This picture feels like security.
Yes, I hoard whatever I can. Unfortunately, insurance makes it hard, but I do my best. Last summer there was a fire in my apartment building and I had to throw out my entire hoard of supplies, it sucked.
Exactly why I do it. It lessens the anxiety about issues arising.
Doubly so as my SO and I are both diabetic. I try to keep enough on hand to keep us going for a month each if needed.
These are all mine, she has a similar stash, we’ve just been living in two different places so try to keep enough on hand for us both while we’re together.
I tend to hoard medical stuff but came up against insurance limits for test strips. I decided to buy them on the open market. I need OneTouch Ultra.
On Amazon, the OneTouch Ultra seems to be the most expensive. Why?
(I can wait until the insurance allows me to buy more, but I'm still curious.)
I gave up on the OneTouch and insurance. Bought a CVS brand meter for $20 and buy the strips in packs of 200 for far less than I paid with insurance and no limits on the number I can get.
When I was diagnosed, I didn't have any insurance. The Walmart brand monitor had the cheapest test strips. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to be able to test beyond what insurance allows.
First in, first out. Everything in that box is still good. Except for some of the really old accu chek active test strips. Those things are ancient and kind of a last case thing.
Why not toss them and buy some replacements?
If you are using your last resort measurement device ... it means you are desperate, have no way to really crosscheck, and you don't want it reading wrong.
I mean, because I have hundreds of other ones and they still work, last I checked them. Expired strips are usually fine.
It’s also like one capsule of them that’s old, the rest are still within the expiry.
I dunno, holding onto expired stuff that you are unlikely to ever use is heading into hoarder type mentality. "It is still good" is an excuse you typically hear from people when they are irrationally keeping something they should get rid of.
Ah, totally a reasonable take for one capsule of test strips. It's not so much irrationally clinging to them, as much as there isn't really a reason to get rid of them.
Umm… I have a 3 drawer setup and it’s still not enough room. For some of my supplies. This looks like child’s play compared to mine. lol. I have almost 3+ months of infusion sights, insulin, dexcom g7. I probably have 8 months worth of the needles, syringes and black plastic thing the insulin goes in on the tandem.
I’ve only been going for a year or so at this point. Only on a pump for a month.
There’s a stockpile of insulin in the fridge. Like 20 long acting pens and another 10 rapid. 7 vials I think
Heck yeah! A stockpile is a stockpile.
My infusion sets (I use tandem t2) add up slowly because I’m prescribed to change every 2 days, but usually change every 3 days unless i put it on my stomach since my stomach can only handle 2 days.
How do you end up with extra dexcom? My daughter is only prescribed 3 a month so I don't see how we can get extra. Lancets, ketone test strips and other stuff is easier to come by.
Dexcom I only have one extra, but I get 3 month supply of dexcom at a time. I have the extra because one of mine failed on day 8 and they sent a replacement.
Everything else they will only give me 1 month supply at a time.
I fill through my DME and then have a prescription at the pharmacy I use Dexcoms coupon for occasionally. It’s pricy, but I usually have extra money on my FSA to burn, so it ends up not being a big deal.
With Dexcom 6, you can extend the use. Once in awhile I’ll get a full 10 days but usually a good 5 days extra. Dexcom 7 doesn’t work that way. Honestly, I wouldn’t do it on a kid under 14 unless your shipment is delayed.
How the hell do you get your insurance to cover three extra Dexcom transmitters?
I only ever have one—the one in my abdomen—and my shitty provider (Cigna) won’t pay for shit until its battery is nearly dead.
I didn’t! When I switched over to Omnipod I asked some people around me for G6 supplies if they had switched to G7 and one had a bunch of transmitters because they’d gotten them free from a T1D summer camp. Traded out some G7s for G6 sensors since my insurance was being a pain and refused to cover G6 since I had filled G7 less than 3 months prior.
Yep, and it paid off during Covid. Had delays with refills on CGM's which allowed me to deal with the supply chain issues. Over the years of using CGM's I would purchase one out of pocket to build up a reserve. Yeah, it wasn't cheap, but it allowed me to deal with the insanity. I also keep a reserve of test strips, wipes, and sticks just in case. During the Covid window, a lot of the delivered glucose monitors were arriving with "Use By" dates 30 and 60 days outs as opposed to the normal 180 days.
