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A dew drop of Insulin

Robinredbreast

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Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Hi for a while now, after I inject my Insulin, I have a small dew drop of Insulin left on the end of the needle.

I used to have 8mm needles, but when my DSN Margaret knew, she changed me onto the 4mm, because she said the longer needles are for larger people, to get through the skin. But, a high % of the time a small drop is left right on the tip. I try to inject it again, but it means using the needle again 2 or 3 times just to get the last bit out :shock: Does this happen to anyone else? Or any good tips would be appreciated, my Novo pen has !/2 units.

Thanks in advance :thumbup:

RRB
 
i know its a totally different thing, i inject, not insulin, but i use byetta, and when i inject, i use 8mm needles, yes, i am overweight, so i guess that's true about longer needles for fatter people, but when i inject, i always count to 5 before withdrawing my needle, and i Dont get the dew drop on the end, so perhaps give that a try!

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
When I inject I count to 30 before removing the needle and sometimes still get a drop or two left on the needle. Seems like nothing can be done about it and not much to weorry about.
 
I use the 8mm needles. I never knew they were for 'larger people'. I have a BMI of 19.5 so I definitely wouldn't say I am overweight! Might have to ask my DSN about smaller needles next time.

As for the drops of insulin, I wouldn't worry too much. As long as your sugars aren't being affected.

Em
 
I get this too but I have never really took a lot of notice of it. I'm sure it would have negligible effects on amount of insulin injected.
 
I'm overweight a 'larger person' but use 4mm needles! I count to 10 then take the needle out.
 
I use 4mm needles and count to ten as my nurse suggested I do. I have the occasional drop on the needle but it's a fraction of a unit and not worth worrying about. For ek112 who uses 8mm needles it is certainly worth asking for 6 or 4mm needles instead of 8.
 
Robinredbreast said:
Does this happen to anyone else? Or any good tips would be appreciated, my Novo pen has !/2 units.
Click to expand...


There's insulin at the tip of the needle when you withdraw no matter what needle size you use, what I have found with the smaller (4 & 5mm) needles is you need to keep the needle in the skin longer to stop insulin seepage.
 
Hi RRB .

I use the 5mm needles and count to a steady 10 - 12 counts then take the needle out slow and at a straight angle.
This does seem to help prevent the dew drop still at the needle tip end .

It was when I used to only count to 8 'quick' as I could and whip needle out quicker impatiently it left the dew drop still on
needle tip end .
Have learned to take my time and have more patience with my routine, as racing around wasnt doing me any
real favours . [ this was just so 'typically' me attempting to do 3 things at once! ]

Anna.
 
Hi guys thank you for your knowledge and advice

I count to 10 slowly and most times I leave it in a little longer.

I don't do an air shot before I inject, so that's worth trying.

As I keep plunging in the needle 2 or 3 times, to make sure I get it all, then any BS that are not good is probably my own fault.

I never had this 'dew drop' on the end of the 8mm needles, having a longer needle obviously goes deeper. I didn't mean anything about 8mm being for bigger person, its just what my DSN said at the time when she recommended I use the 4mm, as the longer needle would need to go in further

I will see how it continues and if its still the same, then I might possibly ask to go onto a slightly longer needle.

All the best RRB
 
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