Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 On 30 Mar 2005 04:03:17 -0000 " DuNord " writes: > > I know we are told to use our lancet needles only once, but I use > them until they get dull, and several of you here have said the same thing. > I know someone who keeps the lancet for years and I might be close to thar. All I know is that I have never bought lancets and still have plenty left in the little baggie the original lancets came in. I test about 6 times a day and depending on which meter I use, it is either the Accu Chek softclix or the BD lancet device. I've had to replace the BD lancet device once but I go more than a year with those lancets without a problem. > What about insulin syringes? I take two hits of insulin a day, and > have recently started using the needle twice, for both injections. I am > careful about replacing the cap on the needle and I just can't see the harm > in this. The company (BD) tells me Only Once should this needle be used. > What say you? Anyone else here use twice? > Well my BD syringes come with needle attached so I'd have to change the whole thing. Fortunately, I now only use syringes to transfer Lantus to empty novo pen cartridges and use pen needles (31 gauge short needles) for novolog and lantus. I only change needles when I change cartridges so that means about 15 shots per cartridge (300 units per cartidge) for Lantus and maybe 45 shots per cartridge for novolog, all with the same needle and without any discomfort, bruising, bleeding, infection etc. Needle makers will say change with each use for their economic reasons and to cover any problems that re-use might bring. It is to BD's advantage that you buy more needles and if you don't, then it isn't their fault if you choose to re-use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 On 30 Mar 2005 04:03:17 -0000 " DuNord " writes: > > I know we are told to use our lancet needles only once, but I use > them until they get dull, and several of you here have said the same thing. > I know someone who keeps the lancet for years and I might be close to thar. All I know is that I have never bought lancets and still have plenty left in the little baggie the original lancets came in. I test about 6 times a day and depending on which meter I use, it is either the Accu Chek softclix or the BD lancet device. I've had to replace the BD lancet device once but I go more than a year with those lancets without a problem. > What about insulin syringes? I take two hits of insulin a day, and > have recently started using the needle twice, for both injections. I am > careful about replacing the cap on the needle and I just can't see the harm > in this. The company (BD) tells me Only Once should this needle be used. > What say you? Anyone else here use twice? > Well my BD syringes come with needle attached so I'd have to change the whole thing. Fortunately, I now only use syringes to transfer Lantus to empty novo pen cartridges and use pen needles (31 gauge short needles) for novolog and lantus. I only change needles when I change cartridges so that means about 15 shots per cartridge (300 units per cartidge) for Lantus and maybe 45 shots per cartridge for novolog, all with the same needle and without any discomfort, bruising, bleeding, infection etc. Needle makers will say change with each use for their economic reasons and to cover any problems that re-use might bring. It is to BD's advantage that you buy more needles and if you don't, then it isn't their fault if you choose to re-use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Where do you get the empty cartridges? If you are reusing other insulin cartridges how do you clean(sterilize)them? I thought Lantus couldn;t be mixed with any other insulin. Shirley >Well my BD syringes come with needle attached so I'd have to change the >whole thing. Fortunately, I now only use syringes to transfer Lantus to >empty novo pen cartridges and use pen needles (31 gauge short needles) >for novolog and lantus. I only change needles when I change cartridges so >that means about 15 shots per cartridge (300 units per cartidge) for >Lantus and maybe 45 shots per cartridge for novolog, all with the same >needle and without any discomfort, bruising, bleeding, infection etc. > > > > >- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Where do you get the empty cartridges? If you are reusing other insulin cartridges how do you clean(sterilize)them? I thought Lantus couldn;t be mixed with any other insulin. Shirley >Well my BD syringes come with needle attached so I'd have to change the >whole thing. Fortunately, I now only use syringes to transfer Lantus to >empty novo pen cartridges and use pen needles (31 gauge short needles) >for novolog and lantus. I only change needles when I change cartridges so >that means about 15 shots per cartridge (300 units per cartidge) for >Lantus and maybe 45 shots per cartridge for