Hi ya’ll,
I haven’t been around in a while, because of circumstances beyond my control. I had to leave Georgia and move back to Amarillo, Texas, and my life has been turned upside down. Now, without going into a lot of detail, here is my plight. I haven’t been able to get into see an Endo since before I left Georgia. I finally have an appointment at the end of this month on the 29th. In the mean time I have run out of Reservoirs several months ago. I’ve been taking injections and have had a terrible time trying to keep my blood sugar down. I did have an appointment with a Urologist this week and he said I am leaking protein back into my urine. Yeah, I know, not a good thing. I had that under control with the pump, but…
Long story longer, I tried to call American Diabetes this morning to order a box of Reservoirs and they said they need a Prescription. Well… I don’t get into to see the Endo until the 29th. So… Does anyone know of any way or any place or anyone where I can buy a box of Reservoirs really fast and get my pump back on at least until I see the Endo on the 29th. I am effectively destroying my kidneys and I am overly concerned.
The Pump is a Medtronics Minimed Paradigm 722. The Reservoirs are Part # MMT-332A 3 mil.
I need help in a bad way! Please, if you know how I can order a box, or buy a box from someone who maybe doesn’t the Paradigm 7 series anymore, or something. I’m in a bad way!
I know one of you can help me.
Thank you so much for all you have done.
Bobby D. Weldy
Hi Bobby, sorry to hear about all the struggles. We have missed you here.
Because reservoirs are a prescription item, the exchange or sale of reservoirs is not allowed on TuDiabetes.
Sometimes you can find people selling them on Craigs lists or other Forums (though I think that is also illegal).
You may also try calling the new doctor and see if they can call in a prescription without seeing you.
Bob,
Try contacting minimed directly throught their website. In the U.S. www.minimed.com
I order David’s pump supplies from minimed directly in Canada using the Canadian site and have never been asked to, nor have I ever provided them with a prescription. If a prescription is a must in the U.S., they might be able to get you going with a 1 box supply pending your visit to the endo at month end.
Cheryl
Maybe your current treatment can be improved. This way you will have more time to check your options. Here are two ideas:
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switching from Lantus to Levemir
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splitting the dosage for Lantus / Levemir to have two basal shots per day
It seems funny if the Endo won’t give you a script for these before seeing you; makes no medical sense to lose BG control over reservoirs! Especially if you start seeing Micro/Creatinine increase, thats worrisome. Is it the same Endo you had before or a totally new one? Fax in your data and stuff, I’m sure they will help you out!
Crazy to make a pump reservoir a prescription item anyway. It’s not like something you can use to get high. Doesn’t make sense, but it is what it is. Every thing is about the money today’s world.
I used to get all my supplies through Medtronics, but we had a little falling out. That’s all I have to say about that. I may see if I can switch to the Animas Ping.
I don’t take Lantus or Levemir. I use Humalog either in a pump, which is out at least for now, or injections, which is what I am currently doing.
No, my last Dr. was in south Georgia. I am now located in the Texas Panhandle. Its been 8 months since I last saw him when we left Georgia. We did have a very good relationship though, so I called his office this morning to see if he would call me in another prescription for the Reservoirs, but I haven’t heard anything back yet. It is now 2:35 here so… I don’t know. Just checked my BG and It was 305. This is insane!!!
Without Basal Insulin? How is that supposed to work?
couldn’t any doctor write a prescription for you, like the urologist or a gp? I think they would right the prescription in order to help you maintain your health, especially if they are getting paid to basically write a prescription.
I know , you did not ask me Holger, however I have been taught, in case of my pump break -down , I could give shots every 3 hours ( lots of finger poking ) with my pump’s insulin , in my case : NovoRapid . I would prefer to learn very fast, how to use Lantus or Levemir as the basal and NovoRapid as the bolus insulin .
Bobby , has someone taught you , how to give shots by needles with the combo of basal and bolus insulins ?? A CDE Nurse would know; possibly easier to make an appointment with a CDE than an Endo .
A BG of 305 is insane , as you noted.
I misunderstood your question, and the part about “basal” never even registered with me until you wrote back. I’ve been so stressed over this I can’t even focus anymore. A couple years ago my Endo out in Georgia had tried both Lantus and Levemir in the injection pens, but neither worked for me and eventually led to the pump. As to how its supposed to work without the basal running in the background, the answer is-it doesn’t. That’s why I’m having such a difficult time, and not having an appointment until the end of this month makes it all the more stressful.
Having said all that, I think a way has been provided for me to obtain some Reservoirs next week until I can get to the Dr.
The Urologist refused to do it, because it’s not his specialty. Today’s world of medicine is certainly not what it used to be.
Using rapid insulin every 3 hours is only an emergency plan. It will just be good enough to prevent DKA and is not meant to be used for more than one or two days. Bobby, you need someone who is willing to give you one bottle of Levemir or a reservoir soon. Please check if you can optain one of these options via ER to bridge the time to your next appointment.
One comment to Lantus and Levemir. Many patients can achieve better control with two shots per day. The companies are only afraid to promote this regime because patients prefer the insulin with less shots per day. This is the only reason why both insulins are sold as 24h insulins. The reality is 22-23 hours for Lantus and 15-20 hours for Levemir (depending on the dosage).
A big Hurah to your last sentence …you got some reservoirs !! Hang in .
I am sooo fortunate living where I live …lots of pumpers here and we can get supplies from each other in a wink .
Iam in sa texas and I cant get in to see a endo until november with my insurance.My reg dr put me on the pump,prescribes all my diabetic supplies and give me all my scripts.