Bubbles in insulin again....

[ajsandbe]

I've watched the videos and tried different techniques but I am really having a tough time transferring the insulin from the pen to the syringe. Every time I do it, I create bubbles in the pen- because I am trying to get the mark as accurate as possible. I don't know how to get the bubbles out of the pen without wasting a ton of insulin by squirting it out using a pen needle. Any advice?

 

[BJM]

Bubbles in the pen won't hurt the insulin any more than air in the 10 mL vials does. Periodically, you can draw the air out when it is big enough if you want.

Air in the syringe is what you want to avoid so you are measuring the dose accurately. If you can do that, relax.

I work the sringe a couple of times before pressing the plunger in firmly, inserting the needle into the container, then drawing up insulin. I'm generally successful at not having air in the syringe, so my dose is accurate.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Hmmm first thing is not getting air in the pen in the first place. When you insert the needle in the pen make sure you're holding the plunger as tight as possible to the end of the syringe.

Second over draw your dose. Example if you're shooting 1u. Draw up 1.5 to 2u remove syringe and adjust your dose once the needle is out of the pen.

Yes insulin is expensive but you're never going to use it all up before it starts losing its effectiveness so wasting a unit or two on a shot isn't going to matter much.

Now should a bubble happen, just invert the pen, insert a syringe and suck it off the top.

Lastly a few little air bubbles aren't going to hurt anything. They're a pain in the pen only because they effect the vacuum stopper dropping correctly but aren't going to effect the insulin.

Mel and The Fur Gang