Worcester_Matt
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi all,
I've got a concern about the needles I've been given by the pharmacy to use with my insulin pens. When I was initially diagnosed I was given BD micro fine 5mm needles, and they worked fine. Easy to inject myself, and I could see the needle going into my skin so I knew I was getting my insulin. The most recent batch from the pharmacy are called BD Autoshield needles, and they don't appear to be working. They're a plastic contraption that you screw on to the pen, and it's got a plastic bit that shields the needle, that you press into your skin. That retracts and then the needle (supposedly) enters your skin. I know it has the last two times I've injected by the feeling of pain and blood from where I've injected, but last night my glucose was 6.1 going to bed, up to 12.8 on waking. I took my long acting as normal at 10.30pm (when 6.1), but I have doubts about whether it actually injected. I've had my breakfast and injected my rapid acting, so I won't know if that's worked until lunchtime really.
Has anyone used these needles before, and are you within your rights to insist on a particular type of needle from the pharmacy? My repeat prescription simply says "100 hyperdermic needles", without specifying what kind, so I guess it comes down to what the pharmacist supplies when you go. These needles might be working, but I've never doubled in glucose levels overnight, and I don't have much confidence in the reliability of these new needles. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome!
Matt
I've got a concern about the needles I've been given by the pharmacy to use with my insulin pens. When I was initially diagnosed I was given BD micro fine 5mm needles, and they worked fine. Easy to inject myself, and I could see the needle going into my skin so I knew I was getting my insulin. The most recent batch from the pharmacy are called BD Autoshield needles, and they don't appear to be working. They're a plastic contraption that you screw on to the pen, and it's got a plastic bit that shields the needle, that you press into your skin. That retracts and then the needle (supposedly) enters your skin. I know it has the last two times I've injected by the feeling of pain and blood from where I've injected, but last night my glucose was 6.1 going to bed, up to 12.8 on waking. I took my long acting as normal at 10.30pm (when 6.1), but I have doubts about whether it actually injected. I've had my breakfast and injected my rapid acting, so I won't know if that's worked until lunchtime really.
Has anyone used these needles before, and are you within your rights to insist on a particular type of needle from the pharmacy? My repeat prescription simply says "100 hyperdermic needles", without specifying what kind, so I guess it comes down to what the pharmacist supplies when you go. These needles might be working, but I've never doubled in glucose levels overnight, and I don't have much confidence in the reliability of these new needles. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome!
Matt
