I just started Using a Pump yesterday,(ping) and I am curious as to what kind of backup supply of insulin most people keep around if they have a problem with the pump? I was taking MDI and have a few lantus and humalog pens left over. Do i Try to keep the prescription for the pens active and keep them around in case of trouble or do i get new scripts for Syringes to be able to use the insulin from the vial directly? does insurance cover the cost of back up supplies of insulin, on an as needed only basis? Those of you in the Know please let me know Thanks.
hi, Michael! Here is a discussion we had about this. I have a backup pump, but I also keep a bag of syringes around, even though I never use them. It’s a very good idea to talk to your doc about having a backup plan. although it’s rare, crazy accidents can happen.
I keep Lantus pens around plus some left over syringes and renew the Rx when the pens outdate. I would use the insulin syringes with my Novolog vials if needed. Fortunately not needed in the over two years I have been pumping.
thanks for the link. Mike
thanks Tom, I take it your insurance covers the extra lantus Rx.
Congrats on the new Ping. I’ve been on mine since November and I love it! I kept on 5 pack of Lantus as my back-up. I can get my doctor to call in a prescription in case I need more, but so far, it’s not been a problem. As far as the Humalog pens, you can use them to fill your cartridges for your pump, just don’t inject in any air and you’ll be fine. Once you use a pen to fill a cartridge, you cannot use it for injections as it breaks the mechanism inside. I had a few boxes of Novolog pens when i started pumping and I used them to fill my cartridges. I did however keep I think 2 just in case, but I will probably use them soon so that I don’t forget about them.
I did have to have my pump replaced (the little rubber button for the audio bolus on mine fell off and no longer was waterproof) and Animas had a pump to me the next day, I called after 6, they’re really good! Oh and that’s the thing, if you’re having any trouble with your Ping call before 6, because the last orders go out for shipping at 6 eastern time.
Just to add one thing. I don’t need a prescription for my backup insulin because I always have plenty of Humalog (what I use in my pump) and use that in a syringe if for some reason, I can’t get my BG down with pump due to it having gone so high. I make sure I have several extra bottles on hand - have a liberal 3 month prescription that allows this. Or if my pump died, I could just use injections until it was replaced. I got my pump before the ‘pens’ became famous but that does not seem to be a practical solution since you do have to get new scripts occasionally for them. Oh, and I used to wait too long before checking if the infusion cannula had pulled out, and kept pumping insulin to nowhere–which led to some 500-600 BGs–which required injections. I am quicker now to just pull the set and start over.
i’ve been D for 50 years and pumping for 12. here’s what i have:
1 pump
1 meter
1 RX of test strips (300 at a time)
1 vial of novolog (which lasts between 3 weeks and a month)
i do not keep extra insulin, syringes. i do not have a second pump or meter.
thanks everyone
I don’t understand why you suggest lantus. If you are a T1D you cannot manage T1D w/o using a fast insulin such as Apidra or Novolog. For the basal all you have to do is spilt the dosage into hourly amounts and you can simulate a pump or days and still be able to eat food.
I have one extra of everything except pump, including insulin and a syringe to use as my lazy pump, during the day and more of each on trips.
Before i went on the pump, i was using 130u of lantus for my basal, and bolus with humalog pre meals. I am type2 . it seams like this would be easier to give one twentyfour hour dose and bolus for meals, rather than to have to give myself hourly injection untill someone send a replacement pump. less injection the better