Lantus/Novalog question

nborsani · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 07:44 AM

I was diagnosed with Type 1 a few days (January 5th) ago, and me and my parents were wondering what is the best way to store the Lantus and Novalog, we have heard in the fridge or room temperature, but we want to be sure.

Thanks in advance for helping me with this problem.

cheric · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:06 AM

Well, I use the Lantus SoloStar Pens, and they come in a box of pens. I keep them in the fridge until I am ready to use them. When I need a new pen, I just get it out of the fridge and it usually stays in my purse at room temp. The main thing is to avoid direct sunlight and extreme heat i.e. don't leave it in your car. The vials are the same way. Will you be using vials or pens? I have found that the pens are much easier to deal with than the vials and syringes. Good luck with everything. You can learn a lot from these forums too! It will be tough at first, but you will get the hang of it eventually. Don't let yourself get too frustrated with it at first. It will take time to get where you need to be. I'm still working on it

nborsani · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:21 AM

Thnks for replying. My doctors say that for the first couple of months I will be using vials, but they say the one thing that might change is I might start using an insulin pump after a while.

xMenace · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:27 AM

Welcome

I always keep my current vials unrefridgerated. Refridgerate you backups. I carry around, usually, an insulated lunch bag as an emerg kit.

Pumping is the ultimate in control, but you should really learn about your insulins and your behavior.

Try this for starters Getting Down to Basals :: Diabetes Self-Management

Of course DF is the place to learn!

Subby · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:28 AM

Hi nborsani. As Cheri said, avoiding sunlight and heat are the two main issues. In winter the other obvious point is don't leave near a room heater. I don't know how hot it gets in Ohio, maybe when it gets round to summer weather you'll want to watch this issue a lot more - I find that a few days of +30c (86f) and I suspect it might lose it's potency sometimes. People do find different things though. Play it safe and there should be no problems. When I injected similar to you, I left my Lantus in the frdge and went to the fridge for my nightly shot, I was happier it was refridgerated, especially as I used a vial or penfill for longer than my novorapid. The novorapid travelled with me, I used syringes (unlike Cheri I much preferred syringes to the pens for a few reasons, different people find different things) but instead of 10ml vials I get 3ml penfills which meant I used it up before many days passed with it out of the fridge.

cheric · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:34 AM

I also started out with the vials, then moved to the pens about 4 months ago. My dr has mentioned the pump, but I am going to stick with the pens for awhile and see how I do with those. Do a lot of research and get familiar with your diabetes before taking on the responsibilities of the pump.

nborsani · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:48 AM

Thanks all for helping me with this. I was looking at one thing that my dad found is this needle-less insulin injector:

Medi-Jector VISION® Needle-Free Insulin Injection System

Im going to ask my doctor about it, but chances are they will keep me with the needles, because they haven't even gotten my numbers perfect yet.

Subby · #8 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 08:58 AM

Definitely ask your doctor about that. And see if you can find some legitimate reviews. It might be ok. It might be dubious. No real way to tell from the site. Certainly expensive for no real benefit over injections except to avoid them (and ??? side effects from this "stream of insulin"). Unless you are needle phobic, chances are you will barely notice taking a shot a month or two in - give yourself a while to adjust.

Subby · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 09:31 AM

Hey, that's a cool picture for your avatar, I gotta say.

Scratch · #10 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nborsani

Thanks all for helping me with this. I was looking at one thing that my dad found is this needle-less insulin injector:

Medi-Jector VISION® Needle-Free Insulin Injection System

Im going to ask my doctor about it, but chances are they will keep me with the needles, because they haven't even gotten my numbers perfect yet.

Unless you have an overhwhelming phobia of needles, the needles of syringes or the ones on insulin pens are quite easy and reliable to use. I think I'd almost much rather know I have stuck the needle in me and the insulin is into the body.

sprzepiora · #11 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nborsani

Thnks for replying. My doctors say that for the first couple of months I will be using vials, but they say the one thing that might change is I might start using an insulin pump after a while.

Ask, no demand a prescription for pens. You will find the convenience of the pens to be invaluable. Not to mention the how much easier it is to bolus when eating out or at any time for that matter.

Pens and vials cost the same, but depending on how much insulin you use it could be cheaper in the long run for pens. If you open a bottle of insulin you are supposed to throw it away in 30 days. The same amount of insulin in pens is five pens each pen has a month life span after first use.

Did I mention how easier they are?

hodgsonsurvivor · #12 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 12:23 PM

Hi. I use Novolog pens and I only keep one out of the refrigerator at a time. I use vials of Lantus and found that it doesn't burn when kept at room temperature. I go through a vial every 23 days, so I keep the one I'm using unrefrigerated and the rest refrigerated! Good luck!