Pen Injection question

[Aftiel]

This coming Saturday I make the big switch to Lantus/Novalog -- and start using Pens.

With a syringe, I was always taught to pull the syringe back first and check if there was blood in it.

How exactly is that handled using a Pen?

- Aftiel

[jen_slc]

I was never taught to pull back the plunger and check for blood with syringes, so it wasn't an issue when I started using pens. All I do is dial the dose, inject, hold it in there for 5-10 secs while holding the button down just to make sure I get the full dose.

[Aftiel]

Thanks Jen,

Originally I was told that if I injected insulin directly into my blood stream it would be bad news.

Later, with a better Doctor, I was told that hitting an actual vein was impossible - but I could hit a small artery, which would not be a huge issue.

- Aftiel

[Heatherbb]

I was not taught to draw back to check for blood with the pen but I do remember learning that origionally with injections. I used the pen for 5 years and didn't have any big problems with "hitting blood". Occasionally I would get a bruise but that wasn't a big deal.

[DeusXM]

You don't need to check for blood in the pen. It's designed so that by the laws of physics it's impossible for anything to go back into the pen.

As a note I think you may have got your arteries and veins mixed up - if you hit an artery of any size you'd know about it because it would start spraying blood everywhere and you'd need a trip down to A+E. With injections, if you hit blood you will either be hitting cappilaries or small veins. That still hurts and causes bruising but is rather less of a problem.

[rzrbks]

Unless you're getting a pen with a 1/2 meter needle:eek:, you'll be ok.

I now use pen for Lantus and another one for Novolog/NovoRapid and the only thing is a little bruise now and then.

[jdstein11]

I have used injection pens since being dxd and, as long as I have to take shots, like them. I have one pen for Novolog and another for Lantus, and all you do is dial the dose, pinch an inch in your side, inject and then push the plunger all the way. No priming, no pull-back; easy.

I do notice that occasionally I'll get small bruises if I use the same spot or area too much in a row, but they go away in about a week.

[Simon]

I had one bad incident where I grazed a blood vessel and felt it burst. :eek: Within a minute I was on the floor shivering and felt like death warmed up.:vollkomme I tested my BS and it was 7.9 and my pulse was normal. 15 minutes later I felt almost back to normal. Rapid acting insulin I inject into the abdomen. I usually do it in good light so I can see the blood vessels and avoid them. The incident was at a party where the light was poor and I was trying to be subtle about injecting.:flute: