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If you use an insulin pump, how often do you keep unexpired backup long-acting insulin at home?
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I had refilled my Lantus prescription right before I was trained on my first pump 17 years ago. I didn’t have to open the vial because I still had some left in the previous one. I kept that unopened vial in my fridge for years. After I got my second pump I didn’t worry about having long acting on hand because I could go back on my older pump if needed. I have 2 old pumps that still work so I don’t feel the need to have long acting on hand. I have had to use an old pump twice.
Since transitioning to pump therapy 15 years ago I have not kept long acting insulin on hand.
I used to have a vial of backup Lantus in my refrigerator. I never used it and it expired years ago. I have not reordered because it is expensive. I guess I should reorder another. I do have old pumps. That might be another option (although, they have been inoperative for years).
I haven’t had a prescription for long-acting insulin since I started using a pump. I never even thought about needing it until this question. My doctor never brought it up.
I too never thought about keeping some long acting insulin on hand. But, as I use the Omnipod, if there is ever a problem, which there rarely is, I just put a new pod on.
The problem being “unexpired.” Otherwise I would have said “Always.” But I actually do have an old backup pump I could use too, so in the case of a breakdown (which I have had happen) I’d probably just use that.
30+ years since I had long acting insulin. The worst invention EVER. It is nothing like the body produces and foreign substances cause it’s delay in action.
I thought the advantage of pumps is the steady use of GMO human (normal) insulin. Using long-acting in a pump is news to me.
My nurse practitioner provided me with some but I only used it once when my pump broke down.
I have had a few pump failures over the years and since I had backup long acting available it was vital as one happened over a holiday weekend and I couldn’t get a new pump for several days.
I do not keep back-up long-acting insulin at home, I do keep an insulin pen of FIASP for when I go HIGH and need a quicker ride back to normal than the 6-8 hours from Novolog.
This question reminded me to check the date on my backup insulins and request new ones as needed at my next appointment!
As a relatively new pumper (Dec, 2021), I haven’t had to face this question as yet: all my long acting is good for another couple of months. I’ll have to have the conversation with my doc at the next appt, and see if he supports maintaining a long acting supply over time as a backup mechanism to pump failure or return to MDI w/ both long- and short-acting insulins. In the meantime, I’ve got four flexpens of long-acting in the fridge….
I only use rapid acting insulin for my pump, and always have unexpired vials of Novolog in my fridge.
Me too.
I keep a bottle of Lantus in the fridge because I use it rather than my pump for the days I kayak or go ocean swimming. I also like having it in case my pump malfunctions. The current one I have has had no issues but a couple of ones I’ve used in the past just suddenly died on me.
I don’t have long acting insulin
My doctor prescribed Lantus at my pharmacy, and I can get it as soon as possible if the occasion arises.
Oops, I had a pen for an overseas trip, and it’s still in my fridge at home, but probably has expired. Last trip I took, in country, I left all my insulin at home, went to Walmart for their R insulin.
Started Pumping with Disetronic so I have Always had a backup Pump. never used long-term insulin since 1998
I had a problem and ran out of infusion sets. My pharmacy had changed its hours and was no longer open on weekends. For 4 days, I was injecting Novo-rapid at intervals, trying to keep my BG in range. It was not fun.
Tresiba in refrigerator is dated August, 2021. In 26 years of pump usage, I have only had the pump paraphernalia fail so prominently that a back-up, Tresiba, had to be used.
Likes? The new pens have needle sizes are far superior to the old ones that had all the capability of being used by veterinarians on horses.
Dislikes? Pow. Boy, do these newer insulins pack a wallop. And they take 36 hours to do it. Beware. ( ´～｀ヾ)
My endo prescribed Tresiba (pen) as a backup in case of pump failure. After that first prescription expired I didn’t refill because of the cost. I have my previous Animas Vibe pump with infusion sets I could use if needed.
I haven’t in the past but due to an unreliable insulin supplier and a pump that just went out of warranty, my CDE and I decided it was a good idea to keep some Lantus pens on hand.
