Back-Up Supplies?

Lizzy · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 09:02 PM

How many pumpers carry a spare infusion set when they leave their house or at least a sryinge? Isn't it a good idea to do so since the unexpected can always happen? I keep an extra set at work, one in my car and a sryinge in my meter bag along with my in use bottle of insulin. I guess I like to be prepared. My daddy always told me "Better safe than sorry!" lol

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 09:06 PM

How many don't?

When I went stateside recently I took two zip-lock freezer bags with two weeks worth of supplies in each. I put one in my wheeled-bag and one in my carry-on, in case one of them got lost or stolen. I had MM 800 no's tatooed to my butt. I was covered. I always am. I always have stuff at the ready.

RobiJo · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 09:24 PM

I keep extra sets in my desk at work. Only Insulin pens always in my purse. When I travel I have a gallon ziplock full of stuff like X above me. If I fly (rare) I do the same has him, a bag of supplies in my checked luggage and one in my carry-on.

I can't imagine not having something for a backup... oh wait I can and it involved at 4:30 am run to CVS, which thank goodness filled my script on file from my home CVS. It was terrible. Another time back in high school I ended up using a Glucagon sryinge to take humalog every few hours at a sleep over because I forgot my syringes and NPH and refused to call my mom to bring me some. OUCH!

notme · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 09:27 PM

I am really bad about carrying emergency supplies. When I travel, I over pack. On a day to day basis, I never have emergency cannulas or insulin.

mcgriff · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 10:20 PM

I have a small insulin pen case my CDE gave me (7"x3"x1.5") that holds everything I need. If I'm going to be near home I don't bother taking anything other than some sweets. When at work it goes in with me. When out all day with the family I keep my little case in the trunk of the car. When I bike ride I strap it to the frame of the bike. The only time I'm in a true emergency is when I'm hypo and I always keep something for that.

Lizzy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

How many don't?

The reason I asked is that on another forum it didn't sound as if many pumpers do carry back-ups. I thought that was strange.

xMenace · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzy

The reason I asked is that on another forum it didn't sound as if many pumpers do carry back-ups. I thought that was strange.

I don't rip sets off much, but it happens. I might lose one every three to 6 months at work. I also have sets go bad. You only need to have it happen once away from your supplies to learn how badly you need them.

Subby · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzy

How many pumpers carry a spare infusion set when they leave their house or at least a sryinge? Isn't it a good idea to do so since the unexpected can always happen?

I agree. It would certainly seem the sensible thing to do. I keep a complete set of gear for a set replacement in a small bag inside my big bag. It goes pretty much anywhere with me, or is in the car, or somewhere safe nearby - either on me or within a minute or two, at all times.

I ALWAYS have spare insulin and a syringe on me, tucked into my tester case. For those that don't even do that, I urge you to, insulin +pen/syringe has to be a bare minimum for safety. You just don't know when you might get stuck in a lift for hours on end.

UpNorth · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 06:16 AM

I just bring my pen with Novorapid with me to work along with my test kit and one extra infusionset. If my site goes bad or gets damaged at work, i just insert a new one, or if i can't be bothered to change, i use the pen until i get home. I don't want to carry a whole pharmacy when i leave the house

If i know i *might* stay overnight somewhere i also bring Levemir in case it's needed... And of course... Always enough sweet stuff of some kind, to treat at least 3 hypos... I mainly use glucose tabs, so it doesn't take much space to carry them...

Subby · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpNorth

I just bring my pen with Novorapid with me to work along with my test kit and one extra infusionset. If my site goes bad or gets damaged at work, i just insert a new one, or if i can't be bothered to change, i use the pen until i get home. I don't want to carry a whole pharmacy when i leave the house

I don't carry a pharmacy either: you've almost got everything there already... add a reservoir and a couple of swabs and you've got the lot. (You can inject your insulin into the new reservoir with the pen, or you could even just reuse the old one that way). I'm not saying you should do this, just wanted to point that out for people who think you've got to lug a huge lot of stuff around to "have it all" - you don't.

Glucoweb · #11 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 08:32 AM

I have backups at work, and when I go around time I usually have enough supplies I take to actually last me at least 2 days (why? I dunno). The bag I use to carry these and my meter also has an inside pocket to slip one of those frozen packs.
All I have in it is meter, strips, lancet device (spare lancets), alcohol swabs, IV Prep Swab, infusion set, reservoir, insulin, and a single syringe. Of course there have been times I have slipped out the house without it, but am trying my best to always remember it.

palefacegirl03 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 09:44 AM

I still carry the bag that I used on MDI, I just added a set and resv and iv prep.

I had a set come out the other day, it got caught on the seat some how and came out, so I had everything to change and did not need to return home, or do shots till I could get home.