Taking insulin out with you...

[Rose22]

Hello, just wondering how most of you take insulin out with you? I have novorapid pen to take with meals, and so far have only have to use it at home. Do you take the pen in your bag? Or in a special purse? Guess need needles etc too...any tips be great thanks!

 

[Samantha1991]

Hello, I’m new...only got my t1 diagnosis a week ago. But I brought a special pouch/bag thing off amazon (just search diabetes bag). It has pouches for everything (lancets, needles, pens etc) and makes travel much easier

 

[xfieldok]

Novorapid can be kept at room temperature once opened. I carry in coat pocket or handbag.

 

[Rose22]

Hello, I’m new...only got my t1 diagnosis a week ago. But I brought a special pouch/bag thing off amazon (just search diabetes bag). It has pouches for everything (lancets, needles, pens etc) and makes travel much easier

Oh that sounds perfect! So you can keep everything organised...will search and buy one. As it all rolling around in my bag or pockets doesn’t seem like the way to go hehe.
Also on separate note, nice to hear from someone who is new too! Hope you are finding it all ok? I’m slightly overwhelmed.

 

[xfieldok]

Rose, just read your other post. Possibly more important to carry jelly babies if you need to increase quickly.

 

[Rose22]

Novorapid can be kept at room temperature once opened. I carry in coat pocket or handbag.

Thanks that’s great, so do you use one pen until it runs out..and just remember where it is?
I have been keeping it out the fridge with levemir one. Paranoid going to mix them up so written bed on the Levemir pen.

 

[Rose22]

Rose, just read your other post. Possibly more important to carry jelly babies if you need to increase quickly.

Thankyou good point! yes...I have jellybabies by the bed, pockets and kitchen and car, oh dear! I’ve had hypos before over the past few years but this week was one of my worst. Guess where ever I keep my pen I should keep jellybabies/dextrose tabs.

 

[xfieldok]

If you take jelly babies, remember to follow up with something carby like rich tea biscuits, fend of the sugar crash.

 

[LooperCat]

When I used pens, I'd just shove my Novorapid pen in my pocket with a pack of dextrose tabs. It'd have a needle already on that would do me the day because I am a terrible diabetic who was diagnosed in the days when we had to buy our own pen needles. And as I was a student at the time, saving cash was a big thing. I kept my bedtime one on my bedside table.

 

[EllieM]

My lantus and Humalog pens are different colours - the lantus (basal) stays by my bed, the Humalog goes with me - I can squeeze it in my glucometer pouch so if I''m out and about it goes in that. Though sometimes at home I have to have a bit of a hunt before I find it. (Worse case scenario, I have some old spare syringes so I could take a new vial from the fridge and inject the old fashioned way.)

 

[Rose22]

When I used pens, I'd just shove my Novorapid pen in my pocket with a pack of dextrose tabs. It'd have a needle already on that would do me the day because I am a terrible diabetic who was diagnosed in the days when we had to buy our own pen needles. And as I was a student at the time, saving cash was a big thing. I kept my bedtime one on my bedside table.

Gosh it’s amazing how much diabetes care has changed, for the better! I remember my grandmother using a glass bottle of insulin with a needle in the top. Can only imagine, that must’ve been very tough as a student. I think I need keep my bedtime long acting upstairs by bed too...otherwise when I’m tired I’m bound get mixed up at some point. Nurse said to me don’t mix them up it’s disastrous...
Thanks so much for all the great advice x it’s so much easier to hear what others do, from people who actually have to do it day to day.

 

[Rose22]

My lantus and Humalog pens are different colours - the lantus (basal) stays by my bed, the Humalog goes with me - I can squeeze it in my glucometer pouch so if I''m out and about it goes in that. Though sometimes at home I have to have a bit of a hunt before I find it. (Worse case scenario, I have some old spare syringes so I could take a new vial from the fridge and inject the old fashioned way.)

That’s true they are different colours, phew good thing too! I’m getting a pattern of long acting by the bed..I’m going to do this now too makes total sense...just need remember to take it hehe, will put I right under my nose on bedside table.
I’ve not had to do an injection out yet...only been home when eating...
Thanks for all your help and advice.

 

[LooperCat]

I remember my grandmother using a glass bottle of insulin with a needle in the top.

Amusingly I now carry a vial and syringes when I'm out for the day, in case of pump failure. I fill my pump from the vial, so it takes less space to chuck a syringe in my kit rather than pens and needles.

 

[Rose22]

Amusingly I now carry a vial and syringes when I'm out for the day, in case of pump failure. I fill my pump from the vial, so it takes less space to chuck a syringe in my kit rather than pens and needles.

Wow really? I’d never have thought that. I just have this vivid memory of seeing my grandmother with it and me thinking what is she doing? Had been oblivious to the fact she was diabetic before then! You seem like one cool cat, super prepared and under control, have only respect for someone that takes diabetes in their stride. I’m more in the information overload freaking out stage hehe.

