Syringes
Does anyone else reuse their syringes (MiniMed says it’s a no no) and sometimes
include the insulin that was left in the tubing too? What a waste (20u)
Jan
22 Responses to “Syringes”
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Does anyone else reuse their syringes (MiniMed says it’s a no no) and sometimes
include the insulin that was left in the tubing too? What a waste (20u)
Jan
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May 9th, 2003 at 3:16 am
I do not reuse the syringe Jan, I have heard of some people who do but I would
not be inclined to do that. I know Minimed, and or Disetronic could never
recommend it but If others have tried have you noticed any drop in your control
when doing it ?
I would like to urge everyone to participate in our poll and if anyone else has
any ideas for the next survey Please let us know.
—– Original Message —–
From: jan hughey
To: Insulin Pump Users
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 10:58 PM
Subject: [Insulinpumpusers] Syringes
Does anyone else reuse their syringes (MiniMed says it’s a no no) and
sometimes include the insulin that was left in the tubing too? What a waste
(20u)
Jan
May 9th, 2003 at 8:04 am
Hi Jan:
oh well. Finished pathophysiology.
Joan
Joan here:)
Tried it - pump got hung up major!!!!!
There is a basic lubricant that allows the plunger to slide up the inside of
the syringe. If you use Humalog like me, it starts to destabilized within 48
hours so, even though we want to save some $$$$, it isn’t worth the
aggrevation. Sort of like using the Rapids - we reuse because it’s fairly
easy to reuse. There is also a lubricant on the needle which allows it to
enter the skin with less resistance. That’s one of the reasons why even
though we might have reused our insulin syringes (BP - before pump),
eventually they became real ouchers!! So, I’m sure there are many of us who
can get away with it, me, i can’t
Now on to pharmacology and statistical analysis…later
May 9th, 2003 at 6:01 pm
Joan,
WOW, and you passed spelling too 8^ D
Jan
May 10th, 2003 at 5:29 pm
Frank, in response to reusing syringes..I have for quite some time (My Dr
suggested it.also on the pump)..I mentioned to my Dr how I had problems with
the no delivery beeping for no apparant reason.When I called Mini-Med to TS
they said that I had not "lubricated" the syringe ( that means pushing and
pulling the plunger several times before using).My Dr had also experienced
the same problem and so I’ve been using the same syringes for at least a
month at a time and my latest A1C was 6.4 so I do not have any problem with
my BS’s because of it…Leslie
May 11th, 2003 at 2:32 am
Joan,
What’s the Rapids?
Jan
May 11th, 2003 at 8:18 pm
The rapid is a set that comes from Disetronic. It has no disconnect and is a
needle. It comes in 3 different depts. It is inserted the same way as the
Soft Set . I believe you can find information about the rapid on The
Disetronic Web site. If anyone has more information please add to this post.
May 12th, 2003 at 9:13 am
Hi Jan:
The Rapids are a bent needle style, but at 90* _| < sort of like that only
flip it. I got them from my rep…easy to insert and they are only 8 mm long
and I understand from my supplier that they come in 6 mm too. Waiting for
my supplies to come, so I’ll let you know. They have very short plastic
wings ( ) to grip and adhesive, also very flat. I’ve used they twice so
far, on my hips —because they’re so flat a(the Rapids, not me - wishful
thinking!), they don’t catch as easily on my desk and computer chairs. and
don’t hurt either. And it allows me more sites to rotate. I think they’re
made for Minimed, but I use ‘em on my Disetronic. They just don’t have the
nice QR like the Ultimates. Compromise, the name of the game, right? Later,
Joan:)
May 13th, 2003 at 2:23 am
Dear Joan..I was wondering how you determined that the insulin destablizes in
48 hrs..Leslie
May 13th, 2003 at 10:59 am
Yes, I reuse them, but cautiously. I have had problems doing this from
time to time. If you check to see that there is plenty of lubricant on
the shaft, and twist it a few times, this can help. Minimed of cause
says do not do this, but some of this may be over caution.
I have experimented with extracting the insulin from the tubing, and it
can be done, but is a real pain. with the bent needle, you can insert
the bent needle into the insulin bottle, put some air in the syringe,
and push the insulin back into the bottle. Humilog is about 2.5 cents
per unit (at $25 per vial), so 20 units is about 50 cents Worth the
hassle?
David
jan hughey wrote:
May 14th, 2003 at 12:28 am
I been reusin syringes(injections) for two years never had a problem. Who else
uses it??
The pump syringes, I’m just startin so no hard evidence yet, although I’ve heard
from others who do it’s no problem, Question is how many times.
fp
Yes, I reuse them, but cautiously. I have had problems doing this from
time to time. If you check to see that there is plenty of lubricant on the
shaft, and twist it a few times, this can help. Minimed of cause says do not
do this, but some of this may be over caution.
I have experimented with extracting the insulin from the tubing, and it can
be done, but is a real pain. with the bent needle, you can insert the bent
needle into the insulin bottle, put some air in the syringe, and push the
insulin back into the bottle. Humilog is about 2.5 cents per unit (at $25 per
vial), so 20 units is about 50 cents Worth the hassle?
David
jan hughey wrote:
Does anyone else reuse their syringes (MiniMed says it’s a no no) and
sometimes include the insulin that was left in the tubing too? What a waste
(20u) Jan
May 14th, 2003 at 9:59 am
Hi Leslie:
It’s not so much that the humalog destabilizes in the syringe, but rather at
the infusion site, that’s one of the reasons why we have to change the site
either 24 - 48 hrs. Humalog has a different "shelf life" so to speak.
