Didn't expel air! How much insulin have I done?

Hollye777

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Hi guys, I just changed my insulin cartridge over (novo rapid pen, the non-disposable type) and did my insulin before expelling the air!!! Obviously the dose went in far quicker than usual and I think it means I've missed a good few units.

Does anyone know how many units I probably missed? I was trying to do 8.

My blood sugars have already been random and mental today and the last thing I needed was to do the incorrect dose
 
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noblehead

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All you can do is test and correct if need be, but I'd give it while yet to allow your insulin to work.
 

Hollye777

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I don't think there is anyway of knowing. My girl uses Novorapid cartridges and when we put a new one in, sometimes it can take a dial up of 3 units for it to start spitting insulin out, sometimes it can be 10, so it is anyone's guess.

Keep testing, that's all you can do.
Thank you so much for replying! I feared that would be the case. I usually expel 15 when I've changed the cartridge, knowing it's more than enough but always to be on the safe side.... Gahhh I'm so silly. I know at least some went in.
 
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Hollye777

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All you can do is test and correct if need be, but I'd give it while yet to allow your insulin to work.
Thank you, I think that's pretty good advice! Such a bad day to do it - I've had inexplicable highs and lows today already. I guess I'll leave it an hour or two :/
 
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richyb

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Don't feel too hard on yourself we all make mistakes. I have done that one.
 
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himtoo

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why can't everyone get on........
Hey @Hollye777
welcome to the forum.:)
you picked a great topic to start with :D

a new cartridge for me has always been between 8 - 11 units of air before getting insulin.

as advised above -- just keep testing and correct if going high :)
 

Hollye777

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Hey @Hollye777
welcome to the forum.:)
you picked a great topic to start with :D

a new cartridge for me has always been between 8 - 11 units of air before getting insulin.

as advised above -- just keep testing and correct if going high :)
Yep I know, I like to make an entrance!!!!!

That's really helpful to know, thanks so much. And everyone's definitely given the right advice. I just dread doing late night insulin if I do need to correct (which I almost def will need to) as I've been known for many a nighttime hypo including a really awful fit once. Oh well - think I'll go and test it now!
 
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himtoo

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sorry for being a nightmare responder on your first topic :D

a big entrance is a must :)

must admit -- tonight not going to be a great sleep night for ya

set a couple of alarms and correct as you see fit -- we are all different in how we treat highs at night !!!!
 

azure

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If you do have to do a nighttime correction, aim for a higher target number than you would during the day. That's what I do because I'm anxious about late night corrections too.

I also set an alarm to get up and test to see how things are.
 

Hollye777

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If you do have to do a nighttime correction, aim for a higher target number than you would during the day. That's what I do because I'm anxious about late night corrections too.

I also set an alarm to get up and test to see how things are.
Correction done, alarms set :) obviously, it would be on a night where I've been thinking of nothing but getting to sleep for the entire day!
 
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Hollye777

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sorry for being a nightmare responder on your first topic :D

a big entrance is a must :)

must admit -- tonight not going to be a great sleep night for ya

set a couple of alarms and correct as you see fit -- we are all different in how we treat highs at night !!!!
20 - eek! There goes the sleep I've been looking forward to for this entire day!
 

himtoo

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alarm for 2am ?? shall I serenade you with "last night I didn't get to sleep at all ?? " :)
 

Hollye777

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How did it go overnight @Hollye777 ?
So I was 20 before I went to bed D: so decided to do 3 units... Set alarm for 3am and slept right through it! Was evidently knackered ha. But this morning - 4.1 :) so hopefully this day will bring much better results....!

Thanks so much for your support :)
 
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linda321

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I did the same yesterday! My blood sugars were higher than normal yesterday. I corrected with 2 units last night and woke this morning at 5.2. Oh well! Today is another day. Good luck @Hollye777 for today.
 

Daibell

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I normally expel only 1 unit with a new cartridge and even that is quite a spirt.
 

Hollye777

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I did the same yesterday! My blood sugars were higher than normal yesterday. I corrected with 2 units last night and woke this morning at 5.2. Oh well! Today is another day. Good luck @Hollye777 for today.
Good luck to you too Linda :) I guess more times than not doing a correction dose is the right thing to do, I've just gone wrong with it so many times I get scared! Oh well, here's to the start of another week! :)