I'm currently taking Novolog through my pen. It's a Novo Pen Jr. I think it's meant for small children, but it does half doses.
Hahaha!!! I can't wait for that moment to happen :) I am also starting Novolog and Lantus. I have a Jr. Pen that does half units for my Novolog, but I am arguing with my insurance to cover my Lantus pen because I need it to be portable in college.
So we do have to keep the insulin chilled even when it's in the pen ready to go? I have been wondering how to carry it around since it can't be in the light or warm. I'm still new to my diabetes and looking at the amount of things I need to carry with me at all times it seems like I should just have a suitcase! :)
Unless it's really warm out, it doesn't need to chilled. For hot weather, use a Frio wallet. They're great. Of course, don't leave your insulin in your car:) Pen insulin isn't exposed to the light.
Any unopened insulin should be kept refigerated. Don't put it in the refigerated door to get shaken up.
If you don't need small increments, pens seem like a good option. I use quarter unit increments, so pens are not for me. Even half unit increments are iffy. The big advantage of syringes is you know the insulin went in with no leaking or occlusions putting doubt in your mind.
No, you don't have to refrigerate the pen once you're using it. Keep the spare pens (or cartridges, if you're using the refillable pens) in the fridge. We always keep the in-use pens at room temp.
The only time we've worried about heat was in FL in July. We carried the pens around in a frio pack.
We've used pens from the moment they took him off the IV in the hospital. We use the Lantus solostar disposable pens and the refillable novopen 3. We use the BD ultra fine mini pen needles with them both.
We love the pens. They're portable and discreet and easy to use.