NovoPen Junior tips

[coni]

Our endo just prescribed the NovoPen Junior for our dd. We use shots, but are hoping that the pen will be easier for her teachers in school to learn to use since they have offered to give dd her lunch insulin next school year. Any tips? Things I should know? We'll be practicing for a few weeks, but I thought I'd ask the experts!
Thanks -

[miss_behave]

A lot of people have leak-back problems with insulin pens, where a dribble of insulin comes out after the needle does. So its better to leave the needle in for about 10-15 seconds after the insulins injected, so that you get the full dose.

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

Along with Miss Behave's tip, I'm going to add to it...holding the plunger down or holding the end of the pen down while you count those 10 to 15 seconds.

We had LOTS of leaks, so went back to using syringes. :o

[phil413]

We leave the skin pinched with the needle in for ten seconds and have had NO problems. Anna loves the pen!! You will always see a drop or two on the end of the needle before and after, but it is nothing to worry about. This happens more often if you are using the mini-needles, which we do. Anna can't even feel the shots.

Her teacher gave her some of her lunch shots near the end of the year and the pen made it so easy!!

[wendyc]

Pull skin, pinch skin, turn needle and count to 10 to avoid leakback. Also, maybe get the penmate, it's an adapter to the novopen that isolates the needle. Might be a little less intimidating for the nurse if she has any hesitation.

[3js]

we are using the pens too (not junior tho) and we were told to "waste" a unit before dialing the dose. that`s the only thing i don`t like, as we waste 4 units a day. we haven`t had problems with leaks as long as we count to ten before taking the tip out. one thing my son complains of is pain if it is "pressed in" too hard- it`s easy to do that and the tip holding the needle kind of pushes into the injection site.

it was a lot easier for us than the syringes, plus my son is able to give his own insulin at grandma`s.

and a big plus- he found it a LOT less scary looking than the syringe! i`m sure the teacher will too:) good luck!

[munsonklein]

Besides waiting before removing the needle, we also had less leakage if we pressed a finger down on the injection site for a few seconds immediately after we pulled the needle out. We never did the "air shots" before a routine bolus, only when we started a new cartridge- always seemed like a huge waste of insulin to me too.

Cathy

[zimbie45]

We used the jr a while ago, Great tips so far... Yes make a blind shot in the air first. A full unit.. That way you know the calibration part is correct and that they will get the full amount you dial up !!!! WE also had to count.. but we had to count to like 30+ befor we could take it out or the extra drips would not be done or we would getleak out.. WE had a hard time controling numbers, so we went back to needls adn just drew the insulin out of the pen vials.. Stilll do for the pump.. Saves us on a great deal of money and much less waste !!!

[3js]

another thing- the hosp. told us to keep a spare syringe in the pen case (it fits easy) in case the pen doesn`t work for some reason. then we could just draw from the cartridge as zimbie45 does.

[LantusFiend]

I got two Novopen Jrs, and with one of them it makes a big difference whether or not I prime first, and with the other it makes no difference.
I've got two lengths of needles that go on the pens, 6mms and 5mms. They don't feel much different to me.
When it won't inject any more, there are still about 10 units left, I do those with a syringe.

[Hollyb]

We never had any problems with the pens -- yeah a drop at the end of the needle but it was consistent so not a problem.

[Mik's Mom]

hi

my daughter found the pen so much easier to use- we did have a prob with leaking but we were told to hold the needle in for 10 seconds and it seems to have helped.

It makes traveling so much easier and i find it easier to use as well. Looking into the lantus pen as well

Let us know how it goes ;)

Good luck

~ Missy