Glass in the ampule, putting 2 amps in one vial

Supreme Member Age : 43 Joined : 11 Apr 2008 Posts : 104

Hey everyone! I have 2 questions, hope you don't mind! I mixed a new batch using the glass ampules (last time I had vials and didn't have to worry about breaking those buggers cleanly) and I'm not sure my break was clean. What I mean is, there were lots of very small pieces of glass on the counter when I was done. I did practice with the water first (smashed first 2!) and did ok. How do I know I didn't get glass in the ampule? I couldn't see any, but like I said, there were lots of small pieces laying around! I also wiped off the ampule with alcohol before breaking it because it was repackaged and then sent, but I'm worried I got some glass in the ampule.

These ampules felt really flimsy- when I have had to break one at work they are much tougher- but break cleaner. The first water amp all but disintegrated in my fingers! I'm sure if anything got in there it would be able to be drawn up but I don't know. And what about contamination? Maybe I should just discard.

Next question. I am using Pregnyl the last 14 days, I used Novarel the first 30. I know there's not a huge difference but the Pregnyl really stings. I do IM injections and I can feel the hcg running through my muscle. My daughter noticed the difference too, and we've both been really sore after injection for most of the rest of the day. I do IM and she does SQ, but its been really hurting both of us. Anyone else experience this soreness/pain?

Shoot. I guess I have a 3rd question. I had 10,000 IU vial before, now I'm using small batches- 1500IU amps, and I only ordered 30 ml glass vials. Can I put 2 amps worth in the same 30ml vial? The bacteriostatic water would be from the same vial, as would the water for actually constituting the hcg powder, so it wouldn't be from 2 different sources. I did put 2 amps in the same vial, just used a fresh needle to decrease possible contamination but thought I would check with all of you. Am I being too crazy here? They did NOT teach us this in school! haha. Isn't that funny!? I guess I'll get it during clinicals, but I'm feeling very stupid right now! crazy

Thanks for your patience! AND your suggestions! thanx

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Supreme Member Age : 43 Joined : 11 Apr 2008 Posts : 104

To give an update: I spent some time online and talking to anyone I knew in the healthfield, and what I found out is that anytime you are using medication from a glass ampule you're supposed to withraw the medication through a filter needle or filter syringe. At least that's hospital/pharmacy protocol. It is to decrease particles being drawn up and contamination which according to the articles I read, quite common! I looked online at the research company I have been getting supplies from and didn't see them, but did find just filters at another site.

I finally just drove over to Walgreens and talked with the pharmacist there and he confirmed that they and other medical professionasl are supposed to use a filter or a filter syringe when using glass ampules. I told him I was taking Novarel (I think he assumed I was taking it for fertility- haha) and he said he had some filter needles so I bought enough to finish this round. They were around 50 cents a piece and they fit on the end of a syringe and look just like any other needle except they have a filter designed to catch particles and I think any contaminants.

He said that the most practical way to use them would be when you are drawing the medicine out of the ampule to put into the sterile glass vial because they are too big to be used for injection. For now since I already have a batch mixed I will use them every time I withdraw medication and then just change the needle before I inject.

Has anyone heard of this? Or use these filter needles/syringes? He said it is common knowledge and common practice.

I did use the batch I mixed, and it hurt a lot more than the Novarel did but the pharmacist said some brands are different and that could be the reason why. I am trying the filter this morning and will let everyone know. Anyone have any thoughts, please? Thanks! confuse3

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This is the first time that I've ever heard of this. I'm really not too concerned about it though, because the hCG that I get is in a sterile vial, not the ampules that they used to come in. I'm also doing my mixing in another sterile vial. Thanks for the information though.
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I did a little research this morning, because I am also experiencing a very sore sting which I did not 20 odd years ago and as I would like my daughter to go on hcg as well, I know that she will not handle the sting. Also using Pregnyl.
What I discovered is if you use sterile water it stings, if you use bac. water it doesn't. Don't know if that helps.

Supreme Member Age : 43 Joined : 11 Apr 2008 Posts : 104

I'm using Bacteriostatic water, so can't be that. I really want to go back to the injections, I think they worked much better even though they were a pain in the a**! laugh 4

Gosh, that's not even that funny!

I think either the Pregnyl stings a bit more or I managed to contaminate the batch. I guess the only way to find out would be to try it again, but I don't know. My daughter was able to do almost two weeks with no problem, no pain etc, it wasn't until we switched to that it hurt so much, and since nobody else seems to be bothered by Pregnyl it was probably me contaminating the batch that caused the problem.
She's only 18 and did her injections by herself with no problem! I think she wants to go back to the old stuff and injecting too, so we'll see. Thanks for the info though!
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Supreme Member Age : 43 Joined : 11 Apr 2008 Posts : 104

I wonder why the sterile water stings? Do you know why? Interesting. confused 2

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Hmmmm, interesting question! So I did a search. Here is how they make bacteriostatic water:
The invention relates to bacteriostatic water and to a method of producing bacteriostatic water, and is characterized by the steps: a) heating unprocessed water to produce primary water; b) filtering the primary water in order to remove bacteria and dust to produce secondary water; and c) exposing the secondary water to oxygen gas to produce bacteriostatic water. In this invention, oxygen gas is used not only as a biostatic treating agent, but also as an aerosol propellant. The container is filled with the product water, on the product water is bacteriostatically stable for an extended period.

Couldn't find anything on producing sterile water.
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Supreme Member Age : 43 Joined : 11 Apr 2008 Posts : 104

Finally figured out what happened!! I did use sterile water! Just didn't know it! I ordered Bac water, or thought I did, but when I got my order I got sterile water instead, just didn't notice the difference. Of course when I was done I discarded the vial, but yesterday I came across the old invoice, happened to glance at it, and guess what was on it??!! It said Sterile Water, very clearly! So, I'm quite sure now that was what was causing all the STING! and I mean, it really hurt!

I have already mixed a new batch using Bac water and it didn't sting, at all!! doh 5

So I guess I learned my lesson.... Just thought I would share this with all of you, thanks for all the advice! Boy can I make a BIG production out of anything! haha! idiot

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Glad the mystery is solved.

It is a good reminder for us to make sure we pay close attention to our orders.
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