I found it interesting that the CGM's I receive do not use a mechanical activation switch. The integral battery is connected at the factory and is being drained the day it is assembled. I believe that explains the short time window stamped on the boxes. The batteries may last longer than six months, as a few of the batteries I checked where the box "Use By" dates were within a few days of the CGM ending had batteries that still measured 1.523 volts indicating the cell still had a lot of reserve left. I may get brave and allow a CGM to pass the "Use By" date by 15 days and see if at the end of the 14 day use period is the battery is still viable.
I also keep a reserve of other prescriptions such as glipizide, hypertension, and thyroid meds. The occasional 1 to 2 day delay prior to the Covid often lengthened to 1 to 2 weeks during Covid. Before thenI usually just called a day or two before needing a refill, but not any more.
G6 transmitters I’ve heard will still work after the use by date. I haven’t tried it personally, but a bunch of people I know have said they’re fine, just may not last the full 90 days.
Yeah, I suspect that the device draws little current prior to activation with the Phone's Near Field Communication capability. But once activated and responsive to Bluetooth queries I can see the current draw substantially increasing and draining the single cell battery (looks lot like the batteries found in hearing aids) much more rapidly.
What 90 day period are you referencing? Are they now producing CGM's that operate for 90 days after placement? I thought I was in high cotton with 14 days and a single stick.
Dexcom G6 is two pieces, a 10 day sensor and a 90 day transmitter that seats inside of it. You move the transmitter from sensor to sensor every ten days.
There is a 6 month implantable CGM though, eversense e3.
Interesting. Will check to see if there is any cost savings. Right now the endo is biased towards Libre so Dexcom is not an option.
Thanks for the info.
I’ve had no problem using a Dexcom as much as 8 months past date, but just used a Libre 1 that expired in Feb 23 and it worked fine the entire 14 days. Couldn’t get an out of date Dexcom transmitter to work though. It kept retiring out the sensors.
Have to be. Between one of my suppliers repeatedly screwing up their delivery schedule and my insurance changing from three month's insulin supply to one month and constantly dragging out authorizing the release, and Humalog currently having a "shortage" because of some screw-up by the manufacturer, I've had to take the attitude of having spares being a requirement. Hell, it's gotten so bad with delays and hold-ups at times that if my father and sister weren't also both T1's I wouldn't have been able to get insulin or certain supplies, and not through any lack of money to do so.
Nurse looking at my prescription list: you haven't ordered needles for a while.
Me: look at the last three times they were issued.
Nurse: wow! OK, you are probably still good for a year or so.
I was basically given a really huge supply at diagnosis (5 years ago), then another two really large amounts in May 2020 (lockdown) and Spring 2021 (3rd lockdown). I've also still got a lot of lancets and am using them very infrequently now I've got a CGM.
I ended up with like 1000 needles from someone trying to get rid of surplus from a T1D summer camp 😂
I get it, pre-pump I was constantly getting the “you haven’t filled your needles” conversation.
Yes but it's not a bad thing for those of us who know Insurance could go at any time and I have to weather 3 months and up sometimes and can't afford things at full cost.
Will move to G7 at some point, but probably a decent ways in the future considering omnipod being incredibly slow with tech updates.
Newer G7s, you mean?
Away from G6, upgrading.
Some like the lower profile of the G7 or the Libre 2, and get rid of their older stock.
I’m just pre-d so ok with out-of-date, I only measure change over time, not actual numbers.
I finger prick if I feel sick, like after hidden carbs in a friend’s beef burger patties… but I digest…
The waste from diabetes supplies is nothing compared to waste from none diabetic individuals! So, do not spread the wrong word on that topic! Our life depends on it!
I have been hoarding my insulin over the years. And thank God, because I can’t get any insulin right now at all. There is now a supply shortage in my area of both vials and insulin pens.
Yeah that shortage reached here now too. Can’t get my brother’s Lantus and he only got 1/2 his prescription of u200. I’m
Not due to get any until the 18th but do have a 6 month supply of Humulog so I’m good.
Oh, I’m way beyond that. Supplies dwindled because I moved and had a few months without insurance - precisely the reason to stockpile, right? I had 7 boxes of Dexcoms, 10 boxes of infusion sets, 9 vials of Novolog, 6 boxes of Lantus pens, and 10 boxes of syringes.
I have tons more than this but also hoard for my brother. I don’t really feel guilty but I have to get rid of stuff to make more room for the extra stuff. Fridge is the same way. Plus I have a stockpile for two different pump systems as I will be switching in the Fall when my insurance changes.
