Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
Is anyone using this brand? I bought some recently and I'm have a strange experience.
Sure Comfort syringes
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Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
OK. Sorry. Got interrupted.
I switched recently from GNP syringes, because I don't think I could find them online when it was time to order. Sure comfort was a few bucks cheaper than the other brand. But they come in the 1/2 unit short needle (1/2 UNIT 31g 3/10cc 5/16in). Anyway, they're just a bit different and I'm still getting used to them.
First, the plunger isn't all the way down, so I need to remember to push it in before I pierce the Lantus cartridge. No big deal. The plunger moves smoothly, without much resistance, which is nice. I haven't entered new data into Buddha's ss in a long time, but he's getting just a hair over a unit every 12 hours.
OK, here's the weird part. I am very, very, very careful not to bump or touch the plunger while I'm sticking the needle into the cat. Very, very careful. However, when I put my finger on the plunger to shoot the insulin, it is ALWAYS already depressed. It won't budge. I pull the needle out of the cat, yes, the insulin is gone.
And while you all can't see his chart, Buddha is definitely receiving and responding to insulin. He's getting it. I just don't understand how.
Anyone else ever had a similar experience?
I switched recently from GNP syringes, because I don't think I could find them online when it was time to order. Sure comfort was a few bucks cheaper than the other brand. But they come in the 1/2 unit short needle (1/2 UNIT 31g 3/10cc 5/16in). Anyway, they're just a bit different and I'm still getting used to them.
First, the plunger isn't all the way down, so I need to remember to push it in before I pierce the Lantus cartridge. No big deal. The plunger moves smoothly, without much resistance, which is nice. I haven't entered new data into Buddha's ss in a long time, but he's getting just a hair over a unit every 12 hours.
OK, here's the weird part. I am very, very, very careful not to bump or touch the plunger while I'm sticking the needle into the cat. Very, very careful. However, when I put my finger on the plunger to shoot the insulin, it is ALWAYS already depressed. It won't budge. I pull the needle out of the cat, yes, the insulin is gone.
And while you all can't see his chart, Buddha is definitely receiving and responding to insulin. He's getting it. I just don't understand how.
Anyone else ever had a similar experience?
Carol&Friends
Member Since 2012
I hate to say this, but there is a possibility that you are not getting insulin into Budda.
Both the vial and the cartridge of insulin are a sealed system. You must inject the same amount of air into them as you want to draw up insulin. Because you are only withdrawing 1 unit, you may be creating a vaccuum in the syringe that is automatically pulling the insulin out once you withdraw it from the cartridge. Do you recap the needle between drawing up and injecting? If so, your insulin might be inside the cap rather than the cat.
Always push 1 unit of air into the container before you draw 1 unit of insulin out or eventually, you'll cause the container to break from negative pressure. You have to put air in to get medicine out.
If you are doing that correctly, then I can't come up with another logical explation for what is happening. LOL
Hugz,
Carol
Both the vial and the cartridge of insulin are a sealed system. You must inject the same amount of air into them as you want to draw up insulin. Because you are only withdrawing 1 unit, you may be creating a vaccuum in the syringe that is automatically pulling the insulin out once you withdraw it from the cartridge. Do you recap the needle between drawing up and injecting? If so, your insulin might be inside the cap rather than the cat.
Always push 1 unit of air into the container before you draw 1 unit of insulin out or eventually, you'll cause the container to break from negative pressure. You have to put air in to get medicine out.
If you are doing that correctly, then I can't come up with another logical explation for what is happening. LOL
Hugz,
Carol
Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
Carol, thanks your reply. When using a pen or a cartridge, air is NOT injected into it first. Only do this when using a vial (and then read the instructions that come with the type of insulin that you are using.)
And even with a vial, it's not going to break. The permeable membrane may get compromised, but that much pressure isn't going to build up.
Here's the sticky about lantus usage & storage: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
No, I do not recap the syringe.
And yes, Buddha is definitely receiving insulin.
Are you using Sure Comfort syringes?
And even with a vial, it's not going to break. The permeable membrane may get compromised, but that much pressure isn't going to build up.
Here's the sticky about lantus usage & storage: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
No, I do not recap the syringe.
And yes, Buddha is definitely receiving insulin.
Are you using Sure Comfort syringes?
Carol&Friends
Member Since 2012
Hi Donna,
No, I use Walgreen's but, I am a nurse and am trying to figure out a rational reason why those syringes are self injecting on you when they absolutely shouldn't. LOL
Thanks for the link. I've used Lantus via 10 ml vial but not the cartridges. Those that I have used in the past were still a sealed system and needed air to replace medication unless pierced by the administration pen.
