When using pens - Does anyone else have a drip or two after waiting 10 secs?

_220Progress

_220Progress

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We have been pen users for some time. We have V1 and V3 pens.

Recently, I have been noticing 1 or sometimes up to three drips after a shot.

Process:

Shot administered

Mostly at a 45 degree angle

Count back from 10

Remove pin

This was not something I noticed happening before. I am curious if others have experienced this as well and what was the reason you found?
 
I am not a fan of the pens, that tells me you still have pressure pushing injection and its being held back by your body. Pens should be straight in not at 45deg. Also you only need to bump and bend the fine needle a little bit and they close up inside, possibly change the needle tip.

I am 100% old school needle, you see the numbers and plunger move to new number, simple really. I also fill the syringe to the full 1ml use until empty then toss, depending on syringe you can change to fresh needle on the end, but remember not to mix up ya different peps up.

I am sure others have different systems.
 
I rarely see it after a pin but I often see a drop once I put the new tip on. 3 drops after a pin seems like a lot to me. Have you tested your pens for unit accuracy?
 
T.Bird said:


I am not a fan of the pens, that tells me you still have pressure pushing injection and its being held back by your body. Pens should be straight in not at 45deg. Also you only need to bump and bend the fine needle a little bit and they close up inside, possibly change the needle tip.

I am 100% old school needle, you see the numbers and plunger move to new number, simple really. I also fill the syringe to the full 1ml use until empty then toss, depending on syringe you can change to fresh needle on the end, but remember not to mix up ya different peps up.

I am sure others have different systems.

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It sounds like you are using the same syringe for multiple doses.

Please be aware you are exposing it to staph and other potential issues and storing it at that point is not sterile.

If my understanding is correct on what you are doing, please consider spending the extra 20cents to use a new one each time.

here is an overview by google:

Reusing the same needle for multiple doses is dangerous because it rapidly compromises the needle's sterility and structural integrity. A single use introduces bacteria into the needle, which then multiplies. Additionally, the needle's tip bends and dulls, causing significant tissue damage. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Primary reasons to use a brand-new needle for every dose include:

  • Severe Infection Risk: Once a needle enters the skin, it is exposed to bacteria. Reusing it can introduce these pathogens directly into the body, causing skin infections (cellulitis), abscesses, or bloodborne illnesses. [1, 2]
  • Increased Pain and Scarring: Needles are manufactured with a fine, smooth coating and an ultra-sharp tip. A single use bends the microscopic tip and strips its silicone lubricant. Reusing a blunted needle causes micro-tears in the skin, resulting in significantly more pain, bruising, and long-term tissue damage (like fatty tissue buildup at the injection site). [1, 2, 3]
  • Dosing Inaccuracy and Breakage: A reused needle can clog with tissue or dried medication, affecting how much medication is actually delivered. In extreme cases, a damaged needle can even snap off under the skin, requiring surgery to remov
 
_220Progress said:


Process:

Shot administered

Mostly at a 45 degree angle

Count back from 10

Remove pin

Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I do it exactly as you prescribe, but I start out with a pinched fold of skin, then release the pinch during the 10 count. My pens are all V2.

I frequently get a small drop on the end of the needle as well. But the drip doesn't fall off, and not multiple drops. So maybe the pinch and release helps?

Edit to add: with my hamfisted motor skills, pinching that fold of skin is eventually going to result in me pinning my thumb someday. I wonder if that'll affect efficacy?
 
RaveBaddie said:


Yes I have the same experience with my Gansulin autopen after every pin.

But it's just 1 drop so I'm not worried.

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its odd because I pin with 4 Gansulin pens and only 1 of them seems to do it. its my KLOW so im not sure if its possible for the contents to be the cause? maybe I only notice because its blue?
 
ScubaSteve74 said:


its odd because I pin with 4 Gansulin pens and only 1 of them seems to do it. its my KLOW so im not sure if its possible for the contents to be the cause? maybe I only notice because its blue?

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I have it with GHK-CU which is also blue...
 
Did you vent when loading the pen cartridge?

The process of venting a 3ml cartridge is intended to allow air to escape as the chamber is filled, which prevents pressure buildup and ensures the cartridge is properly primed for use with a compatible pen device. This typically involves creating a path for air displacement while the substance is introduced through the rubber stopper. [1]

If you fail to vent a 3ml cartridge while loading or using your V2 pen, you risk building severe air pressure. This can cause the internal rubber plunger to violently push backward, leaking the contents, or even crack the clear plastic cartridge holder of the pen. [1, 2, 3]

To prevent spills and ensure precise dosing when working with refillable injection pens, venting equalizes the pressure. [1, 2]

  • Pressure buildup: When you fill an empty cartridge, trapped air creates a vacuum or positive pressure inside the vial. Without a venting needle to release the air, the internal plunger will fight against this trapped pressure, causing it to slip or "freewheel". [1]
  • Leaking and blowouts: As you try to dial or inject, the uneven pressure can cause the liquid to seep out of the edges or force the plunger backward entirely, spilling the medication. [1, 2]
  • Cracked components: If the pressure causes the rubber stopper to shoot backward inside the V2 pen's cartridge holder, the force can crack or permanently damage the clear plastic vial housing. [1]
 
I use pens and yes I do notice a drop sometimes when I screw on the needle and sometimes after I pin. I just tell myself "good, there's no air bubble there."
 