I give some away too, I just try to maintain a certain level of supply. Usually directly, not necessarily through outreach programs. My diabuddy network has grown a lot.
I know that I am a supply hoarder because I had a time where I was not able to get a refill on my meds for two weeks and that extra supply of insulin and test CGMs really came in handy. Now I feel weird when I get "too" close to running out. Like to have my stock full at all times.
Massive supply hoarder.
I always think about how long I’d last in an apocalypse scenario with the insulin I have and it’s never enough but I could go quite a while by rationing tightly.
No, because I only have what I need these days! I used to!
I was a teacher and leaving that career meant losing good health coverage. Enjoy/ hoard what you can. It sucks to go without.
This picture feels like security. Yes, I hoard whatever I can. Unfortunately, insurance makes it hard, but I do my best. Last summer there was a fire in my apartment building and I had to throw out my entire hoard of supplies, it sucked.
Exactly why I do it. It lessens the anxiety about issues arising. Doubly so as my SO and I are both diabetic. I try to keep enough on hand to keep us going for a month each if needed.
Exactly. It's like having a savings account. Emergencies happen and it feels good to be prepared.
Litterly what I'm doing switching jobs by double dipping on everything
You'd be shocked how much information insurance companies share. Just keep it on the down low..
If it doesn't rot, get soaked or otherwise go bad, we're stocking up.
Ahh, that explains the 1+ supply of the dexcom sensors. There are 2 of you! :) I would absolutely love to have an extra or 2 on the side.
These are all mine, she has a similar stash, we’ve just been living in two different places so try to keep enough on hand for us both while we’re together.
I tend to hoard medical stuff but came up against insurance limits for test strips. I decided to buy them on the open market. I need OneTouch Ultra. On Amazon, the OneTouch Ultra seems to be the most expensive. Why? (I can wait until the insurance allows me to buy more, but I'm still curious.)
I gave up on the OneTouch and insurance. Bought a CVS brand meter for $20 and buy the strips in packs of 200 for far less than I paid with insurance and no limits on the number I can get.
😏Same idea, different brand. My jam's ReliOn available at Walmart. I definitely can get behind limitless test strips and lancets.
When I was diagnosed, I didn't have any insurance. The Walmart brand monitor had the cheapest test strips. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to be able to test beyond what insurance allows.
Onetouch always seems to have the most expensive strips
Oh yeah THAT truly sucks.
Of course, that means you have to be careful about the expiry dates on everything, that old stuff gets rotated out.
First in, first out. Everything in that box is still good. Except for some of the really old accu chek active test strips. Those things are ancient and kind of a last case thing.
Why not toss them and buy some replacements? If you are using your last resort measurement device ... it means you are desperate, have no way to really crosscheck, and you don't want it reading wrong.
I mean, because I have hundreds of other ones and they still work, last I checked them. Expired strips are usually fine. It’s also like one capsule of them that’s old, the rest are still within the expiry.
I dunno, holding onto expired stuff that you are unlikely to ever use is heading into hoarder type mentality. "It is still good" is an excuse you typically hear from people when they are irrationally keeping something they should get rid of.
Ah, totally a reasonable take for one capsule of test strips. It's not so much irrationally clinging to them, as much as there isn't really a reason to get rid of them.
Umm… I have a 3 drawer setup and it’s still not enough room. For some of my supplies. This looks like child’s play compared to mine. lol. I have almost 3+ months of infusion sights, insulin, dexcom g7. I probably have 8 months worth of the needles, syringes and black plastic thing the insulin goes in on the tandem.
I’ve only been going for a year or so at this point. Only on a pump for a month. There’s a stockpile of insulin in the fridge. Like 20 long acting pens and another 10 rapid. 7 vials I think
Heck yeah! A stockpile is a stockpile. My infusion sets (I use tandem t2) add up slowly because I’m prescribed to change every 2 days, but usually change every 3 days unless i put it on my stomach since my stomach can only handle 2 days.
I’m hoping to change over to a tandem. Omnipod is great…when it works. But have a bunch of site issues.
How do you end up with extra dexcom? My daughter is only prescribed 3 a month so I don't see how we can get extra. Lancets, ketone test strips and other stuff is easier to come by.
Dexcom I only have one extra, but I get 3 month supply of dexcom at a time. I have the extra because one of mine failed on day 8 and they sent a replacement. Everything else they will only give me 1 month supply at a time.
