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Needles in Spain

SueJB

SueJB

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,325
Location
Heaven
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
cold weather
I'm on the ferry to Santander and just counted my needles. Not enough for 2 weeks away and have a very strong feeling I didn't pack spares. I can't check as the luggage is in the car.
So the question is, can I use the needles more than once?
I've got enough for a new one for each Levemir morning and evening but not for Novoslug
Thanks
 
Many people reuse their needles, some simply leave the needle on the pen until the pen is empty. Not recommended but a lot better than no insulin so no reason not to enjoy your trip :)
Additionally, why not walk into a farmacia and ask if you can simply buy a box of pen needles?

Have a wonderful time!
 
Hello @SueJB !
To make a short answer - no problem. Just go on and reuse. I reuse all my needles several times, and how many that is, is almost worth censoring :)
 
The advice is definitely "No" and there are some lovely pictures of blunt needles around.
I would reuse but only two or three times when I was out.
You may have nice soft skin and experience no problems or your skin may be slightly tougher and experience issues.
If I was in your situation, I would start to ration my needles (use them twice rather than once), keep a close eye on any unusual bruising or difficulty during injection, test more than normal, check your bags when you get to your destination and, if as you suspect, you are short of needles, visit the farmacia taking a sample needle with you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
@h
helensaramay said:
The advice is definitely "No" and there are some lovely pictures of blunt needles around.
I would reuse but only two or three times when I was out.
You may have nice soft skin and experience no problems or your skin may be slightly tougher and experience issues.
If I was in your situation, I would start to ratio my needles (use the, twice rather than one), keep a close eye on any unusual bruising or difficulty during injection, test more than normal, check your bags when you get to your destination and, if you suspect, you are short of needles, visit the farmacia taking a sample needle with you.
Click to expand...
@helensaramay thanks. Do you mean reuse each needle 2 or 3 times?
 
I would. Sometimes I do - if I'm at work and it's lunchtime and I haven't spare needles in my bag (because I'm forgetful), I just use the needle that's still on the pen. It's OK. Not recommended but it's not the end of the world.

Calculate how many needles you have, work out how many injections (roughly) you're thinking you might need and do your sums. Alternatively, visit an English speaking pharmacy and explain - they'll probably sell you a boxful. Take your pen and ask if you can check that the needles fit, maybe.
 
SueJB said:
@h

@helensaramay thanks. Do you mean reuse each needle 2 or 3 times?
Click to expand...
That is correct.
Personally, although it didn't hurt, it seemed a little harder to pierce my skin on the third use of a needle.
Bruising wise, I could bruise on the first use so it was difficult to tell if reusing a needle made it any worse.
 
WuTwo said:
I would. Sometimes I do - if I'm at work and it's lunchtime and I haven't spare needles in my bag (because I'm forgetful), I just use the needle that's still on the pen. It's OK. Not recommended but it's not the end of the world.

Calculate how many needles you have, work out how many injections (roughly) you're thinking you might need and do your sums. Alternatively, visit an English speaking pharmacy and explain - they'll probably sell you a boxful. Take your pen and ask if you can check that the needles fit, maybe.
Click to expand...
@WuTwo luckily I speak Spanish so im going to check the bag as soon as we land and if needs be see what a pharmacy can do for me
 
@
helensaramay said:
That is correct.
Personally, although it didn't hurt, it seemed a little harder to pierce my skin on the third use of a needle.
Bruising wise, I could bruise on the first use so it was difficult to tell if reusing a needle made it any worse.
Click to expand...
@helensaramay thanks
Fingers crossed my memory is wonky
 
I can't add anything to what has already been said, other than I have been on the Ferry to Northern Spain a few times, and enjoy looking out for the whales and dolphins across the Bay of Biscay!
 
@
Craig1978 said:
I can't add anything to what has already been said, other than I have been on the Ferry to Northern Spain a few times, and enjoy looking out for the whales and dolphins across the Bay of Biscay!
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@Craig1978 Doing the same but think it's the wrong time of year
 
helensaramay said:
The advice is definitely "No" and there are some lovely pictures of blunt needles around.
I would reuse but only two or three times when I was out.
Click to expand...
Agree in general, provided you can get new needles. As long as you can't get new needles please keep reusing and don't go without insulin because you've used all your needles 3 times...
I'm sure that's not what you meant but I wanted to mention it just in case. These threads pop up on a google search as well.

The pictures of used needles that go around most are fake. It's not nearly as bad as those pictures, luckily!
 
I used to use 1 needle till the pen was empty & was always ok. Then I saw that pic too of a reused needle. Probably as others have said 3/5 times usage you’ll be fine. Diabetic for 40 years now.
 
MrsBRW said:
I used to use 1 needle till the pen was empty & was always ok. Then I saw that pic too of a reused needle. Probably as others have said 3/5 times usage you’ll be fine. Diabetic for 40 years now.
Click to expand...
Thanks @MrsBRW that's very reassuring. Not going to look at pictures because I'm on holiday
 
Hi @SueJB I used to reuse needles all the time. The pics which are around are not truthful.....so reuse away :)

AND.......Enjoy your holibobs :)
 
The grand tour is over. Spain, Portugal, France. I managed to get some 6mm needles in Spain. I had to order them but they came in the following day. Can you believe............... 20 euros for 100 needles? A lovely pharmacist
 
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