8/18 Mia AMPS 128 +2 109 +6 116 PMPS 124 +2 134

Loquaciouslj

Loquaciouslj

Member Since 2026
I just came over to this support group and saw the sticky on drawing insulin. Kind of late asking questions, as I’ve been doing this four weeks, but wondering about some practices. Three questions: 1) My vet told me to roll the vial, turning it end to end and rolling 5 times per turn for a total of 25. I did that the first two weeks of having this vial. Originally prescribed prozinc, which may be why they gave me these instructions, but no update when I decided to use Lantus. If I didn’t see any changes in the liquid, are there any unseen changes that could be problematic down the road? 2) They did not tell me to not inject back in to the vial to adjust a draw. I did this about one week&, before learning it could damage the solution. The vial is still clear (refrigerated), but what does it do to the insulin if some needle lubricant is introduced to the vial? 3) I have not been inserting air into the vial first, because I though doing so would also put lubricant in .. is this step necessary and why? I’ve just been turning the vial upside down and drawing. It seems I am having no problem drawing a dose. I have been drawing a bit more than needed, tapping the syringe to displace any air bubble, then squirting the excess draw out into the sink. Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Lantus is not rolled or shaken. You'll just have to see if eventually it changes colour or gets floaties in the fluid.

The injecting air is to create the same pressure inside the vial after you draw something out. If it's only been a few units it might be OK. Many of us get pens (or cartridges where available) cause there are less unit to ruin should something bad happen to it. With pens, you do not inject air first because the bottom of the pen comes up with the pressure change.
 
Loquaciouslj said:
I just came over to this support group and saw the sticky on drawing insulin. Kind of late asking questions, as I’ve been doing this four weeks, but wondering about some practices. Three questions: 1) My vet told me to roll the vial, turning it end to end and rolling 5 times per turn for a total of 25. I did that the first two weeks of having this vial. Originally prescribed prozinc, which may be why they gave me these instructions, but no update when I decided to use Lantus. If I didn’t see any changes in the liquid, are there any unseen changes that could be problematic down the road? 2) They did not tell me to not inject back in to the vial to adjust a draw. I did this about one week&, before learning it could damage the solution. The vial is still clear (refrigerated), but what does it do to the insulin if some needle lubricant is introduced to the vial? 3) I have not been inserting air into the vial first, because I though doing so would also put lubricant in .. is this step necessary and why? I’ve just been turning the vial upside down and drawing. It seems I am having no problem drawing a dose. I have been drawing a bit more than needed, tapping the syringe to displace any air bubble, then squirting the excess draw out into the sink. Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...


Welcome to Lantus Land!

You don’t ever need to roll or shake Lantus. What your vet recommended is even excessive for PZ as just a little gentle rolling is fine.

As long as the Lantus is not cloudy, I wouldn’t worry about it. If it gets cloudy or her BG starts going up, you need new insulin.

Most members buy the Solostar pens instead of a vial. They will last you much longer as you can use them until the last drop. There are Good RX coupons for them, I believe, that bring the cost down. @Staci & Ivy knows how to access these. Store them in a cheese drawer and not the door. You can draw from them just like you do a vial.

You don’t need to inject air into the vial.

Most members use calipers to dose as syringes are horribly inaccurate.

When you post here, you can put all your questions in one thread which we call a “condo”. The thread title for today would be:

8/18 Mia AMPS 128 +2 109 +6 116 Insulin drawing ?

If uou click on the three dots above the post and “edit thread”, you can also choose a prefix such as the “?” so your question stands out. As soon as it is answered, we ask you then take it down.

It’s a learning curve but you’ll get it and we hope you will post every day
 
Marje and Gracie said:
Welcome to Lantus Land!

You don’t ever need to roll or shake Lantus. What your vet recommended is even excessive for PZ as just a little gentle rolling is fine.

As long as the Lantus is not cloudy, I wouldn’t worry about it. If it gets cloudy or her BG starts going up, you need new insulin.

Most members buy the Solostar pens instead of a vial. They will last you much longer as you can use them until the last drop. There are Good RX coupons for them, I believe, that bring the cost down. @Staci & Ivy knows how to access these. Store them in a cheese drawer and not the door. You can draw from them just like you do a vial.

You don’t need to inject air into the vial.

Most members use calipers to dose as syringes are horribly inaccurate.

When you post here, you can put all your questions in one thread which we call a “condo”. The thread title for today would be:

8/18 Mia AMPS 128 +2 109 +6 116 Insulin drawing ?

If uou click on the three dots above the post and “edit thread”, you can also choose a prefix such as the “?” so your question stands out. As soon as it is answered, we ask you then take it down.

