lump from injecting insulin contaminated with test

[mick86]

I had posted this in the Insulin forum, but wasn't getting much feedback and I'm stressed so copied it here.

As my insulin pen was leaking I tried various other means of storing my slin. One idea was to try to completely empty a test e vial and use that, but I had trouble getting every drop of test out, I could see a slight film left but I figured it would be a minuscule amount.

Anyway I put around 30 IU of slin in the vial, and it seemed okay at first but the last few IU I drew out looked milky in the slin pin. I figured that was just a small chemical reaction from the slin coming in contact with a little test.

I was hesitant to use the milky slin, but I am short on slin as it is, so just tried to leave behind as much of the milky bits as possible (I was some what able to separate it). I just put it in the fridge in the pin as I prepare them in advance.

Yesterday I had no other shots pre prepared in the pins and I was late so I grabbed the milky one and shot 10IU into my stomach. Today its sore, sorta like a pimple. There us a small red lump and its stressing me out.

Have I made a big mistake, can I do anything now to avoid problems? What risk if any am I at from my actions?

Help appreciated, it will stop me stressing

[mick86]

Some kind of advice would be great, I'm stressing

[korsow]

prolly got a skin deep infection there ..

[mick86]

Yeah, thats what im thinking, it feels similar to a nasty pimple. I take alprim (trimethoprim) for acne, is that likely to help?

[korsow]

Best thing is to let it blow over, U prolly got the slin contaminated when ya transfered it? Just a thought.. Wouldnt worry about it too much, will probably go away within a couple of days.. Unless u start feeling feverish, if thats the case, go to the doc ;-)

[korsow]

Pimple meds wont work, as they usually target clogged pores. or try to stop oil from being secreted from pores.. Just put some ice on teh fokker lol or was it heat, cant remember, best thing as mentioned before is to let it blow over..

[jstraw428]

Why are you storing the slin in a different container? Why did you just not leave in the original bottle or pen?

[mick86]

Pimple meds wont work, as they usually target clogged pores. or try to stop oil from being secreted from pores.. Just put some ice on teh fokker lol or was it heat, cant remember, best thing as mentioned before is to let it blow over..

Its a broad spectrum antibiotic, it has many uses but thanks for the input. That's calmed me a bit.

Why are you storing the slin in a different container? Why did you just not leave in the original bottle or pen?

Well it was leaking, the only tip I had was from a different pen. I foolishly stored it upside down, as I did not know how they work, and did not want to risk putting pressure on the button, lol.

Now I keep it in a 3ml syringe, I also have a sterile vial if I need it.

[jstraw428]

I use the novolog pens, and i keep the insulin stored in the pen.....I then draw from the pen using a slin pin.....I have found it to work a lot better.......Bc sometimes those pens can give an inaccurate amount if stored improperly or jostled too hard/much

[DEVLDOG]

most likely its just some oil under the skin since you used a slin pin and didnt go deep enough for the oil to disipate,i wouldnt worry about it

get yourself some empty vials,they are cheap and good to have for situations like this

[PT]

thats exactly what it is. you have oil under your skin and its going to take time to break down.

[956Vette]

What they said ^^^

Dont stress, youll be okay

[rhino1]

go the the pharmacy and buy a bottle of insulin for 10 $$$

[mick86]

go the the pharmacy and buy a bottle of insulin for 10 $$$

You can't do that over here in Australia Well not without a prescription.

[rhino1]

ever heard of a five finger discount???

[rhino1]

i will mail you a bottle

[mick86]

What they said ^^^

Dont stress, youll be okay

Thats a relief, thanks.

I had heard something in the past about people getting lumps from oil injections that weren't done deep enough, that required removal by scalpel, and was a little concerened about that but it seems I was being a little paranoid.

[rhino1]

Thats a relief, thanks.

I had heard something in the past about people getting lumps from oil injections that weren't done deep enough, that required removal by scalpel, and was a little concerened about that but it seems I was being a little paranoid.

i heard they dig them out with a spoon

[mick86]

i will mail you a bottle

Didn't see your msg earlier.

lol, where do they store it, it would be out the back in a fridge I would think.

You seriously willing to send me bottle? That's very generous, thanks

Are you from Aus?

[mick86]

i heard they dig them out with a spoon

Your just trying to stress me out

[DEVLDOG]

Thats a relief, thanks.

I had heard something in the past about people getting lumps from oil injections that weren't done deep enough, that required removal by scalpel, and was a little concerened about that but it seems I was being a little paranoid.

Thats an Abcess which is also easily remedied if taken care of at once,its the ppl who choose to ignore the pain and swelling then it gets infected then yes you may have to have it cut out,but trust me,I have stuck myself ,has to be a million times in the last 21yrs,i never had anything i hot compress,motrin and massage couldnt fix

[mick86]

Thats an Abcess which is also easily remedied if taken care of at once,its the ppl who choose to ignore the pain and swelling then it gets infected then yes you may have to have it cut out,but trust me,I have stuck myself ,has to be a million times in the last 21yrs,i never had anything i hot compress,motrin and massage couldnt fix

That sucks, so are you saying that I just watch it and if it doesnt start improving see a doctor? How long should I wait? I have some cortisone which I sometimes inject into cystic/nodular pimples, would that help? It helps reduce inflammation and speeds up healing.

[mick86]

For the benefit of anyone else in my situation its now 9 days after I did the shot and the lump is completely gone. I cant even find it if I press firmly on the area so its fair to say that that's the end of that

[Dinosaur]

woooffff, big relieve
good to hear that finaly your mind is clear to finish your cycle with no trauma left behind probably.

[mick86]

Thanks, yeah I was lucky that it seems to have been nothing serious.

[jstraw428]

Unless he put some dry ice in the package with the insulin.....it probably would not make the trip to Austrailia.......Sorry bro...

[mick86]

Unless he put some dry ice in the package with the insulin.....it probably would not make the trip to Austrailia.......Sorry bro...

What has that got to do with anything mentioned?

[jstraw428]

He said he would send you a bottle, and i was just saying that it would not stay good unless it was shiped with dry ice........

[mick86]

Oh, I see the comment that you are referring to. Yes that's correct, it would not survive the trip. I have enough now anyway.