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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
        
(Message started by: ClstrHeadSupport on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 11:04am)

Title: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by ClstrHeadSupport on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 11:04am

My husband (the sufferer) and I have been trying to get our hands on some syringes for him to divide up the doses of his imitrex. We've failed miserably. We've talked to our pharmacist who's only told us we can't get them without a perscription. And his Neuro doesn't seem interested in perscribing them. We've even tried to locate a feed store (someone on here gave us the tip that we could go to a feed store and tell them we were watching our friends diabetic cat and they had forgotten to leave us the syringes) but we live in the city. When I say the city I mean the Bay Area of CA. San Francisco. We live in Fremont but if you're not familier with that area chances are you'll get me when I say San Francisco! The closest thing we have to a feed store in Fremont is Petco.

So my question is has anyone on here found a way to modify their Stat Dose systems to deliver only half the dose at a time. Maybe by cutting down the white tip that pushes out the medication?? We have multiple Stat Dose systems so I'm wondering if we can cut one of the white tips down so it only pushes out half, then use the unmodified system to deliver the next dose, the other half in the vial. What do you think?? Has anyone ever tried this?? We can't really afford to waste the imitrex if it doesn't work you know, so I'm hopeing someone has tried it.

Also, does anyone here get perscribed the vials of imitrex instead of the Stat Dose injections?? How does that work?? It's easy to split the doses that way right?? I wonder if his Neuro would go for that...

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by seasonalboomer on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 11:10am

does the "imitrex tip" link on the left of the CH.com website offer any help here?

scott

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by ClstrHeadSupport on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 2:18pm

No I don't think so. Not unless they've added something recently. It only tells you how to split your doses with syringes. I want to know if it can be done with the Stat Dose injector system.

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by seasonalboomer on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 2:36pm

actually it is specifically addressing auto-injectors. it ain't a pretty process but it looks like it'll do the job.

scott

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by E-Double on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 3:04pm

It's a lot easier to take the syringe out of the stat dose cartridge and to inject it the way it is suggested in the tip.

You can however modify the pen(auto injector) if you really want to fuss around with it.

You do not need to buy syringes to split the dose of the statdose.

I have vials and syringes but I also have statdoses.

I have only used the auto injector 1x and that was the very first time I used trex.

Despite having vials, I still prefer to use the ones in the cartridge if for no other reason they are small and convenient.

Good luck

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by joke ten dam on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 5:48pm

[smiley=huh.gif] you cant modify the auto injector I tried it it still delevers the total dose. Your best bet is the imitrex tip. :-[

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by Bob P on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 6:21pm

You can modify them.

There was a guy some years ago who gave the amount to cut off the plunger so it would only deliver 1/2 dose. You then have to take the syringe out and put it in a regular stat dose pen to deliver the remaining 1/2.

Dan "Magman" had a post where he built stoppers in the side of the pen so it would only deliver partial doses. That post was only a few months ago and should be easy to find.

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by Squanto on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 8:00pm

Here's a suggestion:
The sumatriptan (Imitrex) for subcataneous injection is available in 6.0 mg vials (in 0.5 ml of solution.) It comes in cartons of 5 vials.
Give your Doctor and/or your pharmacist this number:
NDC 0173-0449-02 (that the identification number of the cartons of 5 vials)

You should be able to obtain insulin syringes without a lot of hassle. The insulin syringe is calibrated in tenths of a millimeter (ml)

I draw up 2 vials, giving me 1.0 ml of Imtrex (12 mg) in one syringe. Then when I need a shot, I give myself 0.2 ml of the solution (that's 2.4 mg of Imitrex.) That amount works well for me and doesn't spike my blood pressure. I've tried a larger injection, but didn't notice ANY benefit from a bigger doseage. Your mileage may vary. I get 5 injections out of 2 Imtrex vials instead of 2 injections if the same amount that's in 2 of the Stat Dose thing. Plus the cost is less - even though my insurance covers the vast majority of the cost.

Being half way careful about keeping my hands and the injection site clean and not touching the needle, reusing the syringe and needle has NOT been a problem for me.

The insulin needles are very small and "almost" painless and were easy to get used to. I usually inject my "love handles" or the top of my thighes, moving from area to area with each sucessive injection.

Squanto

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 8:13pm

One other suggestion if you have a couple of days. Do a web search for veterinarian supply companies (primarily located in western states like Wyoming, Utah, etc.) It's quite legal in those states to sell empty sterile vials and TB or Insulin syringes. You might have to say you're a Veterinarian, but that's usually a formality. They can overnight supplies to you.

You can then autoinject a syringe into a sterile vial and pull up the amount you need. Clean needle each time and sterile technique observed.

I've been out of cycle for awhile, and the supplier I used last time has gone out of business, so I can't make a recommendation on that. Just a thought ... and you didn't learn this from me.

Good luck!

Kris

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Nov 4^th, 2005, 3:23am

Hi CHsupport.
The Imitrex tip to the left describes exactly what you need to do to get what you are looking for.
In text, it sounds very complex and intricate, but in reality, when you have the thing in front of you, it is quite simple. Really, very simple.
I prefer the vials and syrenges to the statdose. Just simply ask your doc or pharmy the next time you get a refill to give you the vials with insulin syrenges.......reason being, you want to administer less than a full dose. If you tell them you dont want to take a full dose, they really should cough up what you want.

Ya just gotta demand it. If they dont wanna hand over the goods, just start crackin some heads together!
PF wishes to Hubby
BMonee

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by Bob P on Nov 4^th, 2005, 3:49pm

Hey gang. She knows about syringes. She wants to use the auto injector pen.

Title: Re: Possible to modify the Stat Dose system??
Post by seasonalboomer on Nov 4^th, 2005, 4:11pm

on 11/04/05 at 15:49:32, Bob P wrote:

Hey gang. She knows about syringes. She wants to use the auto injector pen.

So are you saying that the question was answered. Because the question looks answered to me.

And may I say to Squanto, you are one cool old dude. Between the updates on your creativity with the "alternative" therapies and this input on your syringe management, you are on my list of "cluster heros". You definitely seem to take the approach of not wanting to lay around till someone comes up with the answer, but that you're going after it. All admiration for that spirit!!!

scott