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Air (test) shot value - bent needle

Ledzeptt

Well-Known Member
Messages
629
Location
Manchester
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Liquorice and aniseed (especially the tracer I have to drink in hospital before a CT scan - yuk!)
This morning, I had a reminder why it’s worth doing an air shot before injecting because no insulin appeared. I tried another 2 units and still nothing. It wasn’t a new pen that needed priming and hopefully the attached photo explains the cause: the needle is bent (on the pen side). It was either somehow my fault when I fitted the needle or a manufacturing defect.

FYI Glucorx Carepoint Ultra 4mm needle. I get a blocked needle about once a month (1/200) although this is the first time I checked underneath. They’re nowhere near as reliable as the “old” BD needles.
 

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Had a few like this.

Not bent on the cartridge membrane side but either blunt or the needle slipped out the plastic screw piece thus not penetrating the cartridge due to no grip making a 4mm closer to 5 or 6?
 
I used Novofine needles for years and never had any issues with them. My GP's surgery changed me to GlucoRx needles and I've found them to be pretty bendy. I've even had some previously straight needles come out bent when I've pulled them out of my skin!
 
I always air shot first. When I first started I was told by my gp that it wasn't needed. I ignored her.
 
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