Insulin Pen Needles

[mum2westiesGill]

Hi, Please can I ask how many needles people use per day & how many boxes of 100 you get per month? T I A

 

[Robin]

Hi, Please can I ask how many needles people use per day & how many boxes of 100 you get per month? T I A

I mostly use a fresh needle for every injection. ( I have been known to reuse when I've done an extra injection, or gone out for the day and needed a couple of injections) which means 4 a day minimum. I get a box of 100 on each prescription, but I'm not tied to putting my scrip in once a month, I do it when I need, which can be just over three weeks.

 

[mum2westiesGill]

I use 5 a day background, breakfast, lunch, dinner, background then if I need to do any corrections for highs in between times ie after meals or waking or bedtime. I get 1 box of 100 per month but I'm finding that I'm running out just before the end of the month.

I had to ask at the end of last month & I'm going to have to ask again this month ie 9th September. It's making me feel as though I'm being stupid with them. I don't have a consultant because my care is done at my GP surgery so I have a diabetic nurse there

 

[Robin]

I'm seen by my surgery nurse, too. You'll have to point out the maths to yours. 5 injections a day means that a box of 100 will last a day short of three weeks, and that's before you start on corrections, snacks etc.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

I asked my GP to put 200 on every script as when I was first DX 100 wasn't enough as I was having to do lots of correction doses (bgs running high, took a while to come down) which he did. Contact your surgery and ask them to increase to 200 🙂

 

[Ljc]

Ask for for 2 boxes as one box is not enough to last 28 days
If they don't believe you, get them to do the math, assuming you do five jabs a day 5 x 28 = 140 that's without any corrections or iffy needles

 

[Copepod]

I'll be honest and say that I usually change needles only when I change cartridge, plus if I drop pen when cap is not on needle. Not recommended practice, I know, but it means needing to carry far less supplies, which is particularly handy when travelling, backpacking etc, and far less sharps waste, even with clipper to remove needle from plastic hub.

 

[Northerner]

I get two boxes i.e. 200 needles per prescription (I put my prescriptions in when I need things, usually every 6-7 weeks) As suggested, point out the basic arithmetic to the surgery 🙂

 

[Kaylz]

I also get 2 boxes of 100 when I put a prescription in, unfortunately though everything runs out at different times lol x

 

[Matt Cycle]

I tend to change the needles when I remember. Part of the reason for this dates back to when I got my first Novopen in 1987. Pen needles were not put on prescription until 1991/92. Disposable syringes were on prescription and I used those for my basal - although I used to re-use those as well. Being a poor student for most of that time every time I saw the DSN she would give me a big bag of pen needles so I had to make them last and that was usually the lifetime of the cartridge or occasionally longer - swapping the needle over. I did have to buy my own boxes though at certain times. Old habits die hard and once they were put on prescription I carried on with my old ways. 🙄

I get a box of 100 per scrip and I do change them more than I used to but I could make them last longer. A bit like Copepod I don't want to be carrying and swapping needles when I'm out for the day.

 

[mikeyB]

I'm like Matt and Copepod, and I suppose it came from not toting loads of kit. One needle will often last a complete pen. I've never had a problem, so you might ask what is best practice? I get a new box of needles every 8 months or so, doing my bit for the economy🙂

 

[Robin]

You lot must have rhinoceros hides, mine start hurting if I use them more than twice.

 

[mikeyB]

On the contrary, Robin, it's having lovely soft skin that preserves needles.

Mind, I wouldn't want to imply anything about your waterproofing layer

 

[DaveB]

Hi. I use one needle per day for four injections

 

[Ljc]

I usually change mine every time.

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Change mine every time as well.

 

[paul.johnson]

Ooooooooppppppsssss I'm one of the bad boys, change when cartridge empty which is Rapid just after 9 days and Lantis every month or so ,only used once a day lol
I do change earlier if it hurts on injection aswell