I don't keep my insulin in the fridge unless it is unopened. Once in awhile I will have high blood sugars and the insulin just doesnt seem to bring them down. How many highs do you go through before you consider tossing the vial and going to a new one?

Hi Mindy,

Haven't seen you around lately. I just had this problem recently and was wondering the same thing. This time, I think I realized that I needed to start injecting somewhere else instead of my abdomen. I started with me legs for a while. I think I'm running out of room because I only have half of my abdomen because I have an implanted morphine pump in the other side. Who knows for sure though? I was thinking that my abdomen needed a break. About your question, I usually go through a day or two and if there is no explanation for why it's high, I get a new vial. I don't refrigerate my open vials either. I'm sure you know this already, but just in case...I've read that an opened vial is good unrefrigerated for a month.

I don't know if I told you this already, but I saw the new endo (very nice) and he gave me three tapes on pumps to watch (very boring!-at least the first one was--didn't get to the other two). Anyway, I'm very excited. I'll keep you posted.

Sharon :)

Hi Mindy and Sharon,
First, to answer Mindy's question...I used to keep my opened, unrefrigerated vials of insulin for at least 45 days without a problem. I'd probably bolus twice, using two different areas, and if it still didn't work, then I'd switch bottles.

Sharon - it's so exciting that you're looking into the pump. I, too, found those pump videos to be extremely boring and just about useless! The pump companies should save the money they spent on them and reduce the price of the pumps a bit, lol. Unless you've never before heard of a pump, they don't tell you much!

Keep us posted on your progress re getting a pump!

Ruth

Thanks, Ruth. I will keep you posted. I hear you about those videos. I've almost gotten through one. I have two more to get through. The lady talks to you like you're an idiot and she reviews and reviews and reviews which is annoying when you got it the first time around! What brand of pump do you have? I still like the Medtronic the best, but haven't watched the other two yet. As I've said before, I have a morphine pump and it's made by Medtronic and I like their company. We'll see after I watch the other two. See you guys soon.

Sharon :)

I've got the Medtronic Paradigm (I think it's the 511? The one that came out before they got it hooked up to the BD blood glucose monitor).

Actually, when you first said you were watching videos, I thought you meant those promo videos they give you before you even decide on the pump. Those were really bad and boring. The training video that you watch when you first get the pump, and practice the pump with no insulin in it, aren't that bad. It's a good run-through, and I got very familiary with the pump through that video and the book. I think that made things much easier when I went on the pump. But, if you're watching it without having your pump to practice on.....I don't know how useful it will be.

When are you getting the pump?

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

I was thinking the same thing...that when I actually HAVE the pump, those videos might not be so bad. I sure do know a whole lot about your pump though--that's the video I watched so far and I think it was the 511 too. I like that one a lot. I also like the one you're talking about with the monitor. I know what you mean about the promo videos. I saw one a few years ago and that was pretty bad too.

I don't know when I'm getting the pump. I see the endo on the 23rd of this month so I assume that it won't be too long after that. When I saw him last month, he gave me the tapes to watch to help me make my decision. He told me that the process of getting the pump wasn't a really long one. Was that your experience? Was it a long time between when you actually decided you wanted one and got one? I guess it has something to do with insurance. Did you have to take classes about the pump? Thanks for any info you can give me. I'm so glad I "met" you and Mindy. You guys are very intelligent and have a lot of info.

Sharon :)

I make sure to keep my insulin refrigerated at all times, especially in the summer, just my personal opinion, but I think it stays fresher and lasts longer that way. Sharon

Sharon -
From the time my doctor first mentioned the pump to the time I actually got it was probably about 4 months, as I first had to learn carb-counting. Once I met with the nurse practioner and we decided it was a go, it was probably about 6 weeks. She notified the pump company, they called me to get insurance info, they submitted to insurance, my pump was sent to me(along with that training video), and then I met with the pump rep and the NP and started pumping the day I met with them.

I've heard some people get put on saline solution first for a couple of days to get used to pumping, but I personally think that's a waste of time. Whichever pump you go with, though, I would definitely go through the training video again with pump in hand! It makes it much easier if you're already familiar with all the programming.

Oooh...I'm so excited for you! Keep us posted Sharon.

Ruth

Thank you so much, Ruth. I will definitely go through the video again once I have the pump. I'm sure it won't be half as boring then! My doc did mention the saline thing too. Thanks for being excited for me. I will definitely keep you posted.

Sharon :)

Thanks so much to all of you :D I am sorry that I haven't been here. My youngest son, 18 months, is going through some issues right now. We just found out that he has significant oral/ verbal problems. He is going in for an MRI next week and a barium swallow test. In short, it's a nightmare right now... But it could be far worse.

Sharon, I am so glad to have met you also. You have been a rock for me when I really needed it. You are always so upbeat and I am jumping up and down :bouncing: that you are getting your pump!!! I could not make it through the video's either so I didn't mess with them. I went to a pump education class and learned it all there.

I am still messing with trying to get mine, or not messing with it, which is the holdup. I have to say that most of my knowledge on all of this is trial by fire so the pump is no different for me. It's a new gadget to play with!!LOL Please keep us updated on your situation as we are all here cheering for you

Thanks so much, Mindy. You are too sweet! I'm sorry to hear about your son. I don't have children, but I know how hard it must be to have your own child sick and not know what's wrong. I hate to see any child suffer. I hope it turns out to be okay.

Sharon :)

Mindy -

Ditto what Sharon said. I'm sure you must be really stressed right about now...don't forget to take care of yourself, too.

I hope things turn out okay and this is nothing too terribly serious.

((((((Mindy))))))

Ruth