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Buying Insulin Pen Online?

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  • 15-08-2012 12:07pm
    #1
    Louisa2
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭


    Hi,

    I'm a type one diabetic and currently on the novopen jnr. for half doses as I'm really insulin sensitive. I love the look of the novopen echo because I have had way to many hypos (and bad ones at that) from thinking I hadn't bolused for something when I did.

    I have asked my doctor on numerous occasions to change me to the echo which he refuses to do because he thinks it's a gimmick and thinks I should be able to remember whether or not I've injected. So, I was on amazon the other day found an echo. I am seriously considering buying one and just using my novorapid cartridges with it.

    My question is has anyone ever bought anything D-related online? Is it safe?

    Also, my BF, like me, is a med. student and he is enthralled by how it feels to have an insulin injection (weird, I know) so I was wondering if it's possible to get saline cartridges for insulin pens for me people to try? I'd let him have a go with an old pen! Wouldn't really be the best to give him insulin or an air shot!

    One last question. About 3 weeks ago I was in Dublin for the day. I go to college in Dub. but live in Waterford so only had enough supplies to last me the day. I was of course mugged. Bye bye phone and most importantly insulin and glucometer. Thankfully my purse was in my coat pocket! Because I didn't want to end up with a dreadful hyper and risk DKA I went straight to Boots in Steven's green and begged them for an insulin pen. The pharmacist was very reluctant to give me anything. Asked for my LTI Book (was at home) and LTI number (was in my diabetes stuff, in the stolen bag)! She seemed to not believe me that I had type one and would not dispense anything. I gave in, bought the accuchek aviva to monitor the BS for the day and arrived home with a blood sugar of 22 and feeling so lousy. Is there anything you can do in this situation?


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    #2
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,094 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    I totally understand the not remembering if you have injected a bolus or not. It's something that you do multiple times a day and just becomes routine so your memory doesn't need to fill itself up with remembering such mundane things. When on injections I would often forget or not be sure if I had bolused until it became obvious a couple of hours later with the high BG.
    I'm trying to think of an example you could give back to the GP to get him to see what you are on about but am struggling for a good example at the moment. Does he remember every single drink of water that he has through the day? Bad example but there must be something that could be used to make the point to him.

    Do you see any diabetes specialist nurse? I find them to be far more accommodating and understanding of any diabetes related issues. They will also have piles of free stuff from the various manufacturers that they will be able to give you for free. I only ever see a doctor for getting actual prescriptions signed for test strips and insulin. The make and model of any equipment, the brand of test strips, even a lot of the time the type and dose of insulin, is all discussed with the specialist nurse before the doctor who then just signs off on it. Things like the pen are not prescription items anyway so I wouldn't expect the doctor to have any involvement with that, he just needs to sign the prescriptions for the appropriate cartridges for the device.

    Regarding the loss of your supplies, did you get the chemist in Dublin to phone up your normal branch. If they are feeling very friendly then they might help you out with test strips if its the same chain. Otherwise go along to the nearest GP or the hospital if out of hours. If you do not have your diabetes kit and insulin on you after being mugged then that counts as an emergency.


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    #3
    ElBarco
    Registered Users Posts: 414 ✭✭ElBarco


    I've been stuck trying to get supplies from a pharmacy away from home. I've done it but it does take a bit of fast talking.

    I'd suggest not using Boots as they are far more likely to have a corporate line they won't deviate from. One of the smaller chains is more likely to help, at the very least they'll be quicker to pick up the phone and speak to your own chemist.


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    #4
    graflynn
    Registered Users Posts: 499 ✭✭graflynn


    Hi Louisa2,

    There is an irish product on the market now that you clip on to your pen and records the last time you used it. It's called insulcheck. You can find out more on the website www.insulcheck.com and the ad in Diabetes Ireland says the if you hare a member you can avail of a 20% discount. This may help!

    If you're going to start buying insulin online it's going to get messy with the finances and the HSE don't adapt easily.

    A tip worth remembering (but I hope lightening doesn't strike twice for you) is that the nearest A&E would have a supply of insulin and my be able to help you out when you are stuck.

    Good luck.


