How to Remember If You've Done an Injection

My other topic was related to injections so apologies for the ongoing theme. It's never been an issue for me until the last six months. I occasionally forget whether I've done my night-time injection at around 7pm (Lantus insulin using disposable pens). I think about doing it, eventually go to do it, end up doing something else in the kitchen and then wonder whether or not I've done it. More often than not I can recall it if I've done it, but very occasionally I can't remember. I do that many injections, it's sometimes hard to keep track and this problem is becoming more commonplace. When this situation arises it means there are 4 possibilities:

(1) The reality is I've injected but I choose to miss it because I don't want to risk overdosing.

(2) The reality is I've injected but I inject again and hope I've not doubled up.

(3) The reality is I've not injected but choose to miss it because I don't want to risk overdosing.

(4) The reality is I've not injected but choose to inject because I don't want to risk missing it.

Which is the best option in your opinion? Any advice on how I can start remembering if I have done my injections on those few times that I miss it? I know I could monitor my BMs closely, but it's difficult to know with background insulin as it doesn't kick in for ages.

Thanks!

I'm not sure what the best answer is , but just wanted you to know you are not alone.... I have a memory like a sieve. It doesn't help when we have so many injections- it becomes a blur. I was told of a device you could buy that you put on your pen, it tells you when your last injection was...don't think it's compatible with every pen though.
Maybe you could have a calendar in your kitchen that you tick after your injection?

If I missed a jab, I would probably correct as usual at subsequent meal times, as it is a one-off event. Taking an extra QA could cause hypo (I did it once, levels plunged, then over-corrected and got ketones, so don't do i!), could consider a reduced BI, but again might hypo.

But - prevention is better than cure. It takes some discipline.

Each day, I take out the number of needles required, arrange them to match meal times. If I have a needle left over, I have missed one.

I have also used alarms in the past. My meter supports alarms, but using them seemed to increase battery usage quite a lot. I now use my (ancient) non-smart mobile just for one alarm a day in case I am out.

This suits me as I don't work and eat similar amounts at the same time almost all the time, and so may not work for others.

I think on our DAFNE course someone mentioned that some pens remember the last number of units injected, but no idea how it works or any details.

Sharon's tick list is possible, but not portable. BG diaries could be used.

Regds,
John F

I had this problem as well as I too am easily distracted. I recently did the dafne course and the DSN arranged for me to have pens that tell me when I took insulin last and how much I took. They are great, have never missed one since.

We are all in the same boat...memory like a sieve...that sounds familiar....but I can't remember where I've just read it!
I Use Humalog QA and Lilly produce a memory pen, Humapen Memoir, which the displays date and time plus dose taken. So that's a help to me. The Lantus disposable pen is a different problem...as far as I know there are no memory pens out there for this BI.
So my fix was...I forced myself into the habit of always writing my dose notes into my DAFNE diary AFTER I had taken them. That way I knew for sure that I had taken my BI.
In times gone by, I would write up my doses in the diary before taking them. Then as mentioned above, go off and do something else..completely forgetting that I hadn't taken my insulin. 3 hours later check BG and see a 14, 15 or whatever! Only then would I realise my mistake and start trying to retrieve the situation...doing my best to try and avoid overlapping QA doses etc...often unsucessfully I have to say.
So thats my fix. It reflects Sharon doodle's approach in a sense. As alturn mentions though...I always have my DAFNE diary with me and use that as an aide-memoir.
Regards
Garry

I had exactly the same problem as you and was driving me up the wall... until i got the Novopen Echo for my levimer and novorapid. I would speak to your diabetic clinic or whoever, to see if they can prescribe you something similar. The pens that tell you when you when you last injected are a must i say! x.

Like Garry, I use the Lilly Humapen Memoir pen and find it invaluable. You have to be on Humalog QA insulin to use it,

There is something called Insulcheck, which tells you how much time has passed since your last injection. This could help and they claim it fits most disposable and re-usable pens.
See the advert on page 44 of the current Balance magazine or visit www.insulcheck.com

Much obliged everyone! It's all great feedback. The calendar idea is particularly useful because I have one right next to my fridge. I will also check the Insulcheck in Balance. That sounds like the greatest invention since the wheel...

Hi, the NovoPen Echo can recall doses for up to 12 hours & can be used with Levemir penfill cartridges. Available in 2 colours & skins available too. You can record QA & BI & sites on the DAFNE online app if it is available to you. I was sure that there would be an app to help with this issue by now but I haven't been able to find one yet. Hope this helps...

I use an approach similar to alturn. I keep my Lantus disposable pen in a separate case and on Sunday evening I make sure there are seven needles in the case too. It's easy to check how many are left each day and tell if an injection has been missed..