Advice needed for carrying meds

[HaYWiRe]

Right, as winter is on his way (although it feels like it never left from last year...) riding time has dwindled down due to recent flooding, but I do plan to make the most of some cold crisp days

However cold weather brings just as many problems as hot weather with carrying my basic Diabetic supplies needed 24/7. Electronics need to keep dry, blood testing strips at room temp, and Insulin, ofcourse the most important, needs to keep cool but not too cold as it can freeze

Now I'm not sure a solution exists, but its worth a punt. I normally keep everything in a little soft drawstring bag, either in my jersey where the wind keeps them cool, but I risk body temp overheating my pens.
Or in a bag (when I carry one), shaded and near a cold bladder on hot day.

Are there any solutions to keeping them at an ideal temps when outside is below freezing and my core is overheating?
Insulated bag or case maybe?
Waterproof and impact protection are a bonus too, as well as actually having reasonably quick access when needed

And ofcourse I'm counting grams....but that might be too picky

[Bearbonesnorm]

Would a Padded Cell from AlpKit do the job?

https://www.alpkit.com/products/padded-cell

[HaYWiRe]

How did I not know these exist?

Looks like it'll have excellent thermal properties, or at least balance temperature nicely
I wonder if the cell 1 is both big enough for supplies but will fit in a jersey, ill have to stick a pair on order to see

[Justchris]

Get an script for Trueone test strips. It has a built in glucose meter. Put in a zip lock. Put your pen tips in the strip container. Bring a spare.

Insulin won't free unless your doing the iditarod trail. Minus fifteen is usual freeze point. If you have an ergo pen it's actually insulated. Disposable pens are not. But that's only for storage. Once the cold chain is broken ie above 8`c for an hour, most insulins are good for 3 months. Gargaline and the exenatide derivitives are not. I would be storing it in a frame bag or saddlebag. If you take a tumble (which most mountain bikers do every now and then) you could easily damage your pen if you land on it.

[voodoo_simon]

Completely ' out there' with my idea as I'm not sure how much space your kit needs, but what about a wide neck thermal flask and attach it to your frame? Will keep the contents dry and at the correct temperature

I've probably missed the point somewhat...

[welshwhit]

Something like this inside the padded cell may add the impact/water protection plus some thermal insulation to boot

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291539506477? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Drew

[HaYWiRe]

Get an script for Trueone test strips. It has a built in glucose meter. Put in a zip lock. Put your pen tips in the strip container. Bring a spare.

Insulin won't free unless your doing the iditarod trail. Minus fifteen is usual freeze point. If you have an ergo pen it's actually insulated. Disposable pens are not. But that's only for storage. Once the cold chain is broken ie above 8`c for an hour, most insulins are good for 3 months. Gargaline and the exenatide derivitives are not. I would be storing it in a frame bag or saddlebag. If you take a tumble (which most mountain bikers do every now and then) you could easily damage your pen if you land on it.

May I ask how you know all this? Your post has more info on insulin than my GP has given me in 4 years....though that tells you more about my GP than anything else...

Both my pens run out in 2 weeks on average doses anyways, I've never worried about expiring out the fridge.
I've only ever lost 1 pen to heat,thing went like jelly in the pen, since then I've been a little over paranoid. That and the only thing I've gone from is the strict text on the box

My tester is already pretty small luckily, and easy to read, I just wish the test strip pots were smaller sometimes, otherwise its very easy carry. I used to use one of the stripless monitors with cassettes but results were unreliable

I think the whole lot (pen, tester, strips, lancet, 6 needles) comes to no bigger than 7" x 2" x 1" or a tad,bigger than my smartphone

[HopeValleyPaul]

I went to one of Jerry Gores lectures a while a go where he talked about the logistics of diabetes in alpine environments, I can't find any specific links (yet) but could be worth looking into.


https://www.thebmc.co.uk/jerry-gores-ch ... est-routes

[HopeValleyPaul]

Thanks to this non-profit support network, I now have the tools and knowledge that allow me to venture into extreme environments with confidence. I wear a fleece pouch around my neck which keeps my blood tester warm.A fleece pocket for my insulin pen prevents the insulin from freezing"


from
https://www.idf.org/sites/default/files ... _20_en.pdf

[YetiTony]

Very interesting reading that Jerry Gore article.
As a Type 1 diabetic myself, its easy to let the disease take a hold of you and control your life. At the end of the day it is basically understanding what you are consuming, what you need to do to counteract that and how exercise affects those scenarios.
Moderate exercise for short periods of time seems to have little effect but high intensity or prolonged periods of time drops my sugars significantly. This was noticed doing the Welsh Ride Thing and things like the Fred Whitton. But you learn from it and adapt.

