# Now that I'm finally ready **URL:** \ **Category:** Tips, Tech & Gear\ **Created:** [March 10, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679 "2018-03-10T16:11:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/1 "2018-03-10T16:11:24Z")
I remember, I believe it was @Eric or possibly @Chris, many months ago when we were talking about how folks store their Insulin vials, that one of you guys (sorry if it was someone else, but I somehow feel it was one of those two guys) keep your vials in plastic pencil cases and you had a system for labeling them with colored dots…but I can’t for the life of me find that post. Whoever it was, could you please refer me to that post again if you can find it? For the past 2 years, I’ve not really had any system for storing the vials…they honestly get purchased from CVS in the brown paper bags and I have just been keeping them in those bags and removing vials from them when I needed to get a vial (taking from the oldest bag first, of course). But now, we’ve got FOUR BAGS worth of supplies in the fridge and it’s becoming unruly so I’ve purchased some pencil cases and I’m ready to “get organized”. I logged in to find the system whoever created that post used because I liked it a lot at the time - but now I can’t find it. Thanks beforehand! ---
**Author:** ![Katers87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@Katers87](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Katers87)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/2 "2018-03-10T16:14:06Z")
I think I found it: [Insulin containers/ storage in the fridge](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-containers-storage-in-the-fridge/1512/14) @Chris was the genius behind the idea. ---
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/3 "2018-03-10T16:14:34Z")
Thank you @Katers87!! Yes, I found it ingenious. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/4 "2018-03-10T16:34:18Z")
Glad you found value in the idea. It has worked really well for us, and we now always use the insulin in the order it will expire, and once the dots are applied, it only takes a second to make sure you are using vials in the right order. On the organization side it is pretty cool how many vials fit in one pencil case. ---
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/5 "2018-03-10T16:41:41Z")
I plan on using that same dot notation system for my boxes of PODS. We have nearly 1.5 years worth of POD boxes (17 boxes) in the closet and when we fill a new order I am having to pull out all the boxes and re-order them to ensure I’m putting them in FIFO order. This way, I can just mark them and put up a little legend on the wall to see which “dot” I should be using…this will allow me to put them in the closet in any order and just follow this same dot notation for which to pull out and use. It’ll be much less work. Thanks for the great idea! ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/6 "2018-03-10T16:59:05Z")
Here are my pencil boxes. They are grouped by type and date. I generally try to keep the newer ones on the bottom so I can just take a vial from the top. ![IMG_2819](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/3/316f86004bdd1237a47a68f6b245138e4353d512.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/7 "2018-03-10T17:02:09Z")
What is the pink padding at the top? Some form of foam or styrofoam padding? I see the bubble wrap on the one to on the bottom left. Good idea to have some type of padding especially if there’s space at the top. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/8 "2018-03-10T17:13:37Z")
It’s just padding. Some packing material I had. When it’s closed it keeps it from rattling around, the vials fit pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![Thomas](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/thomas/32/1719_2.png) [@Thomas](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Thomas)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/9 "2018-03-10T17:58:56Z")
> [@Eric](#): > > Here are my pencil boxes. They are grouped by type and date. I generally try to keep the newer ones on the bottom so I can just take a vial from the top. I like that storage approach. We have a very very small stash. (You would laugh.) But they are all still in the original boxes the vials come in - so they take up more space. I guess there really is no reason to keep the box. I think I will copy this - it really looks very well organized and efficient on space usage. ---
**Author:** ![Pianoplayer7008](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/pianoplayer7008/32/1507_2.png) [@Pianoplayer7008](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Pianoplayer7008)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 3:12am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/10 "2018-03-11T03:12:18Z")
> [@Thomas](#): > > We have a very very small stash. (You would laugh.) I can almost guarantee mine is smaller. 😉 @Eric, my jaw dropped a bit looking at that pic! ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/11 "2018-03-11T03:29:41Z")
