? bubbles in syringe + injection sites

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Steph & Quintus & L & O

Steph & Quintus & L & O

Member Since 2017
When I draw the insulin (Lantus, from the pen) I always end up with a tiny bubble in the syringe. Before putting the syringe in the pen, I move the plunger back and forth a bit, and I press it in hard as I go into the pen. I suspect the micro-bubble is whatever residual air was in the syringe.

I usually tap it, and expel the extra insulin, and hope that the bubble goes out with it.

- how important is it to get rid of that teeny-tiny bubble?
- how much extra insulin do you draw and then squirt out to get rid of the tiny bubble?

I've read stuff about varying injection sites, particularly with Lantus. How important is that? I inject around the scruff but always in the same area (but I try to go a little to the side, a little higher, lower, etc.)
 
I always draw out a unit more then tap the needle to get all the bubbles to the top then twist the plunger to the dose. Usually by then I will see insulin expelled thru the bevel. And the bubbles are gone. I would say it's important to get most all the bubbles out because even a drop of insulin can be a "dose". But tiny, tiny bubbles I do not worry about.
As far as sites I've been told to rotate. So I have about a 4x4 area on the right side of her flank that I work clockwise. Morning dose 12 oclock evening dose 3 o'clock then next morning 6 o'clock ect ect. Sometimes I forget what oclock I was on. Lol but then just start from 12. And don't rub after injection. I bend over to smell her if I think there was a fs. Of course with 17 units you can't miss that smell. Bending over or not.
 
Stephanie & Quintus said:
how do you do it??
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Tracey&Jones said:
Yes, please tell @Squalliesmom
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I don't know what to tell you, lol. I'll go through the steps I use when filling syringes.

I make sure the plunger is very tightly pressed when I insert the needle into the bottle, then just let it go, without pulling it back, for a second or two, and some insulin will start to fill the syringe. Then I pull it back and draw up a little bit more than I need, tap it so the bubbles all go to the top (I've found, with BD, you have to make sure the bubble(s) are centered in the top of the syringe), and, with it still pointing upwards, expel the extra insulin. Then I'll usually turn it upside-down to make sure I did, indeed, get all the bubbles out. If I didn't, I'll tap it again and get rid of the bubble, and add more insulin, if necessary. I almost never have a problem with the BDs, and very rarely have to go through the second part of the above explanation. *shrug* It works for me. I hope maybe it'll help you. :)
 
There is almost always a bubble when I pull the insulin. The bubble is tiny so I just leave it. The way I figure - if the bubble is the same then it is part of the measured dose. I avoid wasting insulin by trying to get rid of it. Before the injection, I tap the syringe with the plunger facing up. So the bubble hugs the plunger, and basically gets stuck in the needle.
 
I used to have same issue until i found this good trick. First push the plunger to draw a drop dose ( there will be no air for drop dose) then draw little bit more and you will have no air for sure. After that adjust the units you need.
 
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