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Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

blog.lauramichet.com

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Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#101

Post by kotaKat »

diob wrote: post #90

I have a fear that my CPAP machine will die one day while I'm away from home, such as vacation overseas or during a business trip. I literally no longer can sleep without it, I have anatomical sleep apnea (perfectly fit), but it's quite severe (79 AHI). I once forgot it on a trip to a different state, and tried to sleep in the hotel but basically just had insomnia, as I could no longer pass out when I woke up from th…

... much like we have the sketchy telehealth services out there, some online CPAP shops will have 'prescription renewal' services available for like $50-100.

If you already have an OSA diagnosis you don't need a new sleep study for a new script provided the doctor is just willing to sign off a new prescription for supplies.

I've had a CPAP part failure when I traveled - I used a Dreamstation Go with its special 12mm tubing. The tubing split and I had a hell of a time finding replacement 15mm tubing in the city I was in. I stopped into a random durable medical equipment supplier and went "heyyyyy can I buy a hose I'm really screwed right now!" and they just slipped me a new hose out the back door and shook my hand. Then I had to have a friend 3D-print me a hose adapter... field-expedient medicine is fun.

My current travel setup is now designed to accept as many standard parts as I can ('standard' 15mm tubing available at Walmart/Walgreens/CVS, a 'standard' CPAP mask, and the machine is adapted to use USB-C Power Delivery so I just need a 100W PD source or better to run everything (even battery).

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#102

Post by s1artibartfast »

cperciva wrote: post #94
antasvara wrote: post #28

Reading this, my takeaway was less about the pump and more about how every part of the medical system is disconnected from every other part. There were some mistakes made but they were all pretty reasonable decisions. But the situation that caused this in order: 1. The support line for the pump won't suggest sending it to where you are because you say you have a backup plan. 2. The support line also isn't a doctor; t…

One issue here which is obvious to me is that access to insulin should not be gated on paperwork . I can walk into any pharmacy in Canada and say "I'm diabetic and need insulin" and the pharmacist will sell it to me. They'll ask questions of course since this is not the usual path but my doctor's office being open will have no influence on whether I get it -- just on whether it's a 5 minute process or a 15 minute pro…

Is that true for every type and format? You can walk into walmart and get regular and NPH insulin over the counter, no questions asked. Newer ones require a Rx.

I do think that the US is obnoxiously conservative, and far more medications should be OTC.

Instead, you cant even buy kidney friendly cat food without an expensive Rx from a vet and tons of controls. Heaven forbit someone buy it without proper consultation. Think of the Kittens!

Edit: after some reading, it seems that Canada and US are outliers in the west for allowing OTC insulin. UK and Europe requires Rx for all insulin.

Asia is more mixed. Japan, Korea: Rx required. China, Rx on paper, OTC in practice. India OTC

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#103

Post by officialchicken »

bdcravens wrote: post #84
cadr wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Omnipod for the win. But, yeah, I have a bunch of disposable needles in my kit as a backup. Even so, travel is stressful. My carry on is full of backup pods/sensors. But now that my insurance is being annoying and only filling a month at a time, I don't always have an extra...

I'm fortunate to have the income to support buying backups when I had insurance issues. During the Dexcom G6/G7 switchover and the switch to the Omnipod, I had just filled a bunch of G7s but the Omnipod didn't support it yet, so I ended up having to buy G6s out of pocket. Even with coupons from the manufacturer, it was still costing me $200/month.

When I lived there (or visit family), a Costco Gold card and store pharmacy visit can help a lot - it was around $150/mo for G6 last September. I'll switch over to G7 some time this summer. The Costco plan more than pays for itself using the built-in rewards program and rx discounts if you're paying out-of-pocket.

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#104

Post by wilj »

diob wrote: post #90

I have a fear that my CPAP machine will die one day while I'm away from home, such as vacation overseas or during a business trip. I literally no longer can sleep without it, I have anatomical sleep apnea (perfectly fit), but it's quite severe (79 AHI). I once forgot it on a trip to a different state, and tried to sleep in the hotel but basically just had insomnia, as I could no longer pass out when I woke up from th…

There are a number of places you can get an online prescription for a CPAP/APAP, and they're not that expensive to buy outright.

I was able to get a new prescription for < $100, and bought a new APAP for about $600, no new sleep study required.

