Evolution of insulin pens

[Flower]

Yesterday I collected a new pen as back up in case my pump should decide to stop functioning.

I have had my old pen for at least 10 years, it was a bright red plastic barrel with a neon yellow cap and dial stored in a graffiti patterned case. It looked like something the Teletubbies would use should one of them be diagnosed.

My new pen is a sleek, elegant thing in a metallic type finish, it looks like something Q would have given to James Bond should he ever have needed to inject insulin.

It is amazing how much things change when you aren't looking. I didn't think I would be that impressed by a piece of medical equipment but I seriously am.

 

[Northerner]

I upgraded to a novopen echo from a novopen 3 a couple of years ago, and the new features on it are so good - so quick to change cartridges and it has a memory function 🙂

 

[Sally71]

The memory function stops working after about a year though and there is no way to change the battery

 

[Northerner]

The memory function stops working after about a year though and there is no way to change the battery

Yes, it's happened to mine - annoying! Might have to get a replacement, although it's not really a function I have needed much - but infuriating when you do need it! 😡 Maybe there'll be a replaceable battery in the next version!

 

[Sally71]

We didn't even use our pen much, were only on MDI for about a week before we got the pump and then the pen became emergency backup only so it's hardly been used. Mind you, don't really need the memory function if we're only using it once in a blue moon 🙄

 

[Northerner]

I think the worst pen has to be the Autopen 24 which I used to use for lantus - very cheap and plasticky, and no half-units

 

[Flower]

I had forgotten about my Autopen, it was a light and darker blue creaky plastic pen I was never confident whether it had actually delivered Lantus or not, the dial used to stick.

 

[Northerner]

I had forgotten about my Autopen, it was a light and darker blue creaky plastic pen I was never confident whether it had actually delivered Lantus or not, the dial used to stick.

Yup! And the numbers on the dial wear off!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I think I read recently that Sanofi have AT LAST produced a half unit pen for Lantus. Can't remember the details though!

 

[Northerner]

I think I read recently that Sanofi have AT LAST produced a half unit pen for Lantus. Can't remember the details though!

Yes, you may have read it here! 🙂

 

[Flutterby]

I still love my novopen 🙂 I too have the echo and "post stroke" it has been invaluable with the memory function. I've just ordered a new one as mine is losing it's memory!!

I remember the autopen - what a heap of junk!

 

[AlisonF]

My favourite pen was my original novopen from about 1989. it was made out of real metal, and was much slimmer than today's chunkier pens as it took smaller cartridges. It was often mistaken for a fountain pen. It was a thing of beauty compared to today's plastic pens.

 

[AlisonM]

My pen came from Eli Lilly, I can't remember the model but it's very smart and looks like a fat fountain pen. It's very solid and a little heavy.

 

[Bloden]

Doesn't anyone use disposable pens? 🙂

 

[Sally71]

We have disposable Lantus ones, although they are for backup only now we have pump. It seems very wasteful to have to throw the whole pen away, I'd much rather have a reusable pen with cartridges (which we do for Novorapid). Also the disposable pens only go to whole units, for a child (and probably some adults!) it's useful to be able to inject half units.

 

[PattiEvans]

My pen came from Eli Lilly, I can't remember the model but it's very smart and looks like a fat fountain pen. It's very solid and a little heavy.

Humapen for Humalog. They used to do a memoir pen, but due to bad battery supplies they discontinued it. I had one. I now have a Humapen which will take Apidra cartridges which I have to fall back on should the pump fail.

 

[robert@fm]

Doesn't anyone use disposable pens? 🙂

I used them for about 10 months, then petitioned my GP to switch me to refillables, because of the environmental impact and because my fridge is far too small to take 2 packs of 5 disposables and the drinks I keep in there as well. See this thread for the story.

 

[delb t]

Weve got a novopen echo at the moment- but H was saying that we will need to look at this as it only goes up to 30.Our ratios are changing quite abit now[ and he does eat large meals!] Any suggestions for a half pen adult? novopen demi?

 

[Northerner]

Weve got a novopen echo at the moment- but H was saying that we will need to look at this as it only goes up to 30.Our ratios are changing quite abit now[ and he does eat large meals!] Any suggestions for a half pen adult? novopen demi?

Does he really need the half-units if doses are so high? Or perhaps have two pens, the echo and a novopen 4, depending on meal?

 

[delb t]

Well I guess he likes to be precise!I think he was thinking of maybe a curry night- when he does fill his boots!. Is the novo 3 demi not had great reviews?- We have got novo4 pens from dx - I prefer half pens and he does I guess