It’s a learning curve but you’ll get it and we hope you will post every day
Click to expand...
Hi Janet and Mia, welcome.
I have used the Good RX coupon found on their website or the app (either printed out or just do a screenshot on your phone and show it to them with all the bin information, etc.).

My local pharmacy is able to fill either a box of 5 Solostar pens or a vial for $35, per the coupon.

Sometimes you get a clerk at the pharmacy that can’t figure out how to apply the coupon. Sometimes I have to get the pharmacist involved. They seem to be bit more well-versed in how to apply the coupon, even if it is for a cat.
If for some reason, you have trouble at one pharmacy, you can take it to another pharmacy and try there. Or you could even call around and explain what you’re trying to do before you even start running around town, but I do know the coupon works if you get someone who is willing to work with you.
I hope it’s easy for you to get the discount.

If you have any further questions, please ask we’re happy to help 🥰
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Hi Janet and Mia, welcome.
I have used the Good RX coupon found on their website or the app (either printed out or just do a screenshot on your phone and show it to them with all the bin information, etc.).

My local pharmacy is able to fill either a box of 5 Solostar pens or a vial for $35, per the coupon.

Sometimes you get a clerk at the pharmacy that can’t figure out how to apply the coupon. Sometimes I have to get the pharmacist involved. They seem to be bit more well-versed in how to apply the coupon, even if it is for a cat.
If for some reason, you have trouble at one pharmacy, you can take it to another pharmacy and try there. Or you could even call around and explain what you’re trying to do before you even start running around town, but I do know the coupon works if you get someone who is willing to work with you.
I hope it’s easy for you to get the discount.

If you have any further questions, please ask we’re happy to help 🥰
Click to expand...
Thank you 🥰🥰
 
Hi Janet! Happy you found your way over here to Lantus Land, lots of experienced people here to help! I just want to say that you have learned a lot in a short time and you’re doing great! Mia is lucky to have you ☺️
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Hi Janet and Mia, welcome.
I have used the Good RX coupon found on their website or the app (either printed out or just do a screenshot on your phone and show it to them with all the bin information, etc.).

My local pharmacy is able to fill either a box of 5 Solostar pens or a vial for $35, per the coupon.

Sometimes you get a clerk at the pharmacy that can’t figure out how to apply the coupon. Sometimes I have to get the pharmacist involved. They seem to be bit more well-versed in how to apply the coupon, even if it is for a cat.
If for some reason, you have trouble at one pharmacy, you can take it to another pharmacy and try there. Or you could even call around and explain what you’re trying to do before you even start running around town, but I do know the coupon works if you get someone who is willing to work with you.
I hope it’s easy for you to get the discount.

If you have any further questions, please ask we’re happy to help 🥰
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Lantus is not rolled or shaken. You'll just have to see if eventually it changes colour or gets floaties in the fluid.

The injecting air is to create the same pressure inside the vial after you draw something out. If it's only been a few units it might be OK. Many of us get pens (or cartridges where available) cause there are less unit to ruin should something bad happen to it. With pens, you do not inject air first because the bottom of the pen comes up with the pressure change.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
Marje and Gracie said:
Welcome to Lantus Land!

You don’t ever need to roll or shake Lantus. What your vet recommended is even excessive for PZ as just a little gentle rolling is fine.

As long as the Lantus is not cloudy, I wouldn’t worry about it. If it gets cloudy or her BG starts going up, you need new insulin.

Most members buy the Solostar pens instead of a vial. They will last you much longer as you can use them until the last drop. There are Good RX coupons for them, I believe, that bring the cost down. @Staci & Ivy knows how to access these. Store them in a cheese drawer and not the door. You can draw from them just like you do a vial.

You don’t need to inject air into the vial.

Most members use calipers to dose as syringes are horribly inaccurate.

When you post here, you can put all your questions in one thread which we call a “condo”. The thread title for today would be:

8/18 Mia AMPS 128 +2 109 +6 116 Insulin drawing ?

If uou click on the three dots above the post and “edit thread”, you can also choose a prefix such as the “?” so your question stands out. As soon as it is answered, we ask you then take it down.

It’s a learning curve but you’ll get it and we hope you will post every day
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
Crowley said:
You would make a new post with today's info and link your most recent "condo"

You can see my most recent one here and how it links on back
Click to expand...
Well, I tried .. but got something got messed up. The link has other people’s conversations. Couldn’t find a delete option for the new thread? 🤦‍♀️ The online stuff is much harder for me than the shooting or testing!
 
No worries! You should be able to edit. I attached a screenshot showing where you can find the edit button on the post.
 

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