.98 U.S. for refreezable cooling containers.

I use it when I'm out playiing golf, or hiking in the summer and the refreezables hold their cold for over 8 hours.

I also use it when I get my Novolog/Novorapid or Lantus because it's a 45 minute drive from the pharmacy to home.


http://www.ebags.com/ebags/techweave_lunch_cooler/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=19846


This one is Material: Diamond-Weave Ripstop Nylon
Size: 9.75" x 7" x 6.25"
Linear inches: 23" about twice the size of the one I use.

[JediSkipdogg]

Where did you get that? I've never seen one around here and would love to get my hand s on one? Could ya let me know? Thanks..it would be great for when I'm sailing all day.
Liz

I got both of mine for free back in the wonderful days of the JDF Bike-A-Thon (I say past because I'm not sure if those are still going on or not, I know they don't have any in my area.)

I'm not sure to what extent this is advertising, but here is the link to buy them...
http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/diabetes_travel_insulprot.html

They aren't that highly priced at only $29.95 plus $6.95 shipping. And they come in a wide array of colors, ok, 5 to be exact. But the nicest part is they come with two of the inner ice packs. So you freeze one while you are using the other. I've even kept insulin in them in my car on a pretty hot day and had no problems. I personally recommend them to every diabetic for safe insulin transportation in the warm months (and I would assume it may even keep the vials protected in the colder months.)

[liz32]

Thanks! I'll definately check it out.
Liz

[BriOnH]

I've done many many backpacking trips (3-5 day trips) in the lower sierras (mainly kings canyon park, there was a great diabetic camp named "bearskin meadow" I used to work at there too). Like Cin, I just protected it from the heat as best as I could and <knock on wood> haven't had a problem yet.

[Erin]

i was always told that i had to keep my lantus and novalog cool,so i bought a small cooler like one of those hand held ones at target and the gel pack that freezes works great. hey btw i really dont have to keep it refrigerated all the time?

Top 5 diabetes myths

5) you can't drink alcohol
4) it's ok to throw out needles in the regular trash so long as you put them in a coke bottle
3) you can never procreate
2) you can't reuse lancets
1) insulin must be refrigerated at all times

insulin needs to be protected from temperature extreems... we don't live at temperature extremes. In your house, in your office, in your car (so long as you've got a car with a/c) your insulin will be fine. A good rule of thumb is: if you are comfortable, your insulin will be comfortable. I keep my stockpile of insulin in the fridge and then keep my "in use" stash out for the whole time I'm using it. I think I had ONE bottle go off one summer, it was really hot out, and I went to a picnic and didn't put my bag in the shade. The good news? If your insulin goes off you'll know immediately 'cause your numbers will go crazy.

[Simon]

The leaflet that comes with the Lantus states that it can be kept out of the fridge for up to 1 month.:deal: It also states that the "in use" Lantus should not be kept cold as this is more uncomfortable to inject.:ahhhhh:

[rzrbks]

Simon

The leaflet that comes with the Lantus states that it can be kept out of the fridge for up to 1 month.:deal: It also states that the "in use" Lantus should not be kept cold as this is more uncomfortable to inject. :ahhhhh:

True enough, Simon. I kept my vials in the fridge and took them out only long enough to draw out that night's dose, I was able to squeeze 7-10 extra days oout of each vial. I would get the vial out, draw that night's dosage, and put it right back in the fridge. The I would let the syringe sit and warm up.

Now, I use the Lantus pen, it has 3ml cartridges. Now, I don't throw away any Lantus as I use it up in less than 3 weeks. The cartridges not in use have to stay in the fridge until they are put in the pen.

[VanDamage]

ok is it with lantus only or the same rules apply for novalog and short acting insulinno fridge?

[JediSkipdogg]

ok is it with lantus only or the same rules apply for novalog and short acting insulinno fridge?

All insulins need to be kept between 45 and 80 degrees Fehrheight. Any hotter or colder and the insulin breaks down. Basically keeping it in the glove box of your car on a hot summer day at an amusement park is a bad idea.

With Lantus though special care has to be taken. A vial of Lantus once opened will only last about 30 days. It has something to do with air hitting it and the temperature it's kept at. Some users experience a longer life of a vial of Lantus if they keep it refrigerated at all times except for maybe 15 minutes before giving a shot of it. Most users however though use a vial faster than 30 days, so it's not really a problem. Only a problem if you decide to keep a vial at home and one at work for emergencies.

[kelvin]

Thanks so much for all this info - it is very much appreciated.

[lelggren]

I was on lantus before I got my pump, and as far as I know, if you are able to use a whole bottle of it withing 25-30 days, you don't have to refrigerate after it has been opened. Unopened bottles need to be kept cold so that it stays good for longer times. I usually don't refrigerate my opened vials. If you need to take an unopened one with you for extras, there is something out there called the DiaPak. go to medicool.com They are great things :) You can keep all your supplies in there, including some test strips. But, be careful of the strips because some of them have temperature ratings on them. But, they have an ice pack in them, and you can get replacement ice packs to keep in the cooler for when you need to re-freeze the old one.
Something to look into :)

[nur]

I use Frio products when I travel or going place which does not have any refrigerator to store my insulin. It only needs cold water to activate it. Crystal in the bag turn into gel form in cold water. I use last 4-5 months and it's really great. Please have a look at the following web site to find more info.
Have a good day.

http://www.friouk.biz/us/