Guest guest Posted October 21, 2006 Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 thanks jen, i heard it would be released this summer and have been asking. presently i have a nurse prefil my needles for lantus and by having the pen i will have more independence. thanks so much for this good news. karen from Canada Lantus pen in Canada >I just thought any Canadians on the list who use Lantus would be interested >to know that it is now available in penfill cartridges. The cartridges fit >the AutoPen which is similar to the Humalog and NovoRapid pens. I haven't >gotten mine but am hoping to pick it and the Lantus cartridges up tomorrow >when the pharmacy gets them. > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2006 Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 Hi , I've been getting my Lantus shots pre-filled as well. I live with my parents still so it's not a big deal, but I'm very excited to be getting the pen. They are so much more convenient to carry around than pre-filled syringes, and especially now that I am taking Lantus twice a day, it will be nice to be able to do my own shots and not have to worry about remembering to tell someone about dosage changes and such. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2006 Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 , if you go to that blind cool tech site, www.blindcooltech.com And search for the link Insulin Training, they talk about the pen. You can download and listen in your favorite media player or listen on line. SS Re: Lantus pen in Canada thanks jen, i heard it would be released this summer and have been asking. presently i have a nurse prefil my needles for lantus and by having the pen i will have more independence. thanks so much for this good news. karen from Canada Lantus pen in Canada >I just thought any Canadians on the list who use Lantus would be interested >to know that it is now available in penfill cartridges. The cartridges fit >the AutoPen which is similar to the Humalog and NovoRapid pens. I haven't >gotten mine but am hoping to pick it and the Lantus cartridges up tomorrow >when the pharmacy gets them. > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 jen, i have heard about splitting the lantus dose but am waiting to hear the c ds by doctor bernsteen first. have you had these? the nurses here are faced with cut backs just now so getting the pen will be timely. i called today to see if the pen was available and they were unaware that it is available. but they will order it in for me. thanks, Re: Lantus pen in Canada > Hi , > > I've been getting my Lantus shots pre-filled as well. I live with my > parents still so it's not a big deal, but I'm very excited to be getting > the pen. They are so much more convenient to carry around than pre-filled > syringes, and especially now that I am taking Lantus twice a day, it will > be nice to be able to do my own shots and not have to worry about > remembering to tell someone about dosage changes and such. > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 erik, thanks so much i will try this. i do use the pen with humalog insulin so that is not a problem. and I do use lantus in the evening dose only. i am just hearing from these folks about splitting the lantus dose. i dont know if it would be beneficial or not since things are going o k now. i would like to hear what doctor bersteen has to say about this. and I don't see my doctor till December. He is generally up on the news. have you received the doctor bersteen c ds? thanks, Lantus pen in Canada > > >>I just thought any Canadians on the list who use Lantus > would be interested >>to know that it is now available in penfill cartridges. The > cartridges fit >>the AutoPen which is similar to the Humalog and NovoRapid > pens. I haven't >>gotten mine but am hoping to pick it and the Lantus > cartridges up tomorrow >>when the pharmacy gets them. >> >> Jen >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Hi , I haven't heard these CDs but I just recently split my Lantus dose and have noticed my blood sugars are much more stable. They still bounce around a bit but overall they are more predictable, and I'm not going high at night as often and overnight is more stable except for morning when I'm still going high. Jen Re: Lantus pen in Canada > Hi , > > I've been getting my Lantus shots pre-filled as well. I live with my > parents still so it's not a big deal, but I'm very excited to be getting > the pen. They are so much more convenient to carry around than pre-filled > syringes, and especially now that I am taking Lantus twice a day, it will > be nice to be able to do my own shots and not have to worry about > remembering to tell someone about dosage changes and such. > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Hi , I thought you and perhaps others might be interested of my first impressions of the Lantus pen, the Autopen 24, that I originally posted to my blog: I picked up my Lantus pen and cartridges today. The first thing I noticed was how expensive the cartridges are! $134 instead of $65, and while there is more insulin in the cartridges (1500 units in five cartridges as opposed to 1000 units in one bottle) it's not that much more! I'm paying for Lantus out-of-pocket since the government won't cover it, so ouch to that price. We're going to see if one of my parent's insurance plans will cover it. The second thing I noticed was the horrible, ugly green colour of the pen. They could have at least picked a nice dark green or something. The pen also goes up to only 21 units (the Humalog pen goes up to 60 units), which is fine for me since I'm splitting my shot, but if I was only taking one shot a day then my dose is usually 18-21 units, and that would be cutting it close. They do make a 42-unit pen but it only has increments of two units which is too imprecise for me. Third thing I noticed: You can't dial backwards on the Lantus pen like you can with Humalog if you dial too far. If you dial too far with this pen you've got to unscrew it, take the insulin cartridge out, reset the plunger (and to reset it you've got to screw it back down rather than the straight push down of the Humalog pen), put the cartridge back in, re-prime the pen to make sure insulin is coming out, and then re-dial. Very annoying! I used the pen for the first time tonight. When you dial back the dial does not physically move as the plunger on the Humalog pen does. Instead it just clicks (which the Humalog pen also does), and then you press the side slider once