Re: JOHN W__ insulin pens versus syrin...

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Have ya had to use the pen yet??? Did that big snow storm hit your area last week???

Take care my friend...

((( Caring Hugs )))Helen

Hello Helen

The instructions that came with the pen says to NOT refrigerate it. Apparently, the condensation might affect the electronics.

If that's that's the case then I suspect that I might be able to use the Frio travel pouch even though the instructions that came with the Frio says that it's perfect for Insulin pens. The Frio is a pouch within a pouch where the inner pouch has water absorbing crystals sewn inside. The idea with the Frio is that you soak the inner pouch for the crystals to absorb water and turn into a gel, then the evaporation of the water keeps it's contents cool. The outer pouch is so that the "wet" inner pouch doesn't touch anything outside and get other stuff wet but if I put the pen into the inner pouch, it would get wet or at least damp. With vials of insulin, that isn't a problem but if the pen is sensitive to moisture... I'm probably worrying for nothing, it's probably not that sensitive and can probably sit in the Frio pouch just fine.

I just don't see how the pen's are better than syringes at this time, it seems to be a big fancy syringe with disposable needles.

Regards,

"When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate."

[Guest guest]

Hello HelenFirst, sorry to hear about your grandpa.I haven't used the pen yet as I still have half a vial of Lantus which should be good for two to three weeks.   The starter kit for the Opticlick pen only has three needles.   I had been getting my syringes from National Diabetic (don't know why that firm is involved other than that Walgreens Mail had a web link for it) and when I called them, they said I had to get a prescription for the needles.   I'll see if the local pharmacies have the needles over the counter and if not have the Doctor's office phone in a script to the local pharmacy and worry about a mail order supply at my next Doctor's visit.   I know how to get a script in to Walgreen's mail order service and in to the local Walgreen's but I don't know how to get a script in to National Diabetic Pharmacy, they just seemed to handle the syringes and test strips with just a phone call but they seem to require paper work for the pen needles.   I guess the difference between the Walgreen's mail service and the NDP is that Walgreen's charges a co-pay.There wasn't any snow but it was a hard freeze where the temperatures were below freezing for about seven hours at night, that's a big deal for Houston.   I spent the weekend up in Canada so I don't know what blew into Houston over the weekend but when I returned, I found that the airport parkade was completely wet on the inside of the structure so either rain was blowing around sideways or it was extremely humid, either are quite likely.    It was strange seeing puddles inside the parking structure.   The flight back was a bit bumpy, they kept the flight attendants strapped in for about an hour before letting them serve the food and drinks.As all three of the girls that I used for cat sitting are now either pregnant or have delivered their babies (makes me wonder what happens when I'm away), I used a professional cat sitting service.   Seems to have worked out rather well but of course, it was only the weekend.On Friday, just before I left for the weekend, two of the guys at work both had their respective fathers wind up in hospital with heart problems, one is in Maine and they are trying to get their family to all fly up to be at his side, the other guy's father is in Houston and just had a quadruple bypass today.   Must be the holiday season...Regards,On Dec 9, 2006, at 10:47 PM, angelbear1129@... wrote:Hi ,  Have ya had to use the pen yet???  Did that big snow storm hit your area last week???Take care my friend...((( Caring Hugs )))HelenHello HelenThe instructions that came with the pen says to NOT refrigerate it.   Apparently, the condensation might affect the electronics.   If that's that's the case then I suspect that I might be able to use the Frio travel pouch even though the instructions that came with the Frio says that it's perfect for Insulin pens.   The Frio is  a pouch within a pouch where the inner pouch has water absorbing crystals sewn inside.   The idea with the Frio is that you soak the inner pouch for the crystals to absorb water and turn into a gel, then the evaporation of the water keeps it's contents cool.   The outer pouch is so that the "wet" inner pouch doesn't touch anything outside and get other stuff wet but if I put the pen into the inner pouch, it would get wet or at least damp.   With vials of insulin, that isn't a problem but if the pen is sensitive to moisture...    I'm probably worrying for nothing, it's probably not that sensitive and can probably sit in the Frio pouch just fine.I just don't see how the pen's are better than syringes at this time, it seems to be a big fancy syringe with disposable needles.Regards, "When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate."

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks ...

Hope they get it all figured out for you with the needles... We have to do all our scripts by mail also, we live in Ohio, but the scripts come from Las Vegas, Nevada...

The Holiday season does cause a lot of stress on folks, Pray that both Fathers are doing much better by now...

Hope you had a nice visit over the weekend... I see there is a storm heading into Texas this week, hope it misses ya...

Take care my friend... Keep us updated on how your doing...

((( Caring Hugs )))Helen

Hello Helen

First, sorry to hear about your grandpa.

I haven't used the pen yet as I still have half a vial of Lantus which should be good for two to three weeks. The starter kit for the Opticlick pen only has three needles. I had been getting my syringes from National Diabetic (don't know why that firm is involved other than that Walgreens Mail had a web link for it) and when I called them, they said I had to get a prescription for the needles. I'll see if the local pharmacies have the needles over the counter and if not have the Doctor's office phone in a script to the local pharmacy and worry about a mail order supply at my next Doctor's visit. I know how to get a script in to Walgreen's mail order service and in to the local Walgreen's but I don't know how to get a script in to National Diabetic Pharmacy, they just seemed to handle the syringes and test strips with just a phone call but they seem to require paper work for the pen needles. I guess the difference between the Walgreen's mail service and the NDP is that Walgreen's charges a co-pay.

There wasn't any snow but it was a hard freeze where the temperatures were below freezing for about seven hours at night, that's a big deal for Houston. I spent the weekend up in Canada so I don't know what blew into Houston over the weekend but when I returned, I found that the airport parkade was completely wet on the inside of the structure so either rain was blowing around sideways or it was extremely humid, either are quite likely. It was strange seeing puddles inside the parking structure. The flight back was a bit bumpy, they kept the flight attendants strapped in for about an hour before letting them serve the food and drinks.

As all three of the girls that I used for cat sitting are now either pregnant or have delivered their babies (makes me wonder what happens when I'm away), I used a professional cat sitting service. Seems to have worked out rather well but of course, it was only the weekend.

On Friday, just before I left for the weekend, two of the guys at work both had their respective fathers wind up in hospital with heart problems, one is in Maine and they are trying to get their family to all fly up to be at his side, the other guy's father is in Houston and just had a quadruple bypass today. Must be the holiday season...

Regards,

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays