Do you carry vial with you

I carry my vial of novolog with me in my bag. Does anyone have any ideas of how/what to cover to keep it safe and maybe prevent heat? I did use a small bubble wrap that I made a pouch out of and it seemed to work. Any other ideas?

If you can find the old school round plastic toothbrush holders, they work perfectly. Just stuff bath tissue in each side until there’s just enough room for the vial to fit. Put a piece of Scotch tape around the seem where the two parts connect.

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Frio has different sizes of containers to keep insulin cool. These containers activate with plain tap water and do a good job of keeping insulin safe.

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This is made for insulin vials. I don’t have/use one, but yes, I carry a vial with me, in my supplies. Thankfully, it has never broken and as far as the heat/cold go, I try to be aware when there are major temperature changes and work to keep my insulin safe.

I have frio too and do like them, but the ones I have are for pens, not vials. Edited to add: Keep in mind that frio needs to be open to the air to work. You can’t keep it zipped up inside a bag, which is inside a bag, which is inside your purse, like my setup is. :slight_smile:

There are different vial sleeves too, besides this one, you just have to look.

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Short answer: NO.

Having to carry vials or pens is a downside to NOT pumping. I carry nothing with me except for Skittles and a meter (despite the fact I use a Dexcom G5). I remember well the few times I took off my pump while vacationing around pools and it was quite a pain to have to deal with MDI during that time.

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I do use a pump but just in case I always carry a vial and a syringe. The toothbrush case is good idea!

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I have a couple frio but they are too big and complicated to use for one vial in my small bag I carry. I use them for travel for my extras.

Maybe cut it down to size? Interesting idea. thanks!

I’ve been using the same one for twenty years. Three vials of insulin will fit with the TP at both ends to cushion them.

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I carry a whole little emergency kit with me. Insulin and backup pump supplies. I do this mostly because I use public transit and can be 1-2 hours from home at any given time. And also live in an earthquake zone and would hate to survive an earthquake only to die because I don’t have insulin and can’t get to any.

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In case of what? I’ve been pumping since 1996 and I don’t carry a bunch of emergency stuff and I’ve never had a problem other than ONE TIME in all those years which was NOT a failure of the system, but my failure to make sure I had enough insulin in the reservoir for the day. At the time I worked 28 miles away so I told my boss I’ll be back in an hour or so because I ran out of insulin. I told myself don’t screw up like THAT again–be sure to check how much available insulin is in the reservoir before heading off to work so far away. Because at the time, I brought a backpack to work, I threw in an extra set, reservoir and insulin (IIRC) but my life doesn’t revolve around carting around a bunch of diabetic paraphernalia, esp things I won’t need. All I NEED are plenty of Skittles for lows, and a meter as a backup to my CGM.

To each his own, however. My pumping system has been uber reliable for so many years. One outright failure of a pump, and while on vacation I got two of them wet over the years, so they failed but when on vacation I carry pens. I received a replacement pump at the hotel the next morning and was back in business after my screwups. :slight_smile:

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I live in earthquake zone with lots of them, forest fire zone (NOW) and at the end of a very, very, very long road that picks back up in … Japan. Or Russia. Depends on which way you point your boat! Either way, I toss a couple of vials in my purse, a few syringes and off I go! Unless its winter, then it’s in my inner coat pocket! Talley ho!

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I always try to have an extra pod with me for a screw ups, either my fault of the pump. It’s very rare and it’s very reliable. I can go until the very end of a pods life cycle (extending the life) and change out where ever, when ever I am at the time if I carry a vial with me. They’re very small, compact and easy to do when needed. Also been caught in emergency situations (ie traveling a couple hours from home to in-laws at the last minute) and realizing it’s time to change my pump, I can do it- if I have my vial. Probably don’t have to, but keeping it close is an extra measure of confidence and less stress on me. I carry a large purse but have a small, cross shoulder bag that I carry pump supplies, current vial, 1 syringe, charge cards and phone. This is where I would like some protection for the vial. I use frio for travel and have taken pens for back up. Glad you guys don’t feel the need to carry one with you and it’s not necessary for me either, but I like to, so back to my question. I do like the toothbrush suggestion!

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I do carry one. Been pumping since 1990. Always have a vial & syringe with me. I just put it in the case that has my meter (never use anymore using G6), insulin both vial and Afreeza, my Victoza and backup needles. The reality is, I don’t use much of it very often but as with everything dealing with diabetes, better safe than sorry. That case has saved me many times from leaving work or school or meeting. And living in a fire/earthquake area, prepare for the worst. In all the years I have carried a vial with me, I just put it in my case. I’ve never used anything around it. But there are many products out there that will protect it if it falls and a few from temperatures.

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I live very near the San Andreas Fault, in the Bay Area. It is the LEAST of my problems.

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I live on the Oregon Coast. I always carry a couple of pens in my purse or pocket, testing supplies and emergency food. I have always done this and find it comes in handy at times. I never worry about the pens getting too cold or hot. I would if these were not the pens I was presently using.

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:slight_smile: that’s what I like to hear instead of paranoia over not having insulin at or near room temps.

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I keep my current insulin vial, a few syringes, some alcohol swabs in a small nylon cosmetic bag.(Think 6 x 3 inches). It’s zippered and I think waterproof. I carry it around when I’m going to be away from home for more than a few hours. It’s in my purse, which I never leave in the car, so I don’t worry about the heat.

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We don’t have earthquakes, tornadoes or volcanos where I live, so unless I’m travelling out of town I don’t carry an emergency kit. If for some reason I was on the far side of the city and needed insulin, I’d walk into a pharmacy and buy some along with a 10-bag of BD syringes.

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I don’t worry much about heat, just thought some general protection. Something to wrap it in to protect from breakage mainly. I keep it with me and don’t leave in the car and it’s the current vial that I’m using, not extra vials. Just need some ideas, if any are out there, that’s all.

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