Making insulin doses ahead of time?

[Annunakian]

I hope this makes sense. In my other thread I had mentioned that I was diagnosed with GD and I updated stating that my doc put me on insulin. I don't have the fancy pen that I've heard most women get, I've got a box syringes and bottles of two different types of insulin.

My question is, can you make the doses ahead of time? Meaning can you fill up the syringes and store them in the fridge for the day. Make them in the morning and have enough until supper? Right now I have my hubby filling it up and jabbing me but he will soon be going back to work (he's been out of work) and I will have to jab myself. I am afraid I will mess things up somehow (I'm clumsy in every way possible) and the fact that I have to jab myself is horrible enough.

 

[Tanikit]

I wouldn't advise that - while it is probably fine, it is better to keep the insulin in the bottle it is in. It has been a very very long time since I was on bottled insulin with syringes, but in general if you know the dose it is very easy to just draw up the right amount - just make sure you are concentrating when you do it and that you use the correct bottle (usually one colour is long acting and the other colour is short acting - don't mix them up! - in fact drawing up the syringes beforehand makes it more likely to mix up the short and long acting than leaving it in the bottle.

As for injecting yourself: try and practice a few times while DH is there to help you - if necessary get him to hold your hand while you do it together as it can be nerve wracking the first time or so. At the moment you should be drawing it up at the very least with him watching as this is an easier skill than injecting yourself then you will have had practice before he goes to work.

and good luck - you'll be amazed what a bit of practice can do and you'll soon be a pro, but try to get yourself independent before he has to leave where if you get stuck he can still help.

 

[Annunakian]

Darn, I was hoping to skip the jabbing part.

Thanks for the info. I haven't been paying much attention, although I think I know what to do. It's scary, no doubt but I suppose I'd better toughen up before he heads back to work.

 

[baby05]

I would encourage you to learn to fill the syringes yourself so you dont have to stress if your OH isnt there for the timing.

Practice on oranges with saline or water. it is important to be able to dose your self correctly. Remember to pinch up. i find if you put a spoon in the freezer and then get the spot you are going to inject nice and cold with the spoon you cant feel it as much.

yes if you cant read the syringes very well because of bad eye sight, your oh can prefill the syringes for you but you will have to be very very careful as they are both clear insulin, and you do NOT WANT TO MIX them . double dosing either of them could be very very very dangerous.

Also having to eat the exact number of carbs from a prefilled food dose could be really tough, esp if you get heartburn or feel nauseous.

PM me if you have questions.

be sure and take the long lasting at the same time every day as lantus is a 24 hour insulin and should be taken at the same time.

 

[andrea675]

Could you also ask your diabetic team to switch you to pre-filled pens rather than syringes and vials? Not sure where you are in the world so I guess it depends what is available.

 

[blue32]

I have an injector that I can drop my syringes into after I fill them myself. It goes right up on the skin and I push a button so that the syringe plunges on it's own. I can do the jabs without it, but find it much quicker and easier when I use it. It also works well for times that I shoot myself in public. I'm in the us, but they're widely available here. Mine cost $30, but since I've been injecting for 8+ months, it has been worth the price.

When I first started taking insulin, I had exactly the same worries about messing up my insulin. The anxiety mostly went away after a couple weeks. Good luck!

 

[Annunakian]

I see my ob in a few days so I'll make sure I ask about the pen. A friend of mine had that too, I wonder why she didn't give me one in the first place. I'm hoping to make this as easy as possible. I get tattoos and and piercings with no problem but when it comes to a quick injection I'm a wuss.

 

[Tanikit]

yes the pens are better - and the needles for them are usually smaller and thinner too wich makes life easier. Tattoos and piercings are done by someone else usually which may explain why they are ok for you - and plus you have a nice thing to show you what you have done afterwards - insulin sucks (Hey I have been using it for 19 years I can say that)

Good luck with your appointment.

 

[Annunakian]

Thanks! Hopefully she'll give me the pen.

 

[DarlingMe]

You can prefill your syringes. I am an RN and this is how meds are prepped for home health patients who cant fill their own. The pens are great but not always covered by insurance! Good luck!

 

[Annunakian]

Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better on pre filling them.