8/10 Johnny PMBG 99

I guess Johnny didn't get the memo that we were going to shoot 180+ instead of 200+. We shot another magic drop of insulin this a.m. and will get some spot checks in to see what's going on. Johnny was a happy, purring snuggle boy this a.m. He came into bed to wake me up, but ended up snuggling under the sheet with me. Sweet boy. cat_pet_icon

Re: 8/10 Johnny AMPS 203

You could always test twice -- chances are good he would have been under 200! (Although the second poke may not have been appreciated.)

Re: 8/10 Johnny AMPS 203

Let's see that magic drop do it's magic now....come on Johnny....bring it on down! :mrgreen:

Re: 8/10 Johnny AMPS 203 - +3(113) +4(103) +5(84)

Hmm, Johnny decided on the more gradual descent today. Interesting!

Green at PMBG. Yippee! I'm wondering his slower drop in numbers after the shot today is a positive indication that Johnny is evening out in some way? But then again, I have no idea what I'm talking about! :lol:

How long can you typically keep using the same bottle of insulin? We'll be at three months this Friday. I really hope we don't have to buy another soon.

maybe post in the supply closet and see if anyone will sell you one cartridge? I wouldn't want to buy insulin right now, you never know which drop will be the last drop he wants (anti-jinxes all over this post).

If you want to get a single pen/cartridge, Univ. of IL at Chicago Med Center at any of the out-patient pharmacies sells singles. I get Lantus in the box there and they were surprised that I didn't want to purchase only one pen. If Northwestern Med Ctr is more convenient, you might call there and see if they will sell a single pen.

I've seen the photos of the pen...is that the same as a cartridge? Do you use it just like the bottle? Just draw the insulin out and measure by syringe? It looks like it has numbers along the side for dosing. For some reason, I am intimidated by the pen/cartridge. I'm sure we could figure it out, but we'd need to ask the vet to prescribe right? Which shouldn't be a problem...I just wonder if you have to specifically be prescribed the pen/cartridge (if indeed they are the same thing).

One more question: is the loss of potency the concern? I'm just hoping it's not dangerous that we've used one so long. I thought I read that a few months was the max.

I posted on the "Supply Closet," but still nervous that the age of the insulin could be detrimental (sp?)..

Just think of the pen/cartridge as a mini-vial. Instead of a 10 ml bottle, the container is 3 ml. Both the pen and cartridge have the same rubber stopper where you insert the syringe. You just tell the pharmacy you don't need the needle/syringe cap. The cartridges may have markings for dose. Ignore them. You want to use a syringe. There are photos of both the pen and cartridge in the sticky about how to handle Lantus. Basically, the pen is a cartridge that's in a plastic sleeve. It gives the glass a little extra protection. The only difference in use between the pen/cartridge and vial is that you should not inject air into the pen/cartridge. In the photo, the Solostar pen is on the left and the cartridge is on the right.

You do need a prescription. If you want the pens, ask the vet to call in a prescription for a Lantus Solostar pen or to call in an Rx for the cartridge, if that's your preference. From the pharmacy's standpoint, a prescription for the vial and pen/cartridge are not interchangeable. I know the UIC pharmacy stocks the pens -- that's where I buy mine. (I use the pharmacy on the med school campus that's at 840 S. Wood St. They are open on Sat.) I think they run about $35 - $40 per pen.