? 1/16 Bella, amps 174 Newbie: need help with solostar pens using syringes!

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by JanetMR, Jan 16, 2018.

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  1. JanetMR

    JanetMR Member

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    Dec 29, 2017
    My Lantus arrived today ( hopefully not frozen) My cats vet changed her parameters because of ketones in her urine. She has been off insulin.. previously on vetsulin ( after two doses of 1 unit ended up with hypo in emergency vet.) starting Lantus today.
    I need assistance in using syringes with the solostar pen. Could someone walk me through it? I know I don’t inject air, and I have small dose u- 100 syringes. I assume I take the cap off the pen and insert the needle into the rubber stopper..am I putting the needle into air? Then insulin seems to be in the other end of the pen covered with packaging. Is this correct? I don’t want to mess this up!
    I found a video but the picture was way too small.
    Advice? Assistance?
    Thanks!
    Janet
     
  2. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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  3. JanetMR

    JanetMR Member

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    Dec 29, 2017
    I found that link... wasn’t what I needed to know. Then pen has me confused
    I know vials.... not pens. Too expensive to screw up.
    .25 unit if Blood glucose 200 or above.

    J.
     
  4. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Click on the video in the link.
     
  5. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that is correct.
    No. You are putting the needle into the insulin. Make sure you don't inject any air into the pen. It is pressurized and the plunger will move down as you remove insulin to keep the insulin against the stopper.
     
  6. Gill & George

    Gill & George Well-Known Member

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    Oct 27, 2015
    You use the pen in the same way as a vial, it's important not to put air into the pen.

    We use traditional insulin syringes (U-100) to draw the dose and use the Lantus pen as one would use a vial. When you take off the cap of the pen you will see a small rubber gasket at the end. Insert the insulin syringe into the gasket and draw your dose.
     
  7. JanetMR

    JanetMR Member

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    Dec 29, 2017
    Thank you!
     
  8. JanetMR

    JanetMR Member

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    How often should I check her blood glucose level after the shot? I did 2 hour, and plan on doing 6 hours after. The two hour was up one point from 237 to 238. ???

    Janet
     
  9. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Feb 19, 2012
    It's best to get at least one mid cycle test in. 6 hours after is good. Another good idea if you are able to is to get a test in about 1 to 2 hours before shot time. This will help you figure out if the numbers are going up or down by shot time.
     
  10. JanetMR

    JanetMR Member

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    Dec 29, 2017
    Ok thanks. To test one to two hours ahead of time.. this is 2 hours before or after food correct? This will be challenging. I’m feeding her as needed.. sometimes it’s every two- three hours. Not enough hours in the day.
    I’m whipped just trying to keep all of this straight.
    Thanks for the info!
    J.
     
  11. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Generally it is best to not feed 2 hours before you get the AMPS and PMPS tests because food can influence the BG numbers. However, you have to figure out what works with your schedule. Some people have to leave food out for their cats or feed for health reasons. What works for me is to get up a little earlier to get ready for work and get a +10 test in the mornings. I get a test as soon as I get home from work and that is at +10.5. I hope this helps clarify things. If not, please ask again.
     
  12. JanetMR

    JanetMR Member

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    Dec 29, 2017
    I understand about the no food at least two hours prior. I’ll figure it out.
    I can’t leave food out. I have three cats all on completely different diets. It’s a circus trying to keep it straight and not have them eating each other’s food. Sometimes I forget to feed myself. Ha ha
    Thanks for the info.
    J.
     
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  13. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Good luck. It's hard to juggle feeding multiple cats without special diets.
     
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