the VA strikes again...

[IdahoSharpshooter]

most of the time, the VA provides quality service to Veterans. That said, they occasionally have an "oops".

My turn. I am a type II diabetic. Last November they changed my med to Lantus. They sent me 24 monthly doses. Last couple months my blood sugar levels have been rising. Steadily. I see my new doctor this afternoon, we chat a bit; and she informs me that there was a "clerical error". Lantus loses up to half its' effectiveness after 90 days, even if kept refrigerated. Doh!
It explains blood sugar levels from 200 to over 300 this month.

Note to self: always check things twice...

 

[dickn52]

I didn't think the CMOP filled anything for over 90 day supply. I know they changed to 90 days on scripts about 5-6 years ago and got away from the silly 30 days stuff. CMOP by the way is the term for the Pharmacy centers that actually fill the scripts. Did the packaging have anything on it with an expiration date?

 

[KMart]

most of the time, the VA provides quality service to Veterans. That said, they occasionally have an "oops".

My turn. I am a type II diabetic. Last November they changed my med to Lantus. They sent me 24 monthly doses. Last couple months my blood sugar levels have been rising. Steadily. I see my new doctor this afternoon, we chat a bit; and she informs me that there was a "clerical error". Lantus loses up to half its' effectiveness after 90 days, even if kept refrigerated. Doh!
It explains blood sugar levels from 200 to over 300 this month.

Note to self: always check things twice...

Just to clarify. Did they send you 2 years of prescriptions at one time or did they send you a prescription that gave you 24 doses per month?

I haven't had my coffee this morning.

 

[JRS]

If refrigerated, it is good until the expiration date listed on the container.

 

[nmkid]

That's weird! If it has such a short shelf life...Do they mix up the drug when the prescription is sent? Don't understand how they could keep any on hand.

 

[swd]

If refrigerated, it is good until the expiration date listed on the container.

This^^ And even then it lasts quite a while longer. Although I wouldn't want all my insulin for the next 2 years delivered at one time. Sometimes changing to a different brand can give better results.
More than likely your needs have changed. From the perspective of a parent of a Type 1 child, diabetes is/can be a very dynamic disease. I know Type 2 is different but the same. Adjust your insulin dosage as needed.

 

[JRS]

This^^ And even then it lasts quite a while longer. Although I wouldn't want all my insulin for the next 2 years delivered at one time. Sometimes changing to a different brand can give better results.
More than likely your needs have changed. From the perspective of a parent of a Type 1 child, diabetes is/can be a very dynamic disease. I know Type 2 is different but the same. Adjust your insulin dosage as needed.

Depending upon the date of purchase, when refrigerated, it is good for a couple of years. The expiration date is on the container.

 

[swd]

Depending upon the date of purchase, when refrigerated, it is good for a couple of years. The expiration date is on the container.

I have 40+ vials of various insulins in the fridge and at other family members homes. When you have a child who will die without insulin after a fairly short time if a major disaster strikes you spread the gift of life around. Lots of redundancy!

 

[MislMan]

I suggest you review the available data for ‘LANTUS’ on-line. My quick look after reading this post notes that Lantus does have a limited effective life (30 days unrefrigerated and 90days refrigerated) and a bottle is not to be used for more than 30days once opened. Please either look this up for yourself or check with a pharmacist for better information. Especially important if you used another medication (insulin) and were switched. You may have assumed storage and use of the new med was/is the same as you were previously using. Be well,

 

[Bc'z]

I thank God I don't have diabetes. I LOVE sweets.
Dad has a machine hooked to his phone line that measures his blood sugar and reports it back to the VA. They called him one day n told him to get to E.R.. They had changed his meds and it caused a spike in his blood sugar. Saved his life.

 

[swd]

I thank God I don't have diabetes. I LOVE sweets.
Dad has a machine hooked to his phone line that measures his blood sugar and reports it back to the VA. They called him one day n told him to get to E.R.. They had changed his meds and it caused a spike in his blood sugar. Saved his life.

It's called a Continuous Glucose Moniter. Dexcom is the most popular brand. All Type 1's and any Type 2 that has poor control should look into them. It's the best thing a diabetic can do to help gain control.

 

[Ray B]

So you're upset with the VA because they sent too much medication to you? So return the unused portion. Hardly an error for the vindictive title to your post. I won't bother telling you about all of the great service I have received for years and years, how if I had relied on private sector health services my wife would be a widow, or the amusement that I get from "entitled" vets demanding the receptionist at the hospital stop the entire Earth or he will have a temper tantrum.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

There was a mix up when the pharmacy read the scrip from the Dr. They sent me a shoe box sized package of the Lantus. 24 bottles, two year supply. It was supposed to be a two year supply, but sent three months at a time. I still have several months left in the Fridge. I have to go over to the VA in a few minutes and get a new 90 day supply. The weird part, is they want to start the Lantus at 10 units, not the 60 on the old label twice a day, and discontinue the Novolin and Novolog.