Pretty equipment solutions

[Suelash]

I have just discovered the various cases for carrying all my diabetic equipment around. They are brilliant for keeping thing organised and come in many different designs.
My question is is it safe to carry an insulin pen in my handbag inside a case? Will it go off if it’s warm outside?

 

[rebrascora]

I am not familiar with the products you mention but I always carry my insulin pens with me wherever I go, in my little rucksack/handbag along with my testing kit and hypo treatments and everything else. The only time heat may be a problem for insulin (here in the UK) is if you leave them/the bag containing them in full sun in a window or in a car in hot weather where they will get what you would consider to be uncomfortably hot.

 

[Lucyr]

I’m not familiar with the case you mention but I use this case and just throw it in my bag. Insulin is fine at room temperature for a month.

 

[pm133]

I have just discovered various cases for carrying all my diabetic equipment around. They are brilliant for keeping thing organised and come in many different designs.
My question is is it safe to carry an insulin pen in my handbag inside a case? Will it go off if it’s warm outside?

The sheet which comes with your insulin should tell you about this.
I think it's fine up to about 28 degrees C.
Above that I would personally consider using a proper cool bag or add some mini ice packs from the freezer to my pack if I was in any doubt. I haven't done any of this yet.

 

[helli]

The sheet which comes with your insulin should tell you about this.
I think it's fine up to about 28 degrees C.
Above that I would personally consider using a proper cool bag or add some mini ice packs from the freezer to my pack if I was in any doubt. I haven't done any of this yet.

I would be very careful using ice packs as there is a minimum temperature for insulin as well as maximum.
When travelling to hot countries I use Frio packs.
Prior to having a pump I would just chuck my bolus pen in my bag in the UK..

 

[pm133]

I would be very careful using ice packs as there is a minimum temperature for insulin as well as maximum.
When travelling to hot countries I use Frio packs.
Prior to having a pump I would just chuck my bolus pen in my bag in the UK..

Good point.
A quick Google suggests 2-30 degrees Celsius.
An ice block (can't remember what they're called) probably won't bring the temperature down by that much I wouldn't have thought but worth thinking about other solutions like the one you mention.
Thanks.

 

[SB2015]

I keep my pens in a case that my originals one came in which I lined with some felt. In only took out the quick acting unless I was going away. I could fit the lens, and a couple of spare needles (and a nail file!). If necessary I did air shots into the case, and replaced the felt when it got skanky. I am now on a pump so only need these in an emergency (which is why it looks more pristine now) . I just chucked that in my handbag wherever I went. I did avoid leaving it in the car, but then that wasn’t a problem as I needed it with me for when I wanted to eat.


For my test kit I made my own cases using the structure of the one that my original one came in and added bits so that it contains lots of useful extras like small plasters for breeders, a £10 note, spare lancet cartridge, prescription, glasses cleaning cloth, nail file, ....

In the Uk the temperature shouldn’t be a problem in a bag.

 

[Suelash]

I am not familiar with the products you mention but I always carry my insulin pens with me wherever I go, in my little rucksack/handbag along with my testing kit and hypo treatments and everything else. The only time heat may be a problem for insulin (here in the UK) is if you leave them/the bag containing them in full sun in a window or in a car in hot weather where they will get what you would consider to be uncomfortably hot.

Thanks. I have had type 2 diabetes for a few years but have now gone to type 1 after a year on steroids. It is all new and very different to just taking Metformin twice a day as I used to.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi. It is very different using insulin isn't it. It takes a bit of getting used to. Which insulin do you have? How are you managing with doing your finger pricks or were you already monitoring your BG levels before you started on insulin?

Have they done tests which indicate you are Type 1 or are you just assuming Type 1 because you have been given insulin? Many people assume that it must be Type 1 because they need insulin but there are many Type 2s who need insulin and it doesn't turn into Type 1. They are very different conditions.
Some people are originally misdiagnosed as Type 2 and are later found to be Type 1 but their diabetes doesn't change or progress from one to the other, it was always Type 1 but the medical professionals didn't do the tests to identify it correctly in the first place. It may be that you were Type 2 and the steroids have caused a progression of the condition so that you now need insulin, or it may be that you were misdiagnosed in the first place and were Type 1 all along rather than going from one to another.

It may seem a bit nit picking, but on a public forum like this we like to keep things as factually correct as possible because there is already so much misinformation out there about diabetes. The two tests which would be used to identify Type 1 are GAD antibody and C-peptide tests. Do you know if you have had those tests done?

 

[Suelash]

Hi. It is very different using insulin isn't it. It takes a bit of getting used to. Which insulin do you have? How are you managing with doing your finger pricks or were you already monitoring your BG levels before you started on insulin?

