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[joziel]

This might be a really stupid question but I've just switched from patches to gel.

When my bottle of gel starts to run low, how do I know when I'm no longer getting a full measure from it? I mean I think I know roughly what a full blob looks like but I'm not totally sure. Do I just use it until it starts making weird sucking noises.... when do I switch to a new bottle? I don't want to waste any either... but don't want to underdose.

Thx!

[Dotty]

Depends on how many pumps you use per day….how many pumps do you use ?

[joziel]

Well the problem is I'm in the process of gradually increasing. I began at 1 pump and now I'm on 1.5 pumps and next week supposed to increase to 2 pumps. Then 6 weeks later, 3 pumps....

So I can't really go by that until I'm on a stable dose...

[Dotty]

Hi there are 64 doses in a pump pack so the advice is to stop once you have used 64.

I carry on until it’s empty. Towards the end the pump starts to take longer to come back up which is a sign that it’s running out. Just make sure that the pump has come all the way up before you press it again .

[joziel]

Thanks

[sheila99]

I used a newish bottle alongside an older one so I could compare the amount of gel - though obs only works when you're on 2 pumps or more. I'm not convinced about the 64 measured doses though, I think they can get a bit smaller before that.

[Clovie]

Yes, I remember having this same problem.
i just pump until it seems 'empty' and open a new canister. Then I leave  empty one standing upright and usually get another pump or thereabouts out of it the next day before chucking it  - It's valuable stuff!   
back when the NHS had stopped it for me, and I was then having to buy it myself, I even tried hacking the bottom of the bottle off with a serrated knife so I could get any leftovers out - to no avail! 

Wish the bottle was clear so we could see inside it though. That would help a little.

[joziel]

But when you get that extra pump out of it, how do you know it's a full pump and not some reduced amount!? That's the thing.

Hmmmm

[Clovie]

But when you get that extra pump out of it, how do you know it's a full pump and not some reduced amount!? That's the thing.

Hmmmm

Lol  I don't!
If it looks 'about right' I'm fine with that!   

[discogirl]

I used a newish bottle alongside an older one so I could compare the amount of gel - though obs only works when you're on 2 pumps or more. I'm not convinced about the 64 measured doses though, I think they can get a bit smaller before that.

I found the exact same thing with my gel Sheila99

[Gnatty]

I stop using it once it slows to come back up again. You could always get some microscales and compare.

[Suziemc]

I calculate number of days worth in a cannister- they contain 64 pumps worth,  I'm on 3 pumps a day so it's 64÷3 for me. When I start a new cannister I write the date on the bottom with a marker pen and then add what the date will be in 21 days time. This way I know what date should be the last time I use that cannister.

Bit more tricky for you as you're adjusting dose but you could do it, just with a bit more thought once you get towards the date of increase to 3 pumps.

If you think this method might work for you,  it might be worth changing to new cannister when you increase to 2 pumps so you have a starting point (64÷2 means end date 32 days later). Put your current, part used, cannister away in back of cupboard to be used in an emergency if you ever run out.

[alibeau]

I bought a set of micro scales from Amazon for around £5. 

When I am reaching the end of the bottle I weigh out the pumps to ensure each one is the full 1.25g as I do suspect that towards the end of the bottle the pumps become smaller.  It also means I don't waste any product and I can just keep pumping until I reach the correct dose!

[joziel]

OMG there are some folks here even more obsessive than me 

So alibeau with the weighing the gel idea, were you finding that towards the end you were getting less out in a pump? Was it much less?

And Suzie I like the idea of writing the date on the bottom of the bottle. I have to increase to 2 pumps this weekend tho, so I'd waste a lot of this bottle. Maybe I just have to do some old fashioned arithmetic... and work out how long this bottle is supposed to last...

[alibeau]

Hi Joziel,

Luckily I am over my obsession now! 

I wanted to try 3 and a half pumps a short while ago and was obsessing over whether my half pump was accurate….

I have now reverted to my original dose of 3 pumps and so just use the scales when I am at the end of the bottle to avoid throwing any product away.

The dose size did at times differ but only by .1 or .2 if I remember rightly….

Ali x