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5mm versus 4mm pen needles

M

MikeSA

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I have always used BD Micro-Fine 5mm Pen needles but I note that BD Micro-Fine 4mm Pen needles are also available? But does a difference of just 1mm in length really have a significant effect? Has anyone tried them and are they really painless as apparently claimed by the manufacturer?
 
I've only ever used 4mm needles. I would have thought the needle length is basically determined by how much of an inch you have to pinch. I don't imagine theres any difference in "pain" between 5mm and 4mm needles. I mean the bd microfine 4mm needles were alway fairly comfortable to use, just depends on where you stick them - it's always possible to hit a nerve or a blood vessel for a bit of mild discomfort.
 
I use the bd 4mm needles, never notice any pain when I use them and I don't pinch flesh before using. Imagine it may be dependant on how much subcutaneous fat is around? In my case post diagnosis there's not much.
 
I'm another one who has only ever used 4mm - I also was told no need to pinch.

Have to admit though,I've considered asking a question a few times about why some injections are totally painless and others hurt like hell!! Just thought it was one of those almost unanswerable questions :)
 
I prefer 4mm. I know it's only a mm but I seem to get less hypo's with 5mm. Nice guidelines recommend 4mm for children and adults even overweight and obese.x
 
Only been on insulin for a few months and used 5mm needles. Fine with NovoRapid, but Lantus stung. Incidentally I have been using 4mm needles (borrowed from a co-worker when short on needles), which didn't make a difference to me, and 6mm needles (forgot my box of needles going on a trip for a few nights and they were the only ones available in the apothecary), which made a huge difference with the Lantus! About four nights out of five taking my Lantus doesn't sting at all with the 6mm needles :)
So I guess we're all different, but try and find the needles that suit you best!
 
I prefer 4mm but remember them being 12mm!! And scary! The shorter the better for me as I'm skinny.
 
MikeSA said:
I have always used BD Micro-Fine 5mm Pen needles but I note that BD Micro-Fine 4mm Pen needles are also available? But does a difference of just 1mm in length really have a significant effect? Has anyone tried them and are they really painless as apparently claimed by the manufacturer?
Click to expand...

Ive never tried 5mm needles, but I find the 4mm BD micro-fine needles are really very good.
 
I've used all the sizes of needles that was and is out now as I was using the 12 mm needles from BD when you had to pay for your needles and then I went to the 8 mm when I got them on prescription the first time and then I dropped down to the 5 mm for a while before I went to the 4 mm and I am now using the 4 mm by BD and the 5 mm by NOVO NORDISK and I switch the needles around so one day one size and the next day the other but I always seem to have more insulin on the end of the needle when I take it out for some reason and I am leaving it in for a while before I take it out of me and I have followed the instructions to both of the pen and the needles so I don't know what it is but that is the only problem with the needles
 
It probably depends on your body - fat, vascular system, nerves etc. Personally I have tried 6mm and 4mm. 6 gave me blood often, 4 have had no problems. I'm pretty lean at the moment though. Not sure if I actually have to, but I always pinch up fat because it feels like there's only about 5mm deep of it otherwise.

Pain seems to be random, sometimes none, sometimes a bit. The only thing I know hurts is if I move the needle while it's in me.
 
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