• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

diabetic pens

L

Lorraine Neal

Newbie
Messages
2
My aunt was diagnosed diabetic this year, she is partially sighted and had trouble with the pen not injecting herself but changing the needle and putting the cover back on. They did put her on tablets but these dont seem to be working. Are there pens that partially sighted users can have

lorraine neal
 
Sorry I can't help but just wanted to send my best wishes to your Aunt, I feel sorry for her I hope there is some help out there for her. ring her Diabetic team, or go see the GP ...you could also Google manufacturers of her pens, give them a ring and see what they would suggest.

good luck to both you and her
 
Perhaps not the perfect solution, but I don't change needles every time and have often injected and replaced cover by feel in very low light levels, usually in tents or under tables. All pens I've had so far click, so user can count clicks, without reading dose visually, something I find irritating, as there are times when I'd prefer to be more discrete, but clicks are helpful to those with visual impairments.

Another solution would be to remove needle after injection and drop straight into sharps bin. New needles screw on fairly easily.

Or ask a charity that helps people with visual impairments eg RNIB or local charities.
 
Lorraine Neal said:
My aunt was diagnosed diabetic this year, she is partially sighted and had trouble with the pen not injecting herself but changing the needle and putting the cover back on. They did put her on tablets but these dont seem to be working. Are there pens that partially sighted users can have

lorraine neal
Click to expand...
Hi, you could ring the insulin manufacturers up and ask if they have anything as a product 'pen device' suitable for your aunts needs.
Roche were very helpful with me, they explained they do a demi3 pen in half units [ideal for the kiddies and those who need tight control] it enables users to use half a unit as well as a full unit.
I ended up getting one from them also!
Its worth a try going down this route? You can only enquire... :D
Hope this helps?
Anna.x :D
 
what exactly is her difficulty with putting the cover on, do you mean the little cap on the needle? I have taught myself to do that in the dark and it is possible... you need to use your finger to feel the way up the pen and then just a question of trial and error till you know how to judge the length of the actual needle itself. You could perhaps help her by advising her as she practises it?
Is she is having trouble unscrewing the needles after use, or is it some other issue?

copepod's advice about the RNIB is good - sadly many diabetics do get eye problems so they should be used to advising on the needs of diabetics with visual impairment. Let us know how you get on!
 
novo norodisk have recently released some new twist on needles which they say are easier to attach to thier pens, and give a click when they are properly fasted on. http://www.novonordisk.com/diabetes/pub ... /qa/qa.asp

I haven't used or even seen one but they might be worth investigating. I guess they only fit certain pens though.

For replacing the cap after use I never bother with the really tiny one ad I just end up pricking my fingers. I just put the larger cap on and put the needle straight in the sharps box.
 
Hi I would like to thank you all for your helpful suggestions, my aunt is currently in hospital, as she has pneumonia which has sent her sugar levels sky high. But she is on the mend. I will talk to her and my cousin later today. Thank you all again lorraine
 
Back
Top