Have you tried getting stuff out of an ampoule with an 8mm needle?

[Schenks]

It's b*%+@y difficult. Getting very frustrated at wasting half the dose. So, a question. Is there a huge problem with getting the full measure from the ampoule with a longer syringe, then injecting it into the back of the insulin syringe before putting the plunger back in again (being extraordinary careful not to contaminate the pulled-out plunger before replacing it)?

If not, what would be the best size of needle for a 2ml syringe, do you reckon?

Numpty cycle over. Normal cycle beginning:-

thanks. x

[Jose651]

Hi Schenks,

When you have the ampoules opened is it possible to pour it into the insulin syringe and then put the plunger in?

J 👍

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Hi, Jose - how you doin' kid? Thanks for the reply - no. the stuff needs shaking out - it won't pour and I wouldn't be able to get it into the little hole at the back, if you get my drift!

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

I'm sucking diesel S,

That means I'm doing grand (in this neck of the woods)

Your liquid must be different from mine, I dropped an Ampoule a few days back and it just run out like red wine. 💉🍷

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Hmm. First I thought you were using a euphemism for a sexual practice! But delighted that you are dwell, my friend.

Secondly, I'll give it a whirl. It's just that I can invert the uncapped ampoule and nowt comes out. But I'm wasting so much that I might as well have a try.

By the way, how do you do it? (The ampoule/injecting thing, not another euphemism for something!)

😁😘🎆

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

Hahaaaa, I'm dwell alright S.

If I am using the glass 1 dose Ampoule, I break off the top and suck up the juice, all of it, by tipping it on its side.

I hold it up and press the plunger in to get any air out, a little liquid comes out the end of the needle. I run the needle through a fresh piece of kitchen paper and inject IM.

I find that if there is any liquid on the needle it can sting.

I warm it up well before I draw up the liquid ( by just holding it in my hand).

I only use the 1 needle. I inject my brother and he has said that he doesn't feel anything.

J xx 💉

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Oh, all right all right! Glad you're well! You must be pretty good at IM. I cannot tolerate the thought of it, tbh. Didn't know about the wet-needle-sting thing. Will watch for that, too.

By the way, I'm up to nearly 20,000 words on suggested book. I blame you, amongst others!

xxx (can't do hypodermic thing.)

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

Wow, who's a clever lady then, 👏

Please keep us in the picture when you get to 30,000.

How many words do you plan to write or does a writer just write until they know the book is complete.

I suppose that is a decision that a publisher would make on second/thirdbooks.

I'll send you my address for the invitation and Rap and I and a few bus loads will go to the Book Signing Party,

J 🎉🎈

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Good lord, Jose! you're my bl**dy proof reader, for Heaven's sake! Publisher? Second or third book? (Actually, don't tell anyone but I've currently got three on the go! I've completed the first draft of a spooky one, a few stories for the erotica one, and a few thousand words of another one I'm not sure will be interesting to anyone at all!) Whats a RAP - and who is going to pay the bus loads to come? Not a bean, old girl, but will crack a bottle in Ireland with pleasure!

Never had a book published and there are so many brilliant writers out there I'm not at all certain I ever will. Have not a Scooby Doo how to go about it. But - to say thank you for your encouragement doesn't really cut it. You really have got me fired up, so will let you know. xxx

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

Rap, your good mate with the long flowing locks

J x

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Oh, Punzelbum! She'd be up for a toast!

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

S, she sure will, I think I'm an anal Geminitoo.

Born on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer. Or have I the wrong end of the stick here. 😜

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Nope - right end of the stick, and I do hope your end of the stick will always be to your liking!!!

xx

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

We must share the same birth date Darling, that would be massive. Double celebration.

😂

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

Jose, I'm going to hold you that, dearest. Xxx

[ShirleyMurray]

Hi, I had similar problem...so now use 23gauge blue topped needles (from Medisupplies).... To draw the liquid into the syringe....swap the needle back to original..(As 9/10 you blunt/scratch the end of the needle, & trust me, it's extremely ouchy, & you don't make that mistake twice!)...& Hey Presto, empty ampule, full syringe.

If you're a Virgo, (no offence Virgos, you're lovely people 😊 ) or particularly worried about losing a drop, change your syringe to a 2.5ml...Load it slowly...No waste at all.

Good Luck 😊

[Schenks in reply to ShirleyMurray]

Thanks, Shirl. Problem for me is that the insulin syringes are fixed needles on a 1 ml syringe for a 2ml ampoule. (Novice.) So i need to get 23 gauge needles and 2ml syringes, and back-fill the insulin ones before putting the plunger back in. fiddly but better than I'm doing right now! thanks again.

[Schenks in reply to ShirleyMurray]

P.S. I'm an anal Gemini!

[CarpaBob]

Hi schenks,Your biggest issue with removing the plunger will be getting the plunger back in without losing the b12 out the needle end.

I inject 1ml and use insulin needles I got free from the local needle exchange scheme at mylocal lloyds pharmacy. I turn the vial upside down after opening (surface tension means the liquid won't fall out) and draw straight into the insulin syringe. Your biggest issue with removing the plunger will be getting the plunger back in without losing the b12 out the needle end.

[CarpaBob in reply to CarpaBob]

Am also fairly sure they had 2ml insulin syringes at the needle exchange.

[Schenks in reply to CarpaBob]

I'm not even trying a needle exchange. Too much politics.

