Air Bubble in Humalog Pen

TxTechKimmy · #1 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:04 AM

Maybe I just have the 'old school' mentality, but I found an air bubble in my Humalog pen this weekend. I suppose I still kinda freak out if I see a bubble and want it gone. However, I can't get the darn thing out. Have any of y'all ever experienced bubbles in your pen? I thought one of the advantages to the pen was no bubbles.

poodlebone · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxTechKimmy

Maybe I just have the 'old school' mentality, but I found an air bubble in my Humalog pen this weekend. I suppose I still kinda freak out if I see a bubble and want it gone. However, I can't get the darn thing out. Have any of y'all ever experienced bubbles in your pen? I thought one of the advantages to the pen was no bubbles.

I don't remember getting any bubbles in my Humalog pens, and I used to leave the needle attached all the time. I think the literature tells you not to do that because air bubbles can form but I ignored that. I'd use 2 or 3 needles for the entire pen (300 units). I guess if you can't get it out, then you don't have to worry about it getting into you and messing up your dose! Have you tried tapping the pen against the edge of a desk/table/counter?

jeggeman31 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:15 AM

Is the bubble at the top near the part that the insulin comes out? I always had bubbles with my pen but I would dial it up to 2 or 3 and get it out. Strange, however like Liz said, if it won't come out then you should not have to worry about it getting into your and messing up your dose.

corwin · #4 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:20 AM

I have bubbles in both my lantus pen and my novo pen very often. I gave up on trying to get it out. I just make sure that when I inject it's not close to the needle so it stays in the pen and not go in my body. I seems pretty safe to me. I also keep the needle attached to the pen for a while, usually for about 3 days.

TxTechKimmy · #5 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:28 AM

You can leave the needles attached and reuse them?? (Yes I am a newby pen user).

I had no idea. I did try tapping it out, much the way I used to with my syringes, but the booger is stubborn.

corwin · #6 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:46 AM

Well to be fair, you shouldn't leave it attached and every endo I met recommended detaching the needle and geting a new one for each injection. Otherwise you are risking insulin leaking and of course infection. However I find it a hassle and reuse needles all the time. It seems like a low calculated risk to me but it's your call and the level of safty that you want, that should dictate what you do.

DeusXM · #7 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:47 AM

What you have to do is shake the pen around a bit until the bubble dislodges and floats up to the top of the pen. Then do an airshot of about 4u and that should do the trick.

TxTechKimmy · #8 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:58 AM

Cool! Thanks for the advice on both accounts! Changing those needles is a pain. Ok..I mean it isn't THAT bad, but I'm lazy.

I'll try that to get the bubble out.

Gangrel · #9 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 09:53 AM

I'll reuse the needles, but detach them and keep them in the case.

I find if the needle is on, and you tip the pen over, insulin tends to leak out!

beveykin · #10 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 02:19 PM

I try to rememver to change needles after every shot, but i din't always remeber.

If the air bubble is at the top try pushing it out 4-6 units should do it, if it's at the bottom of the pen I have always left it and never had a problem.

Simons · #11 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:40 PM

It is nice to hear that I am not the ony person who leaves the needle on their insulin pens. I usually use one needle per cartridge and have no problem with it.
I have been type 1, insulin dependent for 64 years and have been through all the different insulins and methods.
Simons

UpNorth · #12 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 06:38 AM

There is a trick i've learned from fellow pump users that also work to remove bubbles from pen. hold your pen with the needle end up, no needle attached. do a violent throw move from up to down until the bubble is at the rubber thing, put a needle on, just so it is IN the airbubble and do a 1-2 unit airshot. Should do the trick

rzrbks · #13 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 07:08 AM

I don't worry about the bubble, it always moves to the back end of the pen and and never gets pushed out. I'm not about to waste any more insulin than I have to.

I use one needle per 3ml (300 units) on both my Lantus pen and my Novolog/NovoRapid injector.

I'm still working my way through a box of 100 that I got three years ago.

All that being said, you have to do what makes you comfortable when it comes to needles and bubbles.

Gangrel · #14 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 08:22 AM

how can you guys do that? I find after 3 or 4 injections, a needle gets so dull it's like pushing a nail into me!

Or maybe I'm just a wuss now that i'm 30!

Penny · #15 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangrel

how can you guys do that? I find after 3 or 4 injections, a needle gets so dull it's like pushing a nail into me!

Or maybe I'm just a wuss now that i'm 30!

My insurance "team guy" just got on me for not changing my needle every time, also for not changing my lancet when I test. I was using my pen needle for all the injections in one day, changing every morning.....3 to 5 times a day. I will make an effort to change the needle more, but it doesn't seem to get dull, I think I could probably use it for several days.