Faulty Novopens

I've never had a problem with any pen I've used. I've had a cracked cartridge like Phil Masked and I do suffer on a regular basis with forgetting to take pens out like Wigworld. Only time I have had a plunger not fully depress was with the old novapen 2 when there were not enough insulin in the cartridge. It would let you dial up the amount you required but would not depress. The new pens stop at the amount of insulin left in the cartridge which is a great help. Well... sometimes if I remember to check before leaving home. If you do forget guys and girls to take any medication then around London, there are plenty of walk in centre's to pick up a prescription, any a and e department or NHS direct and they should be able to help with finding a doctor to prescribe and a pharmacy that will be open. The other thing you could do is ask your GP for an emergency prescription to carry with you in purse or wallet to use in emergencies. As you can I've used these a lot....

I've had no problems with Novapen 3's apart from the plunger sometimes not depressing smoothly, but that could be related to an awkward angle. I have two Novapen 4's as spares but have never used them (might be a good idea to try them before need to use them for real). However, I do leave them at home when away for a few days (but can get home again easily), but would probably take them on a longer trip or going a long distance - think these were prescribed by the DSN's on the DAFNE course.

And is it Ok to swop a part-used cartridge from one pen to another (thought I read somewhere to always use a new cartridge)? I suppose if I had to swop, then I would as don't usually have a spare cartridge at room temperature.

I haven't had exactly that problem as far as I can remember. I use the Novopen Echo, but I experienced a problem with mine a few weeks before Christmas. I'd had that particular pen since January so the battery should have been fine for another year or so according to the literature supplied with the pen. For no apparent reason the battery failed, although I could still use it as an ordinary pen. My only problem is that I've come to depend on being able to see when my last dose of insulin was and how much. Sometimes when I'm very busy I can't always remember and that extra security is owrtn a lot to me. Felt lost without it until I was able to get a prescription for a new Echo Pen and get it filled - which took about a week.

I haven't had exactly that problem as far as I can remember. I use the Novopen Echo, but I experienced a problem with mine a few weeks before Christmas. I'd had that particular pen since January so the battery should have been fine for another year or so according to the literature supplied with the pen. For no apparent reason the battery failed, although I could still use it as an ordinary pen. My only problem is that I've come to depend on being able to see when my last dose of insulin was and how much. Sometimes when I'm very busy I can't always remember and that extra security is owrtn a lot to me. Felt lost without it until I was able to get a prescription for a new Echo Pen and get it filled - which took about a week.