[xMenace]

K, it's now hockey season. I've been hauling my insulin bottle around in an insulated lunch bag, and it's worked great. But I don't want to take this big thing into rinks with me or leave it in the car where it will freeze. I also don't want a waist pack or put it close to my hot bod where it could spoil. My parka has a few outside pockets that can hold a bottle, but again it may be too cold and it definately is not well protected. Anyone use something small and insulated that I could use?

[lilituc]

You could probably put a Frio pouch closer to your body.
FRIO - Keeps your insulin cool using only water

I don't know about freezing, though.

[Funnygrl]

You really shouldn't need to worry about keeping insulin refridgerated constantly. Us pumpers never have ours refridgerated once it's in the pump. It should be fine by itself, especially in a cold hockey rink.

[JediSkipdogg]

And last I checked, unless you are sticking the insulin in the ice, the arena's are not that far below 40 degrees if they even are. I've videotaped many hockey games and have yet to freeze mine in my pump.

[lilituc]

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

You really shouldn't need to worry about keeping insulin refridgerated constantly. Us pumpers never have ours refridgerated once it's in the pump. It should be fine by itself, especially in a cold hockey rink.

True, but I'd be worried about it being held really close to the body and still being good for 28 days. I've had a vial go bad that way. It's different when you have a pump and you're only using it for three days, I think.

[ramrummy]

Just a thought, what about getting a pen needle with pen refills instead of bottles, or do you use an insulin that only comes in bottles?

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by lilituc

True, but I'd be worried about it being held really close to the body and still being good for 28 days. I've had a vial go bad that way. It's different when you have a pump and you're only using it for three days, I think.

I guess the question should be is the orignal poster a spectator or an actual hockey player. If a hockey player, then it would be stupid to hold it anywhere near the body while playing. If just a spectator, then a simple freeze pack will do like the one posted above, however, that would be extremely cold to the body.

[xMenace]

I always carry my current bottle with me, especially on the road. Here's a scenario:
- travel 2.5 hours to my son's game
- it's -20c
- dress, warmup, game, undress could span 4 hours.

Now say the weather turns bad and I'm forced to shack up in a motel, or it's a tournament and I'm stuck there 5 days. I can't be leaving it in the car ...

The wallet sounds like a possibility.

The good thing about Maritime Canada, especially on the coast where I am, is it hardly ever gets into the 90's. 75 is a hot summer day You southerners and mmid-westerners have a whole different set of problems.

[Worldcrzr]

I used a Frio Wallet to hold two bottles of insulin for two weeks while we toured the Amazon River in Peru and Macchu Picchu. I just refreshed the wallet every four days with cold water. It needs air to breathe so you can't put it in a place where there is no ventilation. I have a small bag with a side that has mesh and the wallet fits there perfectly. It was over 100 deg F on our trip and the wallet worked great. The wallet is great for any weather conditions. If you look on the web, you will read testimonials from Mount McKinley climbers to folks who crossed the Saraha Desert and had no problems. The wallet keeps the insulin cool, not cold and keeps them from over-heating or freezing.

We're going to the Antarctic in January, 2007 and I talked to a representative at Smith-Medical about my Cosmo and the very cold weather. He said it is colder in Minnesota during the winter than the Antarctic in the summer when we are going and he goes skiing with his pump. Just keep the pump in an inside pocket and you will be fine. Your jeans pocket or a shirt pocket will more than protect the pump. The Frio wallet will protect the vials of insulin.