Pen vs. Vial

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Hosanna

Hosanna

Member Since 2012
I am having one heck of a hard time getting the right dose when I draw Lantus up in the pen. Martha very rarely gets more than 1 unit.
There are bubbles in it, and most of the time I flat can't see if there is insulin in the syringe. A couple of times I emptied the syringe just to see if there was anything coming out, and it was empty when I thought it was full!
I have been using the pen like a vial, turning it up, sticking the needle into the tiny little rubber tip, and drawing up. Should I toss the pen and purchase a vial? I never had this trouble when I used a vial the first time around. I thank you for your advice.
 
Before filling the syringe, work the plunger up and down a few times.
Then push the plunger in full and hold it while inserting the needle into the pen.
 
Actually, I do do those things. But it's still hard to see if there is any insulin in the syringe, and sometimes I see a large bubble that looks like it extends from one side of the syringe to the other.
Martha tested 115 this morning. I would try shooting, but I'm not going to be home to monitor her. So it will be back up high tonight. This is such a roller coaster!
 
Get some magnifiers - Carson Clip and Flip clip on to eye glasses and visor magnifiers are on a headband. Makes it so much easier to see! Check our shopping partner Amazon (link should be at top of page)

What brand of syringes are you using and what gauge, needle length, etc? Maybe a different brand would work better for you.
 
I will check out those clips. However, the biggest problem is the clear liquid. I can see how to pull up to the proper markings on the syringe. It's just that sometimes there's just no insulin in there. Which makes her getting her insulin a hit-and-miss issue.
I use BD Micro-Fine, 30 unit syringes, 1/2", 28 G needles
I also use Relion 30 unit syringes, 5/16th inch (short needle), 30 G. This one has 1/2 unit markings on it.
 
If there is an air bubble in the vial, use a sryinge to draw out as much as possible.

I believe Terumo syringes get good reviews.

There's always switching to a less concentrated U-40 insulin such as ProZinc, where the volumes would be larger.

Unfortunately, no one makes a diluent for Lantus, nor for Levemir.
 
I have always used Terumo excusively for the 1 mL syringes. Where do you buy them in insulin?
 
Do I have to do anything else for the Amazon Partner thing besides just click on that link at the top? I think that's so cool.
On those clips, which power would you recommend?
 
You might try ADW (link at top of page) for the Terumo insulin syringes.

A craft, hobby, or sewing store may have some magnifiers you can check.

My vision is so bad (even with the cataracts removed!), that I got the 4X magnifiers.
 
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