After having a bout with “insulin sensitivity” – another one of those confounding and numerous ‘sicknesses’ involved with diabetes, my endocrinologist gave me Apidra. Due to using a buffered insulin called Novolog in my insulin pump for the last eight years, I felt it was time for a change. I mean, I physically could feel it was time for a change. My Novolog use had no longer fulfilled my expectations: blood sugar balancing. It was just not working the way I wanted it to work! My blood sugars were crazily sporadic for years until I went through a ‘bottoming-out period.’ After a reading of 512 with ketones, I was angry.
As a pro-active and busy individual, my personal research into this quandary was self-convincing. Sure, I was sick. I blamed it on being ‘insulin sensitive.’ When my diabetes is out of control, not only is my body internally and outwardly ill, but my mind and spirit follow suit. I can feel it. My soul hurt. I had to strongly convince this latest doctor that my insulin be changed.
As mentioned in “My Diabetic Soul – An Autobiography,” a partial and personal belief to this conundrum involves the flippant hormone changes during menopause. Through personal research once again, scientific research into this phase of a diabetic (woman’s) life is non-existent. You see, too many juvenile diabetics die before having the opportunity to experience this particular ‘adventure.’
The Apidra was a miracle solution! After the first three hours of use, my blood sugar level not only dropped 200 points, but my self – inner and outer – became totally rejuvenated! Amazing! I could be happy once again! Just a meagre three hours of use remedied months – months! – of issued fatigued and wearying fright.
After the initial focus of getting and maintaining wellness, I realized that storing and carrying this little vial of liquid preciousness was unexplainable. Throughout my life with this disease, insulin changes have occurred. No big deal. But those vials were always the same shape and size, fitting perfectly into a necessary cold (refrigerate -able) carrying and storage case. However, Apridra vials are unique in shape and size. They do not fit comfortably in any of the three carrying cases in my possession.
What to do? Well, of course I researched wholesale and retail medical suppliers. I even contacted the Apidra manufacturers. I was told “I know. I’m sorry. We do not have a carrying case for that shape vial.”
Hmm. As a Business major, my mind went to the learned topics of “marketing,” “forecasting,” “[consumer] forethought,” and [better] “product sales and distribution.”
Nothing has changed. My requests go unheeded. After four months of using this product, a much desired carrying case remains unavailable.
The design I have in mind is simple: expand the vial spaces in the existing case(s) specifically for the Apidra bottle. Any takers?
Ahh, science. Thank you for listening.