Injection Instructions Using Pen

Cara & Sabrina

Cara & Sabrina

Member Since 2021
Hello. I have a Basaglar pen am using pen needles at the moment, because that was what the vet recommended. When injecting, I know to hold the needle in the skin for 5 to 10 seconds, but my question is do I hold down the button as well? Or do I just push and release the button, but keep the needle in? Thanks!
 
Cara and Sabrina said:
Hello. I have a Basaglar pen am using pen needles at the moment, because that was what the vet recommended. When injecting, I know to hold the needle in the skin for 5 to 10 seconds, but my question is do I hold down the button as well? Or do I just push and release the button, but keep the needle in? Thanks!
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Do you have syringes? I was in the same situation, the pharmacist told me to buy the pen needles but it is much easier with syringes for several reasons - you will get to a point where you need to give smaller doses which are not possible with the pen, plus using syringes you will use every last drop. You just treat the pen as if it is a vial, and stick they syringe in. Also same as you point out, I wasn't convinced I was getting the dose in. Sorry I'm not answering your question but definitely so much easier with the syringe!

I also see you are new so figure you may not be aware of Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Canada, which is by far the cheapest for getting the insulin pens even when you include the postage. https://rxcanada4less.com/

Ha, Elise beat me to replying :) Good luck and look forward to following Sabrina's progress.

I just read your other post - I got the freestyle Libre from Costco at about $35 but you're right about them getting dislodged, it's hit or miss. Much more reliable if you can get successful ear pricking. That's a whole other story.
 
Thanks! I've been thinking about switching to syringes. Is this what I need?
U-100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings
31 or 32 gauge
I have 8 mm pen needles now but prefer longer if I can find it, up to 5/8 inch.

Any suggestions or links of where to get syringes for cheap? I believe finding longer needles is hard at human pharmacies, because 8mm pen needles were the longest I could find and I had to pay $50 for something I didn't even want because I needed to get her injections started! I'm in the US.
 
Liz & Minnie said:
I think most people use 31g x 3/10cc 5/16" with 1/2 Unit Markings, and I think Walmart Relion are probably the cheapest. They didn't work for me, I prefer the longer length needle so I get these - Monoject Ultra Comfort 29G Syringes | ADW Diabetes which are 29G 3/10cc 1/2" 100/bx, $18 a box plus shipping.
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I prefer longer too, at least for now, but I can't find them in 1/2 inch and 31g or 32g, and 1/2 unit markings. Does your car feel the 29 gauge? I have 31g now and she doesn't mind it at all.
 
Cara and Sabrina said:
I prefer longer too, at least for now, but I can't find them in 1/2 inch and 31g or 32g, and 1/2 unit markings. Does your car feel the 29 gauge? I have 31g now and she doesn't mind it at all.
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I don't observe any difference between the 29 and 31g at ALL. I usually shoot while she is eating which has double bonus - she is distracted by food, and she is in a great position for me to get between the shoulder blades. Usually doesn't notice a thing.

In fact I have to giver her antibiotics by shot right now and she doesn't even seem to notice that needle which is 25g (the antibiotic stings though, and she DOES notice that!)
 
I agree with @Liz & Minnie if you ate looking for a longer syringe I used to use these also
these - Monoject Ultra Comfort 29G Syringes | ADW Diabetes
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Most of us use Lantus, . Lantus is expensive in the US so we buy it from Marks Marine in Canada
We buy the Lantus Solostar pens 5 pack they will probably last you for over a year
With Lantus you use U-100 syringes with HALF UNIT MARKINGS
so you can increase or decrease by 0.25 units

With the pen you can only adjust by whole units, that's why we use syringes to insert in the little gray rubber stopper and draw out the insulin from there
The expiration dates will probably be 2022 or 2023 just keep them in the middle shelf in the fridge. You can call them to contact your vet to get in touch with your vet to send over a script.
After that you will not need another script to reorder


Lantus Solostar PEN CAN (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) *single pen open box* Brand 100iu/ml one pen 3 ml $49.99 USD

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Lantus Cartridges 5x3ml per box (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) Brand 100u/ml 15 ml $159.99 USD

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Lantus Solostar PENS 5x3ml per box (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) Brand 100u/ml 15 ml $164.99 USD

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Lantus VIAL Insulin (10ml per vial) (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) Brand 100u/ml 10 ml $110.99 USD
postage. https://rxcanada4less.com/
 
My cat noticed a difference between the 29g syringes we were using for Caninsulin and the 31g I used for Lantus and Levemir.
 
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