Hope you find an answer.
Hugz,
Carol
No, I use Walgreen's but, I am a nurse and am trying to figure out a rational reason why those syringes are self injecting on you when they absolutely shouldn't. LOL
Thanks for the link. I've used Lantus via 10 ml vial but not the cartridges. Those that I have used in the past were still a sealed system and needed air to replace medication unless pierced by the administration pen.
Hope you find an answer.
Hugz,
Carol
Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
I'm surprised that I am the only one using this brand of syringes! I still miss my old GNP brand, but am getting used to these.
As a test, a couple of times I have stuck the cat and pulled the syringe out without touching the depressor. When I've done that, there is still insulin in the syringe. So my guess is that the dose is so small, and the slide action so smooth that I must be pushing in the plunger and just don't realize it. But it truly does not feel that way.
The first marking for the .5 unit on the Sure Comfort syringe looks to my eye like a full unit. It just looks wider than the other markings. But I think this is an optical illusion. I tried to compare 1u from a Sure Comfort with 1u from a GNP syringe (by measuring in one, squirting into a small container, and drawing into the other). The amount is so tiny! I think the dose I am using now is slightly less than before, but I don't track this well. What works best is usually slightly less or slightly more than 1u and does fluctuate over time.
As a test, a couple of times I have stuck the cat and pulled the syringe out without touching the depressor. When I've done that, there is still insulin in the syringe. So my guess is that the dose is so small, and the slide action so smooth that I must be pushing in the plunger and just don't realize it. But it truly does not feel that way.
The first marking for the .5 unit on the Sure Comfort syringe looks to my eye like a full unit. It just looks wider than the other markings. But I think this is an optical illusion. I tried to compare 1u from a Sure Comfort with 1u from a GNP syringe (by measuring in one, squirting into a small container, and drawing into the other). The amount is so tiny! I think the dose I am using now is slightly less than before, but I don't track this well. What works best is usually slightly less or slightly more than 1u and does fluctuate over time.
Pumbaa
Member Since 2012
Donna, I'm using Walgreen's brand, not half units, and I feel the same way you do. 
One unit is so small, and I check before I insert the needle, but the plunge motion is so miniscule that it feels like you are doing nothing. I will be getting half-unit increment syringes at WalMart today. The Relions, as those have received good reviews here.
One unit is so small, and I check before I insert the needle, but the plunge motion is so miniscule that it feels like you are doing nothing. I will be getting half-unit increment syringes at WalMart today. The Relions, as those have received good reviews here.
dian and wheezer
Member Since 2009
first vial or pens, you do not inject air into the bottle/pen of lantus from my understanding and specially do not inject insulin back into either. lantus does not respond well the the plastic from the syringes.
I have some sure comfort. and another something comfort. but with the sure comfort I have gone to inject my cat and there was no needle on the syringe. WTH. got another syringe and went to draw up insulin and there was the other needle. left sticking out of the pen. this could very well have come out in the cat and I would never have known it.
never had a syringe self inject
I have some sure comfort. and another something comfort. but with the sure comfort I have gone to inject my cat and there was no needle on the syringe. WTH. got another syringe and went to draw up insulin and there was the other needle. left sticking out of the pen. this could very well have come out in the cat and I would never have known it.
never had a syringe self inject
MelanieAndRacci
Member Since 2010
Pumbaa,
I use Walgreens syringes with half lines. They have them too. I buy the u100 31 gauge, 5/16", 30 unit syringes with half lines from them & like them very much.
Melanie & Racci
I use Walgreens syringes with half lines. They have them too. I buy the u100 31 gauge, 5/16", 30 unit syringes with half lines from them & like them very much.
Melanie & Racci
Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
I'm getting used to the Sure Comfort. Which is good, because I had to buy 5 boxes to get the special price, about 13 cents per syringe. When I run out, I'll just go to Walgreens or Walmart and buy some. What price should I expect for a box of 100?
Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
Well, it sounds like I need to quit trying to save $$ by ordering syringes on the internet!
Doug N Libby
Member Since 2012
Donna -
I read your thread with great interest since I had just ordered these same syringes; I only ordered 100. Upon arrival, I had trouble with a small air bubble, same as with the other syringes I usually use (think I need to improve my technique). No problems of any kind with the second syringe.
We use ProZinc and the two doses have been .9u, so almost twice the .5u you mentioned, but so far we're pleased with the new syringes.
This thread is a few days old, so I'm hoping all is well now.
In fact, time to go use one now -
Libby (and Hershey, too!)
