Diabetic Medication Question

[shortchange1026]

My DH is a type 2 diabetic. He's not insulin dependant but does take an injectible medication at night after dinner that helps his morning sugar numbers that has to be refrigerated like insulin. I can't remember but have I read that you can take it to first aid in any of the parks and they will store it for you? There arer some nights we probably won't be returning to our resort before dinner.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to www.coolerconcept.com and looking at the Frio Cold Packs. There are several people in this forum, myself included, who use them.

These are gel packs that are water activated. They will keep the internal temperature at insulin-safe levels for over 40 hours. As the water evaporates you can just soak it in water for a few minutes to reactivate it. They come in various sizes.

For example, I have a "double wallet". Depending on what I am doing it will hold my Byetta pen as well as either a syringe with insulin in it or two insulin vials. And I tend to do at least five air round trips a year and have never had any problems with TSA over it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, you can store medications that need to be refrigerated at First Aid in any park. It may not be the most convenient because First Aid may not be close to where you are when you need it. And, you have to remember to pick it up before the park closes.
For a way to carry it with you at a safe temperature, I was going to suggest Frio packs, but Cheshire Figment beat me to it.

 

[shortchange1026]

Thanks. We actually do have that Frio pack and it has worked really well for when we travel. DH would actually prefer not to carry anything like that around all day though. I will let him know and let him make the decision!

 

[PatsMom]

I would check with the pharmacist on injectable medications and refrigeration needs. The cooler packs work good. But depending on the time of year and the medication, no refrigeration may be needed. A once a day injectable that isn't insulin sounds like Victoza. Victoza does not require that you refrigerate the in use pen. You just need to keep it from getting too cold (not a problem in Florida) or too hot. I think around eighty degrees is the recommended. So in fall and winter, you don't need to worry about it overheating.

He may also want to talk to the doctor about timing of the injection. I do take Victoza and it doesn't have to be timed with a meal. When I am travelling I just change the time of the injection so I do it in my hotel room and avoid the need to carry anything around.

Its worth checking around - I find it much easier to carry nothing I don't have to carry! And going to first aid is a pain in the neck.

 

[buffettgirl]

My DH is a type 2 diabetic. He's not insulin dependant but does take an injectible medication at night after dinner that helps his morning sugar numbers that has to be refrigerated like insulin. I can't remember but have I read that you can take it to first aid in any of the parks and they will store it for you? There arer some nights we probably won't be returning to our resort before dinner.

well, first, opened insulin does not need to be refrigerated. Second, if he's only taking this medication after dinner then there's no need to carry it all day unless you're going to be in the parks all day. If that's the case, then yes, you can ask first aid to store it for you if you'd prefer not to carry it. Frio will keep insulin from overheating, that's what it's designed to do, but it's not meant to replace refrigeration.

 

[shortchange1026]

Thanks PatsMom. It is Victoza and the directions do state that new unused pens should be stored in the fridge, which we do and opened used pens with dosages left it says it can be stored out of the fridge up to 86 degrees or in the fridge which is what we do.

I'm just a little bit more cautious with him and his health, since being diagnosed it's woken him up and he is very good with taking his medication and the Victoza but of course, you know how men are, I have to keep an eye on him! He said it doesn't matter when he takes it, as long as he takes it sometime before going to bed so I guess we will just leave it in the fridge in the hotel. I was just concerned about the days we are out all day and do not return to the room until after dinner. He'd rather not carry that much stuff around. The Frio pack does work great though for flying and long drives.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am currently taking Victoza and as it is only once a day the time does not matter, so I automatically take it with my morning medications so I don't have to worry about timing.

 

[Disney4us2]

Stupid question.... what is Victoza? I am on Novolog flex pen, Lantus Solostar and Byetta. The Byetta is a non insulin injectable that I take twice a day. Is the Victoza similar to Byetta.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My Endocrinologist took me off Byetta and put me on Victoza

 

[shortchange1026]

My DH takes his at night after diner because his sugar is higher in the morning, his endocrinologist told him to take it at night after dinner, it would help with the morning numbers which it has tremendously.

I found this on the website, it explains what is it.

If you have type 2 diabetes, Victoza® may help important cells in your pancreas that help control blood sugar—called beta cells—work the way they should. Victoza® helps lower your blood sugar, and while not a weight-loss product, may help you lose some weight.

Learn more

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How Victoza® Works to Manage Your Type 2 Diabetes

Victoza® is 97% similar to a hormone made in your body, called GLP-1.

When you eat, GLP-1 helps the beta cells in your pancreas release the right amount of insulin to move sugar from the blood into the cells. Victoza® has the same effect and also helps slow down the time it takes for food to leave your stomach, which can help your body manage your blood sugar level. Victoza® also blocks the liver from releasing too much sugar by lowering the amount of another hormone, called glucagon

 

[aubriee]

I am currently taking Victoza and as it is only once a day the time does not matter, so I automatically take it with my morning medications so I don't have to worry about timing.

I too take Victoza. My docotor also told me I could take it anytime of the day. At WDW I take it just before I go to bed and my blood sugars do fine. I do check my glucose a little more frequently when I'm down there because I know I'll be eating differently. At home I may skip checking my sugar some days, but down there I check them once or twice a day. I know an open pen doesn't need to be refrigerated, but I still keep mine in the room fridge anyway.

 

[PatsMom]

Stupid question.... what is Victoza? I am on Novolog flex pen, Lantus Solostar and Byetta. The Byetta is a non insulin injectable that I take twice a day. Is the Victoza similar to Byetta.

Victoza is similar to Byetta. I used to do Byetta but always had trouble with nausea and having to time it with meals. The Victoza does have some potential side effects to consider but I've been happy with it. I do like Cheshire Figment and just automatically do my injection when I take my morning medications. Since that time depends on when I get up in the morning, it is not always a 24 hour interval. I've had no problems.

I took Lantus when I was on Byetta and may be going back to it since glipizide doesn't seem to be doing the trick for me. Both Victoza and Byetta say they are not studied for use with insulin but I know many people who use both with no problem.

With all of your injectables, you must have to test you blood fairly frequently too. I would be talking to my doctor about switching just to get rid of one stab a day!

 

[buffettgirl]

Victoza is similar to Byetta. I used to do Byetta but always had trouble with nausea and having to time it with meals. The Victoza does have some potential side effects to consider but I've been happy with it. I do like Cheshire Figment and just automatically do my injection when I take my morning medications. Since that time depends on when I get up in the morning, it is not always a 24 hour interval. I've had no problems.

I took Lantus when I was on Byetta and may be going back to it since glipizide doesn't seem to be doing the trick for me. Both Victoza and Byetta say they are not studied for use with insulin but I know many people who use both with no problem.

With all of your injectables, you must have to test you blood fairly frequently too. I would be talking to my doctor about switching just to get rid of one stab a day!

Officially, Byetta was just approved for use with Lantus. So you'll be all "legal" now LOL.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111019-717622.html

 

[Bete]

Thanks. We actually do have that Frio pack and it has worked really well for when we travel. DH would actually prefer not to carry anything like that around all day though. I will let him know and let him make the decision!

at the first aid centers in each park. We have done it.

The one drag is you have to go back to the first aid center to get it.