Change to Terumo syringes = dose increase, right?

[Tara & Buster]

From Rhiannon and Shadow:
The terrumo's are more accurate.
I was using Kroger monojects and Marje did a comparison when she had some too.
She got 1.46 in one unit on the monojects to 1 unit on the terrumo's.
When I switched to the Terrumo's , I didn't know that and inadvertently reduced the dose for Shadow without meaning to.
Once I realized the huge difference ( after 18 days) , I corrected it slowly to get back to where we were. I think I'm caught up now.

Now that you know this too, you'll not have to lose ground like we did.
The monojects are wider than the terrumo's and have a extra space in the nose that makes them inaccurate.

Just to be sure I'm understanding correctly, when I switch from the monojects to the Terumos, I should actually "increase" the dose due to inaccuracy? So if I'm currently trying to dose .25 I would dose a skinny .75 with the Terumos, right? I hope to get them tomorrow so I can try them out when I'm home for the weekend.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Tara,

Just a caution. You cannot trust all Monojects to be the same. It all depends on how far the base of the needle comes down into the "cone". (See my sketch of 'perfect' Monoject: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18Sy-_ED9Vi_119OVGEF71zZ0PM6op2R_07oz578xaWU/edit)

Also, there are inaccuracies in all syringes, including the Terumos (inaccurate lines). If you have the digital calipers you can circumvent this problem.

I would not automatically add 1/2 unit to Buster's dose. Start with maybe 1/4 unit. The dose will need tinkering and you can tinker better if you start with a smaller amount. The digital calipers are sold by Harbor Freight and are very easy to work with:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-digital-caliper-47256.html

Sorry I can't write more now. I am out the door. I have just been through the tinkering process and will be happy to elaborate after you get a set of digital calipers.

Good luck,

Ella & Rusty

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

I wouldn't jump up with an automatic increase.

I had a 18 day handicap but I just started fattening the dose once I figured out I had been shortchanging Shadow's shot.
There is no set amount that you can assume for the inaccuracies.
You have to do the measurements yourself. And like everything else, every syringe is different. :lol: :roll: :lol:
That's the problem.
We can't count on our syringes to be accurate and often they are grossly inaccurate. cat(2)_steam
Since I had lost ground, I only had 4 doses that I was incrementally fattening before Shadow earned a reducie anyway.

I will send Marje a pm and ask her opinion for you.

 

[Tara & Buster]

Ok, I won't get all crazy on it. I have ordered calipers and expect them to arrive tomorrow. I have no idea how to use them, but I have the weekend to figure it out.

 

[Leslie and Jasper]

Tara, One simple experiment that might help is measure out a practice dose in the monoject as usual, then remove the plunger from a terumo and squirt that monoject dose into the terumo to see the liquid level. That may help you visually compare your current measured amount with the new terumos. You can also do the reverse, measure in the terumo then quirt that inot an open monoject to see the liquid level. You are working with a small dose and ESID (every syringe is different), still its a quick easy experiment that maybe worth a try to see if it helps you transition.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

One simple experiment that might help is measure out a practice dose in the monoject as usual, then remove the plunger from a terumo and squirt that monoject dose into the terumo to see the liquid level. That may help you visually compare your current measured amount with the new terumos. You can also do the reverse, measure in the terumo then quirt that inot an open monoject to see the liquid level.

This doesn't work. I tried it multiple times.

Ok....let's back up a bit. MJ/Donovan sent me a micropipettor so I could measure the Monoject dose I was using and convert that to an equivalent dose in the Terumos. The MJs have a cone at the top and Ella's post accurately describes the issue. The amount of insulin that might be in that cone can vary. I went through a ton of MJ syringes and measured dose after dose after dose in the micropipettor and then was able to convert that dose to the Terumos which took me about 3 hours/day over several days of experimentation. Then I equated my dose to caliper measurements based on how many drops I get in .5u.

Yes, I found that in the lot number of MJs I had, doses that I drew in to a perfect 1u measured anywhere from 1.46-1.52u in the micropipettor. That's how off that particular lot number was but that doesn't mean it applies to every single MJ lot number. AND you also have to account for how I draw a dose as opposed to how you draw one....there is always some user difference.

I would not increase a dose by .5u when switching syringes. Dose adjustments when changing syringes needed to be done by very fine tuning unless you have access to an adjustable micropipettor where you can accurately measure the doses. I tried every which way to figure out an equivalent dose without it and I did not feel safe in doing it so it was quite a wonderful thing for MJ to loan me an adjustable micropipettor. I felt extremely comfortable with the dosing changes based on that and you can see on Gracie's SS where I switched and there was not a significant change in her numbers.

If you have any questions on how to use the calipers, let me know. It's really easy; it's the switch from the MJs to the Terumos which is more exacting because of the cone in the MJs that holds an unaccountable amount of the dose (unless you are, again, using a micropipettor to figure out how much is in there).

 

[Tara & Buster]

I can't wait for this stuff to show up at my doorstep! I will take everyone's advice into consideration and do the needful research when the tools arrive. Baby steps to OTJ...baby steps..