I used very small BD needles but forget the exact size.
I understand my extensive syringe re-use with the ābig needlesā would not be possible with the much skinnier needles. Because the skinnier needles wouldāve plugged up long before then. Supposedly the issue with skinnier needles, isnāt so much blood, but congealed skin and fat cells jamming up the skinnier pipe. Kind of disgusting to think about it! But Iāve never cut open a used needle to see what skin and fat cells are lodged in it after 1 or 10 uses.
I use the BD Ultra fine 31 gauge 5mm (3/16ā) and use a new needle about every 150 shots or so. My digital pen tells me if the needle is plugged with a red warning light. I never had a problem plugging these fine needles with Humalog but frequently had plugging problems with Levemir/Lantus. The workaround I found was to flush the needle with 2 units of Humalog after using Levemir/Lantus and that way could still get my 150 shots or so out of a needle. That count dramatically decreases if I inject through clothing.
Thatās interesting. Just thinking about the economics:
1000 units of Humalog is about $400 OTC price.
So 2 units of Humalog is about $0.80.
I donāt want to generate/carry around any more sharps waste than necessary. But I know for sure that economically I can buy a new syringe or pen needle for less than $0.80.
I donāt think I ever actually counted how many shots I was getting out of a syringe in the 90ās. I was probably averaging 5 syringes a month, doing 120-150 shots a month, so that would be an average of 30 shots per syringe. BUT I never actually counted how many I got out of each.
Back then I was almost always mixing Regular and NPH and canāt say I ever noticed one or the other resulting in more plug-ups because plug-ups were remarkably rare (only remember a few over the decades).
When using an Omnipod or a Tandem, you get a syringe with each pod/cartridge, so there is no need to reuse a syringe. That being said, my backup syringe I carry with me has been used a few more times than it should but I havenāt really used it often and am still working on the leftovers from when I started pumping. But sad to say, I only have 2 bags left. Might have to break down and get some more for those emergencies.
I pick up my insulin OTC in Canada and buy packs of 5 300ml cartridges for US $48 makes it just over 3 cents per unit of Humalog. I started using needles for multiple shots when going into countries and areas that restricted the number of needles allowed on board aircraft and just got used to multiple reuse. I think my medicare insurance covers needles anyways so not a cost issue. Just looked on my BD boxes and it says my last order for these was in 2009. A box of 100 lasts me several years and I still have several unopened boxes left over from last re-fill. Endo always asks me if I am sure that I donāt want a renewal for more needles and tell her no.
If they are covered, why not get the rx filled?
Iām not the guy you were asking but for me:
Back in the 90ās I figured out I could re-use syringes without any negative effects and save money. At the time everything I bought, was OTC.
In the past 20 years Iāve got insurance but Iāve had a hard time justifying to myself changing habits I picked up in the 90ās. If I fill all my syringe prescriptions then in a couple years I end up with an entire wall of stockpiled syringes.
My endo converted me to pens a half year ago (she couldnāt believe that I was still using vials) but I still have vials stockpiled that I am working through, and more than enough syringes for them.
The last needle refill I got in 2009 will last me another 35+ year and hopefully by then there will be a cure for diabetes or other way besides insulin to better control diabetes. Think stem cell, DNA modification etc.
OK, whatever you say!
Yes, they are available in the US. I get a box of Fiasp pens every year to use in case of a pump failure (likewise Lantus).
1 Like
I use needles over and over again and I always shoot through clothes. The needle will bend once in awhile and I change needles then. I am just lazy.
1 Like
Iām kinda lazy too, Marilyn, but DANG!!
I was exactly the same when I was doing MDI. Iād keep an extra BD needle in my BG meter kit, and swap it in when the current one bent.
2 Likes
I donāt reuse the syringe that I use to fill the pod. I use the pod for basal only. I bolus and correct with syringe and vial; that is the syringe I reuse.
The needles are so tiny now. I should probably change the needle I use on my fingertips more often, but I donāt. Of course those needles never bend.
I have never had an infection and my skin isnāt marked at all from shots. I just get a bruise every once in awhile. My fingers have a few little black marks.