This is my second box of BD syringes that are not lubricated properly so I am wasting insulin and syringes. the plunger sticks. I buy them at Walmart, should I try a different store? Some pharmacies don't even carry the half unit syringes with the short needle, 6mm I believe .
trouble with BD syringes
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Tuxedo Mom
Member Since 2014
I use the BD syringes and also find that they are often not well lubricated. I push the plunger up and down a number of times before drawing insulin to try to lubricate the syringe better and hold the plunger tight to the end when drawing out the insulin. This seems to help a bit. I had a box of the 6mm size that worked perfectly, but had to buy a box of 8mm the next time and they were more of a problem. I can't offer any other alternative syringes, since where I am in Winnipeg, Canada the only syringes with 1/2 unit markings the pharmacies carry here are the BD brand.
Yes, I do move plunger up and down and also hold tight to end when drawing out insulin. Odd though, I never had a problem with the 8mm, but Walmart stopped carrying them. Today for example, I used 3 syringes for one shot (waste of insulin and syringes). I wonder if they are guaranteed. will take back tomorrow and see i f I can get a different lot number. I took them back before so will have to again . I thought BD syringe was the best!!!
Tuxedo Mom
Member Since 2014
I have been using the BD syringes for almost 1 1/2 years and the quality seems to have gone downhill over that time.
ETA I know the pharmacies here will not accept returns on syringes once you have left the store, Maybe you should contact BD directly. I am going to be opening a new box in about 5 days and if they are still hard to use I think I will approach them directly.
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Vicki and Jerry
Member Since 2015
I had the same problem with the sryinges not being lubricated enough. When they are like that it sure makes it hard to draw your dose. I always seemed to go to far when I was pushing on the plunger. I got some from AW Diabetic supplies ( they were recommended to my by some great folks on here because I posted the same question. They are a little truer with the markings than the Relion I got from Wal -mart but I use a caliper to measure so I get the right dose and they are very easy to draw a dose in simce they are pretty well lubricated. Switching to this brand sure help me .
Here is the link http://www.adwdiabetes.com//product...-5-16-with-half-unit-markings-100bx_16367.htm
They ship out fairly fast and I think the price was close to what I paid at WalMart
Here is the link http://www.adwdiabetes.com//product...-5-16-with-half-unit-markings-100bx_16367.htm
They ship out fairly fast and I think the price was close to what I paid at WalMart
Dyana
Member Since 2009
This is the caliper that most of us use. It helps with drawing more consistent doses when the line markings on the syringes vary too much. You figure out what your current dose is and measure it with the caliper and lock it in place. Then each time you want that same dose, you measure it using the caliper instead of looking at the markings on the syringe. I found that the markings on the ReliOn syringes varied as much as 1/2 unit and I complained to the pharmacy at WalMart and brought in three sample syringes to show them. One had the zero mark at the top, one had the zero mark 1/4 unit down from the top, and the third had the zero mark about 1/2 unit down from the top. Not good when we are shooting such little doses. They sent them and my complaint to the manufacturer. I was hoping they would improve, but all I got was a free box of syringes.
I thought I saw a post on using calipers to measure insulin, but now I can't find it. If you are interested in trying them, I'm sure if you use the Search function at the top of the page you will find some helpful information.
With three times under 50 on three separate cycles on this dose, I wonder if you should try to decrease Cutie's insulin.
It's hard to tell with those higher AMPS. Hopefully, some others will chime in.
I thought I saw a post on using calipers to measure insulin, but now I can't find it. If you are interested in trying them, I'm sure if you use the Search function at the top of the page you will find some helpful information.
With three times under 50 on three separate cycles on this dose, I wonder if you should try to decrease Cutie's insulin.
It's hard to tell with those higher AMPS. Hopefully, some others will chime in.
are the needles you recommended from adw reliable markings to use without the caliper? I have to do something, wasting too much insulin with the bd syringes. She is again up this morning. all i can say is MY relion comfort meter reads low. I double check it with my alpha track 2 and that read 64 once when the relion read under 50. so I may hold .75 units for now (was thinking of increasing to 1 unit). what is the length of the needle?
Dyana
Member Since 2009
I don't think you should increase the dose with all the numbers in the 40s that you are seeing. Remember Lantus dosing is based on how low the dose takes them, not the pre shot tests. If you increased those numbers in the 40 might turn to numbers in the 30s or ... You do not want that. Safety first.
I used the ReliOn syringes and then the Terumo syringes which are not made anymore in the size/markings we need. I don't think any of the syringes have markings that are all that accurate because they are made for humans that take like 30 units at a time and to them 1/4 or 1/2 unit off is not that significant, whereas to our 3? unit or less doses that little bit makes a big difference in percentages of insulin. Lantus works best with consistent dosing every time.
In my experience, I found the longer 1/2 inch needles to work better with J.D. as he was a big cat with medium length fur, and I gave less fur shots with the longer needle.
I used the ReliOn syringes and then the Terumo syringes which are not made anymore in the size/markings we need. I don't think any of the syringes have markings that are all that accurate because they are made for humans that take like 30 units at a time and to them 1/4 or 1/2 unit off is not that significant, whereas to our 3? unit or less doses that little bit makes a big difference in percentages of insulin. Lantus works best with consistent dosing every time.
In my experience, I found the longer 1/2 inch needles to work better with J.D. as he was a big cat with medium length fur, and I gave less fur shots with the longer needle.
Dyana
Member Since 2009
It took me like a week to get used to it. I kept trying. In the beginning, it took so long to get the dose right, but having more consistent dosing is what I wanted.
I would first go through your box of syringes and try to find one that has the zero mark at the top of the syringe. I would draw up your current dose in the syringe, and holding your syringe so the needle is facing the ceiling, then place the top arm of the caliper at the top of the syringe (where the zero line is / and or where the insulin becomes zero in the barrel), then with the calipers unlocked, move the other arm of the caliper to the bottom of the insulin dose, and then lock the calipers in place.
The next time you measure your dose, you will not even look at the (varying) line markings on the syringe anymore.
I needed two hands to do this, or felt like I needed three especially if I was also using a magnifying glass, but others will have more hints for you. With the needle facing up, you will place the top arm of the caliper on the place where the zero mark should be and then draw your dose of insulin to the bottom arm of the caliper which you already set to your current dose measurement. If I am bad at explaining, perhaps others can chime in using better instructions.
I started wearing dollar store reading glasses, because of measuring insulin, and still do to this day, now
tiffmaxee
Member Since 2013
Here's Marje's wonderful info and video on calipers.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dosing-with-calipers-updated-w-videos.79851/#post-862835
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dosing-with-calipers-updated-w-videos.79851/#post-862835
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Yes, this is a good video. I started using calipers a few months ago and I am so glad I did because of the inaccuracy of most syringes. I use the Relion ones from Walmart. They too have accurany issues but they are nicely lubricated. As a matter of fact, I slid the plunger up and down several times and on a handful on times I have actually expressed out a drop of the lubricant.
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