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Blog Entries With Tag: Animas 2020Blog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Oct 15, 2014
Have you ever had a heart to heart talk with your pharmacist who delivers your “legal” drugs? I know that a few of my American D-mates only deal with online pharmacies – and I’ve always wondered about that – other than them telling you you’re not covered by your insurance – do you ever have a chat with someone who is wondering why you take the meds you do to maintain your health and knows what your talking about? While I find the right dose with Synthroid for my thyroid aka Hashimoto disease (hi yaaaa - karate chop to the head!!!!). I’ve been requesting my GP to increase my dosage to get myself to a level of TSH that makes me feel happy – and she’s willing to go along with me as I experiment <lol> - which was my reason for my pharmacy visit at Costco today). I decided at the same time to order up some fast acting insulin since I was getting low on my current bottle (I only order up 1 at a time). I use NovoRapid, which I’ve been using for as long as I can remember, whenever it came onto the market (remember – I’ve been thru’ many vials since ’67 – I don’t have the memory to retain all the various types over those years – there’s better things to remember than … which one was I using back in 1984 – and who knows – some of you will remember what you used – me … nope … I just remember my fav bevy … Brador beer from across the river in Hull in the disco days – “ I want action – I got so much to give – I love the night life – I got to boogie “ ..... I paid up for all my goodies (of course – who doesn’t want to throw in a few bottles of test strips – let’s get the party going – whoot! whoot! long live the punctured fingertip). Then the cashier told me that the pharmacist wanted to talk to me before they handed over what I'd just paid for. Hmmm, only time they’ve done that is for a new med. What could it be? Apparently, the pharmacist couldn’t understand why I had long lasting insulin on my file. I explained the story of George Michael – my Animas 2020 pump – being out of warranty – dying on Dec 31/15 - no longer using him when I went on airline trips with no warranty, etc. and having to resort to using the old – bend over –throw the dart aka needle into your behind like a pro dart player!!! Bull’s eye!!! Along with my trial with Levemir insulin for my long lasting regime - which I didn't do so well with due to allergic reactions (that was new to her - and she was very interested).
All over, it was a very interesting discussion for us both - I learned a few things about her trade - and she too about what I do within the diabetic community aka DOC. She said she only knows what she learned at school about Type 1 diabetes – and talking to me – made her appreciate what we go through – and what works for each of us (no one system works for another person – we are all different with our control of our health). And with this short little blog – I bid you adieu for the evening – while I prepare to head to Jenna’s Journey tomorrow – to put her to sleep for the winter months on her comfy little cradle that will keep her upright out of the water. It’s been a busy past few weeks getting her prepared for the winter. I am not looking forward to the next 8 months on dry land as you can tell. Sigh – dreaming already of next year’s adventures on her.
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tags: Costco (1) DOC (1) sailing (1) Animas 2020 (1) T1D (1) prescription (1) Lantus (1) pharmacist (1) Related posts:Lantus Causing Cancer? | It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ... NOT! | REMOVAL – clinical trial for T1D's in UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark and Netherlands | COLD FX is a no go for T1 Diabetics | Is insulin a youth preserver? | Diabetes Awareness Month Photo-A-Day - Day 2 - CHECK | Midnight Three and Six and artificial pancreas technology | I eat, I sleep, I inject, I fart, I miss my insulin pump, plain and simple | Don't look a gift horse in the mouth | Changing my infusion set in my carBlog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Feb 21, 2014
Most of you know, I started insulin pumping back in 2008 with an Animas 2020 after 40+ years with multiple dosage injections (MDI). Sadly, with the problems over the years when I go on holidays with a pump – it often fails on me - and I have to use the loaner pump that all Animas owners with a warranty can take advantage of. I also had always brought MDI back up incase the loaner pump also crapped out on me (See NOTE1). On a recent trip to Martinique, with my assortment of insulin products I use for my MDI adventures - I experienced a little scare when it came to doing my basal injection with Levemir (I decided to give this a go again - doing 3X shots a day every 8 hours rather than the usual Lantus 2X a day regime). When I went to give my 14H00 Levemir injection with the NovoPen Echo (my American readers - it's now available in the USA as of January 2014) - like always - I went to prime the needle for injection. Nothing came out. I primed it again with 2 units instead of the normal 1. Nothing came out. I then started to panic. Yes, I did have another 1/2 unit pen needle - the Novolin-Pen Junior - which has my NovoRapid in it for my bolus injections - but my mind wasn't thinking logically of taking out the vial of Levemir and inserting it into that pen. In cramped quarters on a plane – I just really was wanting to be a Princess! Along comes my night in shining armor - my DH - saying something he'd said before when I used to fly with my insulin pump. "Air pressure in the aircraft may make the plunger mechanism go wonky" Hmmm, I then looked down in the window where you can view the insulin cartridge in the pen - and yuppers - the piston rod had gone back up to the top - even though earlier in the AM shot (in the airport before we left at the ungodly hour of 0600) - it had been in the correct position. The plunger had actually retreated back to it’s base! So, I pull pen needle apart, and get the piston rod to behave the way it should. The one thing with the "improved" NovoPen Echo - is the rod seems more flimsy than the Junior pen I've been using for about 3 years (the piston rod seems more strong). We're thinking maybe it's due to the Echo pen having "dose memory" of how much was injected and abit of an ability to tell you how long ago it was done (it's not the most precise for time of dose). After that - all was fine - and on return trip 3 weeks later (sigh - good bye warm ocean breeze and dolphins) - it never occurred. Still - it makes me wonder - does this happen that often with an insulin pump - that the plunger mechanism can rewind itself back? In the meantime, I’ve posted to @NovoNordiskCanada on Twitter about this glitch that happened – and I’ll keep you posted with their reply. Hopefully if all goes well - compared to how it went with obtaining a 1/2 dose pen delivery system will be easier than it was last year! NOTE1: Hmmm, this doesn't make an insulin pump sound very reliable does it - well - in my case - I sometimes think I've been jinxed - so don't worry - if you are new to pumping - just ensure you have every possible back up with you - incase something goes wrong – since without insulin – we are plain and simple - DEAD. It's always better to be safe than sorry - and I can do it all in a carry on for a month (I really should make a YouTube video on how I do this – it’s so easy - and trust me - I still bring more then I need even in a small space). All the “legal drugs” we have to tote along can take up space (what leave my sexy sandals behind?? NEVER). Though some airlines now will allow an extra carry (e.g. tote bag that fits under seat in front of you) as long as it contains ONLY medical equipment (always check with your airline carrier first).
