Saving insulin?

[kidvid]

Is there anything drastically wrong with this practice - when I need to change insets @ 3 days, and I have 10 or 20 units left in my cartridge (Animas 1250) I use the GO PRIME function to pump the remainder of the insulin out of the old cartridge into the new one. This way I lose only the amount left in the tubing. I try to get an accurate amount for an even 3 days in my cartridge when I fill it, but depending on circumstances I may overfill a little, or just not use it all. I calculate fill amount by averaging TDD, adding 15 for prime and whatever...

Thanks!

Joe

[JediSkipdogg]

I do it and alot of others do it as well. Some will say don't do it since you aren't saving alot of money (maybe 1-2 vials a year) but others see nothing wrong with it. I've done it ever since I started pumping (almost 4 years) and have never had a problem. It's one of those do as you wish situations.

[duck]

If/when I do it, I remove my reservoir and use a plunger to pull back the insulin in the tubing as well, so maybe I'm cheaper than all of you? LOL

If/when I do this, I don't do it with the same reservoir more than twice. My concern is that the "old" insulin will go bad after a week or so, and that obviously can affect control.

[playgtar]

With the cost of medicine now days, who can blame you. I do the same thing. I have a minimed pump. I don't see how you can get around loosing the insulin in the hose. I just hook my resivor back to the two needled piece I use to draw it out of the vial with and reverse the process. I've also put needles on my pens and injected it into the vials. I had 4 or five pens left when I went on the pump. They told me it was the same insulin. I couldn't see wasting it.

[spike]

Is there anything drastically wrong with this practice - when I need to change insets @ 3 days, and I have 10 or 20 units left in my cartridge (Animas 1250) I use the GO PRIME function to pump the remainder of the insulin out of the old cartridge into the new one. This way I lose only the amount left in the tubing. I try to get an accurate amount for an even 3 days in my cartridge when I fill it, but depending on circumstances I may overfill a little, or just not use it all. I calculate fill amount by averaging TDD, adding 15 for prime and whatever...

Thanks!

Joe


after reading the first 3 responses, I won't tell you what I do with regards to "insulin conservation". <g>

[Dewey]

Is there anything drastically wrong with this practice - when I need to change insets @ 3 days, and I have 10 or 20 units left in my cartridge (Animas 1250) I use the GO PRIME function to pump the remainder of the insulin out of the old cartridge into the new one. This way I lose only the amount left in the tubing. I try to get an accurate amount for an even 3 days in my cartridge when I fill it, but depending on circumstances I may overfill a little, or just not use it all. I calculate fill amount by averaging TDD, adding 15 for prime and whatever...

Thanks!

Joe
What I usually do is put it into an empty vial (I sometimes save my empty vials to put "recycled" insulin into). I usually withdraw insulin that's left (from both the reservoir & upper portion of the set Only) and put it into the empty vial for future use. Sometimes (if I won't need it for a few), I'll refrigerate it until it's needed. Most of the time, however, I'm able to use it either right away or keep it on the side (say, if a set's not working & I need to give a shot instead). As Jedi said, it's a matter of "to each his or her own..."

[poodlebone]

I fill my 300 unit reservoir (MM715) completely and use it until it's empty. I change the cannula every 3 days and just hook up the same tubing/reservoir to the new one each time. 300 units lasts about 12 days and so far I have not had any problems keeping the insulin in the reservoir/pump for that long. When it's almost empty I use what's left to prime new tubing and then hook up that new tubing to a new reservoir. I get my insulin through insurance for a reasonable co-pay so it's not a money issue. I just hate waste and I also hate filling reservoirs and like to make them last.

--
Liz

[lelggren]

I learned that you could do this when I didn't have insurance. So, at the time, it was a money thing. And, it still is in a way. For 3 humalog vials, my copay is 40% making it around $88. I use that in about a month in a half, although, that may change because I just started the symlin, and I get to decrease my insulin :)

What I do is I just save my little blue thing from my reservoirs (the thing that attaches to the vial to fill the reservoir), and then I just attach the old reservoir to it and put the insulin right back into the vial for reuse. It works great, and I am not wasting any. Even if people have a decent copay for it, they should still try to not waste just because there are others that could benefit from that insulin that you are throwing away. I know that sounds like kind of a guilt trip, but if you think about it, it is true. Just trying to say, don't take your good fortune for granted.

