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

insulin???

kalon

Member
Messages
12
Location
Kent, the bit by the sea.
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
rude people
Hey ho, I'm having serious issues with my blood glucose levels, due to see the GP on Wednesday, my outlook for the visit is "expect the worst, hope for the best!". Anyways, my question is this: if the GP puts me on insulin do I get a choice on the "delivery" method for the insulin, i.e. pen or syringe? I think I would prefer a pen as needles scare the bejeezus out of me. Also, if it's not a personal question, what do others prefer?
 
Given that the needle on a pen is identical to that on a syringe, it should make no difference. Pens are generally more convenient though.
 
Insulin delivery on the whole involves injecting using a needle... The pen is more convenient due to the whole mechanism & vial is incorporated into one device the length of a parker pen with the thickness of a marker.. The needle length will be around the 4 to 5 millimetre mark.

Personally I have fond memories of the old days of glass syringes with big needles. Oh the ritual of drawing the dose up from the vial & performing that "air shot".. "It's just a perfect day.. I'm glad I spent it with you..."
 
Insulin pens are easier more convenient as insulin is already loaded in the pen you only have to dial up and inject with the syringe you have to draw up and then inject I personally prefer the insulin pump but I don't know if you get that option
 

Yes I remember those days. I was 13 in 1981 when diagnosed Type 1 and I remember getting my first glass and metal syringe.

I remember taking great pride in cleaning it and making sure the metal parts and glass cylinder was clean.

The blue syringe holder on a stand that took it's place in a special place in the cupboard at the back where we kept the spuds, and even the urine sugar testing kit which was like a mini chemistry set!

I think fondly back to those days too..
 
Oh yes, the "blue syringe holder"/screw top case with the fluted detachable base.. The same blue hue as a "disabled car"

I am in some respects thankful that modern D parphnalia now comes in metallic gun metal or black..!
 
If the pen is your preference then that's what you would get, very rarely do they give out syringes nowadays unless someone asks for them.
 
noblehead said:
If the pen is your preference then that's what you would get, very rarely do they give out syringes nowadays unless someone asks for them.
Click to expand...

... Yes. But then begs the question. Disposable or re-useable...??

Then there is the DVLA forms to fill out..!
 
Jaylee said:
... Yes. But then begs the question. Disposable or re-useable...??

Then there is the DVLA forms to fill out..!
Click to expand...

Yeah those dreaded forms

The disposable pens seem a waste, although I was using them for my lantus before changing to a pump, don't know why my gp switched to them from the insulin cartridges.
 
I think them a waste too.. Seems to me your throwing away the "engineering" in the device before before it actually expires. Like scrapping a new car when the tank is empty...

I didn't even know of the disposable pens until this forum!
 
I'm the odd one out as prefer syringes
 
My DN offered me the choice of a pen with disposable cartridge or a disposable pen. To avoid waste I went for the cartridge pen and believe it was the right decision. Yes, syringes are rarely offered and have disadvantages over pens.
 
I prefered the old plastic syringes and 2 bottles of insulin. I find replacing the cartridge a pain...especially in the morning when I'm half asleep.


First world problems, eh?
 
shaggy1974 said:
I prefered the old plastic syringes and 2 bottles of insulin. I find replacing the cartridge a pain...especially in the morning when I'm half asleep.


First world problems, eh?
Click to expand...

What about just before retiring to bed & discovering you used the cartridge up on the basal the night before...
 
shaggy1974 said:
I prefered the old plastic syringes and 2 bottles of insulin. I find replacing the cartridge a pain...especially in the morning when I'm half asleep.


First world problems, eh?
Click to expand...
Are you serious? I have the NovoNordisk Pen and couldn't be easier to change the cartridge. Can be done in 5 secs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…