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tags: insulin (2) NovoNordiskCanada (1) pressure (1) air (1) Animas 2020 (1) pump (1) MDI (1) pen (1) flying (1) NovoRapid (1) Levemir (1) Related posts:Type 1 vs. Type 2 | In a slump and scared | Surviving the Holocaust with Type 1 diabetes | Edmonton man denied insulin for 20 hours | Crack Free #ShowMeYourPump | Jenna and The Hypo Fairy | Wearing a dress with medical gadgets | Questioned by my pharmacist on my insulin regime | Pre-op visit with endo at hospital | When You're Hot, You're HotBlog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Jan 31, 2012
Well, I did an infusion change on the fly in my car this past Sunday (okay - it wasn't on the "fly" - we did stop over as Salvador was screaming to fill him up with more "food"). I knew it had to be done eventually that day, so I was a smart cookie, and brought along the necessary bit's 'n bobs that are required to do this (I'm very bad sometimes, that I don't bring a spare infusion set, insulin with me, for those "what if's"). I am getting better with age in remembering to do what I preach! Related posts:Edmonton man denied insulin for 20 hours | She’s got legs and she knows how to use them (the semi-Fashionista and her pump)! | Shame on Johnson & Johnson / Animas | REMOVAL – clinical trial for T1D's in UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark and Netherlands | My Porky Pig fingers are tired | Smooth sailing with CATSCA / TSA | Is insulin a youth preserver? | Questioned by my pharmacist on my insulin regime | A birthday treat gone evil ... | Stainless steel infusion sets are more FOREIGN then a teflon one? I beg to differBlog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Apr 1, 2011
Yesterday I had the car (yes – my diesel Smart has new engine and is working 100% - major test run will be done this weekend on trip to Ottawa). I try to only use the car once a week plus it’s a break from working at home where I have no human contact, except for my cats Mia (the black Burmese lioness now has a name) and Zorro (who got bashed up this week – I am vowing that he no longer go outside!). Related posts:Edmonton man denied insulin for 20 hours | She’s got legs and she knows how to use them (the semi-Fashionista and her pump)! | Shame on Johnson & Johnson / Animas | REMOVAL – clinical trial for T1D's in UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark and Netherlands | My Porky Pig fingers are tired | Smooth sailing with CATSCA / TSA | Questioned by my pharmacist on my insulin regime | A birthday treat gone evil ... | Stainless steel infusion sets are more FOREIGN then a teflon one? I beg to differ | Wearing a dress with medical gadgetsBlog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Jan 4, 2011
I’m still a newbie in the insulin pumping world, when it comes to other PWD (People With Diabetes) writing about their life with an insulin pump. Take for example a blog post by Karen at Bitter Sweet – she is using virgin territory on her body – her stomach – to place her infusion sets now. Due to using her tummy for years with MDI (Multiple Dosage Injections) – scar tissue had formed – so she avoided the area while it healed. I’ve always considered myself lucky not to have “yet” experienced that – since I’ve been a human dart board for over 40 years – but then – I rotate, rotate – just like we do with our mattress (yikes – I think that needs turning over – pump up the muscles in the arm for that old heave hoe). In comes Mike with what I’ve asked him for and because his hands aren’t clean, I’m trying to keep the infusion set needle sterile and the tubing keeps on making it want to go another way to a surface that’s not good - grrrrhhh. Now is the time I wish I had another set of hands, even if it would make me look like a freak. The other thing that starts going through my mind, I’m 50 now, what will I be like 20 years from now when having to handle these little problems. Not good to start thinking things like that is it? I get on with the job of prepping the surface for Round 3 – fighting gloves on – this infusion set is going to work God dammit!! In slides the needle, and it goes in like a well oiled cog, no weird feelings, I can move without feeling a tweak. I’ve felt around the area where I had the problem, which is only 1” away from where the failed infusion sites were – and don’t feel anything underneath the surface. I’m hoping this is a one of thing or is something that only occurs every 3 years (I started pumping in October 2008).
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tags: Sure-T (1) Contact Detach (1) Animas 2020 (1) tissue (1) scar (1) set (1) infusion (1) pump (1) insulin (1) Related posts:Type 1 vs. Type 2 | In a slump and scared | Surviving the Holocaust with Type 1 diabetes | Crack Free #ShowMeYourPump | Edmonton man denied insulin for 20 hours | Jenna and The Hypo Fairy | Wearing a dress with medical gadgets | Questioned by my pharmacist on my insulin regime | Pre-op visit with endo at hospital | When You're Hot, You're Hot |
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