8mm needles, what to expect?

Hi @Diakat ,

In answer to your question. The same function you would get from your usual needles.
Sorry if I sound a little flippant.. (I've used larger in the past.)
You may need to action a slightly larger "air shot" to prime the needle.

Best wishes.

J>

Diakat said:

Thanks @Jaylee
I know the insulin delivery is the important thing. But I'm bewildered as to why the doc/ pharmacist has doubled my needle size. I'm more worried about pain/bruising really. And feeling slightly whimpy.

Click to expand...

Well? I wasn't going to mention this.... What does the needle description say on your repeat prescription.?

The pharmacy should have paid attention to the detail... It's part of the "protocol." (With prescribed meds.)
If they were out of 4mm? There should not have been a "substitute."

Depending on your stature, I suppose there will be a slightly higher chance of injecting straight into muscle which might speed up absorption rates. I think that's why in the earlier days when longer needles were standard we were encouraged to pinch up a fold of skin to take it further away from muscle. So, I'd maybe be inclined to pinch a bit more.

If there's a pharmacy open in the afternoon, I'm pretty sure they have ways of doing an emergency prescription and can then sort it out with your gp later. Have done that a couple of times when running low on strips, but it might depend on whether you've used that pharmacy before so that they've got your details on record.

Or I suppose you could just poke the needle half way in!

Hi @Diakat . One thing to expect is an extra 4mm.. But I think you'll cope.
Seriously though it's annoying/ worrying when pharmacies get it wrong.
I used one a few years ago who continually mixed cartridges and pens up. When on a certain day I'd been waiting to long for a prescription and it was wrong, again, I queried how this could happen as often as it did.
The pharmacy manager no less came over and said " well we are busy, it's your responsibility to check"
We had a brief chat about old people, carers, tablets changed to different packaging etc.
I now use a different pharmacy.