Excessive air in GNP syringes - others having prob too?

[Shirley and Ragnar]

I've had excessive air getting into my GNP syringes - just the last two boxes. I've used these for most of the 3 years Ragnar has been diabetic (minus 19 months or so when he was on honeymoon) and never had this problem before. Has anyone else noticed the same thing?

I need half-unit markings, and Relion isn't an option because ND law doesn't allow Walmart, or any other store not owned by a local pharmacist, to have a pharmacy. I've been over-filling the syringes by quite a bit, getting the bubbles to the top, and removing the air before I fine-tune it, but it's not perfect - for one thing, the bubbles tend to stick to the plunger. I may just have to go on doing that...

But these syringes are made for people - has the government done nothing? I'm surprised they would tolerate it. The air must be coming in where the needle meets the plastic. (I use 31g; possibly larger needles might be better...) I wonder if they have switched to a different Chinese manufacturer than they had before.

Ideas??

Blessings,

Shirley and Mr. Beautiful
(edited for spelling typo)

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

I have similar problems getting air and bubbles into my BD short needle 30 gauge with ½ marking syringes which I buy at my pharmacy here in Sweden. A bit annoying always getting air bubbles in, but I have worked out a way and sort of learned to live with it

 

[BJM]

It may help to take the empty syringe and work the plunger in and out several times, then push it as tightly in as possible prior to inserting into the insulin container to withdraw the insulin.

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

Don't you hate that dang ND law? Makes everything more difficult and more expensive. I use Monoject and order them from the ADW link on FDMB now. They come fast, cheap and FDMB gets a small commission.

One trick I found to get air bubbles out easier if I get a stubborn one is to get them to the end, pull the plunger back to pull more air into the tip to "capture" that air bubble, then push out all of the air together. Seems to clear those tough bubbles easier.

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

Don't you hate that dang ND law? Makes everything more difficult and more expensive. I use Monoject and order them from the ADW link on FDMB now. They come fast, cheap and FDMB gets a small commission.

One trick I found to get air bubbles out easier if I get a stubborn one is to get them to the end, pull the plunger back to pull more air into the tip to "capture" that air bubble, then push out all of the air together. Seems to clear those tough bubbles easier.

I will try the Monoject next time. I just ordered more GNP last night, alas!

Pulling more air into the syringe is a good idea! I've been putting in more insulin and tapping it to float the bubble to the top, but he's used up his last $72 pen very fast that way - and I use his Lantus to the last drop, since by keeping it cold and being absolutely FANATICAL about keeping it sterile, I've been able to prevent it from losing its strength even if it lasts 4 months or so. Since I use up all the insulin, it's a very good idea to use more air instead; it's a lot cheaper. ;-)

Also, a couple of days ago I was very tired and sleepy, and although I pushed the bubble out, I forgot to fine-tune it and gave him an unknown amount. I kept his sugar up with Solid Gold Katz-n-Flocken, a really yummy (evidently) kibble, and in fact kept him higher than he should have been but it was better than hypo. He'll be safer from tired-Mommy syndrome (especially with those 3 AM shots - he doesn't come up high enough sometimes, I have to wait, so his shot times are all over the clock) if I don't have to put so much insulin in his syringes.

Maybe we can ask our legislators to change that law - if you are in ND too! It's great for the pharmacists but not for the customers, and there are a lot more customers who vote...

Blessings!

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

I have similar problems getting air and bubbles into my BD short needle 30 gauge with ½ marking syringes which I buy at my pharmacy here in Sweden. A bit annoying always getting air bubbles in, but I have worked out a way and sort of learned to live with it

I have too - I over-fill it with insulin (about 2u; he gets 3/4), hold it with the needle upward and let the bubble float to the top, then slowly eject it until a little insulin starts to come out. Later I fine-tune it under a bright light, with my reading glasses on. The only problem is that it uses up the insulin a lot faster, and there's always the danger that at 3 AM I will forget to fine-tune it (very rare occurrence, but it happened last week).

Blessings!

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

It may help to take the empty syringe and work the plunger in and out several times, then push it as tightly in as possible prior to inserting into the insulin container to withdraw the insulin.

I do that too, but the air still gets in there. I wrote to Hocks about it, since I've only had this problem with the last two boxes of syringes (about 4 months). They must have changed something!

Blessings!

Shirley and Mr. Wonderful

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

It may help to take the empty syringe and work the plunger in and out several times, then push it as tightly in as possible prior to inserting into the insulin container to withdraw the insulin.

I've always pushed it in as tightly as possible, but now am working it in and out a few times first, and it makes a huge difference! Thanks!!