I hate pens?

[DoctaDave]

Am I the only one that hates pens? Sure it might be convenient but by the time I loaded the vial I could have taken a few days of peps lol. I got a V1 as a tester and just can’t stand it. Kinda tough to push the plunger, wiggles the needle around as I’m getting my thumb in place. I guess insulin needles are for me.

 

[Abrakebabra]

Each to their own - I love them, but everyone's allowed their preferences. Not sure what you mean though re the time you've loaded the vial... You aren't using 1 pen and swapping cartridges are you? Can't say I experience needle wobbling either - but as I say, if they aren't for you they aren't for you.

 

[BBA1969]

I started out with a Mounjaro pen for a few months before I switched to vials and multiple peps.

Recently I started with pens again for the everyday low volume pins.

It’s true that it’s a little more of a hassle to get your cartridges and to load them but after that it’s a lot more convenient.

As a bonus: if you’re someone who’s sensitive towards injecting, you hardly feel a 4-5mm pen needle. Most of the time I don’t even feel it at all.

 

[CandyCap]

Am I the only one that hates pens? Sure it might be convenient but by the time I loaded the vial I could have taken a few days of peps lol. I got a V1 as a tester and just can’t stand it. Kinda tough to push the plunger, wiggles the needle around as I’m getting my thumb in place. I guess insulin needles are for me.

Are you screwing the needle on? Not just pushing it on? I'm unclear how the needle can wobble?

 

[GrandmaJ]

I am trying to switch to pens but am really struggling. I am not good at it! I lose peps trying to get air bubbles out. More comes out after I withdraw the needle when the injection is done despite leaving it in and counting to 20 before pulling it out. If the cartridge isn't a full 3ml, I have a hard time getting the plunger to the right position. I had a cartridge fall out and then when I tried to put it back in I didn't know how to get the plunger to go high enough to push the rest out. There is definitely a learning curve and not sure it is worth it yet.

 

[whimsps]

I got a PepPen V2 that I absolutely hate. I'm with you on the wobble on that one - the "clicking" as you press the plunger wiggles it around for me and I end up with bruising. I do have very small hands so maybe that's part of the problem? I recently got a Savvio pen and the smooth depression of the plunger rather than the clicking has helped, but it's still bulky. I also have a ConviPen that I haven't tried out yet but it seems to have a smooth depression also. I still prefer insulin needles but I feel bad about so much plastic waste.

 

[CandyCap]

I am trying to switch to pens but am really struggling. I am not good at it! I lose peps trying to get air bubbles out. More comes out after I withdraw the needle when the injection is done despite leaving it in and counting to 20 before pulling it out. If the cartridge isn't a full 3ml, I have a hard time getting the plunger to the right position. I had a cartridge fall out and then when I tried to put it back in I didn't know how to get the plunger to go high enough to push the rest out. There is definitely a learning curve and not sure it is worth it yet.

Some pens require spacers to get everything out.

 

[SeaGypsy]

Some pens require spacers to get everything out.

I just draw out what's left and add it into the new cartridge. I got the spacers but haven't used them

 

[Rezwalker]

i tested some pen from aliXpr..

all the V1/v2 ar garbage

Tried Gansulin pen man what a experience ! great pen

tried the one from lily Humapen great pen overall

tried novo4 with a adapter great pen too and cheap

i use like 5 pen every morning its faster than draw from 5 vials

im kinda addicted to them now ...

bought like 20 pen

 

[joseblo]

I am trying to switch to pens but am really struggling. I am not good at it! I lose peps trying to get air bubbles out. More comes out after I withdraw the needle when the injection is done despite leaving it in and counting to 20 before pulling it out. If the cartridge isn't a full 3ml, I have a hard time getting the plunger to the right position. I had a cartridge fall out and then when I tried to put it back in I didn't know how to get the plunger to go high enough to push the rest out. There is definitely a learning curve and not sure it is worth it yet.

If you're having trouble loading the pens and getting all the air & bubbles out, they may not be for you. Especially, if you're doing just once a week and don't filter. I have to put on reading glasses to see things, which I don't normally do.

When I'm trying to get air out, it's usually right after I fill & filter. I still have the vent needle in and make sure it's right at the very top of the snout (not down a mm). Then flick the a fingernail to get ALL the bubbles all the way up (spinning helps some). Then using an old plunger I pulled out of a syringe (sometimes resting on the counter), slowly push the cart plunger up till all the air is out and the tiniest droplet forms. Often putting it in the fridge will cause the last tiny bubbles to disappear. If there's still a tiny bit of air at the top I'll load it in a pen, put take a pen needle and put it on (before first pin), but barely puncturing (not screwed all the way in) and push 1-2 units at a time out to get the last bubble.

Bubbles are the bane of carts, since their squeeze and expansion are what usually causes the dribble at the end. They do make 3D printed recon stations to make some of it easier, but if it's process, vision, or reflexes... spending money won't really help.

 

[GrandmaJ]

If you're having trouble loading the pens and getting all the air & bubbles out, they may not be for you. Especially, if you're doing just once a week and don't filter. I have to put on reading glasses to see things, which I don't normally do.