 

[LooperCat]

Wow really? I’d never have thought that. I just have this vivid memory of seeing my grandmother with it and me thinking what is she doing? Had been oblivious to the fact she was diabetic before then! You seem like one cool cat, super prepared and under control, have only respect for someone that takes diabetes in their stride. I’m more in the information overload freaking out stage hehe.

I haven't always been on top of things, the first 20 years were the worst lol. I was in deep denial and distress over it all for an incredibly long time - far longer than most. Technology saved me, the Libre glucose sensor was first, and then a pump a few month after, because I was using the data it gave me to maximum effect and ended up injecting tiny doses up to 18 times a day. Turns out it was the finger pricking I couldn't mentally handle, and none of us realised. Ive now connected my sensor and pump via a DIY app, and have built them into an artificial pancreas system. In the two years since I got that sensor, I've gone from being practically disabled by how terrible I was feeling (physically and mentally) to feeling great and finally fulfilling my dream of training to become a paramedic. Not trying to scare you, you seem to have the right attitude from the start. I didn't, I tried to pretend it wasn't happening, didn't take my insulin and nearly died a couple of times as a result.

There is a lot to learn, there's no denying it. But take it day by day, pick the brains of people here, and you'll get there. No such thing as a stupid question, it how we learn. Had a forum like this been around when I was diagnosed (they'd barely invented the internet hahaha), I may not have fallen off a cliff with it.

Happy to chat via PM if you have questions you don't want to make public x

 

[type two paul]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Helps us all understand.

 

[Rose22]

I haven't always been on top of things, the first 20 years were the worst lol. I was in deep denial and distress over it all for an incredibly long time - far longer than most. Technology saved me, the Libre glucose sensor was first, and then a pump a few month after, because I was using the data it gave me to maximum effect and ended up injecting tiny doses up to 18 times a day. Turns out it was the finger pricking I couldn't mentally handle, and none of us realised. Ive now connected my sensor and pump via a DIY app, and have built them into an artificial pancreas system. In the two years since I got that sensor, I've gone from being practically disabled by how terrible I was feeling (physically and mentally) to feeling great and finally fulfilling my dream of training to become a paramedic. Not trying to scare you, you seem to have the right attitude from the start. I didn't, I tried to pretend it wasn't happening, didn't take my insulin and nearly died a couple of times as a result.

There is a lot to learn, there's no denying it. But take it day by day, pick the brains of people here, and you'll get there. No such thing as a stupid question, it how we learn. Had a forum like this been around when I was diagnosed (they'd barely invented the internet hahaha), I may not have fallen off a cliff with it.

Happy to chat via PM if you have questions you don't want to make public x

That’s inspirational to read, not only for all your recent success, and finally feeling alive and able to do what you really want to without diabetes holding you back, but just for the journey you’ve been on. I think life is waves, up and down, riding them makes us stronger, taking the good and bad times as we go along.
Love the day by day advice, think that’s what I will try to do more. I’d love to try a freestyle Libre sensor at some point, I’m already fed up with finger prick tests. To think a few years ago I didn’t really even know what a pancreas did! That’s amazing that you are getting as close to imitating it as you can and seeing the benefits. Thanks so much for all the kind advice.

 

[Samantha1991]

Oh that sounds perfect! So you can keep everything organised...will search and buy one. As it all rolling around in my bag or pockets doesn’t seem like the way to go hehe.
Also on separate note, nice to hear from someone who is new too! Hope you are finding it all ok? I’m slightly overwhelmed.

Yeah, I’m taking it all in at the moment. I go through stages of feeling fine and stages of feeling really overwhelmed. But, overall... all things considering I’m not going too bad. How about you?

 

[LooperCat]

I’m already fed up with finger prick tests.

It gets old very fast, doesn't it? Amusingly, I'm finger testing more now than I ever did before as it's a requirement of the truck driving licence I need to in order to drive an ambulance

To think a few years ago I didn’t really even know what a pancreas did!

I don't think anyone does unless they need to be one themselves (medics and biologists excepted, of course)! It's a much underrated organ that does so much for us. I have a little cover for my pump that says "proud owner of a useless pancreas" - although it's only the insulin producing beta cells that are knackered. It still produces glucagon, ghrelin and other useful hormones. Sadly insulin is the only one that lowers blood glucose - yet so many others raise it, like adrenaline and cortisol.

 

[Rose22]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Helps us all understand.

So true!

Yeah, I’m taking it all in at the moment. I go through stages of feeling fine and stages of feeling really overwhelmed. But, overall... all things considering I’m not going too bad. How about you?

similar I think, am feeling good then something will worry me and I feel really over whelmed! I don’t want it to stop me doing things and once I feel I have better control and understanding of insulin think will be better. Pleased on the whole you are coping really well.