Diabetes and insulin

[sorcerermick]

Hey all. Not sure this is the right board, but I hope so.

My question is actually concerning my dad who may come with us this summer. He takes insulin injections twice a day. How do you manage to keep the insulin cold all day while touring the parks? The ice packs simply would not last all day, especially in the Florida heat.

Anybody have experience with this?

TIA

 

[OneLittleSpark]

The First Aid stations will keep medication in the fridge for you during the day and you should be able to use it as a quiet place to inject too if you needed. People who know more about such things than me have posted on this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1320675 . Hope this helps.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As a general rule insulin does not have to be kept cold except for long term storage. Check with your pharacist for more information.

When travelling, especially to the parks, and being certain I will not be back at the room before dinner I will preload a syringe, putting the cap back over the needle, and put in in a hard toothbrush holder. I will take a packaged alcohol swab and wrap it around the thickest part of the syringe so it will not move in the holder and push against the plunger.

When I am ready for the injection I will then have the syringe loaded and the alcohol swab available., When I am done I will throw away the swab and use the holder to take the used syringe back to the room to put in a sharps container.

 

[Talking Hands]

Insulin certainly does need to be kept cool in the summer and the Florida heat is really too much. I leave it at First Aid but do not have them refrigerate it in the summer. In the cooler months I just put it in my backpack. Since mine has to be mixed and I use sliding scale I can't use a prefilled syringe.

 

[sorcerermick]

I apprecaite all of the feedback

 

[MommaPooh]

The first aid station will keep it for you.
I use the newer Levemir and Novalog prefilled flexpens - no syringes - no vials - no "drawing up". They do not require refrigeration as long as they are used within 28 days from the first use for the Levemir and 42 days for the Novalog. It is recommended that they are kept at a reasonable temperature though. Obviously 100 degree heat would be too much. I keep mine in my purse and take with me everywhere (and I live in the deep south - hot weather) with the approval of my endocrinologist and my pharmacist (who is my grandfather).

 

[carrie s]

You can buy a frio pack to keep it in
http://www.coolerconcept.com/pages/prod2.htm

 

[bopper]

My husband uses an insulin pump...the insulin in there did not have to be further refrigerated. He does have a Frio bag he uses to keep any extra insulin cool...that works by evaporation I believe.

 

[jig]

we use a Frio bag for our son's insulin when we were at Disney last. It owrked great! They come in different sizes and stay cold for 2 days! Once they have lost their "chill" you can boost them back with just cold water. That could be done in any park if needed.

 

[Janet Hill]

Pump wearers have the same insulin right next to their body for a few days at a time with no problem, so I don't know why one couldn't preload a syringe to be used the same day. My husband only fills his pump about once a week (even in the hot summer).

 

[Talking Hands]

Not everyone uses the same amount of insulin each dose. Some use a sliding scale and some mix their own and do not use a fixed mix like 70/30

 

[DisOrBust]

Insulin unless not being used within 28 days does not need refrigeration. If its "fast" acting I would try using an insulin pen they are much more travel friendly. If he is taking a long acting insulin (NPH) I am not sure if they are in a pen, I doubt it. IMHO, if thats the case i would just leave it at the first aid stations not to have to keep track of it all day.

 

[carrie s]

Insulin unless not being used within 28 days does not need refrigeration. If its "fast" acting I would try using an insulin pen they are much more travel friendly. If he is taking a long acting insulin (NPH) I am not sure if they are in a pen, I doubt it. IMHO, if thats the case i would just leave it at the first aid stations not to have to keep track of it all day.

You can get a pen for NPH.My DD had one before starting on the pump.

 

[carrie s]

Pump wearers have the same insulin right next to their body for a few days at a time with no problem, so I don't know why one couldn't preload a syringe to be used the same day. My husband only fills his pump about once a week (even in the hot summer).

Doesnt your husband start having highs by the end of the week? If my DD doesnt change the insulin in her pump every 3 days she gets really high and she gets scar tissue at her infusion site.

 

[DisOrBust]

Hi Carrie my DH is also a "pumper" and DOES NOT have an issue with highs after 3 days. I wonder if your DD is having a insulin delivery issue after a few days. Did you every try differnet tubing? I would also ask the pump rep, that could get really expensive if you can't get the "full" 3 days out of the set. Good luck!

 

[carrie s]

Hi Carrie my DH is also a "pumper" and DOES NOT have an issue with highs after 3 days. I wonder if your DD is having a insulin delivery issue after a few days. Did you every try differnet tubing? I would also ask the pump rep, that could get really expensive if you can't get the "full" 3 days out of the set. Good luck!

I was told at the diabetes clinic that its normal to start having highs by the third day.We tried a couple different tubings when she first started the pump.
maybe its different with kids because there outside playing lots so their isulin could be effected more by the weather
We have really good medical coverage,it covers the monthly costs of the pump.

 

[Janet Hill]

Carrie

My husband only refills his insulin cartridge about every 6 to 8 days. He meticulously counts his carbs and uses little insulin compared to most. He does however, change his tubing and infusion site every 2 or 3 days.