Comments on: pulling insulin back into the cartridge

By: Olin Ok

Olin Ok — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 08:20:37 +0000

Maybe, but it doesn’t matter.

David

By: Randolph Fawn

Randolph Fawn — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 04:07:31 +0000

Wouldn’t withdrawing the plunger also withdraw the insulin from the tubing at
the same time?
Jan

By: Olin Ok

Olin Ok — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 16:05:16 +0000

I left out one important detail; you must remove the plunger first and
get some air in the syringe; then you can push the 20 u out with the air
into the bottle.

David

By: Randolph Fawn

Randolph Fawn — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 11:52:10 +0000

I reuse my reservoirs quite often. But I do like the idea if I’m away from
home and forgot to do a changeout that I have more than a day’s worth in the
hub (luer lock) and the tubing to give myself injections with.
Jan

By: garry12

garry12 — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 02:35:55 +0000

Nicola, I started doing that a few weeks ago when I realized I was
wasting perfectly good insulin every time I did a site change.
Sometimes there’s only 3 or 4 units left, but I take out the cartridge
and pull the plunger all the way out, which sucks the leftover insulin
back into the cartridge. Then I stick the new syringe (meant to draw
from the insulin vial) into the old cartridge, withdraw whatever insulin
is sitting there, and continue filling the new cartridge from the vial.

I was gonna ask on here if it’s okay to DO that, but was afraid somebody
would say "no." Probably a good thing to ask, though!

Laurie

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By: colin_140

colin_140 — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 19:37:55 +0000

Hi Nicola:
I have the Disetronic H-tron 100. Welcome to the list. To "recycle" the
insulin in the tubing, I just attach the cartridge to the tubing, and pull
back with the plunger. I usually use the cartridge for 2 weeks, so just
refill for the next reload. I don’t throw out the plunger, it stays with
the vial of insulin.
If you need insulin because the pump has acted up, I do the above and then
put the needle into the tip of the syringe and draw out what I need. But
luckily, I haven’t had any problem (knock on wood ). I’ve been using the D
for two years….I love the traveling you’re doing!!!! Pumpin’ is great!!!!
Joan :)))

By: Randolph Fawn

Randolph Fawn — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 11:29:08 +0000

David,
When you get to the bottom/end of the reservoir, how do you get the 20u in the
tubing back in??
Jan

By: Olin Ok

Olin Ok — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 23:26:53 +0000

I have a very easy way of doing this, but it only works with the bent
needle.

Simply put the bent needle in to the insulin vial, and squeeze the
plunger. Voila! The insulin is back in the bottle.

Not sure if this is a good practice, but it works.

David

By: Randolph Fawn

Randolph Fawn — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 19:13:47 +0000

Nicola,
You either hve to disconnect from the site or take out the infusion set to
draw the insulin back out of the tubing. If you have run out, the set is
pretty much useless anyway. I do not use QR sets, but if you do, disconnect
and do leave the old set in to prevent leakage at the site. When you take out
the old one, often there is a bit of clear liquid seeping out - that is
insulin that should stay in you. I often leave my old set in a couple of hours
until the new set *pools* enough to keep my BG level.