Spare Insulin Pens when travelling

[mikeg1964]

when going on a short journey out of the country , say a week, it is probably a good idea to take a backup insulin pen just in case something happens to your current in-use pen.
So that means two pens out of the fridge.
However the backup pen's pen remaining 28 days life will kick in, so it may never be used as it is out of the fridge for traveling .

Seems such a waste, do T1 have a work around for this problem.

Thks.

 

[himtoo]

you could look for a frio pouch to carry the spare in.
this will keep it cool whilst on your travels.

link below
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=frio

 

[noblehead]

You should always carry a spare pen on your travels Mikeg, pens do malfunction unfortunately although they are generally very reliable, always better to be safe than sorry.......

 

[mikeg1964]

Thanks, but this means that the backup pen may never get used and has to be 'binned'

 

[himtoo]

Thanks, but this means that the backup pen may never get used and has to be 'binned'

a week without insulin and you will end up in an A&E department in a foreign country

 

[Charlie Tudgay]

Thanks, but this means that the backup pen may never get used and has to be 'binned'

Can't you just use the one you've taken as back up as your next pen to use. You may have to throw it away before it's completely done but can get a bit of use out of it?! I know this depends on how long one pen last you (mine lasts 2 weeks so the spare pen would still last within the 28 days)

 

[mikeg1964]

In any case looks like I will have to throw some away!

 

[noblehead]

In any case looks like I will have to throw some away!

Better to do that then have no insulin at all, as insulin dependant diabetics we always have to prepare for every eventuality.

 

[copepod]

In practice, insulin will last outside fridge for longer than 28 days,particularly if you keep it as near to fridge temperatures as possible. Often you can put pen in a fridge in a hotel room, hostel kitchen etc. Anyway, you can put pen back into fridge when you get home, so it won't be out for over 28 days.

 

[mikeg1964]

Did not realise that the pen could go back into the fridge. That makes it not such a waste, could manage this. Thanks

 

[copepod]

So glad to have prevented some waste of resources, mikeg1964 - NHS money, glass, insulin etc. Every little helps to help the environment

 

[Diamattic]

Typically I take disposable pens for my back up and keep it in a Frio Bag, which i do mu best to keep cold enough. If, at the end of the vacation i question, or doubt its coldness i toss it away.

I know its risky, but when i think about it its cost to me is only about 4$ but if i try to save it and the insulin has spoiled it much more severe so i don't risk it.

Sucks I know.. but nothing else you can really do except not bring a spare.. but thats way to scary lol

 

[noblehead]

In practice, insulin will last outside fridge for longer than 28 days,particularly if you keep it as near to fridge temperatures as possible. Often you can put pen in a fridge in a hotel room, hostel kitchen etc. Anyway, you can put pen back into fridge when you get home, so it won't be out for over 28 days.

Its the bit in-between your home fridge and the hotel/hostel fridge that is a concern, the Frio wallets keep insulin at a temperature between 18-26°C as where insulin should be stored in a fridge at a temperature between 2-8°C.

 

[JRW]

I don't keep my pens in a fridge, unless the temperature is very hot they don't need to be. Does anyone think they are refrigerated when they arrive at the pharmacist?

 

[ronialive]

you could take a syringe to draw it out of the pen but if it smashed you would be stuck.
it is not the end of the world for it to be the wrong temp for a short while so a frio pen makes it ok and just use it when home. If bs start to go up before it is finished then throw it away. I have never had a problem is 43 years and we didn't even had frio bags then just used to use a cool bag

 

[noblehead]

I don't keep my pens in a fridge, unless the temperature is very hot they don't need to be. Does anyone think they are refrigerated when they arrive at the pharmacist?

Insulin should be, do you know different?

 

[JRW]

Insulin should be, do you know different?

Before opening a fridge is ideal, after you've started to use it then below 30.

 

[JRW]

I'll trawl the relevant links if you don't believe.

 

[noblehead]

I'll trawl the relevant links if you don't believe.

Don't believe what JWR?

 

[JRW]

Don't believe what JWR?

That it can be stored below 30 once opened. A Novorapid pen lasts me for weeks, so it's significant to not have to store it in a fridge, numerous med advice sites give this guidance.