I read your thread with great interest since I had just ordered these same syringes; I only ordered 100. Upon arrival, I had trouble with a small air bubble, same as with the other syringes I usually use (think I need to improve my technique). No problems of any kind with the second syringe.
We use ProZinc and the two doses have been .9u, so almost twice the .5u you mentioned, but so far we're pleased with the new syringes.
This thread is a few days old, so I'm hoping all is well now.
In fact, time to go use one now -
Libby (and Hershey, too!)
Re: Sure Comfort syringes/Shot Problems
I have been using these syringes for more than a year and a half. I am just now having problems and was googling around to see if anyone was having problems with them. I am using 31 gauge 5/16" length with Lantus to my Luke 2 times per day. Lately I felt like I didn't know how to give the shot well anymore and I am noticing that Luke is having higher readings. I began to doubt myself. Then one day I realized that when I took the needle out, it actually looked bent. This morning after giving him his dose, I put my finger on the needle to see how flexible it was and it was basically like filiment. Since I do have another new box of 100 I am going to check the Lot numbers and hope that I have a different Lot and the issue goes away. I had not had a problem before this and I am able to get them free through a program with a grocery store in my area.
I have been using these syringes for more than a year and a half. I am just now having problems and was googling around to see if anyone was having problems with them. I am using 31 gauge 5/16" length with Lantus to my Luke 2 times per day. Lately I felt like I didn't know how to give the shot well anymore and I am noticing that Luke is having higher readings. I began to doubt myself. Then one day I realized that when I took the needle out, it actually looked bent. This morning after giving him his dose, I put my finger on the needle to see how flexible it was and it was basically like filiment. Since I do have another new box of 100 I am going to check the Lot numbers and hope that I have a different Lot and the issue goes away. I had not had a problem before this and I am able to get them free through a program with a grocery store in my area.
Phoebe_TiggyGA_NortonGA
Member Since 2009
Sorry that i'm late to the conversation ---
I've used Sure Comfort syringes (still am using...) and they did take some getting used to because the plungers are very easy compared to others like Monojects.
It is possible that the vaccuum inside the cartridge is sucking on the plunger as you pull the needle out.
I would suggest carefully holding the plunger at the appropriate dose line to make sure it doesn't move when you're pulling the needle out of the insulin vial/cartridge.
Then when injecting your kitty -- keep your finger away from the plunger until after the needle is in -- I had a number of fur shots from bumping the plunger a bit with my finger and boom - the insulin squirts out while I'm still sticking in the needle.
So... changes in technique that I had to make to use Sure Comfort:
push plunger to zero, insert needle into vial - draw up dose and hold plunger while pulling needle out of insulin.
carefully poke needle into Tiggy holding only the barrel of the syringe -- THEN push the plunger to inject.
I've used Sure Comfort syringes (still am using...) and they did take some getting used to because the plungers are very easy compared to others like Monojects.
It is possible that the vaccuum inside the cartridge is sucking on the plunger as you pull the needle out.
I would suggest carefully holding the plunger at the appropriate dose line to make sure it doesn't move when you're pulling the needle out of the insulin vial/cartridge.
Then when injecting your kitty -- keep your finger away from the plunger until after the needle is in -- I had a number of fur shots from bumping the plunger a bit with my finger and boom - the insulin squirts out while I'm still sticking in the needle.
So... changes in technique that I had to make to use Sure Comfort:
push plunger to zero, insert needle into vial - draw up dose and hold plunger while pulling needle out of insulin.
carefully poke needle into Tiggy holding only the barrel of the syringe -- THEN push the plunger to inject.
Donna & Buddha
Member Since 2009
I used all of my 500 syringes and have recently ordered more. I've gotten used to them, the price is right, and I don't have to wait in line at the Wal-Mart pharmacy. I ordered from ADW and they arrived in just a couple of days.
I've recently switched from Lantus cartridges to Lantus pens. It does seem like there is more suction from the pen, and continuing to hold the plunger while removing the needle from the end of the pen is a good recommendation. I've tried dialing the end of the pen to the dose so see if that lets in a little air. Results are inconclusive. I never did read the package insert when I refilled the prescription.
I've recently switched from Lantus cartridges to Lantus pens. It does seem like there is more suction from the pen, and continuing to hold the plunger while removing the needle from the end of the pen is a good recommendation. I've tried dialing the end of the pen to the dose so see if that lets in a little air. Results are inconclusive. I never did read the package insert when I refilled the prescription.
Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
Once you get a little air into the pen the plunger does go down a little after you draw the insulin into the syringe and release the plunger. If you get a lot of air into the pen it becomes less.
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