I said rarely because if my dr doesn’t bring it up or insist, I don’t bother with it. I’ve had times where it’s been a hassle to get insurance to cover it and it seems wasteful, too.
I’ve only had to use long-acting once because of a problem with my pump in about 15 years and I didn’t have any on hand at that time. It was relatively simple to get it called in before anything bad happened, although I recognize I’m lucky it happened during the day.
My long acting always expires before I can use it and then I throw it away 2 years past expiration when I assum it has to be completely useless by then. Usually just take regular injections of short acting every 2 hours while I await a replacement pump.
Also, in an extended emergency I would just go to Walmart and buy NPH to get me by. I hate the reactions I have to Lantus anyway.
I think it is probably a good idea to have lantus/levemir on hand. But my HMO plan won’t cover it – saying I don’t need it. If I did have a disaster (say, on a holiday weekend) I would probably go to WalMart for NPH – much as I hate that place.
Having a backup seems like a no-brainer, but it’s also hard to justify because of the price. I used to think that the long acting insulin my dog used served its purpose as a back up for me, but his insulin is now one for veterinary use, and I’m not quite ready to use that for peace of mind :*}
I don’t keep long-acting insulin on hand. I have backup pumps, so would just switch if a problem arose.
I have had expired long acting insulin that I got as a sample from my Endo over 3 years ago. My insurance company won’t let me have long acting because I am on a pump. I had to use it when my pump malfunctioned. I am now without backup. I am hoping to get a new sample on my next visit or perhaps have the doc write it up differently. I’m not sure what the problem is.
My husband uses long acting insulin, so there is always a supply in the house.
I know I probably should, but with insulins being so expensive I just get a script when necessary. This way, I have only had to purchase long-acting insulin three times since starting on a pump. I might have to go one night taking multiple injections of short-acting insulin, but to me the savings are worth it.
I’m of the same mindset, and $$ always has a say in decisions made. Additionally, getting a health carrier to okay an rx that isn’t in line with your current treatment plan can be a tough get. Would love to have an extra insulin pump in case of emergency, but once again you run up against the insurance company wall–not to mention $$ I’d have to come up with to obtain the back-up pump. Additionally, any additional devices require mind numbing paperwork thrust on your tx dr (chart notes, Letter of Medical Necessity)…but hey this is the U.S. and we have the best of the best in healthcare amongst third world nations. No need for a logical system because there are too many in line to make a profit on a group of people–who have little to no recourse, but to pony up for necessary equipment and supplies. To paraphrase Chris Rock: “..there’s no money in a cure.”
My Endo and NP always make sure that I have Lantus pens in case of a pump failure. So far in 10 years of pump usage that has never happened. Six months before they expire, I star passing them on to people I know use long lasting insulin in a daily basis so that they don’t go to waste.
My prescription insurance covers them for a small copayment but the total amount goes to my Medicare part D allowance. They are not covered as my humolog under part B
I’ve had multiple pump failures… around 5 times. They _always_ (and I do mean always) happen late at night/early morning hours (2am is the usual) and at least once on a holiday weekend so that mailing of the replacement couldn’t happen for 2 days.
Given that history, you’d _think_ I’d be smart and have backup long-acting insulin in my fridge… but, nope. I am not that smart. ;p
I used to have cats who used long-acting insulin for humans which came in handy once.
I hate wasting such an important medicine and most of the long-acting insulin I would house would expire before needing it. So, I don’t do it.
Oh, wow. I answered wrong. I read the question as “expired backup long-lasting insulin”. I said never, but now that I’ve read it correctly, I should have said “always”. Sorry.
Never
I just got a pen of Lantus for the first time.
I’m allergic to Lantus so if my pump is down, I’m on Novelty shots every 2-3 hours to manage bgs.
I believe my current backup may have just expired. I will ask for a new Rx at my next appointment, but if I needed to use what I had..,.I wouldn’t think twice about using a somewhat recently expired pen