Insulin

[Manic]

Hi

In August of this year I shall be taking part in the BikeAid: Chernobyl Challenge 2007. My father is also going to be riding with us.

My father has insulin dependant Diabetes. I'm told that ideally the insulin is kept refrigerated, not frozen. The ride is in August so I'm expecting things to be warm.

Anyone any hints on the best way to ensure the insulin is kept cool on a bike?

Many thanks

Mark

[mattcbf600]

Only thing that springs to mind is a very small 12v cooler - the kind of thing you can pick up in Halfords that you can stick in your glove box... hope that helps... otherwise have a natter to the practice nurse at your local GP, they'll be able to advise on the realistic methods of keeping the insulin 'working'.



From memory (I used to be a nurse) it's not overly dangerous to not keep it chilled, it only really starts to have an effect after a certain amount of time - I can't remember how long that is now. The other solution of course is to find out if you can fill a prescription on route.

m

[mattcbf600]

ahhh yes.... thought so... look here

Welcome to Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust

contains this

This table shows the extremely long periods of time required before the potency is reduced by even small amounts – quite a surprise to most of us!
Time of storage of insulin preparations at various temperatures until biological potency is reduced by 2% and 5% respectively
Insulin preparation
4°C
15°C
25°C
40°C
Actrapid

36 / 92 years
5 / 13 years
12 / 31 months
5 / 14 weeks
Semilente

45 / 115 years
4 / 11 years
7 / 18 months
2 / 5 weeks
Lente

36 / 91 years
3 / 9 years
5 / 14 months
1 / 4 weeks
Rapitard

22 / 55 years
3 / 8 years
7 / 17 months
3 / 7 weeks
Ultralente

19 / 48 years
2 / 5 years
4 / 10 months
1 / 3 weeks
Information source: ‘Galenics of Insulin’ by J Brange M.Sc et al: [Novo Research Institute, Denmark] Springer-Verlag, 1987

[KennyE]

Check out this website.

Medi-Fridge - Home Page

[mattcbf600]

Originally Posted by KennyE

Check out this website.

Medi-Fridge - Home Page

Hey that's 'cool'

I'll get my coat

[moggy 1968]

Alternatively you could contact your support crew!! I will be carrying a cool box and as I am an A&E nurse can probably give you some extra info. I'll speak to Natallia and we'll try and get you a letter as well in russian explaining why your dad is running about with syringes and needles!
either contact me through the Bikeaid site or ring me (evenings being best). pm me for the number.
Andy

[trophymick]

One thing to remember about these 'Peltier' (sp?) type of coolboxes, is that they are power hungry Unless you have a seperate battery (leisure) do not keep them running while the engine is turned off, they will flatten your battery, ok when engine is running. If you wire one in to a bike/vehicle, do it via a relay triggered from the vehicles alternator, the wire to the ignition light is ideal

Trophymick

[Manic]

Hi all

Thanks very much for your replies - e-mail winging its way to you Andy

What I was looking for specifically was equipment that can be used on the bike - overkill but I want to ensure we've got kit in as many locations as possible "just in case". Must be honest, its probably more a case of paranoia on my part as my father doesn't seem in the slightest bit bothered!

I'd actually found these last night which will almost certainly do the trick - FRIO :: Home

Oh and this was a useful find should anyone else with Diabetes need some advice from other Diabetics - Diabetes; Riding Motorcycles on Insulin


Cheers


Manic

Cheers

Mark

[Alexlebrit]

Oh too late to post the FRIO site, but not too late to say, yes buy them they're wonderful, amazing, fantastic, quite good even.

[A_B_laben]

My friend from my personal experience I can say that Do not place insulin vials in saddlebags over mufflers. I did this past August during a trip West from Charleston, SC and somewhere on the way, the insulin "died". Some time after I noticed that it was "cloudy" looking. I have found that the best method of caring for the insulin while traveling on the bike is to place the vial in a zippered pouch on the side of my "soft" ice chest. Otherwise, I would place the vial in a waterproof container and drop it in a cooler.