Weird Insulin Q: NOT Gestational Diabetes Specific

[amldaley]

Dr has upped my insulin again to 10 units 1 x 24 hours. I started off at 6 units based on my weight.

I know that 10 units is still not a whole lot based on what I have read - in some types of Diabetes, people are taking 100 units, etc.

But we have seen minimal effect so far...and I am wondering if the insulin bottle itself is bad?

I received the 'script and had it filled immediately. I did not know it needed to be refridgerated nor did the pharmacy bother to tell me. I went out to my car and looked at it and noticed the label.

It was 55 degrees that day. I had to run errands etc. It stayed in my car, down on the floor in the shade for about an hour, maybe a little more. I took it to work and put it in a fridge there but the fridge there is not super cold.

Brought it home, which meant another 45 minutes or so out of refridgeration.

Is it possible that this spoiled the efficacy of the insulin?

I know we have some insulin experienced posters here - all info is appreciated...does not have to be GD specific!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS!

[Seitvonzu]

i would not think that that amount of time out of the fridge would have caused it to go "bad" --but i've been away from bottled insulin for about 4 years now (i use insulin in pens and they do not have to be refridgerated for short term storage (short meaning about a month ;))....

long acting insulin (i'm assuming that's what you have since you are only using it once a day?) doesn't always work in a linear/precisely predictable fashion-- so it might just be that you need to keep tweaking your dose upward until you get the results you want.

it could be the insulin though- but i was told that it was probably okay so long as it wasn't "cloudy" or otherwise off-seeming.

[amldaley]

i would not think that that amount of time out of the fridge would have caused it to go "bad" --but i've been away from bottled insulin for about 4 years now (i use insulin in pens and they do not have to be refridgerated for short term storage (short meaning about a month ;))....

long acting insulin (i'm assuming that's what you have since you are only using it once a day?) doesn't always work in a linear/precisely predictable fashion-- so it might just be that you need to keep tweaking your dose upward until you get the results you want.

it could be the insulin though- but i was told that it was probably okay so long as it wasn't "cloudy" or otherwise off-seeming.

Thanks! Yes - it is long acting...but it is cloudy - long acting is cloudy vs clear.

I only have 5 more weeks, so I guess we will keep tweaking.

[BabyDahl]

Depending on the type of insulin, vials are usually good for 28 days out of the frig, as long as it isn't really warm (like 80 degrees). Sounds like the vial should be fine.

[ladysoapmaker]

my DH is a type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent) and until he got his pump he generally would keep his insulin (both short term & long term) in a pouch on his hip. Only once did he have an issue but that bottle of long acting insulin was past it's expiration date.

I wouldn't worry about 45 mins out in a car.

It can take several tweaks to get the correct amount of insulin your body needs. (DH just had to change his setting on his pump after nearly 9 months as his BS went too high again)

Jen

[amldaley]

Depending on the type of insulin, vials are usually good for 28 days out of the frig, as long as it isn't really warm (like 80 degrees). Sounds like the vial should be fine.

Thanks!

[amldaley]

my DH is a type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent) and until he got his pump he generally would keep his insulin (both short term & long term) in a pouch on his hip. Only once did he have an issue but that bottle of long acting insulin was past it's expiration date.

I wouldn't worry about 45 mins out in a car.

It can take several tweaks to get the correct amount of insulin your body needs. (DH just had to change his setting on his pump after nearly 9 months as his BS went too high again)

Jen

Thanks! That is a relief. Hope your DH finds his ideal number.

Weirdly...I increased to 10 last night and my fasting BS was SUPER HIGH this a.m. ARRRRGHHHHHHHHH!

[dogmom]

Depending on the type of insulin, vials are usually good for 28 days out of the frig, as long as it isn't really warm (like 80 degrees). Sounds like the vial should be fine.

Second that. It's the rule at the hospital I work at. We don't keep our open bottles in refrigeration any more. It's very well established. And I would imagine if the rule is 28-30 days it is probably good for longer.

[Beth24]

Thanks! That is a relief. Hope your DH finds his ideal number.

Weirdly...I increased to 10 last night and my fasting BS was SUPER HIGH this a.m. ARRRRGHHHHHHHHH!

Ugh, so frustrating!!!!