[Tonysmum]

Assuming you have decent insurance and a doctor that will write prescriptions for what you "say" you need.
What minimum level of reserve supplies do you go down to before you need refills?
Is there a certain number of bottles of insulin that you like to keep handy? What about strips?
At what level would you consider it as "hoarding", ie, when do you have too much (if that's possible)?
Some of you consider donating supplies to those who need them, how much do you keep for yourself "just in case"?

Just wondering

[JediSkipdogg]

3 bottles of insulin, 3 boxes of strips, 6 boxes of infusion sets, 6 boxes of insulin cartridges as the minimums. The main reason is because if I ever lose my job/insurance I like to have a buffer while I look for help. Also, when it comes to insulin a bottle can easily be broken. Therefore I like to have a spare on hand, and I have broken an unopened bottle once. Nothing like wasting a full bottle.

I consider it hoarding when one orders supplies or has them autosent to them knowing they are having more sent in a period than they can use in that period.

Does that mean I hoarded? No, because my prescriptions are generally written for 4 months of use and I only order when I feel I'm getting low. I also know it can take time if new prescriptions have to be filed when one expires. For example, my insulin ran out a few months ago and it took about a month by the time I got a new prescription, had it filled out, returned, and then the new order was filled. That was mainly because my insurance had changed mail orders and honored current expirations on scripts and refills, but wouldn't get new scripts on expires unless they accepted the original script.

[David]

Everybody's comfort level is their own on this.

I reorder insulin when I see that I'm about to start my last vial. The same for my infusion sets. Both an insulin vial and a box of sets last about a month for me, so I guess one month is my answer.

If I lived in a hurricane or other area where supplies might be disrupted for more than a month or didn't have confidence in my supplier, I'd consider keeping more supplies around.

My definition of hoarding is supplies that are expired or never likely to be used. I'll eventually use them or pass them on to someone who will.

I have both donated and received supplies. Again, if I have excess, I make sure my reorder date will allow me to have a month of supplies after donating.

David

[Tonysmum]

Thanks guys,
We had built up a back up supply of a couple of bottles, through him using 1.5 bottles when the rx called for 2. But now his increasing needs are such that we have no backup and definitely no spare bottle to keep at the school. I'd like to rebuild our comfort zone by asking for 1 more bottle per month. What do you think, is this asking too much?
We are comfortable with the few boxes of strips we have left after each month, and like to rotate the stock so they stay fresh.
We have about 5 boxes of lancets due to his habit of only changing it out for each new vial of strips (the nurse gives him greif about this), but we haven't refilled that prescription for ages. These should last him well through college, maybe that could be called hoarding!
I know there is an option of getting our supplies 3-monthly through mailorder, but I feel more comfortable going to the pharmacy than having insulin sit in the heat out here (Tucson).

[notme]

No.....it isn't too much to ask. I keep about five months of back supply for a buffer. My prescription company is maddening and it can take a month and sometimes two months for things to show up. Once the prescription is renewed things go along for awhile and then the new year hits or a new Rx is needed and I go back into wait mode.

I have five bottles of insulin and a five month supply of canulas and reservoirs. I don't feel bad at all.

[Cyborg]

You definately have to account for bad sets, dropped vials of insulin etc. I try to keep at least an extra month's supply on hand.

[RobiJo]

I generally have about 2-3 months extra of pump supplies, strips, and insulin. I try to stay at least an order ahead just in case something happens with my job/insurance etc. I do not consider it hoarding, it is being prepared. I will use it eventually. Though I must say when I switched jobs I didn't find a new strip supplier for over a year and a half because of the stockpile I had.

[Tonysmum]

So, assuming that at some point around his early 20's he will likely come uninsured/uninsurable, does anyone see anything morally or legally wrong in building up a stock to tide him over, and how many months/years before he comes off our insurance would you recommend starting?
He's only 15 now so we are a way off yet.