3 doses or 4?

[threeeggsontoast]

I think I’m going loopy but am I
missing something here? For the past 2 months I’m mentally ticking off each week but on both times when I’ve gone to take the 4th dose, there was nothing but the ‘golden dose’ left. The pen clicks about twice and then Jan’s. There’s meant to be 4 doses in each pen, right?

I just went through my online banking and can see that I made a payment to the pharmacy on July 22 and it was delivered on the 25th. I injected on Aug 2 but when I went to do today’s, it was just the ‘golden dose’ left - no 4th jab as I was expecting.

I only prime the pen once each time I inject so I’m not using loads up. I’m completely confused! I’m going to start putting a tick on the box when I take it.

Anyone else had this or is it just me?

I think I have had the same thing with my pens!! How weird. I almost certain the last two only had three doses in them. Need to keep better track of the current one to make sure I am not going crazy.

It should definitely be 4. I've heard reports of this happening to other people but it's not happened to me.
I keep a spreadsheet on my phone and tick it off each week when I take my jab. I could quite easily forget that I've taken it otherwise.

Are you sure you didn't take the first dose from the new pen on July 26th?

Start writing the dates on the box to keep track. I've nearly run out once or twice because I mixed up dates.

Look at your pen before and after each dose. It should line up with the lines on the vial after the 2nd, 3rd, 4th dose. Perhaps save the picture below and compare before and after each dose.

Keep a note of when you do your doses - either using an app like dose diary or write on the box as pp suggested.

Once you get to the stage of the pen looking like 4 doses have been taken and the clicks being all used up so it locks, it is too late to work out what has went awry, whether that is a pen problem or, more likely, miscounting weeks (or possibly someone else using your pen).

That’s what I wondered but I remember this particular pen arriving (I had a day off work and was cleaning the house when the postman knocked). I recall putting it in the cupboard alongside the other pen and thinking I now had 5 weeks supply.

It’s so weird! Am definitely going to start writing dates/ticking on the box to check I’m not miscalculating.

Oh my - thanks for the picture! Am attaching a picture of what’s left in my pen this week but the handle won’t turn at all. I assumed what was left was the ‘golden dose’ everyone talked about! But actually is this just the 4th dose but the pen has broken?

The picture will probs take a bit to upload (I think all pics have to be approved)

Comparing your photo to the doses pictures, it looks to me that your pen has had four doses out of it and only the priming fluid / golden dose is left.

Ahh! Maybe I’ve miscalculated then. It’s just strange because the same thing happened last month - I was absolutely sure I had a 4th week to go but it ended on the 3rd. I’m going to keep a careful track this month.

I was due to inject this morning but there was no 4th dose. Thankfully I ordered this month’s supply early so I’m now hovering by the front door ready to pounce on the postman as soon as he gets here. Post tracker says he’ll be here before noon. 😂

@threeeggsontoast your pen looks like it should look after the 4th dose has been taken.

It is just a little over the last line on the vial, mine is usually closer to the last line after 4 doses, but that is normal and could be due to how much was used during priming.

I don't think you can do much, other than watch your pens in future before and after each dose.

Yes that is definitely a pen with 4 doses used. Have you got a syringe? I'd take the 5th dose. Especially with the price rises coming.

You take dose 1 on day 1, dose 2 on day 7, dose 3 on day 14 and dose 4 on day 21, then on day 28 you have the bonus dose or start a new pen.

Lots of people get confused and wonder why their pen isn't lasting as long as they expect. Same as people who think using the bonus dose breaches the 30 days.

Thanks - that helps. My delivery has just arrived so I’ve taken first dose, taken a picture of the pen after the dose and labelled the picture with the date. I take it every week on the same day but at least now I’m tracking it.

Could someone else be using it? I've been on this almost 11 months and always had 4 doses and extra left over so it can't be the pen. It could be miscounting? Or have you taken an extra dose inbetween or someone else using it?
Are you priming too much and losing extra that way? You only need two turns or clicks to prime. I don't even prime on each jab as when I put the needle on I always see the bubble at the needle point so know it has been primed and then it leaves more fluid at the end for the extra week.
Could you have started the pen a week earlier than you thought? So the next day after delivery?