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#105

Post by bradleyy »

officialchicken wrote: post #91
bradleyy wrote: post #86

This is literally the reason I'm still on multiple daily injections (MDI). I'm sympathetic to the author, I spent 50+ years without Type 1, and a few with it. Just this morning, I ended up bolusing correctly, but then an emergency caused me to perform a lot more exercise than I had planned on. Then, bam, I'm paralyzed in bed, thinking about calling the ambulance, eating sour patch kids. And believe me, when sour patc…

I'm having almost the exact same day as you today - except for the past 50+ years I have been t1d, and I'm back on MDI. I quit using a pump about 15 years ago. And it definitely improved my QoL just by not having to deal with all the insurance hassles. Removing that stress alone I think will extend my life longer than using a pump will. > And believe me, when sour patch kids are an effective medicine, you have a dise…

I always carry ice packs and a yeti cooler. I have some other carry rigs, but 99/100 times if you see me out and about, that's me: cowboy hat, wayfarers, and yeti cooler.

So I just keep sour patch kids all the time in my pack.

But I'm always up for something else, especially when the SPKs are in an "ick" season. I appreciate the recommendation. SPKs have an absurdly high glycemic index though and seem pretty predictable for me.

I really need to get proper glucose tabs and stuff, and be like a "professional diabetic"... but I'm working on time-in-range, not "did you swab with alcohol" at this point, lol. I just feel good that I'm not shooting through my clothes.

Sorry for the day, fellow traveller, hope you get things nailed shortly.

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#106

Post by tick_tock_tick »

cperciva wrote: post #94
antasvara wrote: post #28

Reading this, my takeaway was less about the pump and more about how every part of the medical system is disconnected from every other part. There were some mistakes made but they were all pretty reasonable decisions. But the situation that caused this in order: 1. The support line for the pump won't suggest sending it to where you are because you say you have a backup plan. 2. The support line also isn't a doctor; t…

One issue here which is obvious to me is that access to insulin should not be gated on paperwork . I can walk into any pharmacy in Canada and say "I'm diabetic and need insulin" and the pharmacist will sell it to me. They'll ask questions of course since this is not the usual path but my doctor's office being open will have no influence on whether I get it -- just on whether it's a 5 minute process or a 15 minute pro…

You can in the USA too. Every Walmart in the country (and by god there are a lot of them) caries OTC insulin for $20-$25.

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#107

Post by kys11 »

s1artibartfast wrote: post #102
cperciva wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One issue here which is obvious to me is that access to insulin should not be gated on paperwork . I can walk into any pharmacy in Canada and say "I'm diabetic and need insulin" and the pharmacist will sell it to me. They'll ask questions of course since this is not the usual path but my doctor's office being open will have no influence on whether I get it -- just on whether it's a 5 minute process or a 15 minute pro…

Is that true for every type and format? You can walk into walmart and get regular and NPH insulin over the counter, no questions asked. Newer ones require a Rx. I do think that the US is obnoxiously conservative, and far more medications should be OTC. Instead, you cant even buy kidney friendly cat food without an expensive Rx from a vet and tons of controls. Heaven forbit someone buy it without proper consultation.…

[dead]

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#109

Post by cperciva »

s1artibartfast wrote: post #102
cperciva wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One issue here which is obvious to me is that access to insulin should not be gated on paperwork . I can walk into any pharmacy in Canada and say "I'm diabetic and need insulin" and the pharmacist will sell it to me. They'll ask questions of course since this is not the usual path but my doctor's office being open will have no influence on whether I get it -- just on whether it's a 5 minute process or a 15 minute pro…

Is that true for every type and format? You can walk into walmart and get regular and NPH insulin over the counter, no questions asked. Newer ones require a Rx. I do think that the US is obnoxiously conservative, and far more medications should be OTC. Instead, you cant even buy kidney friendly cat food without an expensive Rx from a vet and tons of controls. Heaven forbit someone buy it without proper consultation.…

Is that true for every type and format

Yes, OTC for everything. I've heard that some pharmacists ask more questions about types which are commonly abused by body builders but that's about the extent of it.

Funny story since you mention cats: My brother's cat was diabetic and prescribed long acting insulin which cost $250/vial. I looked it up and... apparently it was just relabeled lantus, because of course nobody is going to waste money on a separate manufacturing line. Ended up buying it from my local pharmacy, without a prescription, instead of using the vet prescription.

Re: Having your insulin pump die while you're on vacation

#110

Post by zamadatix »

tick_tock_tick wrote: post #106
cperciva wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One issue here which is obvious to me is that access to insulin should not be gated on paperwork . I can walk into any pharmacy in Canada and say "I'm diabetic and need insulin" and the pharmacist will sell it to me. They'll ask questions of course since this is not the usual path but my doctor's office being open will have no influence on whether I get it -- just on whether it's a 5 minute process or a 15 minute pro…

You can in the USA too. Every Walmart in the country (and by god there are a lot of them) caries OTC insulin for $20-$25.

This is good info. I was going to say you can't in Indiana (where I used to live) but it turns out they changed their mind and it went into effect in 2021. Now (at least according to a current search) all states allow for at least a few forms of over the counter insulin (not the modern analogs, but it's better than nothing!)
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