Humira - fridge temperature

[jbzm]

Hi folks,

This may seem a little random for a Tuesday morning!

I started Humira back in July and know it needs to be stored in the fridge between 2 and 8 degrees.

We have a (relatively) new Bosch fridge-freezer but the fridge merely has a dial that goes from Eco - Cold. We did have reason to buy a fridge thermometer a few years ago but would now like two so we can check the difference between different areas in the fridge (we realise the salad drawer may be safer for storage over the Christmas period when both boys are home and the fridge is overflowing but want to compare the temperature) and are looking to buy two thermometers at the same time.

Does anyone use a fridge thermometer that they can recommend? I know they can be slightly (!?) questionable but I could do with keeping an eye on things.

Oh the joys! Many thanks for any suggestions . . . I'm not sure my hubby will stretch to a new fridge-freezer mind!

[Runrig01]

I have a digital one that sits beside my biologics and continuously monitors the temperature. It has alarms set and informs us if it’s out of temperature range. It is similar to this one

amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-OR...

[jbzm in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you for this. I have a 'cheap and cheerful' one with a dial but I'm getting increasingly concerned. Thankfully I think the fridge is cold enough . . . more a case of possibly too cold . . . although where we go from there?! I ended up speaking to Sciensus as it seemed to have gone below 2 degrees (only slightly). They emailed the hospital and one of the rheumy consultants rang me as mine was on leave. He wasn't too bothered, as long as it hadn't frozen I was ok to keep it. Just as well as I had only taken delivery of four injections two days earlier. I was mortified. There seems to be data for the temperature going over 8 degrees but not below 2 degrees. Hmmmm.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Runrig01]

That looks excellent, Maureen.

[Paula-C in reply to Runrig01]

Can you set the alarm to ring for below 2 degrees and above 8 degrees? Or is it just the one setting?

[Runrig01 in reply to Paula-C]

It’s not this exact one I have, but mine alarms when it goes outside either end of the range. You could ask the question on the product page on Amazon

[Paula-C in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you for replying. We've just had a new fridge freezer and I worry it gets too cold sometimes.

[Hidden in reply to Runrig01]

That looks such an excellent idea. I may get one. I have literally just received my first delivery of adalimumab and am terrified of something damaging it. Do you put your syringes inside a Tupperware or some other storage container?

[jbzm in reply to Hidden]

I had my Humira (still in the boxes) in a sealable freezer bag when I was storing them in the salad drawer as suggested by the person from Sciensus that rang to book my first delivery. Following my recent issues I now have them in the middle of the middle shelf and will be transferring them to a plastic box once we (royal 'we' as it's my husband who ventures to the supermarket, still not for me I fear as it is packed to overflowing with Uni students) remember to look for one. It means they are less likely to get knocked/pushed around.

[Runrig01 in reply to Hidden]

I use benepali which comes in a box with 4, when you open the outer box there is 2 smaller boxes of 2 pens, so I leave them in those containers. However I know some do use a Tupperware. I have a fridge freezer in my garage too, so split them up so 1/2 are in each fridge. You can also register with your energy provider for priority service. In the event of a power cut they will provide a generator if needed to maintain the temperature of your meds. They will also phone and check your ok if power is interrupted, I’ve had them phone several

times, I didn’t need the generator as it was only a short time power was off. Definitely worth doing, they usually have a form online you can complete.

[jbzm in reply to Runrig01]

We have also registered with our power provider, we haven't had any calls . . . yet . . . and hope it stays that way for now!! It's well worth doing. I'm glad you've had proof that it works for you. How very reassuring.

[Hidden in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you that is such helpful advice

[Pythagorus]

This may sound a bit over the top but I keep my Benepali in my wine fridge ! The fridge has upper and lower compartments for storing red and white wines separately and at different temps.I keep mine with the white 😁

[jbzm in reply to Pythagorus]

My husband did say (rather hopefully , I might add!), "I wonder if anyone will suggest a wine fridge". I don't drink at all, and he rarely does. The majority of wine bought in our house is for cooking so I don't think I can make a case there unfortunately! It would be the perfect solution though.

[Pythagorus in reply to jbzm]

Well I guess it’s a thermometer then. I loved Song 29 reply though. We all learn so much on this forum not necessarily related to RA

[Song29]

I keep mine in a plastic box on a shelf I have a relatively new fridge set at 4°. Bit of knowledge here from my catering days. We used to check the fridge temperature not by the reading on the fridge but by having a cube of margarine wrapped in foil, and using a food probe to stick in to take temperature of the margarine. Then that was the true temperature of inside the fridge. As anyone knows who’s ever worked in catering the fridge displays are not all that reliable. I’m not suggesting we all start this at home it’s a bit extreme 😁 but if you want to check the temp of a fridge that doesn’t have a built in thermometer that’s the way to do it.

[Pythagorus in reply to Song29]

Great insight into the catering industry 😊

[Song29 in reply to Pythagorus]

Ah thanks, catering days and full time work are long behind me thanks to this awful disease. But hey, at least I retained some knowledge 😂

[jbzm in reply to Song29]

Ha ha, I can see how Christmas would go with our two lads at home - who needs 'pin the tail on the donkey' when you can stab marg with a temperature probe all in the name of keeping Mum safe!In all seriousness, a fascinating piece of information that could tide me over until I have a better thermometer if I really feel the need to check. I do like the one suggested yesterday by Maureengibson but we are now having a more informed search for them and will then order.

[Hidden]

My fridge has a 1 to 5 setting and I have the dial it at '3 and a half'.I keep Imraldi (Adalimumab...Humira biosimilar) biologic injection pens in the bottom drawer of fridge in their boxes. Youve got me thinking about checking the temp. As an aside I have to cut the plastic covering off the pen to make the injection button move better. Will check my fridge temp now...

[jbzm in reply to Hidden]

Ho Hum, I hope I haven't caused a ripple of temperature angst across the community! I'm just aware ours is rather questionable . . .

[Hidden]

No worries. I just kind of thought before... if my milk is chilled my injection should be fine.

I did bin one injection pen because the liquid looked strange, really cloudy but that was a one off. 🌼