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I am due to start insulin tonight

Discussion in 'Type 2 with Insulin' started by Rubette, Dec 9, 2020.

  1. Rubette

    Rubette Type 2 · Member

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    and am confused. I saw the nurse this morning and she told me what to do, how to use the pen, but when I read the info from the manufacturers o the pen, it was different. She didn't mention anything about setting it to 2 and tapping to rid the pen of any air and making sure I got the full dose. Any advice please. It's an INSUMAN BASAL SoloStar if that helps.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    #1 Rubette, Dec 9, 2020 at 3:49 PM
  2. Daibell

    Daibell LADA · Master

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    Hi. It's what's called an 'air shot' to remove the any air stored in the needle. I normally just a setting to1 which I find enough. After the air-shot you set the amount of insulin you need. I've read that it's best to keep the pen vertical when doing the air-shot to help any air get out.
     
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    #2 Daibell, Dec 9, 2020 at 4:02 PM
  3. ert

    ert Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    The first shot is also to check your insulin pen is working.
     
    #3 ert, Dec 9, 2020 at 4:07 PM
  4. Rubette

    Rubette Type 2 · Member

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    Thank you... can I ask how often you test your bloods.
     
    #4 Rubette, Dec 9, 2020 at 4:27 PM
  5. masonap

    masonap Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    I test and inject 4 times a day, before breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then again before bed when I inject a long lasting insulin.

    As for your initial question I’ve more or less stopped the 2 unit squirt... but you should always do it when you start a new pen (maybe even 2 or 3 times) to make sure the needle is primed properly. The other reason to do it would be to check that the needle is working, in 5 years of injecting I’ve had several needles that don’t work, so yes maybe the 2 unit shot is worth while, maybe I’m just getting lazy.
     
    #5 masonap, Dec 9, 2020 at 10:03 PM
  6. Rubette

    Rubette Type 2 · Member

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    Thank you for taking the time to respond. Can’t see anyone else bothering, where’s the support in that?
     
    #6 Rubette, Dec 19, 2020 at 7:23 PM
  7. masonap

    masonap Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    How are you getting on? I guess it’s about 10 days now?
     
    #7 masonap, Dec 19, 2020 at 7:25 PM
  8. Fenn

    Fenn Type 1.5 · Well-Known Member

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    You cant see the other replies?
     
    #8 Fenn, Dec 19, 2020 at 8:56 PM
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