[spike]

I learned that you could do this when I didn't have insurance. So, at the time, it was a money thing. And, it still is in a way. For 3 humalog vials, my copay is 40% making it around $88. I use that in about a month in a half, although, that may change because I just started the symlin, and I get to decrease my insulin :)

What I do is I just save my little blue thing from my reservoirs (the thing that attaches to the vial to fill the reservoir), and then I just attach the old reservoir to it and put the insulin right back into the vial for reuse. It works great, and I am not wasting any. Even if people have a decent copay for it, they should still try to not waste just because there are others that could benefit from that insulin that you are throwing away. I know that sounds like kind of a guilt trip, but if you think about it, it is true. Just trying to say, don't take your good fortune for granted.


You mentioned the cost of your insulin going down because of using less due to Symlin use. How much is the Symlin costing you per month or is it too soon to know? (And I thought my copay sucked-yours is terrible!)

I'm not sure I follow your logic that if I waste insulin, someone else is deprived of it. There's no shortage of insulin. The mfgrs will sell as much as demand requires.

[rzrbks]

Here's Mr. "Pinch-Pennies til They Scream" feeling.

When I pump my own gas I spend the extra few seconds it takes to make sure that the hose is empty of all extrta drops.

"Not much saved you say?"

Over the course of the last 35-40 years, I've, at a guesstimate, gotten an extra 40 50 gallons of gas comparted to most people.

Anything you can SAFELY do to extend usage of insulin is saving you money and, eventually, may give the options to do other things that you need to do.

To coin a phrase:

A Vial of insulin saved is a vial of insulin earned.

can't remember who I stole that one from :smile:

[parrotletzoo]

Ben Franklin :) from Poor Richard's Almanac ("A penny saved is a penny earned")

I do the same with saving insulin. If I refill before I get the resevoir empty alert I put the unused insulin into a partial bottle that I carry around as my back up incase I need to use a syrenge to inject. When that bottle has enough to fill a resevoir I use it. I have found that those bottles aren't as potent as a "fresh" bottle of insulin but oh well it still works. lol


....and I thought I was the cheepest girl on the block. :fisheye:

[psilocybin]

saving insulin = saving money to me....definately down with that!

[lelggren]

You mentioned the cost of your insulin going down because of using less due to Symlin use. How much is the Symlin costing you per month or is it too soon to know? (And I thought my copay sucked-yours is terrible!)

I'm not sure I follow your logic that if I waste insulin, someone else is deprived of it. There's no shortage of insulin. The mfgrs will sell as much as demand requires.
That will be the downfall. I haven't had to buy any symlin yet. My dr. is giving me samples until we can get the preauth. I'll let you know what my copay is. I'm scared to know though just because it is a "tier 3" drug and so it has a really low amount of coverage...... :( Just because it is still so new. Just came out last year.

What I was meaning with the insulin thing is that while the manufacturers will make more to sell, there are diabetics that cannot always afford to buy what they sell. I just think of when I didn't have insurance and how I had to go into debt just to buy it (still paying it off now!). I can't imagine throwing away good insulin myself when there is someone out there who is headed straight for ketoacidosis because they can't afford to buy it. It just makes it seem more wasteful to me. May sound corny, but that is really my thought process behind it. I went into ketoacidosis twice when I didn't have insurance because I couldn't always afford to pay for it (it is really, really not cheap at cash price. approx $80/bottle) and the people around me are not very rich people who could just give up their paychecks to buy my supplies and insulin. Please let me know if this doesn't make sense.

[JediSkipdogg]

According to My Humana Symlin has a retail price of $93.38 for a vial and it requires pre-authorization (if using Humana, others may differ) before you can order it. Basically it means if I want it my doctor has to fax a letter to my insurance company first before they will pay a cent.

[spike]

That will be the downfall. I haven't had to buy any symlin yet. My dr. is giving me samples until we can get the preauth. I'll let you know what my copay is. I'm scared to know though just because it is a "tier 3" drug and so it has a really low amount of coverage...... :( Just because it is still so new. Just came out last year.

