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Disposal of lancets

G

Gourmande

Active Member
Messages
39
Location
France
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi

I’ve been lurking on the site since last year and trying to glean as much information as possible about diabetes and would like to say thank you to everyone for all the useful information you contribute.

I have now had two HA1C tests and the result has been exactly the same 6.4% or 47mmol/mol.

This puts me right on the borderline of diabetes and I am going to visit my doctor next week to discuss the results, but based on my last discussion with her, she will say that it is not necessary for me to self-test.

I have already decided to buy a Codefree meter from Amazon, but as I live in France, I am uncertain how I am going to dispose of my used lancets. I know that if you have been diagnosed formally as a diabetic here in France, they will give you a yellow disposal bin which you can take to pharmacies to dispose of. But as I will have to buy my own, I am wondering if they will accept the bins. Also, do they just empty the bin and give it back to you, or do they take the bin and replace it (which I would obviously have to pay for if they did that). Can anyone who lives in France explain the procedure here?

And can you re-use the lancets?

The other thing is, I have been putting off buying a meter because I am completely scared about piercing my fingers. This is because when I was a teenager a nurse performed a blood test on me by pricking the middle of my thumb pad and I don’t think anything has ever hurt so much in my life (and I have given birth to three big babies!). I know it’s irrational but I’m really worried about whether I’ll be able to do the testing. Will I end up with very sore fingers?

Sorry I know these are daft questions but I am putting off buying the meter because I am worried about these things.

One last thing – I travel back to the UK frequently by plane. Is there are problem about taking the lancets on a plane? Will I need a note from the doctor? (another obstacle!)
 
The issue of taking meds on a plane in Europe is fine you don't need a certificate from your GP also you won't have a problem with the lancets. Regarding the pricking of the finger for your testing set it on the lowest setting if no blood comes out set it to the next one as so on I tend to use the lowest setting and squeeze my finger doesn't hurt. Hope this helps
 
If you use an Accuchek Fastclix or Multiclix lancing device, they come with cartridges containing six lancets each, and as the lancets themselves are completely contained within the cartridge the used cartridges can be disposed of in normal household waste. You can get one of these free with an Accuchek meter, but I don't know if they are available separately. Probably pick one up on eBay, tho' you might have to buy a whole meter to get one. The lancets are available fairly cheaply on eBay. I found either of these prickers relatively pain-free, once you get the right setting for your skin thickness.
 
Gourmande said:
And can you re-use the lancets?
Click to expand...

I do. The SD uses the individual blue lancet as does my Freedom Lite. I have about a thousand of them. I use them and put them in a box and when they are all used I put them in the steamer for half an hour. I've had no trouble so far and it puts off the day of disposal.
 

Personally, I stick the sharp end on the used lancet into the rubber "cap" of the new one and put in my domestic waste bin. I feel there is greater danger from disposable razors than lancets, but it's your choice.

If you really want a sharps bin, they are readily available on eBay for a few pennies.
 

I'm a bit surprised they are OK about the lancets in hand luggage - surely they are sharp objects? I will definitely do what you say about starting with the lowest setting. Thanks for the advice
 
Good idea, I will give that a go.
 

I hadn't looked at it this way. We are always throwing away razors (with their caps on) and I don't give it a second thought. So sharps with caps on - why not?
 
Thanks for all your responses. I think I am really just thinking of excuses not to get on with it and buy the meter ...
 
I wouldn't handle needles in that way, but when you see a lancet (if you haven't already), you'll see what I mean. If you're going to test, just get on with it. There's nothing to be concerned about and it becomes second nature in no time at all.

And lancets are great for removing splinters or clearing incredibly fine jet nozzles.

There's always a silver lining........
 
Gourmande said:
I'm a bit surprised they are OK about the lancets in hand luggage - surely they are sharp objects? I will definitely do what you say about starting with the lowest setting. Thanks for the advice
Click to expand...

Well you can do someone a lot more damage with a pencil or a ballpoint pen ...

I change my lancets about once a fortnight (if I remember). As with my used strips, I dispose of them in the empty tubs of new strips.
 

Lol I would never have thought of that
 
I too dispose of Lancets by putting the 'cap' on used one's and either dispose in household waste or use empty containers from testing strips......have always assumed this to be ok, but wonder if local pharmacy would dispose of a sharps box.....that would also be safer in disposing of used test strips with blood on.

Personally I change Lancet for every test , for hygiene issues and ensures Lancet is sharp every time ....have seen video footage of how injection needles blunt after single use, so assume something similar happens to Lancets....might be a decider for folks

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Yes I think I'll find a compromise and just use the lancets a few times. Then I've seen somewhere about putting the used strips into an empty detergent bottle, sealing it with tape and putting it in the bin.
 
I bought a yellow 'sharps bin' from the local chemist for less than a pound when i switched to shaving with a double-edged safety razor (proper razor blades)

Its used for blades, lancets and scalpel blades which my wife uses for unpicking stitching when sewing
 
What does it say to do with it when it's full?
 
Its doesn't specifically say - it just has instructions of how to lock it sealed and says to be destroyed by incineration
 
don't know the position for you in france but here the surgery dispose of my lancets (in the yellow bin), not the pharmacy. In other areas the yellow bins are picked up by council refuse (by arrangement) best policy for you would be to ask at your pharmacy (they can only say "Non!")
 

I was absolutely terrified. I worked myself up so much. I read every single tip I could find on how to make it less painful and I was still scared to death. I have a very low pain tolerance and I just couldn't do it for quite a while. Then one day I told myself I just had to do it, and I did and then I laughed for a long time because I barely felt it at all. Remember to do it on the side of your finger pad and to keep rotating fingers.
 
I take mine to my surgery they put them in their bin.
 
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