4mm needle

[BRIGHTSIDE]

I have had diabetes now for 14 months and have been using a 6mm needle to inject insulin. I have heard of people using a 4mm needle for their insulin pens and I would like to know if anyone has any experience of them and what do they think about them. 🙂

 

[vickih]

i've been using the 4mm needles for over a year now, along with 5mm needles too - i was using 8mm - and i found these much better.
I do know some people who say their control has actually improved because of them.🙂

 

[Northerner]

I have had diabetes now for 14 months and have been using a 6mm needle to inject insulin. I have heard of people using a 4mm needle for their insulin pens and I would like to know if anyone has any experience of them and what do they think about them. 🙂

Hi Brightside, welcome to the forum 🙂 Quite a few people here changed to 4mm needles when they became available. I've stuck with 6mm because they seem fine for me. Is there any particular reason why you feel you might benefit from a change? What insulin regime are you on, and how have things been going for you?

 

[Cleo]

funny you should mention this - I went to clinic yesterday and the nurse gave me a few 4mm needles. I have only been them using since yesterday but I like the fact that they are shorter, look more subtle and are easier to use as you dont have to 'dig' too much. I like them ! (I used to use the 6mm before)

 

[jalapino]

I use 4mm cos I'm a wimp!

 

[BRIGHTSIDE]

Thanks for replies. The GP practice nurse wrote me a prescription,She also gave me flu jab a double whammy ha. So i will be using them very soon.All things that make treating the condition easier helps. Oh for the day when insulin can be released at the right amount to control the glucose. I mean of course when research comes up with the answer. I will post a message of how i get on if ok 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

High Brightside i can remember the pannel pin days 😱 The kids of today dont no how luckey thet are (am getting old)

 

[AlisonM]

I have had diabetes now for 14 months and have been using a 6mm needle to inject insulin. I have heard of people using a 4mm needle for their insulin pens and I would like to know if anyone has any experience of them and what do they think about them. 🙂

I've been using 4mm needles for about two years now and have no problems with them. Go for it, I say.

 

[cazmod]

I have had diabetes now for 14 months and have been using a 6mm needle to inject insulin. I have heard of people using a 4mm needle for their insulin pens and I would like to know if anyone has any experience of them and what do they think about them. 🙂

I have been using 4mm needles since my diagnosis in August and have had no problems 🙂

 

[newbs]

I've used 4mm needles since they became available, have had no problems with them at all.

 

[pippaandben]

Anyone have problems in asking for smaller needles? Could there be a cost factor?

I was given 8mm when I started on insulin and have just carried on. No-one has even mentioned a smaller size before. Does it stop some of the bruising? I need all the answers before I ask in case I have more arguments with nurse/Dr.

 

[PattiEvans]

I haven't noticed any bruising since I switched to 4mm from 8mm. Insupen 4mm 32g needles are even finer diameter than the BD ones.

 

[Lauras87]

i used 8mm for nearly 10 years before moving to 5mm (tired 4mm but didnt like them)

good luck with them 🙂

 

[redrevis]

Insupen 4mm 32g needles are even finer diameter than the BD ones.

The BD Microfine and the Insupen 4mm needles are both the same diameter "0.23MM(32G)" 😉

I've been using the 4mm needles since release and I wouldn't go back 6mm ones. I have next to no fat on me at all, am 2 stone under weight, but this is my natural build. The 4mm ones bruise much less for me. I'm waiting for 3mm ones to be made 😛

 

[PattiEvans]

The BD Microfine and the Insupen 4mm needles are both the same diameter "0.23MM(32G)"

You're quite right! Thanks for correcting me.

 

[Austin Mini]

I have been using the 5mm needles since 2001 much better than the twice a day 12mm hyperdermic needles I used for fourteen years previous. You dont want to go too small now winter is coming on and your clothes are thicker to inject through. I always worry that injecting through my jeens it is going in (the needle) all the way. Still its whatever you feel is better for you.

 

[Northerner]

I have been using the 5mm needles since 2001 much better than the twice a day 12mm hyperdermic needles I used for fourteen years previous. You dont want to go too small now winter is coming on and your clothes are thicker to inject through. I always worry that injecting through my jeens it is going in (the needle) all the way. Still its whatever you feel is better for you.

I just need to point out that it's not recommended to inject through clothing as it can damage the needle. I know a lot of people do it!

 

[Redkite]

I just need to point out that it's not recommended to inject through clothing as it can damage the needle. I know a lot of people do it!

And it risks not getting the insulin properly injected. And....I would have thought you'd also be driving particles of fabric through your skin, that can't be a good thing!

 

[BRIGHTSIDE]

Hi thanks to you all for replies. Which were most helpful. I have used the 4mll needles today and honestly never felt a thing. I often felt the 6mll go in. Bruise wise its to early for me to know. I feel confident about this and hope it be the case. Many thanks from a fellow diabetic and hope you all get on well.🙂

 

[PhilT]

As I am needle phobic I was started on 5mm then went to 4mm. I have learned to tolerate needles out of necessity. As they are so small they don't freak me out like larger needles do. They are also comfortable to use and usually I don't feel anything when I inject.