I take regular insulin (Novolin-R) and Novo Nordisk have discontinued the pen cartridges. I am using the disposable InnoLet pen, but I think that’s being discontinued soon also. I really don’t like the waste of the throw away pens so am considering switching to using syringes. I’m a bit nervous because the numbers seem so small. Also, are you supposed to use a new syringe for each injection, or just change the needles? If it’s a new one each time, that seems like even more waste. I think there was a thread a while ago about trying to be “green” with diabetes supplies. It makes me mad that the companies come out with new delievery systems that are more wasteful, presumably because they make more money.
Libby,
Find a differant company for your insulin product. I would have found it frustrating to go back to syringes.
As for the “GREEN” thing. That is tuff. I fill a large container every month with infusion lines, resivors,strips, lancets and all the little plastic thingys that come with Diabetes.
Your first priority would be to take care of yourself. Use the right tools, it will make your life much easier.
You can make s differance in your 'GREEN" imprint in other areas. Recycle, turn the water off, turn the light off.
I do use my lancet multiple times. I have in the pass double poked with insulin syringes. Every little bit helps.
I didn’t like pens & got bruising. I like syringes better & use the smallest, thinest ones with half units.
The needles aren’t replaceable. Wasteful, I agree. You can reuse syringes as long as they’re properly cleaned. I order mine from American Diabetes Warehouse. Cheaper than from a pharmacy with a co-pay. Figure that one out! TuD members get a discount. Click on “Resources” above & then on “Discounts.”
I bought a cheapo pair of strong reading glasses from a dollar store to see the syringe markings easily. Made it much easier.
The company says to use it once but I use it twice. No problems. Force of habit. I use the short 1/2cc, 50 unit syringe. I was using the 30 unit but they are not used as much and seem to be harder to come by.
I also prefer syringes to pens. I would reuse the syringes multiple times until it hurt or accidentally touched anything (including the cap when putting it on – that bends it enough to make the injection painful). I think it is fine to at least reuse twice when you start and then see how you feel.
The other reason that I prefer syringes is that they take up less room. Carrying a syringe and vial around was easier.
When I was using syringes and R, I’d reuse each syringe multiple times, but I went through a lot of alcohol pads. With pens, I reuse each needle multiple times and don’t even bother with alcohol anymore. It’s a bit of a wash when it comes to which is more wasteful so I just go with what’s more convenient. Pens are bulky, and difficult to inject with in certain situations, but I find them safer to carry around and less prone to breakage than vials.
I still use syringes for my Lantus doses. One use per syringe, but it’s only once a day.
When I first got diagnosed I used some syringes 2 times occasionally. Then I saw a poster in the doctors office with a really zoomed in picture of a syringe after 1 use, then after 2 uses, then after 3 uses. The poster message was “don’t reuse syringes”. It looked really, REALLY rough. Something you couldn’t see with the naked eye. Sometimes the needle hurt the second use and sometimes it didn’t. I now only use them once and throw away! unless emergency situation only. Lancets seem ok to use several times but not syringes.
Good point was made that it can contaminate your insulin.
And I agree syringes are way easier and less painful then a pen. I think it has to do with the pen being so big and heavy and you have to push really hard to inject it. You can always fill a couple syringes with insulin in the morning and take with you until you need a dose and leave the insulin bottle at home.
Yeah, after one or two uses, you may not be able to see how rough the needle gets, but you sure can feel it. I think the most I ever used a single syringe was 4 times. I was never too worried about contamination but I did wipe down with a lot of alcohol anyway. It was really how painful an injection was that determined how many times I’d use a single syringe.
Yeah, I’ve actually had a pen clog once. I usually have more than one pen going at the same time because sometimes it’s easier to just stash one at work and at home instead of toting a single one around all the time. I had one pen fall out of my rotation for a few weeks and when I tried to use it again, the needle was clogged.
Not sure how long the shelf life on pen needles are, but I have a box I’ve been pulling from since Nov '08.
Yowzers. Did you get a chance to try the half unit pen after all?
I’m looking forward to giving the pump a try anyway. Did you have a big change in control when you switched over?
I’d love to hold on to my pens for emergencies in cases of pump failure, but I’ve already talked to my insurance about that and they will not go along with multiple prescriptions for vials of insulin to fill the Omnipod and pens as back-up. Guess I have a new routine to plan. =(