Carrying Diabetes Supplies

[Augusto86]

This is one of those post where the problem is

, but as a diabetic I find the whole issue of carrying diabetes supplies very annoying. Insulin is usually fine, as the pen/needle can fit in a pen pocket. But then the meter is this big bulky ****** that throws off the line of any trouser or jacket pocket it goes in - and then I have to get a bag, but then I have to carry the bag everywhere to no purpose, and in Egypt that means it constantly gets searched and I have to explain why I have needles!!!

Do any diabetic steezers have a way to carry their **** around stylishly?

 

[rdawson808]

The best I can do for you is to suggest a smaller meter. I used to have one from...gosh, I can't even remember it's been so long. J&J? But the meter itself was long and thin--like a pen. It was held in a small case like a pencil case. Very unobtrusive. I don't think it's made anymore.

My saving grace is that my wife carries my meter in her purse when we're out together in any sort of situation where I can't carry a bag or case. Or I test before I leave the car at a nice dinner, etc. Traveling about, I just carry everything in a messenger bag. My current meter is a One Touch Ultra which comes with a little soft-sided bag that holds it, the strips, and the lancing device. One Touch also makes something called the Ultra Mini.

A solution for the insulin and syringes is to get a pump. Which could be a solution to other problems as well, as it was for me.

23 years and a 6.7 A1C.

bob

 

[Augusto86]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

The best I can do for you is to suggest a smaller meter. I used to have one from...gosh, I can't even remember it's been so long. J&J? But the meter itself was long and thin--like a pen. It was held in a small case like a pencil case. Very unobtrusive. I don't think it's made anymore. My saving grace is that my wife carries my meter in her purse when we're out together in any sort of situation where I can't carry a bag or case. Or I test before I leave the car at a nice dinner, etc. Traveling about, I just carry everything in a messenger bag. My current meter is a One Touch Ultra which comes with a little soft-sided bag that holds it, the strips, and the lancing device. One Touch also makes something called the Ultra Mini. A solution for the insulin and syringes is to get a pump. Which could be a solution to other problems as well, as it was for me. 23 years and a 6.7 A1C. bob
I'm looking into the pump. $$ is a factor, as is my tendency to lose/break personal electronics, and the toss-and-turn way in which I sleep. But it's probably better than the needles scattered all over my dorm! 5 years and a 6.6 A1C. Kudos to you man - considering the state of diabetic care in 1984, I'm insanely impressed!!!

 

[TheHoff]

My wife is a diabetic. I had a custom case made for her by leathergoodsconnection.com -- it turned out nice but bigger than I wanted. She also is looking for an easier way to carry her testing supplies as the normal cases do not fit in her smaller purses. Not that her purses matter much to you... but I did find a small meter that also had a very small lancer that I used for her custom case -- the One Touch Ultra-Mini: http://www.lifescan.com/products/meters/ultramini/ I think it was like $15 or $20, worth it for a small travel unit.

 

[rdawson808]

Originally Posted by Augusto86

I'm looking into the pump. $$ is a factor, as is my tendency to lose/break personal electronics, and the toss-and-turn way in which I sleep.

But it's probably better than the needles scattered all over my dorm!

5 years and a 6.6 A1C. Kudos to you man - considering the state of diabetic care in 1984, I'm insanely impressed!!!

6.6, huh, you're doing better than me. I'm aiming for more like 6.0 but just haven't managed it because I LOVE to eat.

Anyway, I toss-and-turn in my sleep too and have little problem with the pump itself. it's pretty small. Rather, the thing you keep it in can be the problem. I have a Medtronic that I wear in a slide-in clip that is a bit bulky. So it can be a pain to sleep in. But they have a much slimmer (and kinda fragile) clip that you can wear it in which I prefer. I just need to buy a couple more.

Yes, the $$ is a huge issue. Check your insurance's coverage of durable medical supplies. I luckily just changed to one that covers 100%. Prior to this I was paying about $250-$270 every three months or so out of pocket.

Good luck with it. Of course, none of this solves your bulky meter problem.

bob

 

[passingtime]

There is a meter by Abbott, Optimum Xceed in the UK or Precision Xtra in the US, that is small and has foil wrapped strips rather than a canister. It's the one that does blood ketones as well. Since the strips are flat and the meter is slim I carry that when I don't want to carry the usual kit.

 

[HORNS]

This is a White People Problem!

Wait, not it's not.

Seriously, I'll ask the multitude of diabetics that I'm around to see what they do and if I can relay any pearls of wisdom.

 

[Gibonius]

Weird thread to get necro-bumped.


The pump made things easier. No more syringes to carry and I can use the continuous glucose monitor as well. My regular meter isn't especially small, but I usually just give the case to my wife to carry around. I don't have a very good solution beyond that.

My insurance has a pretty limited formulary, so my meter choices are limited. Even moreso because I want one that communicates wirelessly with my pump.