nervous newbie with needle woes

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Jen

Jen

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I have been using 31 gauge needles with 1/2 unit measures for a couple of weeks now, which is good because Floyd is down to 1/4 units of Lantus twice a day (my kingdom for magnifying glasses so I can measure more accurately)!!

At least three times since I switched to the lighter gauge needles, when I withdraw the syringe the metal needle shaft is bent where it meets the barrel, sometimes as much as 60 degrees.

Is this usual, or am I being a little too aggressive ensuring that I'm getting through the skin when giving the injection?

Thanks,
Jen
 
I had that same problem with 4 syringes in the box before this one (it was the ReliOn brand). One of them had a very severe bend. I was alarmed because I have been giving injections for almost 20 years and hadn't had that happen before. I haven't had that problem at all with any of the ones in my current box (which is almost gone). Does your cat squirm? I attribute one of the bent ones to Pumpkin's squirming.
 
No... Floyd doesn't squirm (much anyway).

The brand I've got is BD Ultra-fine, and it's the first box I've ever bought. When I examine the syringe after administering, there is definitely no insulin left in the barrel. I'm just concerned that the shaft will snap right off in his body. Am I just being a worrywart (which is my nature)?

Thanks again,
Jen (and Floyd)
 
I don't think you are a worry-wart but that is coming from a worry-wart! :-D

That is exactly what I was worried about too but when I actually tried to break the needle off from the syringe, it wasn't that easy.

I googled it when it happened to me and found that there were complaints about both the BD and Relion syringes but no actual adverse events. Are you in the US? If so, you can fill out a complaint with the FDA.

In 18 years of being a paramedic, I have never seen a needle break off in a patient.
 
If you're not already doing so, try to glide it in gently and smoothly, vs. giving a vigorus push of the plunger.
 
Hi Jen,
I am also new here but not new to "this". My Poto has been on Lantus for 3 years and I have been an RN for 40 years.
Those little bitty 31 guage needles are very flimsey and do bend rather easily but I feel you may be using a wee bit too much pressure to wry through the skin if it is bending during the injection. (It takes me a wire cutter to get the needle off for disposal so I doubt they will break off under the skin)The best way to give an injection is to actually dart quickly through the skin. The needle glides through swiftly and is much more comfortable for the recipient. You might try doing practice runs on an orange or an apple to help you feel more comfortable with the technique. It should be just like throwing darts, flick the wrist and stick ... flick, stick ... flick, stick .... Sounds gruesome but trust me, it's not. I have had human patients stand in line waiting because my shots didn't hurt... :-D

Also, the BD syringes are the most expensive out there. I started my Poto with them and quickly discovered that the Walgreen's Ultra Thin II are nearly identical and only half the cost of BD's. I pay just over $16 for a box of 100. Several months ago they were out of the 31 guage and I took a box of the 30 guage cuz I was nearly out and had to have them. I almost prefer the 30 guage over the 31 because there is just enough more "starch" in the needle that I can tell for sure that I pierced skin and didn't deliver a "fur shot". They sell by the box of 100 or by the package of 10 which at $3 + per package is not cost effective but worth getting a pack of 10 to try. You are not out that much if you don't like them.

Feel right at home here, we have all had the first time squeemies. It does get easier.

Big Hugz,
Carol
 
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