Problem with Lilly Pen(s) it seems

This is the second type injection pen I've had from the Lilly range. It is the 'Luxura' and it delivers insulin in the same way as the 'ergopen' did, were you need to release at least '1-2' units of air before insulin is available. It became apparent after I went through a stint of eratic blood readings and narrowed the problem down to the delivery of the pen. Seems to be a flaw and it can waste insulin too. Although you could also say that it cleanses the needle of excess blood (if the needle is used again fo course). I have a Sofano Ovantis opti pen for the Lantus and that delivers instantly with no wastage.

Has anyone else experianced the same problem?
Cueball

Not when the cartridge has been first loaded, although yes the air needs to be expelled on first use. It also occurs when the pen has been in idle use, and by that I mean it has not been used until the next 'scheduled' injection is due.

My opinion is that the problem arises overtime because of the deterioration of the plastic corkscrew mechanism. If left idle for a period of time and the through the pressure of air getting into the cartirdge, the device would readjust itself into a position that would be asynchronous with the 'measure display counter', and therefore giving an inaccurate dosage of insulin. 1mml may become 0.65 mml etc. I suppose the deterioration of the mechanism would be similar to how a plastic plumbing screw would be capable of leaking water over time, such as a garden hose after multiple usages. The Sofano Aventis Optipen does not have this problem as the delivery shaft is metal. I have had this for over a year. The Lilly Ergopen and the Luxura both have a plastic delivery shaft.

Have you contacted the manufacturers and informed them of your concerns ?

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No, but I will contact Lilly about this. I have no doubts it will make an improvement.

Ok Ken, thanks for the info

I'm sure the 'Lilly' company will listen carefully as they wouldn't like to lose market share, paticularly if this experiance becomes widely accepted.