When I'm trying to get air out, it's usually right after I fill & filter. I still have the vent needle in and make sure it's right at the very top of the snout (not down a mm). Then flick the a fingernail to get ALL the bubbles all the way up (spinning helps some). Then using an old plunger I pulled out of a syringe (sometimes resting on the counter), slowly push the cart plunger up till all the air is out and the tiniest droplet forms. Often putting it in the fridge will cause the last tiny bubbles to disappear. If there's still a tiny bit of air at the top I'll load it in a pen, put take a pen needle and put it on (before first pin), but barely puncturing (not screwed all the way in) and push 1-2 units at a time out to get the last bubble.

Bubbles are the bane of carts, since their squeeze and expansion are what usually causes the dribble at the end. They do make 3D printed recon stations to make some of it easier, but if it's process, vision, or reflexes... spending money won't really help.

I do filter. I also struggle with redrawing the reconstituted peps out of the original vial, so I am sure it is a me issue. I will try using the vent needle to get more air out, that is a good idea. I am using KPV everyday but only at 5 units so I thought the convi pen would make it easier. Not so much so far.

If you don't mind another question, is the plunger adjustable? So if I accidentally drop the cart out of the pen and need to put it back in, there is no longer resistance on the bottom so when I dial and push, it won't go back up to where it was. Hope that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[mongchopz]

There are pens and then there are pens . The auto injectors (convi gansu etc) are so good . I have an insulin usb cooler full of them by my bed and the pin routine takes a minute or so with so little waste .

 

[joseblo]

I do filter. I also struggle with redrawing the reconstituted peps out of the original vial, so I am sure it is a me issue. I will try using the vent needle to get more air out, that is a good idea. I am using KPV everyday but only at 5 units so I thought the convi pen would make it easier. Not so much so far.

If you don't mind another question, is the plunger adjustable? So if I accidentally drop the cart out of the pen and need to put it back in, there is no longer resistance on the bottom so when I dial and push, it won't go back up to where it was. Hope that makes sense. Thanks!

To make getting all the liquid out of the vial, it really helps to use a 1.5in needle (25Ga or 27Ga) that will reach to the bottom! Leave the shorter recon fill needle in and use it as a vent when you withdraw so you don't develop suction. You definitely need a vent needle when filling, but it should be as close to the top as possible, while I use a 0.5in (27Ga) to fill all the way inserted so that it doesn't leak and bubble up through the vent. As long as you have the vent in (after removing the filter needle) you can press the cart plunger up manually. If you have a cart in the pen (wherever the plunger is) you can reset (lightly twist/push the screw pen piston in) the pen. Then just like you do when starting out, put a pen needle on and dial 10-20 pen units in and push until it looks like the piston is going to touch the plunger... then go really slow 1-2U.

Automatic pens like Convi, Gansu, Alstar but also manual Luxura and Savio are often smoother and more accurate than V1/V2 pens. If you're using such a small amount of KPV, I'd still recon to get at least 10U/pin. These pens are really accurate to better than +/-1U. If you absolutely, have to go down below 10U there are pens like Alstar Jr that will do 0.5U increments (upto only 30U max), but take the same 3ml carts.

 

[GrandmaJ]

If you're using such a small amount of KPV, I'd still recon to get at least 10U/pin. These pens are really accurate to better than +/-1U. If you absolutely, have to go down below 10U there are pens like Alstar Jr that will do 0.5U increments (upto only 30U max), but take the same 3ml carts.

My KPV is 30mg so unfortunately I put the max 3ml bac I could fit. I have been thinking about going up from 500mcg to 1mg just so I can use 10 units instead of 5. I did do some water testing at .5 with the convi and it was pretty close. The V1 was not consistent at only 5 units, so I was using it for my TA-1 but I am about done with it.(my cold is getting better)

 

[chunkyTN]

I felt the same way until I got a convi pen. Now I filter into the pen cartridge and I don't have to really mess with anything until that vial runs out. The auto injector pen is a game changer.

 

[skeptick]

I am trying to switch to pens but am really struggling. I am not good at it! I lose peps trying to get air bubbles out. More comes out after I withdraw the needle when the injection is done despite leaving it in and counting to 20 before pulling it out. If the cartridge isn't a full 3ml, I have a hard time getting the plunger to the right position. I had a cartridge fall out and then when I tried to put it back in I didn't know how to get the plunger to go high enough to push the rest out. There is definitely a learning curve and not sure it is worth it yet.

Many good videos on YouTube.

 

[sheilarae74]

Am I the only one that hates pens? Sure it might be convenient but by the time I loaded the vial I could have taken a few days of peps lol. I got a V1 as a tester and just can’t stand it. Kinda tough to push the plunger, wiggles the needle around as I’m getting my thumb in place. I guess insulin needles are for me.

I don't love mine. The only reason I got a pen is because I had two boxes of pen needles. I honestly find it hard to pin in the glutes. Once the needles are gone I doubt I will use it anymore. It's just easier using syringes and I can always get a vial spike for my daily.

 

[sheilarae74]

I felt the same way until I got a convi pen. Now I filter into the pen cartridge and I don't have to really mess with anything until that vial runs out. The auto injector pen is a game changer.

That is what I have and it doesn't always completely inject. Most of the time I have to press it hard.