Is anyone using vials and syringes still?

[Lilian]

A friend of mine who is type 2 has been told by his doctor that he should be on insulin as his blood glucose has been running too high for too long. He said his doctor will 'upgrade' him to type 1. I disagree with this because if he were type 1 he would be really ill by now I would think.

My friend told his doctor that he would be prepared to use an autojet but was not going to stick needles into himself all the time. The doctor told him he cannot prescribe him autojet.

Personally I think they are talking at cross purposes. When my friend means autojet he means the pens but I think the doctor might be thinking a pump.

I didn't think anyone used vials and syringes any more and that all insulin (except for the pump) was with a pen, either already filled, or cartridges. Is there anyone out there that still does? He lives in Northumberland.

 

[Amberzak]

I use vials for my pump as I have to fill my own cartridges. But I also use syringes to treat with manual injections when needed. I find them harder than using a pen so anyone on multiple injections should really be using a pen. It's far more accurate.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I didn't think anyone used vials and syringes any more and that all insulin (except for the pump) was with a pen, either already filled, or cartridges. Is there anyone out there that still does? He lives in Northumberland.

I have never used a pen in my life always used syringes until I changed to a pump.

Even though it's nice to think it's an upgrade having type1 diabetes lol, your friend is still a type2 just insulin dependent 🙂

 

[trophywench]

They are at cross purposes - an autojet doesn't have needles though - it sprays the insulin through the skin at high pressure. I've always imagined that would actually hurt a lot more than the most incompetent pen or syringe injection (and I did plenty of the latter in the bad old days with glass syringes and hedge stakes thanks very much)

Suggest he goes to a tyre place and gets them to press the compressor hose nozzle to his leg and turn it on to feel what just AIR feels like ! Instant agony and a huge bruise - and you only ever, ever make that accidental mistake ONCE in your whole life. Or - just ask the tyre fitter, if he's been there more than 5 minutes, he'll have done it you can bet your sweet bippy.

You can still get most insulins in vials but my pharmacy doesn't even hold a stock of disposable syringes at all these days - so if ever I wanted some, now, I'd have to get him to order me a packet!

I'm certain his GP would have meant pens, and normally too these days this automatically also means the disposable pens. Quite a faff about trying to get a mere GP to prescribe a re-usable pen where I live. Available NP from the hospital clinic stock room! - but a 'normal' T2 is unlikely to ever see the inside of such a place.

This bloke doesn't quite seem to have got his head round the fact that he'll die a miserable death PDQ - if he doesn't stop being so squeamish and just get on with it, yet, does he?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I am extremely concerned that a doctor apparently suggested that a T2 who takes insulin 'becomes' a T1. I am unsurprised when normal members of the public make such mistakes, but for that to come from a Dr is quite worrying!

I wonder if your friend's opinion will change when they see the size and gauge of a 4mm or 5mm pen needle. They may be expecting Nursie Nightshade style harpoons!

As an aside, like Amberzak, syringes and vials are my back-up in case of pump failure. I already have the vials of rapid acting, and I keep a vial of Lantus in the fridge. Never needed it in over 5 years, but they are there just in case.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I use vials for my pump as I have to fill my own cartridges. But I also use syringes to treat with manual injections when needed. I find them harder than using a pen so anyone on multiple injections should really be using a pen. It's far more accurate.

Do you have 0.5u syringes Amberzak? They are more accurate. Well... more easy to dose accurately 🙂

 

[Lilian]

Yes, he did say the doctor was going to change his diagnosis to type 1 instead of type 2 (I think the upgrade might have been my friend's interpretation as he is an IT man lol). However I am more than sure he is still type 2 who should be on insulin. He is not squeamish if given a pen. He is happy to use the pen and he said he told the doctor this although he called it an autojet. Maybe that is why the doctor is making the mistake and saying he cannot prescribe this. My friend insists the doctor is wanting him to use a syringe. He is under the impression that as his blood glucose has always been high and he has no symptoms of diabetes, his body is naturally high. I have given him a list of insulin pens and suggested he talks to his doctor about them and then maybe his doctor will realise what he is talking about. I thought doctors nowadays automatically prescribed pens. However from what you have said it seems vials and syringes are still being prescribed. Oh well, I am down south and he is up north so apart from trying to persuade him over the phone there is not much else I can do.

 

[Matt Cycle]

I too think there is some confusion going on here over some of the terms used and the mention of the change from T2 to T1. I can't believe anyone diagnosed now or switching to insulin would routinely be given syringes. I haven't used syringes since 2006 when Novo Nordisk stopped making my Ultratard basal and I switched to Levemir pens. Although I have still kept have a stash of 0.5ml syringes in a drawer.

There is an Autoject pen made by Owen Mumford which keeps the syringe hidden for those nervous of injecting. The one Jenny mentions is something like the Insujet which fires the insulin through the skin in a fine mist. It's a technology I remember first being mentioned around 30 years ago. I'm not sure how effective it is, I don't know anyone who has used it and can't imagine it's routinely offered.

 

[DaveB]

I would change my GP if he/she suggested syringes rather than pens for a new diagnosis. I was given a choice of disposable or re-usable pens by my nurse and chose re-usable to reduce waste.

 

[Martin Canty]

He said his doctor will 'upgrade' him to type 1

Grrr, makes me angry.... T1 & T2 are 2 separate conditions with different causes