? Pushing extra insulin back in Pen

[Sepi]

Hello. I have a Lantis pen but using it with syringe. I just saw the sticky post that says never push excess insulin back into the pen? I've been doing that because of getting 1ml correctly on the first try is impossible. So I always seem to go to about 3 and then push back to the 1ml. Could I have ruined the insulin?
Thank you!
Gary's numbers are finally in the spreadsheet. The numbers have been climbing, but he is eating more at his two meals. He had lost so much weight that I'm hoping that letting him eat at mealtime is ok.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Yes, you don't push the excess insulin back into the pen/vial since the lubricant in the syringe could degrade the insulin. You want to draw a little more than the dose and then squirt the excess insulin out when measuring the dose. Does the insulin look OK? Is it clear and without any floaties?

Unregulated diabetic cats cannot process their food which is why they are always starving and lose weight despite eating so much. Once their blood sugar is brought under control, the symptoms disappear and they slowly start to regain weight. The practice of feeding only twice a day with insulin is old-school and more applicable for in-and-out insulins like Cainsulin/Vetsulin where you want to ensure that there is food on board when you give insulin. You want to feed multiple small meals before his nadir - keeps the kitty happy and is also easier on the pancreas!

 

[Sepi]

Yes, you don't push the excess insulin back into the pen/vial since the lubricant in the syringe could degrade the insulin. You want to draw a little more than the dose and then squirt the excess insulin out when measuring the dose. Does the insulin look OK? Is it clear and without any floaties?

Unregulated diabetic cats cannot process their food which is why they are always starving and lose weight despite eating so much. Once their blood sugar is brought under control, the symptoms disappear and they slowly start to regain weight. The practice of feeding only twice a day with insulin is old-school and more applicable for in-and-out insulins like Cainsulin/Vetsulin where you want to ensure that there is food on board when you give insulin. You want to feed multiple small meals before his nadir - keeps the kitty happy and is also easier on the pancreas!

Thank you. I just held a flash light up to the pen, and I don't see anything floating. I see some small bubbles in the side of the pen wall. I notice that the Relion Syringes I got from Walmart do NOT say they have the silicone treatment. Those syringes are so flimsy and appear dull, so I got a box today of UltiCare VetRx and they do say they have the silicone . Should i get a new pen of insulin? I've only been using this Pen since 11/5, so it is almost full. I'd like to save some money, but if there is any chance I've contaminated this one I want to replace ASAP.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Should i get a new pen of insulin? I've only been using this Pen since 11/5, so it is almost full. I'd like to save some money, but if there is any chance I've contaminated this one I want to replace ASAP.

No problem. I think you can continue with this pen for now.

 

[Sepi]

Yes, you don't push the excess insulin back into the pen/vial since the lubricant in the syringe could degrade the insulin. You want to draw a little more than the dose and then squirt the excess insulin out when measuring the dose. Does the insulin look OK? Is it clear and without any floaties?

Unregulated diabetic cats cannot process their food which is why they are always starving and lose weight despite eating so much. Once their blood sugar is brought under control, the symptoms disappear and they slowly start to regain weight. The practice of feeding only twice a day with insulin is old-school and more applicable for in-and-out insulins like Cainsulin/Vetsulin where you want to ensure that there is food on board when you give insulin. You want to feed multiple small meals before his nadir - keeps the kitty happy and is also easier on the pancreas!

The nadir is the low reading in the cycle? Doesn't that change a lot? I'm trying the multiple meal path today. So would it be every 2 hr, or every 3? I know to not feed two hours before the next shot. But that's the extent of my knowledge. Thank you

 

[Heike & BInie]

I pushed back the extra insulin in the pen in the beginning, when I didn't know better. I was lucky and it was still fine. It CAN degrade but it doesn't have to. Just have an eye on it and most likely it will be fine.