> [@Pianoplayer7008](#): > > @Eric, my jaw dropped a bit looking at that pic! Well, I have been working on it a bit longer than you. Let me know if you need any. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Pianoplayer7008](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/pianoplayer7008/32/1507_2.png) [@Pianoplayer7008](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Pianoplayer7008)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/12 "2018-03-11T04:46:05Z")
LOL! Thanks! Fortunately since I average ~1 Novolog cartridge every 1.5-2 months at this point, my monthly 5 cartridges last me a while. 😜 ---
**Author:** ![TravelingOn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/travelingon/32/1583_2.png) [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 7:41am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/13 "2018-03-11T07:41:55Z")
My mom is staying in the apartment behind our place, complete with the fridge with EH’s spare insulin. It’s all in the boxes from the pharmacy — and it takes up most of the door. The other day she asked me “do you think he’s going use all of that?” And I enjoyed a enumerating all of the ways that we might need it (job/insurance loss, disaster, zombie apocalypse). She clarified that she just wanted to know if it ever expired ( I explained that it does, but that expired insulin actually still works.) 🙂 I did realize that I feel a lot better having a stash available of various insulins, than I ever did before when we only filled an RX if we needed it. It sure makes things easier when the month doesn’t go as planned. For instance, the Humalog wasn’t really working the other night in the Omnipod. So I got a bottle of NovoLog out and it _finally_ brought down Eric’s BG. (I’m working on a post about that issue…) Anyhow, it was really nice to just have it in the fridge. I certainly appreciate seeing the storage solutions and stash suggestions here on FUD! Very inspirational! ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/14 "2018-03-11T16:22:52Z")
> [@TravelingOn](#): > > For instance, the Humalog wasn’t really working the other night in the Omnipod. Have you been using Humalog from the very beginning? Worth it to see if NovoLog is better for you. I like NovoLog a lot better in the pump than any of the other rapids I have tried in the pump (Apidra, Humalog, Fiasp) in terms of reliability. ---
**Author:** ![TravelingOn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/travelingon/32/1583_2.png) [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/15 "2018-03-12T02:55:43Z")
Yes, Humalog only. We discussed with CDE in December if Novolog would be better, but since we were getting on a plane and leaving for Russia we decided to stick with Humalog. She claimed no one had ever said they’d noticed a difference. I’m just getting back into the swing of things at home so now it’s time to switch. Endocrinologist appointment Tuesday so new RX for Novolog. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/16 "2018-03-12T04:40:51Z")
> [@TravelingOn](#): > > She claimed no one had ever said they’d noticed a difference. The only thing I notice is a lot less 3rd day drop-offs with NovoLog. That’s the only difference for me. If she says she has not heard anyone has ever noticed a difference, we should try to see if we can get her better internet access. Accounts of differences are pretty easy to find in the DOC. When her dial-up AOL account expires, let’s sign her up for broadband. ---
**Author:** ![TravelingOn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/travelingon/32/1583_2.png) [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/17 "2018-03-12T05:51:37Z")
Lol! Sorry about your internet ma’am. > [@Eric](#): > > Accounts of differences are pretty easy to find in the DOC. I know! I read a bunch the other night! ---
**Author:** ![Aaron](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/aaron/32/1454_2.png) [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/18 "2018-03-13T23:05:30Z")
> [@TravelingOn](#): > > She claimed no one had ever said they’d noticed a difference. I have noticed a difference. Novolog works better than Humalog - but she is not my endo so I guess I have never told her about it. Sorry… ---
**Author:** ![TravelingOn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/travelingon/32/1583_2.png) [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/19 "2018-03-14T04:03:20Z")
We just saw her today so I told her what you all have reported!! And Eric made the switch. She’s happy to write a NovoLog RX for 100u a day (which is great because then it’s enough for the pump and no worries about failures or running out…) ---
**Author:** ![lh378](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lh378/32/601_2.png) [@lh378](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/lh378)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/now-that-im-finally-ready/3679/20 "2018-03-20T16:37:06Z")
Wow…that’s organization! and very space efficient storage of insulin. My family laughed at me and commented as to why I would need so much insulin…well, one never knows if insurance plans change, pre authorization…nonsense that could delay the filling of a prescription. I’m encountering that now for the freestyle light teststrips. I’m glad that I had some extra strips.