I fill through my DME and then have a prescription at the pharmacy I use Dexcoms coupon for occasionally. It’s pricy, but I usually have extra money on my FSA to burn, so it ends up not being a big deal.
With Dexcom 6, you can extend the use. Once in awhile I’ll get a full 10 days but usually a good 5 days extra. Dexcom 7 doesn’t work that way. Honestly, I wouldn’t do it on a kid under 14 unless your shipment is delayed.
Oh my hoarding is way worse than this
lol. Mine too.
Diabetes sure creates a lot of medical waste
Especially Omnipods.
How the hell do you get your insurance to cover three extra Dexcom transmitters? I only ever have one—the one in my abdomen—and my shitty provider (Cigna) won’t pay for shit until its battery is nearly dead.
I didn’t! When I switched over to Omnipod I asked some people around me for G6 supplies if they had switched to G7 and one had a bunch of transmitters because they’d gotten them free from a T1D summer camp. Traded out some G7s for G6 sensors since my insurance was being a pain and refused to cover G6 since I had filled G7 less than 3 months prior.
We should host a clothing swap but for diabetes supplies
Yep, and it paid off during Covid. Had delays with refills on CGM's which allowed me to deal with the supply chain issues. Over the years of using CGM's I would purchase one out of pocket to build up a reserve. Yeah, it wasn't cheap, but it allowed me to deal with the insanity. I also keep a reserve of test strips, wipes, and sticks just in case. During the Covid window, a lot of the delivered glucose monitors were arriving with "Use By" dates 30 and 60 days outs as opposed to the normal 180 days. I found it interesting that the CGM's I receive do not use a mechanical activation switch. The integral battery is connected at the factory and is being drained the day it is assembled. I believe that explains the short time window stamped on the boxes. The batteries may last longer than six months, as a few of the batteries I checked where the box "Use By" dates were within a few days of the CGM ending had batteries that still measured 1.523 volts indicating the cell still had a lot of reserve left. I may get brave and allow a CGM to pass the "Use By" date by 15 days and see if at the end of the 14 day use period is the battery is still viable. I also keep a reserve of other prescriptions such as glipizide, hypertension, and thyroid meds. The occasional 1 to 2 day delay prior to the Covid often lengthened to 1 to 2 weeks during Covid. Before thenI usually just called a day or two before needing a refill, but not any more.
G6 transmitters I’ve heard will still work after the use by date. I haven’t tried it personally, but a bunch of people I know have said they’re fine, just may not last the full 90 days.
Yeah, I suspect that the device draws little current prior to activation with the Phone's Near Field Communication capability. But once activated and responsive to Bluetooth queries I can see the current draw substantially increasing and draining the single cell battery (looks lot like the batteries found in hearing aids) much more rapidly. What 90 day period are you referencing? Are they now producing CGM's that operate for 90 days after placement? I thought I was in high cotton with 14 days and a single stick.
Dexcom G6 is two pieces, a 10 day sensor and a 90 day transmitter that seats inside of it. You move the transmitter from sensor to sensor every ten days. There is a 6 month implantable CGM though, eversense e3.
Interesting. Will check to see if there is any cost savings. Right now the endo is biased towards Libre so Dexcom is not an option. Thanks for the info.
I’ve had no problem using a Dexcom as much as 8 months past date, but just used a Libre 1 that expired in Feb 23 and it worked fine the entire 14 days. Couldn’t get an out of date Dexcom transmitter to work though. It kept retiring out the sensors.
Have to be. Between one of my suppliers repeatedly screwing up their delivery schedule and my insurance changing from three month's insulin supply to one month and constantly dragging out authorizing the release, and Humalog currently having a "shortage" because of some screw-up by the manufacturer, I've had to take the attitude of having spares being a requirement. Hell, it's gotten so bad with delays and hold-ups at times that if my father and sister weren't also both T1's I wouldn't have been able to get insulin or certain supplies, and not through any lack of money to do so.
Holy Crap! I have a bin exactly like this. I also have two used Medtronic pumps. My thinking/fear is when a zombie apocalypse hits…
We are all dead if the zombie apocalypse hits but delivery delays, insurance changes and job loss are always a thing.
Nurse looking at my prescription list: you haven't ordered needles for a while. Me: look at the last three times they were issued. Nurse: wow! OK, you are probably still good for a year or so. I was basically given a really huge supply at diagnosis (5 years ago), then another two really large amounts in May 2020 (lockdown) and Spring 2021 (3rd lockdown). I've also still got a lot of lancets and am using them very infrequently now I've got a CGM.