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    #5
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,813 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Louisa2 wrote: »
    I have asked my doctor on numerous occasions to change me to the echo which he refuses to do because he thinks it's a gimmick and thinks I should be able to remember whether or not I've injected. So, I was on amazon the other day found an echo. I am seriously considering buying one and just using my novorapid cartridges with it.
    You could get a GP to put it on a prescription and submit it to the HSE for your LTI book, alternatively, just go into your regular chemist and ask them to order it, presuming your regular pen is on your LTI, they shouldn't have an issue with a mild deviation.
    My question is has anyone ever bought anything D-related online? Is it safe?
    Once form a reputable supplier, I can't see the issue but buyer beware as they always say.
    One last question. About 3 weeks ago I was in Dublin for the day. I go to college in Dub. but live in Waterford so only had enough supplies to last me the day. I was of course mugged. Bye bye phone and most importantly insulin and glucometer. Thankfully my purse was in my coat pocket! Because I didn't want to end up with a dreadful hyper and risk DKA I went straight to Boots in Steven's green and begged them for an insulin pen. The pharmacist was very reluctant to give me anything. Asked for my LTI Book (was at home) and LTI number (was in my diabetes stuff, in the stolen bag)! She seemed to not believe me that I had type one and would not dispense anything. I gave in, bought the accuchek aviva to monitor the BS for the day and arrived home with a blood sugar of 22 and feeling so lousy. Is there anything you can do in this situation?
    Chemist was a bit of a dick, if you can get your LTI number they can check what your covered for online, while the system is open to abuse, I have never met a chemist who has refused once you explain the situation, the worst I had was on holiday where I had to pay but thats not a big deal in the long run.
    graflynn wrote: »
    A tip worth remembering (but I hope lightening doesn't strike twice for you) is that the nearest A&E would have a supply of insulin and my be able to help you out when you are stuck.
    Happened to me once where I brought a friend in to A&E, nurse can't give you anything, and even after the doctor called over to me twice, I couldn't get any. Once my friend was OK, 8 hours later, I got a taxi home as I started to go into DKA. Its a hit and miss thing but it wasn't pleasant for me. I showed them my glucometer and they just kept saying they had to wait for the doctor, who came to me but then left and had written nothing down so even after being seen they couldn't do anything.

    I wish they would give nurses a bit more respect and let them make judgement calls in this country.


  • Options
    #6
    Louisa2
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭Louisa2


    Thank You all so much for your reply. SO nice to see that there's a little type 1 community here on boards. I literally know nobody else who has type 1.
    graflynn wrote: »
    Hi Louisa2,

    There is an irish product on the market now that you clip on to your pen and records the last time you used it. It's called insulcheck. You can find out more on the website www.insulcheck.com and the ad in Diabetes Ireland says the if you hare a member you can avail of a 20% discount. This may help!

    If you're going to start buying insulin online it's going to get messy with the finances and the HSE don't adapt easily.

    A tip worth remembering (but I hope lightening doesn't strike twice for you) is that the nearest A&E would have a supply of insulin and my be able to help you out when you are stuck.

    Good luck.

    I wouldn't actually be buying insulin online. Just the pen.
    robinph wrote: »
    I totally understand the not remembering if you have injected a bolus or not. It's something that you do multiple times a day and just becomes routine so your memory doesn't need to fill itself up with remembering such mundane things. When on injections I would often forget or not be sure if I had bolused until it became obvious a couple of hours later with the high BG.
    I'm trying to think of an example you could give back to the GP to get him to see what you are on about but am struggling for a good example at the moment. Does he remember every single drink of water that he has through the day? Bad example but there must be something that could be used to make the point to him.

    Do you see any diabetes specialist nurse? I find them to be far more accommodating and understanding of any diabetes related issues. They will also have piles of free stuff from the various manufacturers that they will be able to give you for free. I only ever see a doctor for getting actual prescriptions signed for test strips and insulin. The make and model of any equipment, the brand of test strips, even a lot of the time the type and dose of insulin, is all discussed with the specialist nurse before the doctor who then just signs off on it. Things like the pen are not prescription items anyway so I wouldn't expect the doctor to have any involvement with that, he just needs to sign the prescriptions for the appropriate cartridges for the device.