I carry my blood kit and pens in my backpack in a thermal bag (similar to the alpkit one above). In the UK I have never had a problem with the insulin freezing or going off. It can survive outside the fridge for a month so that should be fine. If you have throw away pens I would talk to the specialist about getting a cartridge version as they are more robust and insulated. I do not tend to do much winter outings though.

Good to see other diabetics out there enjoying life and not letting it control them.

[Justchris]

Get an script for Trueone test strips. It has a built in glucose meter. Put in a zip lock. Put your pen tips in the strip container. Bring a spare.

Insulin won't free unless your doing the iditarod trail. Minus fifteen is usual freeze point. If you have an ergo pen it's actually insulated. Disposable pens are not. But that's only for storage. Once the cold chain is broken ie above 8`c for an hour, most insulins are good for 3 months. Gargaline and the exenatide derivitives are not. I would be storing it in a frame bag or saddlebag. If you take a tumble (which most mountain bikers do every now and then) you could easily damage your pen if you land on it.

May I ask how you know all this? Your post has more info on insulin than my GP has given me in 4 years....though that tells you more about my GP than anything else...

Both my pens run out in 2 weeks on average doses anyways, I've never worried about expiring out the fridge.
I've only ever lost 1 pen to heat,thing went like jelly in the pen, since then I've been a little over paranoid. That and the only thing I've gone from is the strict text on the box

My tester is already pretty small luckily, and easy to read, I just wish the test strip pots were smaller sometimes, otherwise its very easy carry. I used to use one of the stripless monitors with cassettes but results were unreliable

I think the whole lot (pen, tester, strips, lancet, 6 needles) comes to no bigger than 7" x 2" x 1" or a tad,bigger than my smartphone

Pharmacist. prescriber in diabeties. Mostly type 2's. What are you using at the moment exactly. And I can suggest some changes to lose bulk and weight. You may want to pm me.

Cheers

Chris

[Justchris]

Very interesting reading that Jerry Gore article.
As a Type 1 diabetic myself, its easy to let the disease take a hold of you and control your life. At the end of the day it is basically understanding what you are consuming, what you need to do to counteract that and how exercise affects those scenarios.
Moderate exercise for short periods of time seems to have little effect but high intensity or prolonged periods of time drops my sugars significantly. This was noticed doing the Welsh Ride Thing and things like the Fred Whitton. But you learn from it and adapt.

I carry my blood kit and pens in my backpack in a thermal bag (similar to the alpkit one above). In the UK I have never had a problem with the insulin freezing or going off. It can survive outside the fridge for a month so that should be fine. If you have throw away pens I would talk to the specialist about getting a cartridge version as they are more robust and insulated. I do not tend to do much winter outings though.

Good to see other diabetics out there enjoying life and not letting it control them.

Agree. Ergo pens are better than disposable in every way.

Chris

[HaYWiRe]

I've always considered becoming type 1 the best, worst thing to happen to me.
There's control and struggle, but its been my biggest driving force in trying to be fitter and healthier, even if its lack of choice

I'm definitely on the stricter end of diets, but I'm healthier for it, and healthy means happy. Although I still struggle with weight loss (cant put on weight)

Exercise brings me the most control, and I'm at my best cycling 30-70mi a day for week straight, good an excuse as any I guess. Next year I hope to cycle for charity, do my bit sorta thing.

And JustChris, I may get in touch sometime if you don't mind, it would be nice to get more info on insulin, or at least what it can survive/tolerate. I'm always fascinated.

[Justchris]

Sent you a pm.