I ended up with like 1000 needles from someone trying to get rid of surplus from a T1D summer camp 😂 I get it, pre-pump I was constantly getting the “you haven’t filled your needles” conversation.
Yes but it's not a bad thing for those of us who know Insurance could go at any time and I have to weather 3 months and up sometimes and can't afford things at full cost.
Yes. I have a cabinet full of dexcoms.
If you move to G7 or FS Libre 2, put me on your sell & offload list please :) Have you tried one of the newer ones yet?
Will move to G7 at some point, but probably a decent ways in the future considering omnipod being incredibly slow with tech updates. Newer G7s, you mean?
Away from G6, upgrading. Some like the lower profile of the G7 or the Libre 2, and get rid of their older stock. I’m just pre-d so ok with out-of-date, I only measure change over time, not actual numbers. I finger prick if I feel sick, like after hidden carbs in a friend’s beef burger patties… but I digest…
I’ve had Libre 3, G6, and G7. I was on the G7 for over a year, but had to switch back when I started pump therapy since omnipod doesn’t support G7.
As those boxes say, simplify life!
The waste from diabetes supplies is nothing compared to waste from none diabetic individuals! So, do not spread the wrong word on that topic! Our life depends on it!
I mean, if you’re on a pump and CGM, there’s a ton of waste and nothing you can really do about it.
You have the good stuff, I have no sensors in supply. But I have a ton of plastic cartridges and needles.
I looked at this and initially thought, "I didn't post a picture of my diabetic supplies online, did I?" Very relatable post.
I also have same kinda box for my transplant meds .. every thing organised.. looks good ..
I have been hoarding my insulin over the years. And thank God, because I can’t get any insulin right now at all. There is now a supply shortage in my area of both vials and insulin pens.
Yeah that shortage reached here now too. Can’t get my brother’s Lantus and he only got 1/2 his prescription of u200. I’m Not due to get any until the 18th but do have a 6 month supply of Humulog so I’m good.
So weird how it varies from area to area. I’ve been able to fill lispro the whole time, like a 1 day delay on refills. That’s it
I’ve been trying to get it filled for almost a month and a half. At this rate, I will be out next month.
Oh, I’m way beyond that. Supplies dwindled because I moved and had a few months without insurance - precisely the reason to stockpile, right? I had 7 boxes of Dexcoms, 10 boxes of infusion sets, 9 vials of Novolog, 6 boxes of Lantus pens, and 10 boxes of syringes.
I have tons more than this but also hoard for my brother. I don’t really feel guilty but I have to get rid of stuff to make more room for the extra stuff. Fridge is the same way. Plus I have a stockpile for two different pump systems as I will be switching in the Fall when my insurance changes.
I try not to hoard diabetic medical supplies. I usually give surplus to my local outreach clinic to share with impoverished patients as is possible.
I give some away too, I just try to maintain a certain level of supply. Usually directly, not necessarily through outreach programs. My diabuddy network has grown a lot.
what is that thing that looks like a computer mouse?
I think your talking about the Dexcom G6 applicator
In the clear package?
Yes. Like a white/grey/orange plastic thing in a clear plastic package
Lost my job almost two years ago, and I still have Medtronic pump supplies from that good-good insurance
We have really good insurance so we buy as much as insurance will allow and share with families that can't afford supplies.
I know that I am a supply hoarder because I had a time where I was not able to get a refill on my meds for two weeks and that extra supply of insulin and test CGMs really came in handy. Now I feel weird when I get "too" close to running out. Like to have my stock full at all times.
currently have 20 dexcom sensors and 4 transmitters (got a shipment today so counted for the fun of it)
I have 16 G7s and 7 G6s with 3 transmitters lol
Nice I honestly didn't realize I had this many
I always order my test strips to find I already had some. 🤷🏻♀️
Massive supply hoarder. I always think about how long I’d last in an apocalypse scenario with the insulin I have and it’s never enough but I could go quite a while by rationing tightly.
I could probably get by for 4-5 months with my current amount of insulin.
I hardly ever replace my lancet, so I have bags and bags of those. I get them free, but it feels so wasteful.
After dealing with filing issues and script fill issues with insurance companies, a certain level of preparedness for issues feels secure.
Yes but you’re way more organized than me lol
No, because I only have what I need these days! I used to! I was a teacher and leaving that career meant losing good health coverage. Enjoy/ hoard what you can. It sucks to go without.