Air bubbles in Novorapid vial and pen usage

[LaineyK]

Hi again everyone!..
The last week or so I've been noticing a few air bubbles in my Novorapid vial. I know to flick the pen whilst straight up, then do a 2 unit shot, but this doesn't get rid of them. My morning and night levels have started creeping up in the 8.5s, so wondered if it could be this.
I also this morning took out my vial, which was half way through use to see if I could sort it out, outside of the pen, but found when I inserted back into pen and clicked it in place, the pen wouldn't plunge/work at all.. So bit scared now, I opted for a fresh vial, and placed this one in ok.
Any hints please as don't want to keep wasting my Novorapid if this happens often?
Also, I drive a lot in job and take my meds with me, could the vibration/ moving around etc cause these bubbles?
Cheers all..

 

[iHs]

Hi

Im a tiny bit confused as to why you are using an insulin pen that takes cartridges but also have a vial as well.
Are you using a pump at all?

With insulin pens, the way to avoid getting a bubble in the cartridge is to remove the pen needle after injecting but if you dont want to do that, you can get by ok by injecting into skin at a slight right angle or downwards. This will make any bubble go the other end of the cartridge and not the needle.

Also, make sure that there is no air build up in the vial which will show with a raised up vial rubber membrane at the top. If this happens, get a pen needle but dont attach it to a pen. Instead just pull off the needle cover and insert needle into vial rubber and then wait for a hiss of air to come out through other end of the needle and then the vial rubber will go flat again.

 

[LaineyK]

Thanks for info. Will try your suggestions. Only diagnosed 5 weeks ago, so terminology may be wrong. Dont know if its called a vial or a cartridge lol..basically tube of insulin you slide into a pen, has 300 units in it.

 

[iHs]

Thanks for info. Will try your suggestions. Only diagnosed 5 weeks ago, so terminology may be wrong. Dont know if its called a vial or a cartridge lol..basically tube of insulin you slide into a pen, has 300 units in it.

Dont worry lol

If its bubbles in cartridge (tube of insulin with 300u), then an air bubble will only go to the needle if injecting upwards (bubbles always rise to the top) so then could go into the needle but if injecting at 90 degree rightangle or downwards, then the bubble will just go the other end. Even if the cartridge gets to empty, the bubble will still stay in the cartridge as the piston inside the pen can only push as far as the cartridge marks will allow so there will always be some insulin contained inside the empty cartridge and that's where the bubble will be.

 

[LaineyK]

Thanks again, feel stupid lol..but much better now x

 

[noblehead]

Thanks for info. Will try your suggestions. Only diagnosed 5 weeks ago, so terminology may be wrong. Dont know if its called a vial or a cartridge lol..basically tube of insulin you slide into a pen, has 300 units in it.

Are you holding the pen upright when you flick the cartridge and do the air-shot, if 2 units isn't enough to get rid of them then do it all again and dial up another 2-3 units.

 

[LaineyK]

Yes noble. Will pay more attention though in case not quite straight up when flick. Do you think movement in handbag,car might cause air bubbles to gather, slightly shaken up perhaps??