Diabetes meter strips and a hot RV

1775 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
my strips say to store between 41 and 86 degrees F. your refrigerator should be somewhere in that range? and if they can be stored indefinitely at 86 degrees, a short time up higher shouldn't matter much. you can do a test, store a couple in the fridge and others in the RV in the heat. test using both and see if there is a noticeable difference.
bumpy

My basel insulin pen extras that we carry have to be kept between 34 and 38 degrees - never at 40 or above so the fridge is set to stay about 36 and we monitor the temp inside to keep it there. So the fridge is out. The insulin pen that is started is kept in a Frio wallet but the strip bottle(s) will not fit in there - it is just large enough for the diameter of the pen. A temp of 110 dF is pretty hot for six or more hours inside the RV and this is what I am trying to protect the strips from. As you know these strips are ridiculously expensive and the medical insurance is not going to replace bottles gone bad from the heat - I can't afford to chance it. We talked to the meter company and they said to never put the strips in the refrigerator because it is too damp inside - they must be kept in a dry location. (Lots of rules with no suggestions from these companies as to how to do what they tell you must be done.)

I will look into an insulated bag, though I have the same concern about an ice block or cold water bottle in keeping them dry. The Frio wallet gets pretty damp inside also but that is not a concern for the insulin pens.

A few hours stored at 36 degrees I doubt will have any effect on them labeled to store between 41 and? don't know the specific degradation profile of the strips but those ranges never were that precise in my past dealings with them. and you mention 110 degrees, what temp. are you starting at and how long will it take to get to 110? it is not like you were popping them into an oven and immediately heating them up.



bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:
my strips say to store between 41 and 86 degrees F. your refrigerator should be somewhere in that range? and if they can be stored indefinitely at 86 degrees, a short time up higher shouldn't matter much. you can do a test, store a couple in the fridge and others in the RV in the heat. test using both and see if there is a noticeable difference.
bumpy

My basel insulin pen extras that we carry have to be kept between 34 and 38 degrees - never at 40 or above so the fridge is set to stay about 36 and we monitor the temp inside to keep it there. So the fridge is out. The insulin pen that is started is kept in a Frio wallet but the strip bottle(s) will not fit in there - it is just large enough for the diameter of the pen. A temp of 110 dF is pretty hot for six or more hours inside the RV and this is what I am trying to protect the strips from. As you know these strips are ridiculously expensive and the medical insurance is not going to replace bottles gone bad from the heat - I can't afford to chance it. We talked to the meter company and they said to never put the strips in the refrigerator because it is too damp inside - they must be kept in a dry location. (Lots of rules with no suggestions from these companies as to how to do what they tell you must be done.)

I will look into an insulated bag, though I have the same concern about an ice block or cold water bottle in keeping them dry. The Frio wallet gets pretty damp inside also but that is not a concern for the insulin pens.

my strips say to store between 41 and 86 degrees F. your refrigerator should be somewhere in that range? and if they can be stored indefinitely at 86 degrees, a short time up higher shouldn't matter much. you can do a test, store a couple in the fridge and others in the RV in the heat. test using both and see if there is a noticeable difference.
bumpy

When we bought our Class-C RV. The dealer gave us a lunch bag, and of course it has their logo on it. It is supposed to hold a six pack of soda, we put a icer in it and I keep my insulin in it. I also keep my test kit inside it when we are out and about. It will even hold some items to eat. This photo is one I found on the internet. I did not take it.

A good insulated cooler either hard or soft and a with a cold bottle of water from the fridge out to keep them cool for quite a few hours