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8mm needles, what to expect?

Diakat

Diakat

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,591
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
The smell of cigars
Hi all,

I have only ever used 4mm needles. Was away last week but put prescription in before we went. Just collected and for some reason I have 8mm needles! I Don't mind needles but they look scary.
Surgery and pharmacy shut now. What can I expect from these monster needles?
 
Hi @Diakat ,

In answer to your question. The same function you would get from your usual needles. :D
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>
 
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.
 
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."
 
Jaylee said:
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."
Click to expand...
Description 4mm.
 
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.:):)
 
My surgery automatically sends to local pharmacy in our small village. Both surgery and pharmacy mow shut until Monday - by the time either open I will be 40 miles away at work and unable to get to either during opening hours unless I take time off work. This is the 3rd or 4th time I have had errors.

Anyway done an injection now and it wasn't as bad as I expected. But I will wave the bruise at doc/pharmacy with glee if It's still there when I manage to see anyone! Although I have a whole box, there may be many bruises to come (160cm, 49kg).
 
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