Have they done tests which indicate you are Type 1 or are you just assuming Type 1 because you have been given insulin? Many people assume that it must be Type 1 because they need insulin but there are many Type 2s who need insulin and it doesn't turn into Type 1. They are very different conditions.
Some people are originally misdiagnosed as Type 2 and are later found to be Type 1 but their diabetes doesn't change or progress from one to the other, it was always Type 1 but the medical professionals didn't do the tests to identify it correctly in the first place. It may be that you were Type 2 and the steroids have caused a progression of the condition so that you now need insulin, or it may be that you were misdiagnosed in the first place and were Type 1 all along rather than going from one to another.

It may seem a bit nit picking, but on a public forum like this we like to keep things as factually correct as possible because there is already so much misinformation out there about diabetes. The two tests which would be used to identify Type 1 are GAD antibody and C-peptide tests. Do you know if you have had those tests done?

Wow! Thanks for the information. I did just assume I had gone to type one when I was put on insulin after being in hospital for
hyperglycaemia and Hyponatraemia and
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Hypovolaemic.
He thought my pancreas had got ‘bound’ and it might improve with time. I will ask the doctor to clarify next time I speak to him.
I had never monitored my levels before but just had a blood test every 3 months which showed everything was under control- at least until a year of steroids!

 

[Suelash]

Wow! Thanks for the information. I did just assume I had gone to type one when I was put on insulin after being in hospital for
hyperglycaemia and Hyponatraemia and
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Hypovolaemic.
He thought my pancreas had got ‘bound’ and it might improve with time. I will ask the doctor to clarify next time I speak to him.
I had never monitored my levels before but just had a blood test every 3 months which showed everything was under control- at least until a year of steroids!

 

[Suelash]

I’m using a Humalog Kwickipen.

 

[rebrascora]

Sounds like you had a rough time of it. Hope you are feeling better now and the insulin is helping to keep your levels steady. Are you just taking the Humalog with meals? They haven't given you a longer acting insulin as well?
It sounds like they are hoping that the Humalog will take the pressure off your pancreas for a bit and perhaps allow it to recover. With Type 1, the body's immune system has attacked the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin and killed them. Sadly, there is no recovery from that and insulin will be required for life thereafter, but your situation sounds a bit more hopeful.
Are you still on the steroids?

 

[Suelash]

I take 32 units before breakfast and 28 before my evening meal but my levels still keep going into the 20s. I have no idea what most people take. Some people seem to have 2 different types of insulin.

 

[Inka]

There’s something called Steroid-induced Hyperglycaemia. It’s when someone who is already diabetic gets high blood sugar due to steroids

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/other-types-of-diabetes/steroid-induced-diabetes

As @rebrascora says, Type 2s don’t change into Type 1s if they start insulin. They’re just Type 2s on insulin, and there are a number of people like that on this forum.

Steroids can cause really high blood sugar. Does your blood sugar stay in the 20s all the time eg during the night? Does it go down from the 20s then up when you eat?

 

[Suelash]

I’ve only just started measuring it. (For the last fortnight.)It seems to be between 21 and 29 every time I measure it which is pre each meal and before I sleep. The doctor initially put me on 24 am and 14 pm then he has increased it to 32 am and 18 pm since yesterday . I’m hoping it will start having an effect soon.

 

[Suelash]

So I’m probably still type 2 diabetic? I thought only type 1 diabetics took insulin but it’s a whole new world to me. I can’t say I like carrying the stuff around and keep sticking my fingers. But I suppose I will get used to it. Thanks for your help.

 

[rebrascora]

Oh goodness! Sorry to hear that your levels are still so high? That must be making you feel rotten!
Are you still on the steroids?
Insulin doses are highly individual so it really doesn't matter what anyone else needs . It is just a question of finding the right dose and/or the right insulin or combination of insulins to control your individual BG levels. Hopefully they will find the right dose for you soon or perhaps add a different type of insulin to help manage your levels better. Are you in regular contact with your GP or nurse about it? Hopefully they will adjust the dose again soon and you will see some improvement.

 

[Inka]

I’ve only just started measuring it. (For the last fortnight.)It seems to be between 21 and 29 every time I measure it which is pre each meal and before I sleep. The doctor initially put me on 24 am and 14 pm then he has increased it to 32 am and 18 pm since yesterday . I’m hoping it will start having an effect soon.

It’s very normal to start on less insulin than they think you need. Then increase gradually if necessary.

 

[Inka]

So I’m probably still type 2 diabetic? I thought only type 1 diabetics took insulin but it’s a whole new world to me. I can’t say I like carrying the stuff around and keep sticking my fingers. But I suppose I will get used to it. Thanks for your help.

Yes, unless you were misdiagnosed initially, the fact you now need insulin doesn’t change your diabetes type.