Skidude said:


It sounds like you are using the same syringe for multiple doses.

Please be aware you are exposing it to staph and other potential issues and storing it at that point is not sterile.

If my understanding is correct on what you are doing, please consider spending the extra 20cents to use a new one each time.

here is an overview by google:

Reusing the same needle for multiple doses is dangerous because it rapidly compromises the needle's sterility and structural integrity. A single use introduces bacteria into the needle, which then multiplies. Additionally, the needle's tip bends and dulls, causing significant tissue damage. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Primary reasons to use a brand-new needle for every dose include:

  • Severe Infection Risk: Once a needle enters the skin, it is exposed to bacteria. Reusing it can introduce these pathogens directly into the body, causing skin infections (cellulitis), abscesses, or bloodborne illnesses. [1, 2]
  • Increased Pain and Scarring: Needles are manufactured with a fine, smooth coating and an ultra-sharp tip. A single use bends the microscopic tip and strips its silicone lubricant. Reusing a blunted needle causes micro-tears in the skin, resulting in significantly more pain, bruising, and long-term tissue damage (like fatty tissue buildup at the injection site). [1, 2, 3]
  • Dosing Inaccuracy and Breakage: A reused needle can clog with tissue or dried medication, affecting how much medication is actually delivered. In extreme cases, a damaged needle can even snap off under the skin, requiring surgery to remov

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Click to expand...
I do agree with the above, in saying that, i fly and work away from home, for practical reasons i do what i do. But there's some rules based on the above. Hygiene is paramount. Wipe needle before and after use each time. I use a thicker needle then the pens, not easily blunten just used on skin and way sturdier then pen needles. Full needle's storage in case in fridge, on work site, my room fridge has no food and only opens for my pep use. As we all know wipe the skin where your sticking.

Agree the cheaper 1ml syringes with the fine needle built in, is no good for my setup.

Love good caring feedback, that's how we all learn and spread ideas
 
Skidude said:


Did you vent when loading the pen cartridge?

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Click to expand...
I vent all my cartridges and they all have a drop after pinning. Blue (GHK-CU) or colorless (Wolverine blend) liquids don't seem to matter.
 
With all my manual pens (V1, V2 and Mrs. Goodlife) I get a drop stuck to the needle after I pull out; with my Gensu2 automatic pen I see the drop about 1/2 the time.
 
I’m so grateful for this post. I thought I was going mad. My manual and Convi pens always have a tiny drop at the end, and my OCD cannot handle it. I vent my cartridges too!
 
T.Bird said:


I am not a fan of the pens, that tells me you still have pressure pushing injection and its being held back by your body. Pens should be straight in not at 45deg. Also you only need to bump and bend the fine needle a little bit and they close up inside, possibly change the needle tip.

I am 100% old school needle, you see the numbers and plunger move to new number, simple really. I also fill the syringe to the full 1ml use until empty then toss, depending on syringe you can change to fresh needle on the end, but remember not to mix up ya different peps up.

I am sure others have different systems.

Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I run old school as well.

Pens are very convenient.

This is something that is recent and not has happened before. Same push velocity.

Vs Going faster or slower on plunger.

I run at 45° because of my eyesight.

90° is fine for my 31g 5mm without hitting muscle. Just preference.

There is not an issues with back pressure from a 45°.

Carts are vented.

Probably just wait 20seconda tonight and see if same result.
 
Same with Gansulin & Convi. I find a pen easier to travel with and take some of the more frequent shots, Peps like Reta that are once weekly I take the old fashioned way. Pragmatic approach to whatever works best and easiest for me.
 
Past two days experiment:

I have kept half pins at 45° and half at 90° - Only change was waiting an extra 15 seconds as suggested. Both angles, no drips.

Re: 📐 Angle 90°vs45° - There are a lot of papers published about insulin pen needle entry angle.

If you are using a 4mm or 5mm and are over 10% BF, there is very little danger of entering muscle tissue. 90° is suggested.

If you are under 10%Bf and are using 6mm, take a big punish if possible or use angle.

I used 45° only because of eyesight and areas where I have little BF.
 
Gansulin user here. I have 32g x5mm and 31ga x8mm. I notice this more with the 32g needles especially if there is more than 20 units being injected. It takes a while for the injection to empty with the smaller needles and may have more back pressure.

If I have more than 20 units, I always use the 31g needle may even switch to 30g.
 
I just ran 40u through a 31g 5mm, held for 20 seconds, no more drip!

Answers are:

31g 5mm has pressure and injection resistance can create slower injection speed.

Hold in after plunger press for 20 seconds or however long you're good with.

90 degrees is default injection angle. 45 degrees is ok if very lean.

Fun fact: The body can handle 1.5ml of subQ!!! I do not recommend.

Here is a great paper that adresses several of the above topics.

Subcutaneous Injection of Drugs: Literature Review of Factors Influencing Pain Sensation at the Injection Site
 
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