So, here's 8 months of carrying around Auvi Q The expiration date wore off quickly, in less than a month. the label is a lot worse than it looks. The whole thing is pretty banged up.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l43/sakreksek/auviq_zpsc447eba4.jpg)
Have you sent that picture to them? I really think you should.
i sent them a pic when the expiration date wore off.
They called me, asked me to return the "defective" device. I asked for a coupon for a free replacement, they declined. they sent me at least 3 postage paid boxes. they called me weekly and it was same conversation.
I finally felt like they were really out of line calling me all the time and Insisting I return it. I would have if they would have replaced it.
I'll probably send this pic to them, they need to re think some of the labeling
I'm just curious if anyone else has one that looks like this.
I assume your son is carrying in his pocket with no case on it? Which is EXACTLY what my son would be doing if my insurance would have covered it.
I really appreciate that you showed this. I thought it would be better for my son to carry, but, he's happy with the epi, so I'm definitely giving up this fight.
Would carrying it in a baggie - like a sandwich freezer baggie protect the labeling more (thinking the plastic from the baggie would slide over the labeling moreso than rougher fabric).
Just a thought :-/
I hope the inside of the device holds up better than the outside.
the outside is actually "the case". that whole outer shell slides off. The expiration date should be in that white space inbetween the two blue parts at the top.
it isn't the end of the world, but i didn't like that the expiration date wore off. I think many people are trained to look at that before administering.
Hmmm...maybe they need some kind of clear silicone skin to slide over the case. It would be protective and wouldn't add much the to size.
I've been carrying around two of them in my purse for at least 6 months and they are still like new, but I am not a teenage boy and I have never carried either one in my pocket. And I have them in a mini pouch from kozyepi along with my inhaler and a little sleeve with my health card and my emergency information/medications/contacts on a piece of paper that is the same size as the card. So really, I'm not a good example...sorry. What about a cell phone sleeve in the meantime?
Thank you for following up with this.
Note: The two devices I carry are manufactured (I assume) and marketed/distributed by Sanofi Canada under the name of Allerject. To me they look identical to the device pictured in your original post but who knows if there is a small difference or two.
Yep ours get like that. I think it is a boy thing.
Oh, I've been meaning to post an identical picture for the last three weeks! I was worried they had gone through the wash, but DS said nope--they've just been looking like this for a while.
Quote from: YouKnowWho on October 15, 2013, 08:15:04 PM
Would carrying it in a baggie - like a sandwich freezer baggie protect the labeling more (thinking the plastic from the baggie would slide over the labeling moreso than rougher fabric).
Just a thought :-/
Not going to happen with a teenage boy.
It's not a user fault it's a design fault. The form factor purposefully fits in a pocket the problem is lack of proper anticipation that a sticker wrapped around the outside wouldn't get rubbed off with normal wear and tear. They are, after all, supposed to be carried at all times. Same thing happens to wallets - they're made of tougher stuff than paper sticker. FWIW mine all look as if they're fresh out of the box because I don't carry them in a pocket.
In a way I get why the sticker on solid plastic, I assume to protect the integrity of the epinephrine from light. My Twinject sticker used to rub off the outside of the tube as well. On the positive side it doesn't seem like anyone's DS has lost it easily from a pocket AND they've been carrying constantly.
Yep, he carries two in his front jeans pocket easily! Love it!
Quote from: twinturbo on October 15, 2013, 11:37:34 PM
On the positive side it doesn't seem like anyone's DS has lost it easily from a pocket AND they've been carrying constantly.
Excellent point.
Good point.
I wonder if a round of clear packing tape would be helpful in terms of keeping the paper sticker in place once it begins peeling like that?
Might be able to just WRITE the expiry on it, too, before covering it.
That's what I was thinking --- grab a Sharpie and write the expiration date on it.
These are issues the manufacturer needs to fix.
The big selling point is that it's easy to carry without a purse, which in most cases is going to mean in a pocket. If a carrier is required, they lose a lot of their customers.
Even though my insurance does not cover this, but does cover epi-pen, I planned to purchase ONE of these anyway. Now, I'm going to wait.
Keep in mind, I'm not a teenage boy, I don't wear jeans (just trousers, athletic wear, and shorts), but I'm an athletic and adventurous adult. I've had my Allerject in a pocket for seven months now (with keys, no less) and it only shows minimal wear: the label is peeling 1-2 mm from the edge, the label has taken a beating (little surface dents and scratches seen if you hold it up to the light, none that punctured or damaged the plastic layer of the label) but the area with the wording is perfectly legible. The expiration date looks like it did when I took it out of the box. I think it's held up fairly well so far. Clear tape over the peeling label would certainly help. I wonder if they made the plastic cover clear, with the words on the device inside instead of on a sticker label, if that would hold up better?
Quote from: CMdeux on October 16, 2013, 08:58:15 AM
Good point.
I wonder if a round of clear packing tape would be helpful in terms of keeping the paper sticker in place once it begins peeling like that?
