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A question for insulin pen users

A

andyasw

Member
Messages
15
I use a pen for Lantus shots twice daily and a Novopen numerous times daily. If I used a new needle (as recommended) for each jab I would never get anything done, plus, I would need a new box of needles every week!

So, after each jab I carefully put the cap over the needle BUT on many occasions I have pricked my fingers - ouch!

Has anyone come up with a solution for this?

I'm sure I am not alone with hoping for an answer.
 
what sort of a cap do you pitover the needle the screw on one or do you mean the tiny second sleve thing?
Very rare I resuse needles and I inject 6 times a day
 

I never put the little cap on just the main pen cap

I used to change the needle every couple of months or so, if when it took a lot of effort to get the needle in
 
I'me exactly the same as Searly , I know the advice is to change the needle every injection but I usually change it when the cartridge runs out , I've been doing it for years and never had a problem .
 
andyasw said:
If I used a new needle (as recommended) for each jab I would never get anything done
Click to expand...
This is how I carry my insulin pen (long acting pen lives next to my bed). I inject anywhere between 4 and 10 times a day.
Whip out pen, screw on needle, jab, screw off needle, done in 30 seconds while keeping conversation, reading, walking, driving, interacting with colleagues or customers.

If I want to re-use (I sometimes forget to put a handful of needles in the case when going out) I'm always stuck between using the small cap which is more fiddly but will fit my pen cap, or using the larger cap which is less fiddly but I can't put the cap on my pen.
I find both options annoying enough to not re-use unless I have no other choice.
Don't tell my diabetes nurse I've used needles fished out of the ashtray.

 
I have 2 containers of pen tips - one by the kitchen table (where my fast-acting lives) and one in my bedroom (where my long-lasting has taken up residence). I also keep a pen with the tip already on in my purse in case I am out somewhere at mealtime.

I don't reuse needle tips. I had a cousin who did and he got a bad infection one time.

Knowing me, if I told my PCP I was reusing pen tips, she'd have the who darn barnyard.
 
I don't actually take my pen out in it's case just the pen with the needle attached , I haven't ever mentioned it to any medical member of my team , they might wonder why a box of needles lasts me over a year, but as I must have done it for decades without a problem why would they ?
 
@andyasw

Hello I have Fiasp and Tresiba pens. When I got them the nurse said do not use the needles more than 3 times, and always test the pen before injection, so thats every day for fiasp and if I remember for tresiba.

There is a risk when you put the little white cover over the needle, and I have felt the thing once or twice. What I do is hold the white cap on the end and very very very carefully put it over the needle. I have used nearly the whole box of100 needles in 14 months.

The real instructions are use a new needle every time, and test the pen before use.
Royjk
 
Hi,

I tend to have the pen needles ready fixed to go.
When out I carry a couple of spare incase I ding the one on the pen.
I also carry an empty needle cover, too.

The only time I use the opaque needle cover after removal is to unscrew the needle from the pen?
The whole thing then ends up in the used box. The cylinder inner needle sleeve is immediately discarded.
The new needles cover is then kept handy..
Lowers the chance of catching my fingers…
 
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