Stashing Diabetes Supplies and Other Glu Questions of the Day

This week there were some very good Glu Questions and the one I liked the most was the user submitted question on Nov. 9^th: What minimum quantity of diabetes supplies do you usually keep in your supply stash?

As always, I answered all of the questions briefly and wrote a little more about stashing diabetes supplies.  

What minimum quantity of diabetes supplies do you usually keep in your supply stash?

Like many people with diabetes, I have a nice stash of diabetes supplies. In fact, I don’t feel comfortable unless I have a large stash of diabetes supplies. When I started taking metformin I asked the doctor to start me off with a double prescription so I wouldn’t feel I was running out.

I don’t have a set amount I like to have but I can say that the minimum amount is one month’s worth of supplies. So if I use two vials of insulin a month I like to have at least 3 vials in the refrigerator, and if I use 5 boxes of test strips a month than 10 boxes in the cabinet make me feel secure.

I do find, however, that some times there is no correlation between the amount of supplies prescribed and covered by insurance and those needed. For example, I get a ridiculous amount of infusion sets every month. I get 2 boxes of 10 sets, although I put a new infusion set in every 3 days. One box of 10 sets would not be enough and15 sets would be plenty, but because they come in boxes of 10 sets, I get 20.

On the other hand, accumulating test strips is a problem because it means that I need to limit the amount of testing I do, which means being less informed about my blood sugar level. I also test more frequently than most people (I think) because of my running. On some days I’ll test five or six times before 7:00 a.m. My insurance allows me up to five boxes of test strips (I used to get three until someone decided that people using insulin could get more). So strips are a very important part of a stash.

Nov. 12^th: Are you or a loved one currently active in military service or a veteran?

Yes. I served in the IDF. Not the International Diabetes Federation but in the Israeli Defense Forces. I served as a Paratrooper and an Infantry Officer. But this was before I had diabetes.

Nov. 11^th: Do you feel embarrassed about checking your blood sugar in public?

No. I’m not a drug addict. I have diabetes there and is nothing to be ashamed of.  Anyway, who has time and energy to be embarrassed. Diabetes is hard enough as it is.

Nov. 10^th: Are you a coffee drinker? If so, how many cups a day?

Yes. Yes. Yes. I love coffee. I don’t view it as a vice (and there are plenty of studies showing it is good for you) but I have been trying to cut down and limit myself to 3-4 cups a day. (I drink my coffee black – no milk or sweetener).

Nov. 8^th: Do you feel that you know what your rights are as a person with diabetes?

No. I have never really looked into my rights as a person with diabetes.

Nov. 7^th: Did you participate in the Big Blue Test this year? (Big Blue Test ends Nov. 14)

Yes, of course.

Nov. 6^th: Does diabetes influence your political views?

This question sent on Election Day and is somewhat political and therefore I will say this. My political views are not influenced by my own health. I have always believed that the State should provide universal healthcare to its citizens just as it provides education (public schooling) and security (police and military). 

Michael Aviad

Michael Aviad is co-founder of ASweetLife. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2002. Michael was born in Santa Barbara and grew up in Jerusalem. He studied law and after passing his bar exam went on to get an MBA with a major in finance. Michael worked for many years as an economist. He and his wife Jess, also a type 1 diabetic, have three sons. Michael loves to run and is always training for the next marathon.

View Author Blog