you've stabbed yourself to inject the insulin. Hence there is no physical indication that the insulin has actually been injected. I found this really unnerving! The side slider slides down and then springs back, but nothing in the pen actually moves (with the Humalog pen you have to physically push the plunger down and so can feel the plunger going down as well as control the speed at which you inject, and there is a faint " clicking " as it goes down by each unit). So ... yeah. We'll see what my blood sugars are like tomorrow, but I have this uncanny sensation that the insulin didn't go in simply because there's no proof that it went in. I don't usually feel the actual insulin going through the needle so, who knows. It was just weird. I also found it a bit awkward pressing the slider-I injected as I usually do with all my fingers wrapped around the pen (and with the Humalog pen I press the plunger at the top with my thumb), but with the side slider I had to stick the needle in and then adjust my grip so that I could press the slider. After I did my shot tonight I noticed that the dial on the Lantus pen was pointing to five units. I'm not sure if it's supposed to do that or not. Does this mean that I only got six of my 11 units and that five are still in the pen? I just fiddled with the plunger and it went " click " and reset the dial to zero. Not sure I like this ... but I'm not about to give myself five more units of Lantus in case I really did get the whole dose. Great. I should see if the Lantus cartridges will fit in the Humalog pen. Actually, I should see if either of them will fit into the NovoRapid pens, because they are better than both (and I did have and used a Novopen for a while back in high school, and I've always been on Humalog as my rapid insulin as far as I know, so maybe they do work together). Anyone know if they're interchangable? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Jen, I would really like to know more about this pen. I didn't think there would be a different pen from the Humalog. so I guess the old saying goes never assume anything or you could get the wrong thing. I am not surprised that this is more expensive because the Lantus itself cost more than other insulin. and I knew that insurance does not cover it. I do know that if you contact the Canadian diabetes association there is a special form you can fill out by the doctor to get it covered. I did try and the doctor told me he would do this but have not heard any more. But the diabetes association are aware of this. I will not see my doctor till mid December so I will ask further. there is another insulin out which is a copy cat of lantus but it is more expensive again. Re: Lantus pen in Canada > Hi , > > I thought you and perhaps others might be interested of my first > impressions of the Lantus pen, the Autopen 24, that I originally posted to > my blog: > > I picked up my Lantus pen and cartridges today. The first thing I noticed > was how expensive the cartridges are! $134 instead of $65, and while there > is more insulin in the cartridges (1500 units in five cartridges as > opposed to 1000 units in one bottle) it's not that much more! I'm paying > for Lantus out-of-pocket since the government won't cover it, so ouch to > that price. We're going to see if one of my parent's insurance plans will > cover it. > > The second thing I noticed was the horrible, ugly green colour of the pen. > They could have at least picked a nice dark green or something. The pen > also goes up to only 21 units (the Humalog pen goes up to 60 units), which > is fine for me since I'm splitting my shot, but if I was only taking one > shot a day then my dose is usually 18-21 units, and that would be cutting > it close. They do make a 42-unit pen but it only has increments of two > units which is too imprecise for me. > > Third thing I noticed: You can't dial backwards on the Lantus pen like you > can with Humalog if you dial too far. If you dial too far with this pen > you've got to unscrew it, take the insulin cartridge out, reset the > plunger (and to reset it you've got to screw it back down rather than the > straight push down of the Humalog pen), put the cartridge back in, > re-prime the pen to make sure insulin is coming out, and then re-dial. > Very annoying! > > I used the pen for the first time tonight. When you dial back the dial > does not physically move as the plunger on the Humalog pen does. Instead > it just clicks (which the Humalog pen also does), and then you press the > side slider once you've stabbed yourself to inject the insulin. Hence > there is no physical indication that the insulin has actually been > injected. I found this really unnerving! The side slider slides down and > then springs back, but nothing in the pen actually moves (with the Humalog > pen you ha > ve to physically push the plunger down and so can feel the plunger going > down as well as control the speed at which you inject, and there is a > faint " clicking " as it goes down by each unit). So ... yeah. We'll see > what my blood sugars are like tomorrow, but I have this uncanny sensation > that the insulin didn't go in simply because there's no proof that it went > in. I don't usually feel the actual insulin going through the needle so, > who knows. It was just weird. I also found it a bit awkward pressing the > sli > der-I injected as I usually do with all my fingers wrapped around the pen > (and with the Humalog pen I press the plunger at the top with my thumb), > but with the side slider I had to stick the needle in and then adjust my > grip so that I could press the slider. > > After I did my shot tonight I noticed that the dial on the Lantus pen was > pointing to five units. I'm not sure if it's supposed to do that or not. > Does this mean that I only got six of my 11 units and that five are still > in the pen? I just fiddled with the plunger and it went " click " and reset > the dial to zero. Not sure I like this ... but I'm not about to give > myself five more units of Lantus in case I really did get the whole dose. > Great. > > I should see if the Lantus cartridges will fit in the Humalog pen. > Actually, I should see if either of them will fit into the NovoRapid pens, > because they are better than both (and I did have and used a Novopen for a > while back in high school, and I've always been on Humalog as my rapid > insulin as far as I know, so maybe they do work together). Anyone know if > they're interchangable? > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Hi , Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying going on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and Levemir) covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over Regular and NPH, which is crazy! If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more expensive than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results from it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so is easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will take it twice a day from the start). Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 jen, but i have heard doctor bernsteen claims Lantus is not a long acting insulin as we have thought it was. that is why some on this line are now splitting the dose, half for evening and half for morning. i will not do this until i get more information. i cant understand why all insulin is not covered? or is this just a stall? the government doent do anything in a hurry and we pay for their wages in our taxes, smile. I know that a pump is used for most diabetics that are brittle in the states but not many seem to have it in Canada. another cost issue? Re: Lantus pen in Canada > Hi , > > Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into > getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying going > on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and Levemir) > covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are > partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The > government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over > Regular and NPH, which is crazy! > > If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get > either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more expensive > than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results from > it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so is > easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like > Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will take > it twice a day from the start). > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Yes, I am one of those who has just started splitting Lantus into two doses, morning and evening, at the suggestion of my doctor because my late afternoon and bedtime blood sugars were hard to keep down. He suggested Lantus wasn't lasting a full 24 hours for me. I don't know how common it is for it not to last the full 24 hours but I don't think it's too unusual. In general my blood sugars have been much better especially in the evenings. All insulin isn't covered because the people who make these types of choices don't know a thing about diabetes and figure that insulin is insulin, and since they cover the older insulins they figure they don't need to cover the newer, more expensive ones, I suppose. Of course anyone who doesn't use it finds insulin and the different types hard to understand, but the government should at least consult with diabetics and doctors and see which regimen offers better control and quality of life. The government also won't cover insulin pumps although they do cover supplies here in BC, and so if you can get funding for a pump through a service organization or other insurance then there's no problem. I read somewhere that only 1% of people who go on pumps ever return to shots by choice, and everyone I've talked to who uses one says that it's made controlling their blood sugars much, much easier. I really hope I get one (since I'm still covered under my parents' insurance I'm going that route before writing to the service clubs). Jen Re: Lantus pen in Canada > Hi , > > Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into > getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying going > on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and Levemir) > covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are > partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The > government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over > Regular and NPH, which is crazy! > > If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get > either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more expensive > than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results from > it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so is > easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like > Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will take > it twice a day from the start). > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hi Jen, What is your local CDA doing about it? They should be advocating on our behalf. Even you could write a letter to your provincial government's health minister pointing out the benefits of overall control with the lantis and pointing out the long term complications which will cost the government such as blindness because you will likely be on welfare, or cost the health care system money because you are on dialysis. Bottom line is to hit the government where it counts. The pocket book! It may cost them some now, but a hell of a lot later when complications set in. We all have to fight for it to get changes, not just wait for someone else to do it for us. Even one letter from people like you and I help. Ruth Re: Lantus pen in Canada Yes, I am one of those who has just started splitting Lantus into two doses, morning and evening, at the suggestion of my doctor because my late afternoon and bedtime blood sugars were hard to keep down. He suggested Lantus wasn't lasting a full 24 hours for me. I don't know how common it is for it not to last the full 24 hours but I don't think it's too unusual. In general my blood sugars have been much better especially in the evenings. All insulin isn't covered because the people who make these types of choices don't know a thing about diabetes and figure that insulin is insulin, and since they cover the older insulins they figure they don't need to cover the newer, more expensive ones, I suppose. Of course anyone who doesn't use it finds insulin and the different types hard to understand, but the government should at least consult with diabetics and doctors and see which regimen offers better control and quality of life. The government also won't cover insulin pumps although they do cover supplies here in BC, and so if you can get funding for a pump through a service organization or other insurance then there's no problem. I read somewhere that only 1% of people who go on pumps ever return to shots by choice, and everyone I've talked to who uses one says that it's made controlling their blood