Lantus Pens. Added meter question.

FluffBunny

FluffBunny

Member Since 2014
Has anyone bought Lantus Pens by mail? My vet gave me a prescription for a Lantus Pen, but the only place I can find single pens is on line. I am a little concerned that the Lantus might get damaged in shipping. The place I found charges $22 for shipping, so I am assuming they take some care in the packaging. Just wondering if anyone else has gotten pens shipped to them and whether you had any problems.
 
Depending on where you get them, most places pack them with a cold pack. I never ordered just one though. Box of five from Marks is much more cost effective. Now is the time to stock before temperature gets to cold.

I see Gomez is still a bit high during the curve, will you be increasing soon?
 
Olive & Paula said:
I see Gomez is still a bit high during the curve, will you be increasing soon?
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Yes, I will be increasing to 2.5 units, but not for a couple more days. I am concerned that I have gone from 1 unit to 2 units very quickly. I want to make sure that 2.5 is necessary. This morning, when I took the +2, I got a reading of 118. I panicked and gave him about 10 pieces of Royal Canin dry. After I fed him, I decided to check him on the AlphaTrak and when that was considerably higher, I rechecked on the people meter. Apparently the first people meter reading was a fluke, but by that time, I had already given him the high carb food. I am actually pleased that his numbers haven't been higher today.

I have a real fear of hypoglycemia. I had a cat who had a diabetic seizure and it was one of the most horrible things I have experienced with a cat. I definitely don't ever want to see that happen again.

About using Mark's Pharmacy - how long does the shipment usually take? I saw references to 8 days to 3 weeks on their web site.
 
FluffBunny said:
Yes, I will be increasing to 2.5 units, but not for a couple more days. I am concerned that I have gone from 1 unit to 2 units very quickly. I want to make sure that 2.5 is necessary. This morning, when I took the +2, I got a reading of 118. I panicked and gave him about 10 pieces of Royal Canin dry. After I fed him, I decided to check him on the AlphaTrak and when that was considerably higher, I rechecked on the people meter. Apparently the first people meter reading was a fluke, but by that time, I had already given him the high carb food. I am actually pleased that his numbers haven't been higher today.

I have a real fear of hypoglycemia. I had a cat who had a diabetic seizure and it was one of the most horrible things I have experienced with a cat. I definitely don't ever want to see that happen again.

About using Mark's Pharmacy - how long does the shipment usually take? I saw references to 8 days to 3 weeks on their web site.
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Have you checked the Supply Closet, I have heard that Alan Hamman is very reliable and trust worthy, but I have never bought from him. I have heard that you can buy single pens from him. I buy from Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Canada, but you cannot buy singles there.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
Have you checked the Supply Closet, I have heard that Alan Hamman is very reliable and trust worthy, but I have never bought from him. I have heard that you can buy single pens from him. I buy from Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Canada, but you cannot buy singles there.
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They have single pens for $49.95
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
Have you checked the Supply Closet, I have heard that Alan Hamman is very reliable and trust worthy, but I have never bought from him. I have heard that you can buy single pens from him. I buy from Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Canada, but you cannot buy singles there.
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Actually you can buy singles from Marks. I did. They didn't mind at all.
 
Increases are done in .25 increments. If you don't use calipers you have to eyeball it. I never heard of taking 3 weeks from Marks. They do not ship insulin on Fridays.
 
Olive & Paula said:
Increases are done in .25 increments. If you don't use calipers you have to eyeball it.
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Yes. I mis-spoke. When I increase, it will be to 2.25. The reason I'm delaying is that I have actually gotten Gomez to eat Fancy Feast canned food! I also got some Young Again dry food which he really likes. I want to feed him the zero/low carb food for a few days to see what impact that has on his numbers before I increase his dose. Right now I am still giving him some Royal Canin dry with the Young Again. I don't want to upset his tummy with too quick a change.

Another thing -- If you look at my spreadsheet, you will see multiple numbers at +2 and PMPS. In both cases, my first stick gave me a number that was considerably lower than I expected. The next two sticks each time were more in line with my expectations. Is this common or do I have a problem with my meter? I checked it with control solution and it was okay.
 
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FluffBunny said:
Does anyone know how long the shipment takes? How long is the insulin in transit?
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Usually about a week…..if you order on Friday, it'll go out on Monday and probably be in your mailbox Thursday or Friday. (their statement on the website about up to 3 weeks is more for non-perishable drugs)

Marks also puts a special temperature gauge in with the insulin that will tell you if it's been exposed to over 80 degrees and if so, for how long.

They do send a lot of insulin to the US, so they know what they're doing when they ship.
 
I can't answer regarding your ss. I was wondering what all the numbers were. I use the same meter and have the AT as back up. As long as Olive's numbers are somewhat consistent I don't make myself crazy.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I did not know that, learned something new. What did they charge for shipping.
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I paid their express shipping charge plus the $10 extra for a styrofoam cooler since it was in a heatwave of summer. I just looked at their site and it looks like $25 shipping for up to $500 of meds.
 
Beck and Grandpa said:
I paid their express shipping charge plus the $10 extra for a styrofoam cooler since it was in a heatwave of summer. I just looked at their site and it looks like $25 shipping for up to $500 of meds.
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By the time that you pay for the shipping even if you buy 5 pens, it really changes the cost. I thought maybe the shipping would be different, I should have known.
 
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