I’ve scanned over a couple of other KwikPen threads, and I still have some basic questions.
I stopped pumping a few months ago. I was wearing the Omnipod and, overall, wasn’t very happy with it between the failures and the screaming alerts when something went wrong. As a working adult, I couldn’t take the risk that a pod I’m wearing would get an occlusion and go into scream mode. Also, I’m insulin resistant, so I was changing my pods pretty frequently. My A1c wasn’t where I wanted it to be, so I figured going back to MDI might help. I like pumping, but I felt a bit removed from the management of my diabetes.
The week after July 4th I had my quarterly visit to my endo. He didn’t realize I was using a vial and syringes to dose. I’m fine with that, but he insisted that I start using the Humalog KwikPen. I’ve used a pen briefly before because we experimented with Victoza to manage my insulin resistance. (That didn’t last long.)
For any long term pen users. I have a question, how do you carry your supplies? You have to have the pen and you have to carry the tips to attach with each dose. I currently carry everything in my Omnipod case as I’m still using their system to check my blood sugar. (I’ve got tons of strips left so until they’re gone I’m using it.) I also have my Dexcom G4. Now I also have a pen and the needles. Is there a case that you recommend?
BTW, the switch back to MDI did give me the progress I was looking for. After a few months, my A1c is down to 6.8 from 7.2. The goal is to get it under 6.5. It’s mostly been tightening up the range on my CGM that’s made the difference and getting better with carb counting.
Sometimes I just grab the pen (for bolus) and a few needles and stuff them in my pocket with the cgm receiver. If I know I’m going to be out for longer I’ll bring the strips/lancet/stripmeter as a backup and put everything in a little zippered pouch (except for the cgm receiver, which I keep handy in a pocket because I look at it a lot). For even longer trips, I’ll add the basal pen. For even longer overnights, more needles, extra cgm sensor, etc…
I’ve been on the pump/MDI fence for years but started with MDI and am still doing great with that.
I just put everything into the cheapo pouch that came with my meter. The pen just barely fits and it can hold a few needles leaving a pocket for trash. I also have a bigger myabetic case but I rather like the cheapo pouch since it is small enough it that I can put it into a pocket.
I just slide my capped pen into the elastic band in my purse that was put there for holding pens - it actually stretches enough to hold my insulin pen. I have a Bagallini brand purse. I keep extra pen needles in the little mesh pocket of my BG meter case.
I’m a worry wart, so I carry everything all the time. That probably won’t change.
Regarding pumping, honestly? It’s not bad.
I had a much better experience with a tethered pump. I started with the Medtronic 508 and then moved on to the Paradigm. It gives vibrating alerts and that worked great for me. Eventually, I might go back to Medtronic or try another brand. The Omnipod didn’t have the option for vibrating alerts for an occlusion, which I know is serious, but I still think there is a huge difference between a child and an adult. A child might ignore and turn off a vibrating alert. No one else would hear it, so there is a chance the pod won’t get changed quickly enough. However, dammit, I’m an adult. I also don’t like having high blood sugars, so I will change it when I have the time. I just didn’t like the screaming occlusion alerts and how many times I was changing the pod. There were other things like cutting too close to door edges and knocking the damn thing off. Clearly, I’m better with MDI or a tethered pump.
I specifically bought a Giani Bernini purse with four zippered compartments so I’d be able to devote one compartment to diabetic supplies and not have to carry a separate bag or have to dig around trying to find diabetic supplies among grooming or financial items. In the diabetes compartment I include my ReliOn glucose test kit case with the meter, test strips, and my pen needles for the insulin pen. That zippered compartment also has my Kwik pen, glucose tabs, some hard candies, a repurposed glucose tab container that I use for used sharps and used testing strips. If I needed to take my basal with me, I’d have room for it, too, though I’m rarely gone at that time of day so don’t recall having done so yet.
Thanks for the brand mention. I’ve never heard of Bagallini before. Looks like they have that brand on Zappos, so I’ll check them out when it’s time for a new purse.
I’ve got a pretty great Marc Jacobs bag in that it’s large enough to carry my stuff and has a few compartments. The pen can fit in the compartment where I keep my other pens. I’m just nervous about these little syringe tips I’ve got to carry around, so I have to find something to put those in. The only thing I have now is a bulky little mini crate (it’s about 1" x 2" and is about 1 1/2" high) = small, yes, but not small enough.
When I start my new job, I’ll be gone pretty much all day. That repurposed glucose tab container is a great idea because I have two sharps disposal boxes at home. I don’t have anything in my purse for that, and I need it now! I’m already in the habit of refilling glucose tablet tubes with tablets from the bigger containers, so I can empty one and start using it as a container for used items. Great tip! Thank you!
I use a small prescription bottle with a screw top since the glucose containers (I refill mine, too) sometimes pop open after a few reuses and I find crumbly bits in the bottom of my bag.
I didn’t realize you meant something to put the used pen needles in! I’m a bad girl, and use 1 pen cap per day. The lid to my pen fits right over the pen cap even with needle tip cover on, though not the original bulky packaging so I just leave it attached.
If I do get into a situation where I need to dispose of one I usually just drop it into an empty diet soda bottle with a resealable lid, or a soda can, and then crush the soda can so that it can’t fall out. I’m planning a vacation in November, though, and as I’ll be out for extended periods I figure I’ll use an empty bottle from test strips - it’s not like I’m in short supply!
Oh no, I meant everything because I really didn’t have a clue.
Right now, the pen seems to fit just fine in my current Omnipod case (as I still use the PDM to check my glucose, I still carry it.) So it was an ask for any and all tips. Uff_Da and CatLady06 shared a couple of tips on how to store those needle tips and that helps a lot because while my little mini crate is cute that’s not sustainable.
Share what you’ve got about any aspect of carrying pens around! I want it all!
You might want to try the Frio cooling system if it’s 100 degrees outside where you live…it keeps the pens at the correct temp and there’s a cute 2-pen one that I carry around when it’s super hot (or super cold). It has gel beads that expand when you soak it in water for 10 minutes. As to needles, I keep them in my meter case, both the new ones and the used ones (for disposal at home).
I was driving around in the east bay area today, and the car thermometer said it was 108! I left my insulin pens in the frio in the car the other day in Sac when it was around 105 and the insulin was fine, so two thumbs up for the frio.
I use a small utility bag that isn’t made specifically for medical supplies but that works quite well. It’s about 7 inches on a side. I use the carrying cases that came with old unused meters to organize stuff. One has alcohol swabs, one has syringes, one actually contains a meter kit, and one side of the large bag is mesh so it handles the Frio well, too. And there’s still plenty of room for odds and ends such as glucose tabs and artificial sweetener for when I find myself in a restaurant or house that doesn’t have what I like.
Frio’s U.S. marketing arm used to sell a great D kit with all kinds of neat little compartments and clips, but it was discontinued by the manufacturer (or something like that). So they switched to selling this thing and it does a pretty decent job.