sugars much, much easier. I really hope I get one (since I'm still covered under my parents' insurance I'm going that route before writing to the service clubs). Jen Re: Lantus pen in Canada > Hi , > > Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into > getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying going > on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and Levemir) > covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are > partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The > government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over > Regular and NPH, which is crazy! > > If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get > either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more expensive > than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results from > it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so is > easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like > Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will take > it twice a day from the start). > > Jen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 jen the service groups in this area are very small. most do not have the manpower since most are older and the young are not very interested in the service groups. i have never asked my doctor about a pump but i will in december. one thing, do you know if you purchase a pump would this ve a tax deduction? Re: Lantus pen in Canada > > > Hi , > > > > Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into > > getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying > going > > on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and Levemir) > > covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are > > partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The > > government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over > > Regular and NPH, which is crazy! > > > > If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get > > either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more expensive > > than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results > from > > it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so is > > easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like > > Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will > take > > it twice a day from the start). > > > > Jen > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Yep, the CDA are the ones who are fighting for it. They have forms on their website that let you write a letter and print it out and have it addressed to your local MP or other government official, which is really useful. A group of young adults with type 1 will also be going to Toronto, sponsored by the CDA, to learn how to advocate and get others involved. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 I'm not sure whether a pump or its supplies would be tax deductable or not, but the pump companies would probably know. You can write the government and get your doctor to write a letter as well saying why you need a pump, and they may covered it. Here in BC no one has been successful in getting them to cover a pump. There is also an organization called S.U.G.A.R. which rasises money for Canadians to get pumps if they can't get them any other way - http://www.sugarcharity.org/. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hi jen, Good stuff! Are you going? Ruth Re: Lantus pen in Canada Yep, the CDA are the ones who are fighting for it. They have forms on their website that let you write a letter and print it out and have it addressed to your local MP or other government official, which is really useful. A group of young adults with type 1 will also be going to Toronto, sponsored by the CDA, to learn how to advocate and get others involved. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hi , From what I know from my brother who is an accountant, the pump can be claimed at income tax time provided you have a prescription and the bill. Ruth Re: Lantus pen in Canada jen the service groups in this area are very small. most do not have the manpower since most are older and the young are not very interested in the service groups. i have never asked my doctor about a pump but i will in december. one thing, do you know if you purchase a pump would this ve a tax deduction? Re: Lantus pen in Canada > > > Hi , > > > > Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into > > getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying > going > > on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and Levemir) > > covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are > > partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The > > government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over > > Regular and NPH, which is crazy! > > > > If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get > > either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more expensive > > than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results > from > > it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so is > > easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like > > Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will > take > > it twice a day from the start). > > > > Jen > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 ruth, thanks i will keep that in mind. karen Re: Lantus pen in Canada >> >> > Hi , >> > >> > Because I'm currently trying to get a pump I'm not going to look into >> > getting Lantus covered. I know here in BC there is a lot of lobbying >> going >> > on to get the insulin analogs (Humalog, NovoRapid, Lantus, and >> Levemir) >> > covered, because none of them are covered (Humalog and NovoRapid are >> > partially covered, and Lantus and Levemir aren't covered at all). The >> > government decided that using these insulins offers no advantage over >> > Regular and NPH, which is crazy! >> > >> > If I don't get a pump then I will be appealing the government to get >> > either Lantus or Levemir covered. Levemir is quite a bit more >> expensive >> > than Lantus, but I've also heard that many people get better results >> from >> > it because it doesn't have quite as long an action time as Lantus so >> is >> > easier to adjust (it doesn't even claim to be a 24-hour insulin like >> > Lantus does, it claims to be an 18-hour insulin so that people will >> take >> > it twice a day from the start). >> > >> > Jen >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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