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NEARLY OUT OF INSULIN NEEDLES!!! WHAT SHALL I DO??

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Neckarski_94

Well-Known Member
Was late doing my insulin and having my tea because of the England game! Come to do my insulin. Tried to prime pen and had 3 needles not work! I did have enough to last until Monday! NOW I ONLY HAVE 1 LEFT!!! Oh and tried to remove needles from pens and now they are stuck!!

I requested my repeat prescription on Friday so that’s not going to be ready to collect. My Pharmacy isn’t open until Monday! I ordered some needles online so I have some as a back up but they aren’t going to be here until Monday!!

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?? I’M PANICKING NOW!!!
 
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Try nhs 24 they might have some suggestions I know there use to be a list of pharmacies in local areas that were open on a Sunday sort of emergency service , not sure if it’s still the case ,take a look online ,
 

Hope you did/do manage to get something sorted out, if nothing else the same needle can be used more than once (its not really advised to cos the needles do degrade but it will still do the job perfectly fine), for a long time I used to leave the same needle on for far too long and I'm still very alive

But for future reference make sure you order at least a week or more before you other stuff runs out, delays can happy (in your selected chemist), faults can happen (as you've seen) and when problems happen you know its going to be over a weekend - just because.


Hope you sorted out your hypo as well, if it makes you feel any better about an hour after that post of yours, I was also busy chomping down on jelly babies as well.
 

Got sorted!! Managed to get some needles from my local Tesco Pharmacy! Although not the same brand that I usually use! They are the same size and will do the job!

Got another lot of needles coming tomorrow that I ordered online and I’ll be able to pick my prescription up at some point next week! Gonna have plenty of needles to go at before I request my prescription again next month!!


Rokaab said:
Hope you sorted out your hypo as well
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I did thanks! Took 3 Lift glucose tabs!
 
As you've found out, everything that's essential to keep us alive diabetes wise, can and will go wrong at some point (usually when the drs, chemists etc are shut).

So that you're never in the situation you found yourself in last night again, I'd suggest you either order your repeat prescription a few days early for 3 months, so you have spare insulin, pens, needles, testing strips, and ketone strips or have a word with your Dr or hospital team and ask for a 'one off' extra prescription so you have spare supplies to hand.

Chemists may not always have everything on your repeat prescription in stock, so it's wise not to leave it till the 'last gasp' to order.

Always order early near Bank Holidays, especially Christmas/New Year and Easter when drs and chemists are shut for longer.
 
Hopeful34 said:
As you've found out, everything that's essential to keep us alive diabetes wise, can and will go wrong at some point (usually when the drs, chemists etc are shut).
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Typical isn’t it!!
I only get my repeat prescription monthly. It’s my own fault for not requesting it earlier. But I didn’t take into consideration that the needles don’t always work and thought I will be alright until Monday! How wrong was I!

I’ve got more than enough pens, testing strips etc. I don’t always request everything. Only when I think I’m running low on things I will request them! It was just the needles I needed! You would think they would give me an extra box!
 
I once stayed with my brother in Oxford,. and said Goodbye to him as I boarded an Express bus to London. It was on the outskirts that I realised I had left my syringe and insulin in his car and it was nearly 10pm. There were no mobiles then. I made my way to Charing Cross Hospital and they sorted me out. I think this is worth remembering, even if it's not advisable!
 
Neckarski_94 said:
It was just the needles I needed! You would think they would give me an extra box!
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Have you asked them for an extra box? If there's an issue with them giving it to you, speak to the practice manager, or contact your hospital team and they should request it on your behalf, or issue you a prescription.
 
It won’t hurt to use the same needle until Monday I don’t change mine every time and nothing has ever happened!
 
Hopeful34 said:
Have you asked them for an extra box? If there's an issue with them giving it to you, speak to the practice manager, or contact your hospital team and they should request it on your behalf, or issue you a prescription.
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No but I might have to! I had a hell of a job trying to get my needles on repeat prescription! I did eventually!
 
Neckarski_94 said:
A box of 100!
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Well at 4 a day that's only 25 days anyways - so that's not a 'month' at any rate.
Note: I presume you're still on fixed doses but if it one long-acting and 3 meals that's 4 times a day - so if they are limiting to you only ordering a month after your last order there isn't enough anyway - you should talk to your docs about that (or their pharmacist - I know if I end up not being prescribed enough I talk to the pharmacist at my docs and she changes the prescription to have enough as long as you can explain why and it makes sense) - once you start carb counting and correcting you will likely need more anyways
 
Should be getting 200 a month. You are unlikely to need to use that many but can order every 6 weeks. At least the option is there if you are going to be away and need to stock up.
If you are still on fixed doses no wonder you are struggling with mood and not wanting to eat. If so get back to your team and get them to help you to carb count. I am lucky enough to have a supportive team and carb counted from day 1. You will then find you can start a more normal pattern of eating. You will definitely need more needles then. I use between t or 6 a day.
 
I had a problem over one of the May bank holidays when drs.had not produced the new prescription for my Green Fine pen needles( despite being reordered 10 days earlier), anyway pharmacist said no problem they are now allowed to issue them in such an ‘emergency’ case. Got a full box of 100 needles, and prescription proper still arrived a week later.
 
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