    Regarding the loss of your supplies, did you get the chemist in Dublin to phone up your normal branch. If they are feeling very friendly then they might help you out with test strips if its the same chain. Otherwise go along to the nearest GP or the hospital if out of hours. If you do not have your diabetes kit and insulin on you after being mugged then that counts as an emergency.

    I do see a diabetes specialist nurse but unfortunately she doesn't have an echo and won't do anything without my doctor approving it!
    CramCycle wrote: »
    You could get a GP to put it on a prescription and submit it to the HSE for your LTI book, alternatively, just go into your regular chemist and ask them to order it, presuming your regular pen is on your LTI, they shouldn't have an issue with a mild deviation.

    Once form a reputable supplier, I can't see the issue but buyer beware as they always say.


    Chemist was a bit of a dick, if you can get your LTI number they can check what your covered for online, while the system is open to abuse, I have never met a chemist who has refused once you explain the situation, the worst I had was on holiday where I had to pay but thats not a big deal in the long run.


    Happened to me once where I brought a friend in to A&E, nurse can't give you anything, and even after the doctor called over to me twice, I couldn't get any. Once my friend was OK, 8 hours later, I got a taxi home as I started to go into DKA. Its a hit and miss thing but it wasn't pleasant for me. I showed them my glucometer and they just kept saying they had to wait for the doctor, who came to me but then left and had written nothing down so even after being seen they couldn't do anything.

    I wish they would give nurses a bit more respect and let them make judgement calls in this country.

    You don't happen to have the link of the reputable supplier do you? So desperate to get an echo at this stage!

    Thank you all again! :)


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    #7
    ants09
    Registered Users Posts: 709 ✭✭✭ants09


    Louisa2 wrote: »
    Hi,

    One last question. About 3 weeks ago I was in Dublin for the day. I go to college in Dub. but live in Waterford so only had enough supplies to last me the day. I was of course mugged. Bye bye phone and most importantly insulin and glucometer. Thankfully my purse was in my coat pocket! Because I didn't want to end up with a dreadful hyper and risk DKA I went straight to Boots in Steven's green and begged them for an insulin pen. The pharmacist was very reluctant to give me anything. Asked for my LTI Book (was at home) and LTI number (was in my diabetes stuff, in the stolen bag)! She seemed to not believe me that I had type one and would not dispense anything. I gave in, bought the accuchek aviva to monitor the BS for the day and arrived home with a blood sugar of 22 and feeling so lousy. Is there anything you can do in this situation?

    A chemist cant refuse you med's they can supply you with a emergency supply to get you over.

    If you dont have your LTI no they can phone up the chemist you normally go to and find out.

    If it happens again i suggest you contact the diabetic federation of ireland and they be more then happy to help you.

    As regards the pen i cant help you and the same regarding saline viles


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    #8
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,813 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Louisa2 wrote: »
    You don't happen to have the link of the reputable supplier do you? So desperate to get an echo at this stage!

    Best recommendation would be to try and get it added to your LTI card, get your GP to write it up, and submit it to the HSE. With a bit of luck they will approve it and you can order it through your chemist FOC.
    It might not be available here at all though, in which case you are out of luck.
    Other than that, its a case of going abroad and buying it over the counter, or online: http://www.diashop.eu/product2986/product_info.html

    Expensive and have no idea about the company selling them


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    #9
    insu1
    Registered Users Posts: 11 ✭insu1


    Louisa2 wrote: »

    I have asked my doctor on numerous occasions to change me to the echo which he refuses to do because he thinks it's a gimmick and thinks I should be able to remember whether or not I've injected.

    It might be an idea to find another doctor , that one may be broken/faulty/on drugs/too busy looking up cctv equipment :

    ( http://www.newsrt.co.uk/news/spy-in-the-shower-leeds-doctor-is-struck-off-551944.html

    http://www.menshealth.com/health/doctors-drug-addiction )

    A few minutes with a more compatible doctor should result in more progress.

    graflynn wrote: »
    A tip worth remembering (but I hope lightening doesn't strike twice for you) is that the nearest A&E would have a supply of insulin and my be able to help you out when you are stuck.