Because of it’s chemical composition, it is absorbed more rapidly, that’s why
it kicks in in 15 minutes rather than the hour it takes Regular to do the
same thing. Remember using Regular, and how we would have to inject it at
least 30 minutes prior to our meal? Humalog we don’t have to do that…..but
it doesn’t last as long either. That’s one of the reasons why we have a
basal rate in the pump. It’s calculated based on the type of insulin your’re
using. SSSSSSssooooooo, if you use Humalog in your pump like me, you might
find that your sugars start going up after about 24 - 48 hours and you’ve
been "good", and watched your carb intake. That tells you you have to change
your site because the Humalog is no longer being absorbed at that site now.
Most of us know when our sugar is going up…especially if we’re very "system
conscious"…some of us start feeling hot (me) or tired (me) beyond belief
sometimes, pulse rate may go up and you feel your heart beating very fast,
some of us start hitting the potty more frequently (my grandson’s term)
because our kidneys start working overtime. All or some of the symptoms of
uncontrolled diabetes. So much for being long winded…answer your question?
hope so, I’m still learning more each day…gotta share the wealth….Later,
Joan
May 14th, 2003 at 6:07 pm
Hi David:
Cautiously is definitely the word. It’s also important to note (in my
travels on the net and learning about pumping) that if you use Humalog, you
should use the glass syringes. The insulin sticks to the plastic walls of
the plastic syringes. If you subscribe to medscape.com (medical site) it’s
free, and you can access further info on insulin, the different types, and
the goods and bads of each. Much as I would like to reuse the syringes, my
experience with recycle was pretty emphatic, the pump stopped period. Had to
take the batteries out to reset, and it was my first experience and really
freaked me out…I was at work. So, like all things, some of us will be
lucky to be able to recycle, and some of us won’t. Hope this helps, later,
Joan
May 15th, 2003 at 2:15 am
Hey gang:
does anybody subscribe to www.diabeteswell.com??
Dr. Joe is an endocrinologist. I have been logging on to read his other
comments, he has a lot of "horse-sense". Check it out…Joan
May 15th, 2003 at 12:17 pm
Dear Joan…I gathered from your previous message that you were infering that
the Humalog de-natures from being in the syringe for 48 hrs and the syringe
is lubricated etc and that why you didn’t advocate re-using syringes..Humalog
is structured chemically different than Reg and Lente..this however has no
bearing on its shelf life whatsoever..an unopened bottle of Humalog lasts up
to its exp date if refrigerated. If opened whether kept at room temp or
refrigerated, it will last 28 days provided it is kept at normal temps..if
the Humalog is exposed to 104 degrees for 2 hrs, then it begins to denature
(or lose its potency)..Lilly does have very strict guidelines for insuring
that their products meet all GMPs (good manufacturing practices) which
includes stability studies etc..all companys are inspected by the FDA to
insure that these practices are upheld..anyone can call the 800 # for Lilly
(on the bottle) to ask any questions..also though it should be noted that
Lilly does not have approval from the FDA for the use of Humalog in
pumps..this is the loophole in the law which allows a Dr to override FDA to
prescribe a drug (insulin) for "unapproved usage"..to sum up, it is in the
best interest for all us pumpers to use frequent testing of BS to check on a
site going bad..if your #’s are going high its most likely due to the site
(or something else-cheatng) but highly unlikely the insulins fault….good
luck with your studies Joan………..Leslie
May 15th, 2003 at 8:25 pm
Hi Joan its me again…where did you get the idea that insulin sticks to the
plastic walls of the syringes?….there is no data anywhere to support that
claim..again call the Lilly number for correct info….Leslie
May 16th, 2003 at 4:01 am
Your remarks suggest another reason to use a bent needle! You can relocate it
every day, if this helps keep the Humilog effective….As I have noted in
previous posts, I do this often, and have had no difficulty with this process.
David
May 17th, 2003 at 5:19 am
Thanks Leslie, I appreciate the info…learning more each day…Joan
May 17th, 2003 at 1:27 pm
Hi Leslie:
I remember reading it a while back, because I thought plastic syringes would
be more convenient. I think my pump trainer told me too. Gotta check it out
further. thanks, Joan
May 17th, 2003 at 9:35 pm
Hi Jan:
I don’t remember what pump you have, but I get the glass syringes for my
Disetronic thru Insulin Infusion Specialists in Louisiana. Only thing is they
don’t have any markings to just be able to eyeball how much is in the
syringe. Otherwise, they’re ok. I don’t have the 800 # here, it’s in my
rolodex at the office. Maybe Frank might have it, so Frank, if you do, drop
the #….Thanks, later, Joan
May 18th, 2003 at 10:08 am
Ya I do, Jan
fp
Does anyone else reuse their syringes (MiniMed says it’s a no no) and
sometimes include the insulin that was left in the tubing too? What a waste
(20u)
Jan
May 19th, 2003 at 2:23 am
I download the bottle into 3 syringes and keep in the fridge till I need
‘em. They stay there 12 to 14 days(the last one). Haven’t had any probs
yet. also reusin up to 3 times so far.
fp
Subject: Re: [Insulinpumpusers] Syringes
May 19th, 2003 at 10:31 am
Ya Joan, he’s a good one. :o)
fp