What I was meaning with the insulin thing is that while the manufacturers will make more to sell, there are diabetics that cannot always afford to buy what they sell. I just think of when I didn't have insurance and how I had to go into debt just to buy it (still paying it off now!). I can't imagine throwing away good insulin myself when there is someone out there who is headed straight for ketoacidosis because they can't afford to buy it. It just makes it seem more wasteful to me. May sound corny, but that is really my thought process behind it. I went into ketoacidosis twice when I didn't have insurance because I couldn't always afford to pay for it (it is really, really not cheap at cash price. approx $80/bottle) and the people around me are not very rich people who could just give up their paychecks to buy my supplies and insulin. Please let me know if this doesn't make sense.

Laura, I understand the point you are making. I take the time to separate my trash from the recycleable stuff for somewhat the same idea--it just seems wasteful to throw out materials that will be recycled if I take the trouble to put them in the correct container.

[lelggren]

According to My Humana Symlin has a retail price of $93.38 for a vial and it requires pre-authorization (if using Humana, others may differ) before you can order it. Basically it means if I want it my doctor has to fax a letter to my insurance company first before they will pay a cent.
Yes, my dr is working on the pre-auth right now. I'm hoping it is good news when he hears back :)

[lelggren]

Laura, I understand the point you are making. I take the time to separate my trash from the recycleable stuff for somewhat the same idea--it just seems wasteful to throw out materials that will be recycled if I take the trouble to put them in the correct container.
Exactly what I meant spike. Thanks :)

[Cyborg]

At 7$/month for insulin, I have no desire to reuse insulin. I think I will start filling the reservoirs less since I have been averaging about 35-40 units a day. I still have not gotten insurance to realize that they are supposed to cover my pump supplies at 100%. When I place my first re-order this month, I will see if they final "get it". If not, I may try using reservoirs twice. The infusion set I use, the Unomedical Insets, cannot be reused as far as I know.

[spike]

At 7$/month for insulin, I have no desire to reuse insulin. .

That's about what I pay too.

[poodlebone]

At 7$/month for insulin, I have no desire to reuse insulin. I think I will start filling the reservoirs less since I have been averaging about 35-40 units a day. I still have not gotten insurance to realize that they are supposed to cover my pump supplies at 100%. When I place my first re-order this month, I will see if they final "get it". If not, I may try using reservoirs twice. The infusion set I use, the Unomedical Insets, cannot be reused as far as I know.

I have a $10 co-pay for insulin, whether I get 1 bottle or 3. My first prescription after I started pumping was written for 3 bottles and I ended up with a stockpile of it, so I wasn't getting it renewed every month. I even gave some to people who had no insurance (illegal, I know). Now I just got a new prescription and told my doctor to write for only 2 vials. Even though I pay the same for 2 or 3, I actually feel guilty taking more than I need.

I don't reuse reservoirs since I'm only using about 3 a month, and they are covered in full by insurance. When I was on injections I'd use the same syringe until it got dull or I dropped it (uncapped) or bent it. Same for pen needles - one needle per cartridge. I don't remember the last time I changed my lancet. I just hate wasting stuff even if it's not costing me anything. I don't go as far as saving the last drops of insulin from a reservoir. I wait until it's nearly empty and use the old one to prime new tubing, then whatever is left gets tossed, usually 10 units or so.

[EdnaDeel]

What I was meaning with the insulin thing is that while the manufacturers will make more to sell, there are diabetics that cannot always afford to buy what they sell. I just think of when I didn't have insurance and how I had to go into debt just to buy it (still paying it off now!). I can't imagine throwing away good insulin myself when there is someone out there who is headed straight for ketoacidosis because they can't afford to buy it. It just makes it seem more wasteful to me. May sound corny, but that is really my thought process behind it. I went into ketoacidosis twice when I didn't have insurance because I couldn't always afford to pay for it (it is really, really not cheap at cash price. approx $80/bottle) and the people around me are not very rich people who could just give up their paychecks to buy my supplies and insulin. Please let me know if this doesn't make sense.

