Switching Syringes - Quick Question

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sulile

Member Since 2012
I have been using an UltiMed U-100 syringe, 3/10 cc, 1/2" needle length

I am switching to a BD Ultra-Fine II U-100 syringe, 3/10 cc, 5/16" needle length with 1/2 Unit markings so I can get the 1/2 unit dosing exacty right.

Is there anything I'm supposed to do or know when switching? Just wanted to be sure.

Thanks,

Susan & BUddy
 
Not that I know of. When I switch brands of syringes, I just keep on keeping on.

Have a great evening -

Libby (& Hershey, too!)
 
Hi Susan :smile:

I use the BDs too. The only thing I'd mention (and I like this part) with the shorter needle length
I find I can insert the needle fully before shooting, resulting in fewer furshots. When only inserting part of
the longer needle I found it harder to judge if it was "in" enough (or too far).
 
I made a switch in my syringes at one point, too. I use Terumo brand and I love them - I hope the BDs work well for you. I also got myself a set of calipers so I could make sure each dose was what I thought it was, regardless of the lines on the syringe. Now that I have better syringes, they are pretty accurate, but now I can be sure!

Here's what they look like: http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-digital-caliper-47256.html

Here's how to use them: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=79851&hilit=Calipers

For me, they really do make things a lot easier and it's one small step in keeping my sanity! Good luck to you and Buddy!
 
We use those same calipers and have been pleased with them. We also use a lighted magnifier. Picked it up at Harbor Freight, too. Maybe they should give us a group discount. :smile:
 
Doug N Libby said:
W Picked it up at Harbor Freight, too. Maybe they should give us a group discount. :smile:
Click to expand...

Maybe they have an affiliate program that Rebecca can sign up for to help out with FDMB costs :smile: I did a Google search and Harbor Freight had an affiliate program at one point. It might be something Rebecca can look into.

Is there anything I'm supposed to do or know when switching? Just wanted to be sure.
Click to expand...

Nope :smile: An insulin syringe is an insulin syringe, no matter what the brand is. It's like using Brand X of pens and then switching to Brand ABC of pens. Both work the same way to get the job done.

BD UltraFine is an expensive brand, over $30 for a box. You may want to switch later to a lesser expensive brand. Here's a recent thread about where to buy half unit marked insulin syringes and popular brands: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=86861

Do you mean Ulticare? That brand does have insulin syringes with half unit markings: http://www.americandiabeteswholesal...t-insulin-syringes_5739.htm?source=SiteSearch They are also available as a case of 5 boxes.
 
Hello.
I don't think you will see a difference in switching the two brands that you listed.
However, do be advised that not all syringes are equal...

When I switched from the UltraComforts to the Terumo's...
the ultracomforts were fatter and have a unaccounted for space in the nose cone. The terrumo's were skinnier and had no space...
The amount in those two syringes for 1 unit were NOT equal. The ultracomforts had almost a 1/3 of a unit more in the same dose.
So when I switched, I also mistakingly was giving a dose reduction ( and fortunately it wasn't the other way around) .

You may want to double check your dose with both syringes to see if they are in the same ball park.
 
squeem3 said:
Doug N Libby said:
W Picked it up at Harbor Freight, too. Maybe they should give us a group discount. :smile:
Click to expand...

Maybe they have an affiliate program that Rebecca can sign up for to help out with FDMB costs :smile: I did a Google search and Harbor Freight had an affiliate program at one point. It might be something Rebecca can look into.

Is there anything I'm supposed to do or know when switching? Just wanted to be sure.
Click to expand...

Nope :smile: An insulin syringe is an insulin syringe, no matter what the brand is. It's like using Brand X of pens and then switching to Brand ABC of pens. Both work the same way to get the job done.

BD UltraFine is an expensive brand, over $30 for a box. You may want to switch later to a lesser expensive brand. Here's a recent thread about where to buy half unit marked insulin syringes and popular brands: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=86861

Do you mean Ulticare? That brand does have insulin syringes with half unit markings: http://www.americandiabeteswholesal...t-insulin-syringes_5739.htm?source=SiteSearch They are also available as a case of 5 boxes.
Click to expand...


Yes, I meant Ulticare. Thanks...I didn't realize they had ones with 1/2 Unit markings.
 
Ann & Tess said:
Many of us have also had a hard time getting rid of bubbles in the BD syringes.
Click to expand...

Never had a problem using BD insulin syringes with Lantus :smile: That's the only brand I used with Lantus. When switched to Levemir, the BD syringes had too many air bubbles so I switched to Monojects. Someone said that Levemir was "sticky" which causes stubborn air bubbles that stick inside the syringe barrel. Flicking/tapping only made the air bubble problem worse. Not sure how the Monojects are different from the BDs but I never had an air bubble problem with that brand and Levemir.
 
Has anyone had any problems with Monoject or Tumero using Lantus?
Any pros or cons for either one of these?
I'm having trouble with bubbles using the BD ones.

Susan
 
If anyone else helps you with injections, be sure to show them the new syringes and how to read them or to have an example syringe with colored water drawn up.

I didn't, and my innumerate friend overdosed Spitzer with 10 units instead of 1.
 
sulile said:
Is this the correct one for Terumo with 1/2 unit markings:

http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.co ... SiteSearch

Thought I would try these first. Are the Monoject or the Terumo easier to ready; I don't have the best near vision.

Susan
Click to expand...


Yes those are the correct Terumo half unit marked syringes.

Monoject is a good brand to use. The should work just fine with Lantus. Brand to use is preference.
 
No problems with the terumo's and lantus.
Just make sure you compare your doses before that first use.

You could even load an old syringe (with water for a test ) to the proper dose you are giving and shoot it into the terumo to make sure the dosage is the same.
1 unit on a terumo is different than many of the other syringes... I had monojects and they were not equal to a terumo on a 1 unit dose.

That is when I learned how inaccurate my old syringes were.
 
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