8/26, Bell, AMPS 246, +2.5 225, +5 223, PMPS 206

Seth&Bell

Very Active Member
Yesterday

Well it has been somewhat of a fight this morning to convince my vet to give me a prescription for Lantus pens. They say the pens don't last long and they don't like using them... They want me to keep using their repackaged insulin. I'm guessing (and hoping) they are just misinformed on this point. I told the tech on the phone that even IF the pens didn't last as long, it was still cheaper than their insulin. Plus, because I am testing daily, I'd be able to detect if the insulin stopped working.

I know, based on all the information here, the pens have lasted folks upwards of 5 or 6 months, so I don't need convincing of that. Just a little frustrated. I'm going to try to get a break from work today to stop by the vet and work it out. I may have to use some of their repackaged stuff in the meantime, though. I literally used up my last drop of insulin today. Ugh. A bit stressed and frustrated.
 
"Don't even think about it"
upload_2024-8-26_11-21-16.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2024-8-26_11-21-16.png
    upload_2024-8-26_11-21-16.png
    415.1 KB · Views: 34
Vet talked to the pharmacist and advised to throw the pen away 28 days after the first use (sure… ;)). But agreed to the script with a refill.

I will pursue the awesome deal Staci informed me of for my next round, I didn’t want to rock the boat anymore today. The tech seemed extremely surprised and slightly embarrassed how much cheaper it was than the clinic’s.
 
Vet talked to the pharmacist and advised to throw the pen away 28 days after the first use (sure… ;)). But agreed to the script with a refill.

I will pursue the awesome deal Staci informed me of for my next round, I didn’t want to rock the boat anymore today. The tech seemed extremely surprised and slightly embarrassed how much cheaper it was than the clinic’s.
That’s such nonsense they are telling you. It’s really crazy.
The pharmacist who sold me the first vial also told me after 28 days it was no good.
Luckily I landed here before that and saved myself from throwing a mostly unused vial of $300 Lantus in the garbage :spam::spam::spam:

You’re smart to pick your battles. But soon just tell them you want the script so you can make sure you don’t run out and want to be prepared in advance.

Argh. I hate how incompetent and naive these folks are.
I’m very glad you got what you needed for Bell. Great job.
And cone off?? Looks like she’s using it as a floor mat :p:p
 
Thanks so much Staci!

Yeah, I planted the seed today when I talked to the tech by saying I’d like a script, just so I don’t run into another situation like this where I don’t have the ability to get insulin on the weekend when the vet is closed. The tech was receptive to this and just said that I’d have to let them know what form (pen or vial) to write the script for, since they can’t just give me one that is for getting whatever form/amount of glargine I want. So maybe that will allow me to have them craft the script in the form needed to get thru the proper hoops. I think they want to see if the pen works ok, since they aren’t used to patients using it. I’ll have all the data they want!

When the tech seemed shocked at how “cheap” the pen from Chewy was, I told her about the 5 pens for $35 deal which she thought was unbelievable. I think I made her feel bad for charging me so much. She was very sympathetic to making this as affordable as I can. I take Bell in tomorrow for her rupture recheck, so I may put some feelers out when I see the vet. I know I shouldn’t have to tiptoe around this stuff, but I’m also grateful they have been really hands off as far as my insulin dosing of Bell, and agreed to let me use a human meter even after pushing me to use the Alphatrak. So I’m reallllllllly trying not to sound like the annoying “I know better than the dr” person.

But sometimes I do want to scream. Seems like I would have a better hit rate assuming everything they tell me about diabetes is wrong than I would assuming it was right.
 
I am still paranoid enough about her reopening the rupture that I’m just doing supervised cone breaks. But it does really look fully healed. I am 99% sure that the vet will give me the ok to take the cone off tomorrow, but I’m gonna wait til then.

Whenever I take it off her, she immediately runs over and lays on it, like, “don’t even think about putting this back on me!”
 
Thanks so much Staci!

Yeah, I planted the seed today when I talked to the tech by saying I’d like a script, just so I don’t run into another situation like this where I don’t have the ability to get insulin on the weekend when the vet is closed. The tech was receptive to this and just said that I’d have to let them know what form (pen or vial) to write the script for, since they can’t just give me one that is for getting whatever form/amount of glargine I want. So maybe that will allow me to have them craft the script in the form needed to get thru the proper hoops. I think they want to see if the pen works ok, since they aren’t used to patients using it. I’ll have all the data they want!

When the tech seemed shocked at how “cheap” the pen from Chewy was, I told her about the 5 pens for $35 deal which she thought was unbelievable. I think I made her feel bad for charging me so much. She was very sympathetic to making this as affordable as I can. I take Bell in tomorrow for her rupture recheck, so I may put some feelers out when I see the vet. I know I shouldn’t have to tiptoe around this stuff, but I’m also grateful they have been really hands off as far as my insulin dosing of Bell, and agreed to let me use a human meter even after pushing me to use the Alphatrak. So I’m reallllllllly trying not to sound like the annoying “I know better than the dr” person.

But sometimes I do want to scream. Seems like I would have a better hit rate assuming everything they tell me about diabetes is wrong than I would assuming it was right.
I think your gentle approach is wise. Good job and good luck tomorrow. Let us know how it goes.
None of the offices I’ve used has a clue what insulin costs or how to get it either. It’s actually very sad they have no idea what we go through. :spam:
 
Back
Top