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
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Schenks
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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!
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!)
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.
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!
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
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 š ) or particularly worried about losing a drop, change your syringe to a 2.5ml...Load it slowly...No waste at all.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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!
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.
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 š
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! š What on earth else could you possibly be referring to? š¤š.
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?š¤
Maybe not...but I reckon any Gemini, anal or not, is up for experimenting...you can't help yourselves...haha...lovely people Gemini's..... š
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!
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.
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
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
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
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.
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xx
) for getting the B12 in and then put a short one on for injecting. Easy with the right materials. Goodluck!
Purely out of interest how many of you have been labeled with Functional Overlay ? ? ? š±
PAIN WHEN GETTING OUT OF BED. 
Ready for my fourth SI 
Jab #2 didn't go so well!!!
Got my b12 and needles now what hahaha 
