Sugar High
Well-Known Member
Can anyone recommend a good way to take insulin pens that must be kept refrigerated on a trip?
About a month ago, my doctor started me on insulin. I am using the Humulin N KwikPen from Lilly, 3 mL/pen at 100 units/mL, so 300 units in each pen. I currently take 26 units per day -- 11 in the morning and 15 at night -- so that's about 11.5 days/pen. Actually, I have been instructed to "prime" the pen before each use by dispensing 2 units into the air. So that's actually 30 units per day or 10 days/pen.
I recently went on a trip for a week. I thought there was enough insulin in the pen I was using to last the week, but I ran out on the last day. So, in the future, I guess I should take a second full pen, just in case. The problem is refrigeration. I was told that once a pen is taken out of the frig, the insulin is only good for 14 days. I asked if I can take an extra pen with me in my suitcase or carry-on bag and put right in the frig as soon as I arrive at my destination. That would be anywhere from 3-4 hours to as much as 7-8. I was told that I should get a travel cool bag. I found this a little odd. When I picked up my first box of pens from the pharmacy, they weren't in a cool bag, I don't recall them feeling cold, and I wasn't told anything about getting them right home and into the frig.
So, two questions:
About a month ago, my doctor started me on insulin. I am using the Humulin N KwikPen from Lilly, 3 mL/pen at 100 units/mL, so 300 units in each pen. I currently take 26 units per day -- 11 in the morning and 15 at night -- so that's about 11.5 days/pen. Actually, I have been instructed to "prime" the pen before each use by dispensing 2 units into the air. So that's actually 30 units per day or 10 days/pen.
I recently went on a trip for a week. I thought there was enough insulin in the pen I was using to last the week, but I ran out on the last day. So, in the future, I guess I should take a second full pen, just in case. The problem is refrigeration. I was told that once a pen is taken out of the frig, the insulin is only good for 14 days. I asked if I can take an extra pen with me in my suitcase or carry-on bag and put right in the frig as soon as I arrive at my destination. That would be anywhere from 3-4 hours to as much as 7-8. I was told that I should get a travel cool bag. I found this a little odd. When I picked up my first box of pens from the pharmacy, they weren't in a cool bag, I don't recall them feeling cold, and I wasn't told anything about getting them right home and into the frig.
So, two questions:
- Is it really necessary to keep those pens refrigerated every minute? Would it hurt them to be at room temp for a few hours?
- Can anyone recommend a good cool bag? I checked online. Most of them are more like picnic coolers -- way too big. I was hoping for something very small, maybe just large enough for 2-3 pens.