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If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
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I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
I have never known anyone to give extra supplies to. I’m also a little leery of getting in trouble with the insurance companies that paid for the supplies., Or the legal ramifications of giving medical equipment or supplies to someone without a prescription.
I tried to donate them to my healthcare system but was told they were not allowed to take them. I tried a couple of other places- same story so I now will have to put them in the garbage
I gave “leftover supplies” to the Diabetes Centre that I attend as it is they, via our NHS (National Health Service), which pays for them. I KNOW that they use them as I’ve been approached by DSNs (Diabetes Specialist Nurses) when I’ve attended clinic to see if I have “extra supplies” with me as I normally carry a few set changes, etc. with me.
This is the way it should be. Your system is so far ahead of ours in many ways.
@Lawrence S.
That’s very debateable, sir. Supplies have to be paid for by someone. i.e. via our NHS (National Health Service) in the UK (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), which is financed via direct taxation of all working people, or by individuals, either ‘out of pocket’ or via your Health System, which I grant you, DOES leave some people at a disadvantage. (SOME might argue that our system ‘goes against’ fit and healthy people who MIGHT resent having to pay to keep others alive. Sadly, I’ve written to people in the United States in the past, via email, that are no longer with us as they couldn’t afford insulin.)
Mick,
It’s not a debate for me. For example, I live in a community with lots of amenities, 95% of which I do not use. I still have to pay my monthly HOA fees, and annual CDD fees. I don’t mind a bit paying for those amenities that I don’t use. It’s just part of our community. Regarding taxes. We Americans regard paying taxes as negative, hurtful thing. I do not see it that way. I see taxes as a contribution toward making our society better (including healthcare). While I do not use most of those benefits, I get some of those benefits.
My unused diabetes supplies like meters, that I was given but don’t use, just sit in a drawer. I wish there was someplace to send them. Any ideas, folks?
Check with your Endo aas they can accept and distribute Supplies legally
I have given most to my doctor to give to someone in need. Some I gave to my chiropractor for his son.
I just switched from Medtronic 770g to Tandem/Dexcom and I was amazed at how many Medtronic supplies I had when I was trying to get them out of the way. I don’t want to just throw them away but it’s hard finding someone to give them to. Most social media groups won’t allow you to post about them and I understand why that is. I definitely will hold onto some just in case I have an issue with my current pump and need to go back to my old one while waiting for a replacement, but I don’t need as much as I have.
A familiar story. I’ve been holding onto my old Medtronic supplies for ten to twenty years. They’re still sitting in the closet.
I sent them back to the manufacturer to let them dispose of it.
I’m still looking for someone to give them to.
Took them to my CDE’s office to hand out as samples or spares
I give them to my Endo and they give to patients who need them
I often take extra supplies to my endocrinologist’s office. They use them for educational purposes.
I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
First I asked my CDE if she could find patients who needed them. She said she wasn’t permitted to do that. I asked on several Facebook groups and connected with people who paid for shipping. Just did that with the last of my Animus pump supplies. I’ve also sent supplies to Insulin for Life in Florida, but the shipping costs are very high, can’t do that anymore.
I gave supplies to the homeless shelter in town once and the last time I gave my supplies to my endo’s office to give to the poor who can’t afford such things.
I have decided to give them to my endo’s office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
I have not had significant amounts of extra supplies, so it hasn’t really been an issue.
InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
I tried to find this website but it says it doesn’t exist?
Found it! http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/
If can’t can’t find someone online to take them I keep them until they expire and then throw them. Just in case.
My other was gave them to the Endocrinologist office to give to people who needed them
My personal Zombie Apocalypse Emergency Stash has never met an oversupply it didn’t like. Even for stuff I don’t use anymore. Because you never know…..
I gave them to my endocrinologist office to offer to patients in need.
I have a whole big box of Medtronic supplies I wasn’t able to donate because I switched to omniPod during the pandemic, including a pump. If anyone needs it please contact me!
Tried to give them to a local support group but couldn’t get a call back. So I kept them as back ups.
I gave mine to a friend for her cat.
Donated some to my endo (all unopened and currently still shipping by mfg) and kept some in the event my current pump fails and I need a temp ‘stand-in’ until warranty replacement is received
I have a whole slew of old Medtronic pump supplies and have no idea what to do with them. I have asked my endos and they don’t know either. I would love to see any suggestions!
Donated to my endos office.
I was going to a support group run by a nurse in the endocrinologist department at one of the hospitals and I gave them to her to pass along to patients who could use them.
When I changed to Tslim after using Medtronics pump,. I had a lot of extras. I gave some to a local TD! group but I could not find a place to donate the rest. After a few months I just put them in the garbage.
I donated supplies to CR3 Diabetes Association.
I probably should have checked both “Donated to an organization,” and “Gave them to a friend…” because I did give some items to family/friends who could use them.
Kept. Recently I had trouble with prescription for Omnipod 5 from provider. Got rejection from pharmacy/Medicare. Ran out of pods and prepared to fire up Medtronic pump in desperation. He inadvertently did refill for Omnipod 5 starter kit. I was desperate, worried, sad. Pharmacy didn’t say what mistake was. Dr office nurse didn’t catch difference and defended all was ok on there end. Finally provider got involved and realized his mistake. Horrible situation. I did ask provider to call me and apologize. Nurse said it was just a human mistake. I replied when humans make mistakes they apologize. He did call and I was grateful for resolution. I really need to learn how and have on hand injection method to give shots in emergency, and that’s on me!!