    If you are beginning to head into difficulty ( esp if alone) you may die while in A&E :

    If you pass out -
    - no guarantee your details will get passed on from initial person to others

    - they are too used to seeing people off their heads on all sorts of things so will probably think you are just another one if you stop making sense.

    - no guarantee they can use a glucose meter properly/what the result mean

    - they might hear hooves and think unicorns never mind zebras


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    #10
    pampootie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭pampootie


    Louisa2 wrote: »
    Because I didn't want to end up with a dreadful hyper and risk DKA I went straight to Boots in Steven's green and begged them for an insulin pen. The pharmacist was very reluctant to give me anything. Asked for my LTI Book (was at home) and LTI number (was in my diabetes stuff, in the stolen bag)! She seemed to not believe me that I had type one and would not dispense anything. I gave in, bought the accuchek aviva to monitor the BS for the day and arrived home with a blood sugar of 22 and feeling so lousy. Is there anything you can do in this situation?

    Hi louisa, can't multi quote on my phone so first of all to ants, a pharmacist can refuse a script for whatever reason they want, they're under no obligation to dispense anything.

    Having said that louisa, that was a bit of a dickish response from that pharmacist. At the very least most pharmacists I know (I am one :) ) would phone a pharmacy you've been in previously to get the lti number or at worst charge you and offer a refund once they can verify the number. Would you call back with the number and request a refund? Can't imagine they'd refuse.


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    #11
    ebixa82
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭ebixa82


    I'm shocked that pharmacist behaved like that.

    All they need is your LTI number which they can get by calling your local pharmacy.

    Why would anyone lie about needing insulin?

    If I was you I would make a complaint to the store manager about the pharmacist. What a dick. Totally uncalled for.

    I've been a pharmacist for 8 years and not once have I even comtemplated refusing a diabetic in need.

    Glucometers are given to pharmacies for free by drug companies.

    Although seeing as it's Boots they may have some strict policies, part of being a money hungry chain. Stick with Independent pharmacies, you'll get a much better service.


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    #12
    insu1
    Registered Users Posts: 11 ✭insu1


    "The five-day hearing at Stourport-on-Severn was told Mrs Pitt, from Redditch, died from brain damage and low blood sugar levels"

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-18547434


    She was just one of 24,000 slaughtered in the UK :

    "Many of you will have heard the news (14th Dec 2011) when Dr Young reported on the National Audit findings that revealed 24,000 avoidable deaths of people with diabetes and where he made a number of recommendations"

    - http://www.institute.nhs.uk/news/thinkglucose/diabetes_deaths_can_be_avoided.html



    http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/Services/NCASP/Diabetes/New%20web%20documents/NHS_Diabetes_Audit_Mortality_Report_2011_V3_0_2_.pdf


    .


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    #13
    locum-motion
    Registered Users Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    CramCycle wrote: »
    ...if you can get your LTI number they can check what your covered for online...

    No they can't. With an LTI number (or for that matter a GMS number or DPS number or HAA number) all that can be checked online is validity. The online checker gives a result like this:
    Card Number 12345 is VALID on the LTI scheme.
    Valid from dd/mm/yyyy
    Valid until dd/mm/yyyy
    Patient's DOB dd/mm/yyyy

    You cannot check which items are covered under a particular patient's LTI authorisation.

    But, Yes, the pharmacist was being, as you said, a bit of a dick. In that situation, the pharmacist should do whatever is necessary to ascertain what the patient needs, which normally involves a quick call to their usual pharmacy (assuming they're open), and the law includes a provision for supplying perscription only medicines without a prescription in a genuine emergency.


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    #14
    locum-motion
    Registered Users Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    Louisa2 wrote: »
    ...
    I wouldn't actually be buying insulin online. Just the pen.
    ...

    Glad to hear it. Just so you know, buying insulin or any meds online is illegal in this country anyway.


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    #15
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,813 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    locum-motion wrote: »
    No they can't. With an LTI number (or for that matter a GMS number or DPS number or HAA number) all that can be checked online is validity. The online checker gives a result like this

    Apologies, I should have said they can ring your pharmacy who has seen your LTI card and confirm what is authorised on it.


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