novolog, all with the same >needle and without any discomfort, bruising, bleeding, infection etc. > > > > >- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Where do you get the empty cartridges? If you are reusing other insulin cartridges how do you clean(sterilize)them? I thought Lantus couldn;t be mixed with any other insulin. Shirley >Well my BD syringes come with needle attached so I'd have to change the >whole thing. Fortunately, I now only use syringes to transfer Lantus to >empty novo pen cartridges and use pen needles (31 gauge short needles) >for novolog and lantus. I only change needles when I change cartridges so >that means about 15 shots per cartridge (300 units per cartidge) for >Lantus and maybe 45 shots per cartridge for novolog, all with the same >needle and without any discomfort, bruising, bleeding, infection etc. > > > > >- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 I've been a Diabetic since May of 1997 & never use a lancet or a needle or syringe twice. If the company says it is to be used one time,then it is made to only be used once. So far as using a syringe for Lantus, that is what I do. I had never used a syringe before, but it is really easy. Once you try it, you will think why did I think I could not do that. from Southern Ontario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 I didn't mean to imply you were deliberately mixing insulins, I just don't see how the vials get totally empty. I would be afraid of residue left behind. Shirley Samante wrote > > >>If you are reusing other insulin cartridges how do you >> >> >clean(sterilize)them? > >Practice, practice, practice. <g> That's where a syringe comes into play >to remove residue of what is left in cartridge, cleaning etc. > > >I thought Lantus couldn;t be mixed with any other insulin. > > >Correct but I read my post again and don't see any mention of mixing >insulins. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 I have a question about reursing cartridges. I've saved a whole bunch of my Humalog cartridges that fit into the BD Pen-Mini, both of which have been discontinued. I loved the BD Pen-Mini because you could dial up half units and also it was inconspicuous to use while dining out. And now that I've just about used up all my carts, I'm ready to refill them with Humalog from a regular bottle. I can aspirate out whatever Humalog remains in the carts...but what about the residual? Does anyone rinse them out by using a syringe full of distilled water or such before refilling with fresh Humalog? Any suggestions? I know NovoLog makes a pen with half units and sells carts for it but I don't really want to switch from Humalog to NovoLog. Vicki Re: Needle re-use > > I didn't mean to imply you were deliberately mixing insulins, I just > don't see how the vials get totally empty. I would be afraid of > residue > left behind. > Shirley > > > Samante wrote > >> >> >>>If you are reusing other insulin cartridges how do you >>> >>> >>clean(sterilize)them? >> >>Practice, practice, practice. <g> That's where a syringe comes into >>play >>to remove residue of what is left in cartridge, cleaning etc. >> >> >>I thought Lantus couldn;t be mixed with any other insulin. >> >> >>Correct but I read my post again and don't see any mention of mixing >>insulins. >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Vicki, I just pull out that little bit left at the end with a syringe and refill. That rubber is very tight in the tube, I don't see there being much, if any, residue left. What you need to watch out for is the rubber on top where you insert the needle. Eventually it does age and can impede the flow of insulin. Since we are talking about a two ended needle, I don't know why; I just know it happened. While I was ranting and raving about the @#%)(^^# insulin, I noticed the needle was difficult to insert. Threw away the cart and that ended the problem. In five to seven years, I have lost three carts and discarded two. I am working on my second batch of carts, my third batch is in the fridge in a box in a bag, awaiting me. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 08:59:49 -0800 " whimsy2 " writes: > > I have a question about reursing cartridges. I've saved a whole > bunch of my Humalog cartridges that fit into the BD Pen-Mini, both of > which have been discontinued. I loved the BD Pen-Mini because you could > dial up half units and also it was inconspicuous to use while dining out. > > And now that I've just about used up all my carts, I'm ready to > refill them with Humalog from a regular bottle. I can aspirate out > whatever Humalog remains in the carts...but what about the residual? Does > anyone rinse them out by using a syringe full of distilled water or such > before refilling with fresh Humalog? Any suggestions? A syring works very well in emptying any residue. It is then just as easy to fill a portion of the cartridge with water (I don't distill the water, just plain tap water) and then re-drain the cartridge and make sure the cartridge is completely dried before filling it with new insulin. I do several cartridges at a time (about every 5-6 months) and seal them in an airtight baggie before storing the empty cartridges in the fridge. > I know NovoLog makes a pen with half units and sells carts for it > but I don't really want to switch from Humalog to NovoLog. How come? Have you ever tried Novolog for a period of time? Novolog IMHO is a tad better than humalog. It starts faster and lasts more than an hour longer. Also, the novolog penfill3 jr is very colorful with whimsical designing, making it look even less than a medical device than the regular penfill3. They come in two different color combinations. If you try it you just might like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 08:59:49 -0800 " whimsy2 " writes: > > I have a question about reursing cartridges. I've saved a whole > bunch of my Humalog cartridges that fit into the BD Pen-Mini, both of > which have been discontinued. I loved the BD Pen-Mini because you could > dial up half units and also it was inconspicuous to use while dining out. > > And now that I've just about used up all my carts, I'm ready to > refill them with Humalog from a regular bottle. I can aspirate out > whatever Humalog remains in the carts...but what about the residual? Does > anyone rinse them out by using a syringe full of distilled water or such > before refilling with fresh Humalog? Any suggestions? A syring works very well in emptying any residue. It is then just as easy to fill a portion of the cartridge with water (I don't distill the water, just plain tap water) and then re-drain the cartridge and make sure the cartridge is completely dried before filling it with new insulin. I do several cartridges at a time (about every 5-6 months) and seal them in an airtight baggie before storing the empty cartridges in the fridge. > I know NovoLog makes a pen with half units and sells carts for it > but I don't really want to switch from Humalog to NovoLog. How come? Have you ever tried Novolog for a period of time? Novolog IMHO is a tad better than humalog. It starts faster and lasts more than an hour longer. Also, the novolog penfill3 jr is very colorful with whimsical designing, making it look even less than a medical device than the regular penfill3. They come in two different color combinations. If you try it you just might like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Basically the reason I don't want to switch from Humalog to NovoLog is the difference in action. It took months of testing individual foods to calculate my insulin equivalents using Ron's program. All the calculations he did for me are based on Humalog, and if I switch to another insulin, I'll have to do a lot of re-testing -- which I'd really rather not go through again. I don't use the big bulky disposable Humalog pens. The BD Pen-Mini is also very small, compact and with a " cute " design on it too. Vicki Re: Needle re-use > > > On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 08:59:49 -0800 " whimsy2 " > writes: >> >> I have a question about reursing cartridges. I've saved a whole >> bunch of my Humalog cartridges that fit into the BD Pen-Mini, both of >> which have been discontinued. I loved the BD Pen-Mini because you >> could > >> dial up half units and also it was inconspicuous to use while dining > out. >> >> And now that I've just about used up all my carts, I'm ready to >> refill them with Humalog from a regular bottle. I can aspirate out >> whatever Humalog remains in the carts...but what about the residual? > Does >> anyone rinse them out by using a syringe full of distilled water or > such >> before refilling with fresh Humalog? Any suggestions? > > A syring works very well in emptying any residue. It is then just as > easy > to fill a portion of the cartridge with water (I don't distill the > water, > just plain tap water) and then re-drain the cartridge and make sure > the > cartridge is completely dried before filling it with new insulin. I do > several cartridges at a time (about every 5-6 months) and seal them in > an > airtight baggie before storing the empty cartridges in the fridge. > >> I know NovoLog makes a pen with half units and sells carts for it >> but I don't really want to switch from Humalog to NovoLog. > > How come? Have you ever tried Novolog for a period of time? Novolog > IMHO > is a tad better than humalog. It starts faster and lasts more than an > hour longer. Also, the novolog penfill3 jr is very colorful with > whimsical designing, making it look even less than a medical device > than > the regular penfill3. They come in two different color combinations. > > If you try it you just might like it. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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