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

Difference in needle brands?

I

Icebat

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
When I was first given my kit by the diabetic nurse, the needles included were Pic Insupen. I got on fine with these, I had the occasional slightly painful injection but the majority were completely painless. But now that I've got a prescription from the GPs, the needles I've been given are GlucoRX (same size etc., although oddly they look longer). I assumed they'd be pretty much the same, but they've actually been really annoying so far - I'd estimate about 50% of the injections hurt and struggle to pierce the skin, and only about one in ten are completely unnoticeable. At first I thought it was bad luck, or I was imagining it, but I'm increasingly convinced that these GlucoRX needles are just no good. They seem more fragile somehow too, so I have a tiny worry every time that it's going to break or something. The cap doesn't even unscrew them properly half the time either.

I've been rotating my injection sites, so I'm pretty sure the pain isn't down to that. It's not a huge deal or anything, but considering I'm doing it at least five times a day, it'd be nice not to have to wonder each time whether my needle will play nicely or not! So I'd be willing to pay to order some better ones - I'd still use the rubbish ones sometimes, but at least I'd get a break part of the time. The Insupen needles seem a bit hard to get hold of though (mostly coming from Italy), and there might be some even better ones out there anyway. So I was wondering, what's everyone's opinion on the best needles? Is any particular brand generally considered to be smoother?

Thanks!
 
I've only used the Gluco-RX and BD Pentapoint.

The BD's were better but not by a big enough margin to worry about. I've not really had any problems wth RX needles unless I re-use them.
 
Back
Top