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Avoiding accidental IV with Lantus

Robert42

Robert42

Member
Messages
8
Location
Hinckley, Leics, UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello, I am new to this forum. I have been suffering from diabetes Type II for about eight years. I have gone through the usual progression from diet control through to insulin. About four years ago when I was still living in Australia my Dr commenced me on Lantus. I have responded really well to this taking 36 units daily.

In the last 18 months or so I have experienced two incidents of accidental IV. Whilst rare it is not uncommon. The last one was about two months ago. It resulted in severe hypo about 30 minutes after the injection falling rapidly to 2.4 mmol. I managed this myself taking glucose and anything else I could get my hands on that was sweet. This causes very rapid swings taken my BSL up to 9 mmol then falling within a minute or so to about 3 mmol. If I remember right it took me about two hours or more to stabilise myself to the satisfaction that I could go to bed.

As this was the second incident and I will be honest it is a bit scary I split the Lantus to to injections twice a day of 18 units each. Using the rationale that 18 units IV is easier to manage than 36 units.

I was speaking to my diabetic nurse today and she suggested using a much shorter needle. Currently I am using Novofine 28G X 12 mm. She suggested using 6 mm.

I see on this site you can even get 4 mm.

My question is what is forum members views on using ultra short needles I guess that it would certainly miss any blood vessels that are obviously deeper down. I don't mind buying the needles if NHS does not support them and I would like to feel confident in going back to a single daily injection.

I look forward to any comments.

Robert…
 
Nhs will support any length needle, as far as i'm aware.

I use 6mm sets with my pump, but had it recently suggested to use 4mm ( my manufacturer don't make them!!) as It was suggested that I have too much muscle and not enough fat!!!

There are 4mm injections out there, but 6mm is a nice length compared to 12mm.
 
Thank you for the reply so far it is very encouraging. I will say that after the last incident it has made me a bit scared. I live on my own in an apartment. Even if I called an ambulance I would have to be managing my hypo and be fully clear in my thinking. I have just never thought about using short needles until today.

From what I have read on other sites it is usually young males injecting into their leg that most often suppers this problem.

I must thank you very much for your advice and I think I will go and get the 6 mm ASAP then I can readjust my routine back to once a day. My diabetic nurse didn't feel that was any problem splitting the dose but I would prefer to keep a single daily dose.

Robert…
 
I think you should be able to get any length you want.... well, from the choices that are available. I use 5mm, but there is also 8mm and 4mm to my knowledge. I don't think it makes any difference to the NHS which ones you use.
 
Thank you again for your replies. I was in Australia for 46 years and came back to the UK nearly 3 years ago so there is a lot that I have not got used to. That is why I queried what the NHS limits might be.

In Australia needles syringes etc are free to a special scheme but this never used to be so. Whilst diabetics used to get insulin subsidised on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme they did have to pay for syringes and needles except. This was brought to a head when the government was handing out free syringes and needles to drug addicts. Now diabetics can get those three but you still have to pay a certain amount of money for insulin etc.

I will definitely be getting those 6 mm needles.

Robert…
 
I'm on 5mm and have been for about 6 weeks, but as a type 1 I lost a lot of weight pre diagnosis and so I'm finishing this box then have been moved to 4mm. I currently am unable to inject in my leg due to bad bruising.

It's you who has to use the needle, you tell them what you want and they'll supply it :)
 
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