What? A misfire??

[bldoink]

I actually had a misfire the other day. I think I've had maybe 3 or 4 in 10 years and none in recent memory. I'm out of my normal syringes as I'm just too lazy to go to the store and buy more. I've been using some others that work OK but aren't my favorite. I also have a bag of 1/2cc 31g 5/16" BD brand syringes. So I thought since I'm always bad mouthing the little BD brand syringes let me try them one more time.

So I opened the previously unopened bag and took out a syringe and worked the plunger a little. It was initially fairly stiff but it seemed to loosen up. So I then charged it up and proceeded to inject.

I tried aspiration and plunger resistance but could get no read from the syringe. I seemed to find a depth with aspiration but when I then tried to depress the syringe it would get to a spot where it just stopped in it's tracks. This happened repeatedly. By then I figured the repeated aspirations should have flushed most of the meds in. I finally forced the plunger down without pain and figured I must have been in the correct spot. It did go down a little easier after I very forcefully started the plunger down past the spot it was stopping hard at.

Well no pain, no welt, no blood, no red spot and no lift off. Well maybe 10% lift off.

The following day I went back to my other brand (but not my favorite) using the same vial, the same dose and same, normal procedure. I got my normal great results.

I'm tossing the BD brand in the trash. I confirmed my previous opinion on the brand. BD brand may be the highest quality but for my purposes they suck.

[dunbar57]

Which brand and size do you recommend?

I actually had a misfire the other day. I think I've had maybe 3 or 4 in 10 years and none in recent memory. I'm out of my normal syringes as I'm just too lazy to go to the store and buy more. I've been using some others that work OK but aren't my favorite. I also have a bag of 1/2cc 31g 5/16" BD brand syringes. So I thought since I'm always bad mouthing the little BD brand syringes let me try them one more time.

So I opened the previously unopened bag and took out a syringe and worked the plunger a little. It was initially fairly stiff but it seemed to loosen up. So I then charged it up and proceeded to inject.

I tried aspiration and plunger resistance but could get no read from the syringe. I seemed to find a depth with aspiration but when I then tried to depress the syringe it would get to a spot where it just stopped in it's tracks. This happened repeatedly. By then I figured the repeated aspirations should have flushed most of the meds in. I finally forced the plunger down without pain and figured I must have been in the correct spot. It did go down a little easier after I very forcefully started the plunger down past the spot it was stopping hard at.

Well no pain, no welt, no blood, no red spot and no lift off. Well maybe 10% lift off.

The following day I went back to my other brand (but not my favorite) using the same vial, the same dose and same, normal procedure. I got my normal great results.

I'm tossing the BD brand in the trash. I confirmed my previous opinion on the brand. BD brand may be the highest quality but for my purposes they suck.

[Stew52]

I've had poor results with any 5/16" needles.

[bldoink]

I don't think I can recommend a best brand.

My usual for several years has been Publix store brand 1/3cc, 5/16", 31 gauge. They work well enough and they're easy to get and cheap enough. I don't know who actually makes them.

I believe I liked the "Easy Touch" brand better but it's actually been a few years since I've had any. I haven't found them locally although other stores may have them. I just don't need enough med stuff to order from an internet supplier but I guess I should....but the Publix brand works well enough.

I've run into the problem where pharmacist techs and pharmacists won't dispense without a script although it's legal by FL State law. I could get a script easily enough but I always forget when at the doc's. The pharmacist at Publix laughed when I told him about other pharmacists refusing to dispense. He said the druggies don't use little insulin syringes. Oh well!

My Compounder, where I get my injection meds, actually gives me an appropriate bunch of "Sure Comfort" syringes appropriate for the batch of meds I'm getting. They work well enough I guess but I don't like them as well as the "Easy Touch" or even the Publix store brand. Plus they're the 1/2cc and I like the 1/3cc better. However, I've accumulated a pile of the "Sure Comfort" syringes and feel obligated to use some up. They work OK I guess.

I really don't like the BD brand syringes. I don't doubt they are high quality and may well be the best for many applications but for my purposes they really suck.

Don't get hung up on needle length. Try both 1/2" and 5/16". Use the length that works best for you. Of course that applies to the other options as well. You may find you like 29 or 30 gauge better or even larger capacity syringes as they give you more to hang on to.

I'm sorry I wasn't really much help. Perhaps someone else will chime in with some good recommendations.

[solvingadream]

I can share that I use these with perfect results.

https://www.totaldiabetessupply.com/pro ... c-1-2-inch

I've frozen over 50 of these suckers pre-loaded with trimix juice. Rock-solid frozen when I take them out of the freezer.

Once defrosted in just a few minutes, I get the little air bubble out and inject. Every single one injects smooth as silk, every time.

[bldoink]

Yeah, these are my favorite although I don't currently have any: https://www.totaldiabetessupply.com/collections/easytouch/products/easytouch-insulin-syringe-31g-3cc-5-16-inch

[dxchase70]

I actually had a misfire the other day. I think I've had maybe 3 or 4 in 10 years and none in recent memory. I'm out of my normal syringes as I'm just too lazy to go to the store and buy more. I've been using some others that work OK but aren't my favorite. I also have a bag of 1/2cc 31g 5/16" BD brand syringes. So I thought since I'm always bad mouthing the little BD brand syringes let me try them one more time.

Three to four misfires in 10 years is an amazing track records. I've done 9 injections so far and I think I've already had 4 failures. My last injection was a misfire. What I noticed was that I think I felt a burning sensation when I started injecting, but otherwise it went in smooth. Should I have stopped as soon as I felt the burning sensation and then choose a different injection site?

Also are any general guidelines as to what length needle should be used? I have had failures with both 1/2" and 5/16" needles. I'm assuming this depends on the girth of your dick.

[bldoink]

Burning as soon as you start depressing the plunger is a sure sign your depth is off. Readjust your depth. Moving to a different site probably isn't necessary. Do play with the depth. Try going a little deeper or pull out a smidge.

Also, if I depress the plunger rapidly I can get pain. I'm using mono-mix of 80mcg/ml of alprostadil which is fairly potent. If I inject too fast it hurts. If I inject in several small pulses over a longer period time it doesn't. A weak mix might not require that technique.

The length of the needle is something you have to work out on your own. I like the 5/16" but I can use the 1/2" if I have to. The longer needle just makes depth control more difficult for me. It depends on your anatomy as to what will work best for you. Some guys have the capability of "plumping up" before injecting. That can make a difference as to injection depth and needle length. It might be a good technique to try. I don't have that option.

Good luck.

[dxchase70]

All these different variables involved with injections is just maddening! I guess I really just need to keep practicing.

As always, thanks for your response.