Emergency Pens

[elenawing]

Hi All,

So I recently changed doctors (I was loathe to since my old doctor gave me the strips I want, but ever since they had me and a paramedic wait 2 hours to speak to a doctor that was the final straw, but that's a story for another day...)

As advised by the receptionist, I talked about my prescription with the doctor and luckily he agreed after a long discussion to keep the amount of strips I needed, but suggested lowering the number of pens I have, since I'm on a pump and only need them for emergencies. "Sure!" I replied, and I said I would only need a couple of boxes a year at most.

So I look at my prescription and it is now changed to a single pen. Not a box, a pen for 'emergency use only'. Which of course is useless as I carry around with me a Novorapid pen on my person in case my infusion sets/insulin fail, and I dont want to be bothering the pharmacy every month for a single bloody pen!

Is this something I HAVE to discuss with my doctor or should I ask my pharmacy team to ask for a box and see what happens?

I understand the issues with wasting NHS money, but I also dont want to be stuck in a situation where I need an emergency pen injection, only to find my pen has gone off, or that I need to fill in a repeat prescription?

 

[noblehead]

Is this something I HAVE to discuss with my doctor or should I ask my pharmacy team to ask for a box and see what happens?

Take it up with your gp surgery as they are the ones who prescribe the insulin, otherwise the surgery may decline the pharmacies request.

I moved to a pump last year and still have 5 lantus pens and one box of Novorapid cartridges on repeat prescription (but don't obviously request them every-time).

 

[copepod]

Do you mean disposable pens? In which case, would a reusable pen which can take both short and long acting insulins would be more economical. I don't use a pump, but my Luxura pen can take both my Humalog and Humalin I, so I always carry a cartridge of long acting in pencil case, along with short acting in pen and a spare cartridge of short acting. I never waste any insulin!

 

[azure]

Hi @elenawing I second the suggestion to switch to a reusable pen plus cartridges. I have two reusable pens in case I have pump issues. I then make sure I keep a pack of insulin cartridges in the fridge to use as and when/if I need.

I suggest you speak to your surgery and explain exactly what you need and why. Or even email them so you have your request in writing.

 

[CarbsRok]

Just have a couple of syringes for emergency use as you can take the insulin you need from the pump cartridge or vial you fill the cartridge from.

 

[Chas C]

I have disposable pens, short and long acting as backup for when I travel or I'm away form home for more than one day to cover pump related failures should they occur, I have 10 of each which lasts me about a year. My repeat prescription has both in boxes of five. I've had no issues obtaining these.

 

[fairylights]

I have a pack of disposable syringes for normal emergencys and only take pens if going away overnight - I asked my GP to lower from 5 pens to 2 on my prescription as 5 was too many. Your DSN will show you how to use a syringe if you want to take these instead.

 

[iHs]

I'm still using my old Apidra pen cartridges from 2010 and just re fill them with Novorapid from a vial. I tend to keep a pen in my bag to use as back up in case something goes wrong with the set or pump and it's not convenient to sort pump or set out where I am. 25u in a pen does me fine

 

[elenawing]

Thank you all for your very helpful replies! My pharmacist is going to pop over and talk with the doctors (same building) to see what's up and to possibly change to reusable pens. If nothing comes of it, I'll have to have a discussion about it.

Thanks again!

 

[rockape37]

Hopefully you have had this sorted now but i think the best think to do is to speak to you Diabetes centre no GP will or should argue with them as they are the ones who are in control of your diabetes care. My diabetes team when asked said they won't be changing my prescription so still have all the novo rapid cartridges and Humulin i pens on my script. With that said One order of my novo rapid cartridges would last over a year.

Regards

Martin

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