[Jan B]

Never even thought about it. But I re-use the tubing.

[poodlebone]

Originally Posted by RobiJo

I always keep an extra blue thingy and plunger in my kit that I carry around.

So do I. I keep my current vial of Humalog in the box in my kit and I put the blue connector & plunger in there as well. I usually only need it when I want to use the last 100 units left in the vial but don't want to start a new reservoir. I just add it to the one I'm using. That's the only time I sort of reuse a reservoir, to add in the remains of a vial of insulin.

[RobiJo]

Originally Posted by Subby

So actually reusing showed the extra things to do, like keeping around the transferer-needle-thingy (yes, a techinical term that) and the plunger, from the previous fill. Bit worried about the sterility of these, anyone have any hints to keep these stored safely and handily?

I keep them right next to old used test strips, already used once or twice pen needles, a couple of pens (including ink pens), test strip bottles, my meter and my poker (with of course--a being reused lancet).

I wouldn't suggest letting your dog, cat or toddler chew on the blue thingy though. The plunger should be fine as long as it doesn't get stuck to chewing gum.

[rocky]

I'm happy to find this thread today. I have been re-using a reservoir for the past 3 days because I ordered my supplies too late and am still waiting on them. I have had absolutely no problems with it and I plan to do it more often, probably just 2 fills, to save money. I used a syringe to refill it, worked like a charm. (I didn't have any plungers or blue connector things around.) It's always reassuring to hear of others doing things that are frowned apon.

[RobiJo]

Originally Posted by rocky

I'm happy to find this thread today. I have been re-using a reservoir for the past 3 days because I ordered my supplies too late and am still waiting on them. I have had absolutely no problems with it and I plan to do it more often, probably just 2 fills, to save money. I used a syringe to refill it, worked like a charm. (I didn't have any plungers or blue connector things around.) It's always reassuring to hear of others doing things that are frowned apon.

Ask a nurse or ask another diabetic! Likely you'll get 2 different answers. Read through our threads about reusing lancets and syringes too!

[Subby]

OK, well I'm pretty comfortable with the idea of reusing, but one thing not really covered that I think is the primary concern, and should be kept in mind more firmly...

The resevoir is your insulin receptacle, for days on end. This should be sterile as possible. When you reuse it you are exposing it again. The plunger is in close proximity, and likely to scrape the sides, so as well as not letting the dog chew on it (good call!) you really should make a good effort to keep the plunger pretty clean.

I know you guys have gotten away with no problems being slap dash, and that's great. But I would hate someone to start smearing the sides of their insulin receptacle with grots from the floor or something similar. Just throw out the plunger if it's likely to be grotty at all. I'm convinced this is something worth taking some care over

Now, to go refill my reservoir...

[RobiJo]

In order to keep it the most sterile you do have a few choices:
1. Use a pen to fill it up.
2. Use a syringe to fill it up.
Both of which could be new and uncontaminated needles. Then as long as you don't use the needle on yourself, you could store and use it again in the insulin fairly cleanly.
You don't need the plunger or the blue thingy to do either of these.

[andypoo]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...............I misunderstood....pump users,okay..... I use lantus and novolog cartridges and was wondering ...how and the heck do you re-use those????????LOL!

[gettingby]

I haven't reused reservoirs since I started in October but I will fill my cartridge up and change with every other set change.

[Brettt333]

I use mine for about 3-4 months. Hmmm... I have been doing this since going on the pump about 5 years ago.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by gettingby

I haven't reused reservoirs since I started in October but I will fill my cartridge up and change with every other set change.

Cartridges Are reservoirs. The words are interchangable (i.e. Animas & Smiths Medical call their reservoirs cartridges & MiniMed calls cartridges reservoirs)...so not sure what you meant there (unless if you mean the infusion sets themselves).

I re-use cartridges/reservoirs all the time. If one were to consider where we came from (having to have needles sharpened on whetstones and having to boil & re-use glass cartridges/reservoirs/syringes for shots), then re-using some stuff really isn't all that bad. I'm not saying everyone should do it, but I've never had a problem doing it myself. I just got done re-using my reservoir/cartridge for the third or fourth time, and the plunger still worked just fine. To each his or her own & your mileage may vary.

When I recycle the insulin from the cartridge/reservoir though, I generally put it into an empty insulin vial. This way, no "contamination" occurs.

I don't like re-using sets/tubing, if at all possible. If I have to, I only use them for a very short second round & then they're "toast." I used to re-use them more, but noticed that sometimes higher sugars occurred during the second round.

[ant hill]

I sometimes do a refill of cartridges and especially now because of odd doses and just when you reach the end you get fed up on using 2 needles instead of one so now I keep a box of half used cartridges and when I have enough I get to fill one up.

That reminds me to get some more Novorapid!!!