Golden dose- is it easy to do with this pen - photo inc.

[Eyelashesoffire]

Hi, I hear a lot about the golden dose. I've heard pens with an expiry date before 4/27 are easier to just force it out or have I got confused?

I've added a photo, it's being reviewed.

So I either force it or get a syringe and thin needle?
If anyone can give me any pointers - if forcing it isn't a good idea, does anyone have links to what needles and syringes I should buy?

I bought these following a recommendation on here. Very easy to use (easier than the pen itself!)

https://www.shdmedical.co.uk/needles/bd-microfine-1ml-insulin-syringe-needles-u100-30g-x-8mm/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=order_received

I think you’re thinking of the fact that the pen design changed so that the new design pens don’t have that much medication left in them after 4 doses. It’s nothing to do with how easy the pen is to force round for another dose once the pen had locked after doing 4 normal doses. It’s about the new design pens having less medication left over.

If you want to try to force the pen, you just have to twist it really hard. I don’t have the hand strength so had to use pliers. But, twice for me, twisting hard to break the locking mechanism meant that the whole internal plunger broke, and I couldn’t get the medication out. So now I use syringes like the ones @Beachforever linked and don’t bother trying to force the pen mechanism.

It’s not super easy but it’s fine . You buy the syringes, insert into the top of pen and draw it up. You can get a bit of vacuum pull back but just keep pulling it back until you get a solid amount liquid, then tap to get rid of air bubbles. First time I did it the needle bent a bit as they are very fine so I just took it out and used a fresh one

That's all really useful, thanks! I've ordered some of those syringes. So I'm aiming to get 0.6ml out of the pen?

0.6ml is a full dose of whatever strength pen you have. There may be up to 0.9ml left over though.

Yes, for a full dose. Just carefully put the needle in, not too far. Then draw out a little bit over what you need. Then hold the syringe with needle pointing up, tap the side so any air bubbles rise to the top, push the plunger to release a ml or 2 and push out any air bubbles. Then use exactly as you would a pen.