Novorapid Question

[Lucifer]

So I've always wondered about this, and I'll ask it.

I use one of those Novorapid pens, for the life of me I can't remember it off hand, and I don't feel like going to get it....LOL. Anyways, I always tap the pen to ensure no air bubbles, then I'll shoot out 1 unit of insulin. Sometimes I've noticed no insulin comes out, so I try for 1 unit again and nothing. Then, I'll try for 2 units and nothing and so forth. After the fourth try I'll usually switch the needle, then usually dial up 3 or 4 units because I'm assuming there's probably some insulin that hasn't got out still near the top of the pen.

Has this happened to anyone else, and am I even making any sense?

[howdysf]

yes... I always shoot at least 2 units prior to using... also, I feel like one unit in the Novolog pen is actually LESS than 1 unit in a conventional syringe....weird!

[viranth]

It happens if the pen is new.
It happens if the needle that's penetrating the membrane bends (happened to me once).

Other than that, I don't know.

Always dial up 3-4 units and squirt out before I use.

[xMenace]

When on MDI I'd probably load up around ten and dial until some came out. I never even considred counting units.

[BlueSky]

... I always tap the pen to ensure no air bubbles, then I'll shoot out 1 unit of insulin. Sometimes I've noticed no insulin comes out, so I try for 1 unit again and nothing. Then, I'll try for 2 units and nothing and so forth. ... Has this happened to anyone else, and am I even making any sense?
Yes, I have noticed this a few times, using Novorapid cartridges in the Novopen 3 Demi. I have dialled up 20+ units in this way before any insulin came out. The strange thing is that it doesn't seem to happen only when a cartridge has just been replaced. It can happen any time. I was going to replace these pens, which are fairly new, but they seem to be fine now. :confused:

[owlyn]

The instructions say to shoot 2 units. All pens have this issue at times, especially when newly opened.

[CarrieB]

If I shoot 2 units and don't get a nice fountain I try again with 4 units which generally seems to do the trick.

[soso]

happens to me regularly.. I think it is because I often carry it around in my waistpack lying on its side and some insulin leaks out, so the plunger is then too low. I once stored it upside down (needle down) and lost about 50 units in one go.

[IrishJoe]

also make sure the needle goes on straight. They bend really easily