[CarpaBob in reply to Schenks]

At my local one you don't have to register, just fill in a form with initials, date of birth and tick what size you want. There is a space to write what you are injecting and I write b12 on it.

[Schenks in reply to CarpaBob]

Will you drop the bl**dy needle exchange!!!

[Schenks in reply to CarpaBob]

Hi, Bob, thanks for the reply. My hands are so clumsy still that when it comes to trying to get the second half of 1ml from the 2ml ampoule, the little needle on the second syringe is above the liquid level in the upturned ampoule very quickly. When I try to tilt the ampoule, especially with tremulous hands, the surface tension is broken and the liquid runs out of the ampoule over the outside of the blasted needle. I end up with almost half the solution all over my hands, the desk, the Kleenex - everywhere but in the second syringe!

[CarpaBob in reply to Schenks]

Yes my coordination is rubbish these days and it does take a lot of concentration and stabilising of arms on table! I don't tilt the ampoule I move the needle down slightly at various points as I draw to avoid the needle being above the liquid, it's not easy! Sounds like you would do better with a bigger syringe so you only need to draw once, do you know if there are any needle exchanges in your area?

[Schenks in reply to CarpaBob]

There are no longer needles at so fine a gauge, and I cannot use a thicker gauge - the new 30g already see me having to seriously calm a freak-out to begin with. I've tried to lower the needle but my coordination is crap and I can't help but tremble the needle (hair-fine; scared of damaging it) against the side of the lowering ampoule before I drop the ampoule altogether! I've got confident enough, though, to split the dosage and inject twice - once at either end of the day.

Forget needle exchange. I am not lining up with junkies. sorry to any junkies out there!

[Schenks in reply to CarpaBob]

Right. Just had a go of filling one syringe with water from another. The plunger comes out easily enough, and the surface tension of the water seemed to help when I just inserted the plunger back in very slightly so that I could turn the syringe upside down and flick it a little to get the air up to the needle end. I will lose a bit of the fluid, but only a couple of mls, rather than the whole half i have been doing. Just ordered the bigger, 23g needles and 2.5 ml syringes, so thanks to you and to @ShirleyMurray. Will see how I go on.

x

[CarpaBob in reply to Schenks]

Good luck, and just wanted to point out no lining up for needles, it's the same process as asking for something kept behind the counter! I always ask for insulin needles. Now i will drop the needle exchange 😁

[Schenks in reply to CarpaBob]

By the way, I was only joke-snappy! I used to work in a needle exchange as a therapist and I absolutely grew to loathe the place.

The only behind the counter item I can think you mean is a cream cake reserved for me! 😁 What on earth else could you possibly be referring to? 🤔😆.

Thanks, Dr Bob!

[Jose651 in reply to Schenks]

Good for you S,

Xx

[Schenks in reply to Jose651]

😘

[ShirleyMurray in reply to Schenks]

You're welcome 😊

Just a thought, & it may be bonkers...& I haven't tried it myself...but would angling the ampule in a lump of blue tac or similar, help steady it up?🤔

Maybe not...but I reckon any Gemini, anal or not, is up for experimenting...you can't help yourselves...haha...lovely people Gemini's..... 😊

[Schenks in reply to ShirleyMurray]

What a great idea! That's another one added to my list, thanks! I and my anus thank you!

[PAS-admin Partner]

Yep, that works best. Use a long needle (you know, the IM kind ) for getting the B12 in and then put a short one on for injecting. Easy with the right materials. Goodluck!

[Schenks in reply to PAS-admin]

Thank you. ☺

[Sallybones]

I've resorted to half dose twice a day for similar reasons & also use fine insulin needle. Trembly hands and clumsy fingers and find it easier to fill half a dose in one go from the glass ampule. It takes me all my strength to break the ampule top off and by the time I've done it I'm all hot and bothered!! Just today realised there's a tiny dint in the neck near the 'dot' which is the weak spot and where it snaps easier. Scored it slightly with nail file first. Have no strength or co-ordination yet though so tis hard. Will persevere. Best wishes Schenks, glad I'm not the only one with this problem.

[Schenks in reply to Sallybones]

Brave lady, brave brave lady. How is it helping you?

[Sallybones in reply to Schenks]

well I tried being logical about it in the end and thought if I break it down in to easier stages I may do better because otherwise I was beginning to avoid doing it all together and I know I really do need this treatment. Still I hope and trust it will get easier. I live on my own so no one to say 'there there it'll be ok' and my lovely little doggie hasn't learned to speak yet!! That's why this site is so important because I don't feel I'm fighting this battle alone. X

[Schenks in reply to Sallybones]

I can't be bothered with fuss - sympathy makes me feel worse! So I just get on with it without saying anything to the OT. His gasping and ooooing and aaaaahing makes me shake more!

It's the matter of fact, no nonsense advice on here has actually saved my life. Keep trucking on, kiddo! xx

[Sallybones in reply to Schenks]

I know what you mean actually Schenks and I'd be worse with an audience. If only I could teach my doggo to do it for me, but he's not that clever!!! xx

[Schenks in reply to Sallybones]

But I bet he's good for a cuddle afterwards!😊

[Sallybones in reply to Schenks]

Indeed he is. Time for bed. Sleep well X

[Schenks in reply to Sallybones]

You too. Night night! x

[sweetnessandlight]

I use a 1no syringe and 8 mm needle. I tip the spoiler as I draw up so that it is along the side of the ampoule. There is a little more than 1ml in the ampoule so I just stop when it gets to the mark. Been doing this every other day for 6 months.