Might be able to just WRITE the expiry on it, too, before covering it.
Sounds like a good hack. Overlay some clear clear packing tape when the device is new sort of like the function of a screen protector.
I gave ds the one I have in my purse and I put clear tape over expiration date and a piece of packing tape on the outer area where its peeling on the other one.
Its just something that I think they need to improve over time. I love the device and the overall idea. I like the idea of the outer part being clear and the writing on the inner part.
When it does expire, will you send it to them then?
Quote from: CMdeux on October 16, 2013, 08:58:15 AM
Good point.
I wonder if a round of clear packing tape would be helpful in terms of keeping the paper sticker in place once it begins peeling like that?
Might be able to just WRITE the expiry on it, too, before covering it.
I wonder if Modge Podge would work? I had thought that clear nail polish over the expiry might be worth a try.
I wrote the expiry on our wall calendar.
I keep forgetting to ask our kids about theirs . . . DS carries in pants pocket and DD carries in purse. Will be interesting to compare.
Although, DS does have some EpiPens which are in his swim bag for swimming.
We only got 2 sets of AuviQ and one pair is at each school's nurse/clinic office.
DS's is in his SPIBelt - I'll need to check them out when I get home
Quote from: momtoAidenDeclan on October 17, 2013, 01:53:52 PM
DS's is in his SPIBelt - I'll need to check them out when I get home
How do you keep them from stacking in the SPIbelt? I find they always stack on top of each other and annoy me as a result. If you have a way to keep them side by side I'd love to know how. :)
Our boys carry in the spi belt. They look like the picture (sweaty little creatures they are). I'll take a peeling label- so much easier for little guys to carry! The ones in my purse and the ones dh carries from a bag clipped to his backpack are all looking brand new.
I think some people might find some school's refusing to give it if they can't see the exp date.
Yes, that is what worried me, the ex date not being visible. Also, if the entire label peels off, might not be easily identified. I think the whole label will not peel off, but just seems like the outer packaging needs a revamp.
I will send it when it expires, i'll probably send another email with the picture and not put my phone number on it.
ours expires 4/2014
My son's look like that, too. He's 13 and loves to be able to have them in his pocket rather than carrying epi's in his spi-belt. The packing tape works great. I even used a black paint pen and wrote his name on them before I covered with the tape. Next time, I'll do it as soon as we get new ones. Hopefully, they will improve this. I'm just thankful for them and how they improve the odds of teen boys carrying.
Now, the voice doesn't work anymore on the one my ds was carrying. I don't know exactly how he knew it stopped working, but doesn't work anymore. He doesn't believe the device has gotten wet. I guess now I'll send the thing back.
We have the same problem with one of them. I noticed it the other week. Getting refills and I'm going to check the voice once a month. I think the battery life may be shorter than expected.
well, good to know ours isn't only one. the directions are printed on the inner device, they are clear and easy
This reminds me of the "first year model" new car syndrome -- lots of bugs that need to be worked out, fixes happen 2nd year, and then the 3rd year model ends up being really supreme.
I'm willing to have patience, but it is important that EVERYBODY knows how to use WITHOUT the voice telling what to do.
Especially important for teachers and other care givers who are not so experienced with Epi injectors.
I just refilled my sons Avui-Q. They have improved the expire date printing. It is now etched into the case instead of being printed. Don't see how it will wear off, so nice improvement.
Good to know they fixed that, and that they listened to consumers. :thumbsup:
Thanks for posting Chase!
I remembered this thread questioning durability of au-vi-Q. I thought I'd share our experience. Both boys have been self carrying one in a spi belt by itself all year. They wear them all day, everyday. As it happens, just yesterday, I took M's out to show someone. It clearly looked "loved", but all labels were still easily readable. I took it out of it's external case and the voice directives were fully functional. Today M accidentally wore his while wading in a creek. He brought me his spi belt which was dripping wet. Au-vi-Q appeared OK, but obviously I would never trust it at this point. At home I removed it from it's outer case and the voice prompts were still intact. Over the kitchen sink, I put half of the black firing end against the outer case and used it. It required a good bit of oomph. Similar to epi pen. More importantly, since I wasn't injecting into fruit, I was able to see it deliver the meds. ALL MEDS WERE DELIVERED BY THE TIME THE VOICE BEGAN COUNTING DOWN...INSTANTAINIOUSLY This was good for me to see because when we had to use the epi pen on M, despite being held down by DH while I used it, M was able to push my hand and bend the needle in half! I had no clue how much, if any, he'd gotten. Plus I think its reflexive to pull back rather then hold.
Any way- very happy with it's ease of carry and durability!
REALLY helpful update-- thank you so much for sharing that. :)
Quote from: chase on June 14, 2014, 12:16:23 PM
I just refilled my sons Avui-Q. They have improved the expire date printing. It is now etched into the case instead of being printed. Don't see how it will wear off, so nice improvement.
Mine is actually etched onto the device itself, not the case. There is no way it can rub off. Nice improvement.