I know exactly what you mean Laura, Makes perfect sense to me
I get 3 vials of novolog for $ 42.39 after insurance pays...and it just kills me to see a few drops in the bottle that I cant get out with the suringe...

[EdnaDeel]

When I was on injections I'd use the same syringe until it got dull or I dropped it (uncapped) or bent it. Same for pen needles - one needle per cartridge. I don't remember the last time I changed my lancet. I just hate wasting stuff even if it's not costing me anything.

I can only reuse my syringe twice before it gets dull. Oh the pain of a dull needle:bawling:
I cant tell you when the last time I changed my lancet either.
But my appointment with the pump wearing endo herself is less than 2 weeks now .(may 9th) so maybe I wont have to worry about the syringes to much longer.
The pump rep I am talking to said that she goes to the same endo and she would be very suprised if I didnt get the pump ..she said a 95-99 % chance that I will the pump:thumbsup:
Sorry got excited about the pump again and got off topic

[rzrbks]

I can only reuse my syringe twice before it gets dull. Oh the pain of a dull needle :bawling:


There is a portion of the human anatomy, since I am too much of a gentleman to Embarrass :reddy: anyone, I won't mention it,:reddy: but it :reddy: works as a rather good pincushion and, for most people, seems to have fewer pain-nerve receptors.

[EdnaDeel]

There is a portion of the human anatomy, since I am too much of a gentleman to Embarrass :reddy: anyone, I won't mention it,:reddy: but it :reddy: works as a rather good pincushion and, for most people, seems to have fewer pain-nerve receptors.

LOL
I see the stress is still off of you because you are being frisky again

[camjen1]

I save my insulin only because my DR precribes at the most 3 refills on my insulin. I go through a vial about every 2 weeks and I hate to keep going back every month for a new prescription. My Dr acts as if insulin is a narcotic painkiller. :mad:

[lelggren]

I save my insulin only because my DR precribes at the most 3 refills on my insulin. I go through a vial about every 2 weeks and I hate to keep going back every month for a new prescription. My Dr acts as if insulin is a narcotic painkiller. :mad:
I go through about 2-2.5 a month and I am lucky that my dr will give me 5 refills on my rx's. Which, I think it is funny that he does only 5 refills on a med that he knows I will have to refill for longer, but it is probably to make sure that I come in and make an appointment......$$$$$$

[spike]

There is a portion of the human anatomy, since I am too much of a gentleman to Embarrass :reddy: anyone, I won't mention it,:reddy: but it :reddy: works as a rather good pincushion and, for most people, seems to have fewer pain-nerve receptors.

Aw c'mon, tell us EXPLICITLY what part of your body is a "rather good pincushion". <g>

[dws]

I'm not going to even take a shot at this one!!:)
don

[KrisinNM]

Ifill my 300 unit reservoir (MM715) completely and use it until it's empty. I change the cannula every 3 days and just hook up the same tubing/reservoir to the new one each time. 300 units lasts about 12 days and so far I have not had any problems keeping the insulin in the reservoir/pump for that long. When it's almost empty I use what's left to prime new tubing and then hook up that new tubing to a new reservoir. I get my insulin through insurance for a reasonable co-pay so it's not a money issue. I just hate waste and I also hate filling reservoirs and like to make them last.
:dito:
I have a $10 co-pay for insulin, whether I get 1 bottle or 3. My first prescription after I started pumping was written for 3 bottles and I ended up with a stockpile of it, so I wasn't getting it renewed every month. I even gave some to people who had no insurance (illegal, I know). Now I just got a new prescription and told my doctor to write for only 2 vials. Even though I pay the same for 2 or 3, I actually feel guilty taking more than I need.

I don't reuse reservoirs since I'm only using about 3 a month, and they are covered in full by insurance. When I was on injections I'd use the same syringe until it got dull or I dropped it (uncapped) or bent it. Same for pen needles - one needle per cartridge. I don't remember the last time I changed my lancet. I just hate wasting stuff even if it's not costing me anything. I don't go as far as saving the last drops of insulin from a reservoir. I wait until it's nearly empty and use the old one to prime new tubing, then whatever is left gets tossed, usually 10 units or so.
:dito: :dito:
Liz, I do/have done exactly the same thing for exactly the same reasons!