Quote from: JoanneB on November 29, 2014, 10:15:33 AM
Are you putting the safety sheath back on before the swap and leaving the new, smaller gauge, needles sheath on when you re-install it?

Most syringes use Luer-Lock connectors which really are like a 1/4 turn twist to screw them down into place. The sheaths are pull off / push on. I initially had a hard time keeping my instinct to screw stuff under control and would try to unscrew the sheath and make a mess of things.

No matter how hard you try, a little of the thick oil based solution will always be inside the drawing needle. When you pop it off a little will dribble out the fitting in time. But before you take it off be sure to hold the needle up and suck some air in to get all that is trapped in the tube. Just be sure to get all the air out after the new needle is installed. Letting it sit for a bit after drawing helps break up the bubbles formed by the vacuum when you draw. (BTW - You are shooting in air before you start, right?)

If the med is cold/cool it is harder to draw. Warmer is thinner. But hot is not good. Read the info sheet for maximum storage temperature as too how much can warm it up to. A handy tip for the winter months around my house with the thermostat set to 65

Holy Hannah, that's it!  They twist off and on!  I just tried it.  Thank you so very much.  I have been struggling for 12 weeks trying to pull them off!

Just to confirm the rest of what you are saying...  You are saying that after I draw up the oil and screw the drawing needle off, I should then hold the syringe upright and pull a little more air in?  Then put on the injecting needle and push out all the air?  THEN remove cap and inject?

I really don't think they taught me all these steps...I was probably nervous, too.  Anyway, yes, I do also push air into the vial prior to drawing up the oil.

Thanks again!

There are a ton of nursing oriented videos on how to properly do it. In doctor offices you are too overwhelmed to take everything in and whoever is instructed you are not real teachers. They just give shots for a living. A favorite phrase of mine is "The pro's make it look easy" Teaching is a talent.

Leave the drawing syringe on when you suck in air. That way you suck in the last dribble of med still in tube. Then cap it and remove it. ALWAYS keeping the syringe pointing up!    Then put on the injecting needle. (you NEVER handle a needle w/o the cap on it for both safety and sterility resons) Once that is screwed down pull off the cap and work out the air.

Quote from: JoanneB on November 29, 2014, 11:34:52 AM
There are a ton of nursing oriented videos on how to properly do it. In doctor offices you are too overwhelmed to take everything in and whoever is instructed you are not real teachers. They just give shots for a living. A favorite phrase of mine is "The pro's make it look easy" Teaching is a talent.

Leave the drawing syringe on when you suck in air. That way you suck in the last dribble of med still in tube. Then cap it and remove it. ALWAYS keeping the syringe pointing up!    Then put on the injecting needle. (you NEVER handle a needle w/o the cap on it for both safety and sterility resons) Once that is screwed down pull off the cap and work out the air.

Perfect!

Yes, I looked up some information after reading your post.  Sometimes I miss the obvious.  Google! 

Thanks again.

I talked to a pharmacist who told me that one-inch needles are fine for IM injections. I have my doubts because I'm injecting in the hip (thicker layer of fat than in, say, an arm), but I'll give it a try. But next time, I'm checking those needles myself instead of trusting someone else to. I check my own T, so I don't know why I took someone else's word for the needles.