It’s a little tight with the extra pod, but it works.
Keep in mind that insulin can NOT be exposed to extreme temperatures for very long before starting to lose its effectiveness. My understanding is that it is a progressive thing; the longer it is exposed and the more extreme the temperature, the less effective it becomes. It only takes one trip to somewhere and forgetting about the $60 bottle of insulin you forgot in the hot car to make me think twice about taking insulin vials with me anywhere.
Also, once opened, insulin needs to be used in a month or less (that’s for Humalog and Novolog at least; don’t know if Apidra is any different). Both my CDE trainer and my mother who is a nurse in an endo office have told me that several times.
Very Cool…I placed my order this afternoon…the prices are lower than the last time that I checked them out…about 10-15 dollars I think. It resembles a Franklin Planner when zipped up. How long did it take for delivery? If I put a couple of those gel-type “sugar” sources in it instead of a tube…there’d be more room.
Mayumi…I would love to be able to have the Humalog pen as back up but my insurance won’t cover both the humalog for the Pod and the cartridge for the pen. I guess I’ll start carrying my Humalog and needles, which I never used before, as back up.
It’s weird to see “my stuff” in your photo! I just keep all my ecoutrement in a makeup type bag. I guess we don’t worry about keeping the backup insulin cool?
I have a lot to work out still, but I seem to have that one down. I keep everything in my purse and having had my purse stolen from my car years ago, I always keep it with me. However, I do live in South Florida, so heat is everpresent. I never had a problem with my pens so don’t anticipate one with the Pod. Thanks.
I’m going to check around…but I’m almost certain that i found a coupon for a free box…yes box of humalog pens. I’ll get back with the info; and post the link if it’s still available.
Send it to the research project of your choice.
about a week and a half
Here you go…Free stuff…we all love it
http://www.internetdrugcoupons.com/Humalog-Coupon
kwikpen voucher.humalog.com/voucher.cfm good 'til 6/26/09
on that same page for free humalog pens is a coupon for Apidra which saves $20 copay/month for 5 months and expired in 12/2009
You are right Eric about using it up in 30 days…I never seem to have that problem…also in my purse to me means with me in airconditioning…It can’t get too warm or looses its efficacy thanks 
There were/are other sites out there that offer coupons as well; and I figured I get everyone started on the treasure hunt to save money…in some cases spend NO money whatsoever. These are the sites that I’ve used successfully.
Diabetes and More http:www.diabetesandmore.com/Cooler-and-Insulin-Packs-C10.aspx has carry all/cooloer that I used for a while. It has a separate section that’s cooled by a gel pack that you can freezer again and again. Keep your un-opened insulin in this section.
Janice…it seems that most people keep their unopened insulin cold in the fridge, but what they need to keep with them, don’t worry about chilling…for up to the recommended 28-30 days. I put my Lantus pen in a cooler for a road trip and it stopped working. I haven’t refridgerated my month’s supply since then except at the beach.
You are the best!
Just wondering, I’m using a humalog vial that my endo gave me to use with my pods. But I’m planning on kept using my humalog pens and extract the insulin from the pens to use on my pods. Maybe its less possible to get the insulin damage because temperature ect, any one doing the same or any opinions about this?
I’ve done exactly the same thing. My trainer wanted me to come in with a vial of Humalog, which I did. When I had finished that vial, I started extracting insulin from the pens that I had been using prior to starting on the OmniPod. I also extracted insulin from the cartridges that I used in my Memoir pen…I was told NOT to inject air into the cartridges because of the risk that I would blow off the rubber end stopper.
Now…all three ‘containers’ are affected by heat in the same manner. Once opened-- 28 days 'til expiration. Only the vial can be stored either at room temp. or refridgerated. The rest are NOT to be refridgerated once opened. The only advantage that the pens might have is some slight protection from light.
We all need to carry (wear) our medic alert bracelet/necklace/tattoo…here is a link for an unusual “cuff” that I just ordered.
Got the one that sort of “V” shaped. There is a cuff for diabetics too.