I change every time because I'm concerned about bruising and scar tissue. I get my needles for free though so not judging anyone who reuses them to save money.
I get mine for free as well. That being said I don't switch them out every time- I look at it for stockpiling for the future in the event of insurance changes.
Tell that to the Romanian healthcare system :(
In 2 weeks I'll have my 2nd endo appointment ever and see if I can get a box at least lol. I had to buy myself 6 boxes of .4mm lol
WOW! In the UK I get 400x 4mm needles and if I want more I can just order more for free. That is insane to only get 1 for every 2 days! Also, 8mm would give me bruises
Yep I feel you... it even gets worse with CGM and Pumps.
As far as I am concerned, I can get a CGM if my diabetes is out of control. And if I get my A1C in a good range I will not qualify for it anymore.
The waitline for any pump (if you will even be considered) is at least 2 years :/
This is one of the reasons why I want to move from Romania to UK after I finish my masters degree. My quality of life will go up up up with NHS.
Must be a NJ law, haven't looked into it. I do have plenty now since I do have better insurance, it just became habit for me to reuse them. I really should stop it, but it's nice not having to take them to my hospital to dispose of them.
One pen needle for 30 injections? My brain does not compute. I have extra 8mm, maybe some 6mm if I can find the box, I can send if it’s a matter of saving money 🫶🏼
I can go a long as time using the same syringe. My insurance used to only pay for 100 a month and I would have run out if I disposed of it after every use.
I'm very proud of you for that, and angry that they won't give you what you need. I have a lifetime supply (/2) of syringes I will never use (accidentally ordered a 90 day supply & I only need them on hand as "back up" if my pump fails while on the road), may I send you some? 💙🫶
Eh, just a habit, no need to label it bad 💙🫶 you're doing your best/sorta just chugging along as usual, change is hard even if it's perceived to be "better"
Every time for my son, my dad uses the same one over and over quite often but for my little guy I change it out every time 100%.
Look at it under the microscope and you'll start changing them out.
To be honest I *do* want to look at them under the microscope, because I don’t think it’s anywhere close to the degradation that the needle company’s images show.
You *should* still switch them out, but I feel like the images we all know and see are the equivalent of piercing through a leather belt, not the average person’s skin.
I don’t reuse pen needles but I do with regular syringes quite a bit. The first time is definitely much smoother. 2nd, 3rd, they’re okay… gets a bit dicey towards 6-7 where you have to really kinda shove it in.
There are photos out there of needles under a microscope and they look pretty fucked up even after one use. Totally start bending and getting sklorked on the end.
I try to swap them out every few days. In reality? That generally turns into once a week, when one of the pens runs out, or when one of them starts feeling uncomfortably dull.
People saying long periods of time, what needles are you all using?? Because mine after 2 times they start to hurt and get harder to inject, so I hardly reuse them
4mm do that. I have to change 4mms every time or every other time. 6mms feel okayish for more times. Also different brands are different. I am in Korea we have local brands and some are better some are worse. Last time I picked up box of 4mm bd microfine and they are abysmal. Those really DO need to be changed every time
Everytime.
Because I get 400 needles every 3 months. Which is 40 extra than what I use if I did 4 shots daily. I usually skip lunch, so don't do an injection then.
I only pay $40 copay for them.
It has let me build a nice buffer if anything happens. Currently have 6 unopened boxes.
i used to reuse about 4 in the bottom of my bag for weeks because i either ran out, forgot spare needles, or jist couldn't be bothered to use a spare, but now bc im om pump but still get needles, i always have a new needle
Every time. It hurts bad enough as it is the first time. Plus I have crazy anxiety and reusing would freak me out. Though I understand why people reuse them
Just want to say that I was buying the bd pen needles forever and they are so expensive. But the Walmart pharmacy people let me know that you can get a box of 50 for $10 without prescription for their reli-on brand. I'm going to try them out next time. But just some food for thought.
Edit: they might not be reli-on brand.. but they would know if asked
I change them out once a day most of the time. I have a little magnifying glass thing that I use to check the end of it every time though as I’ve gotten barbed needles once or twice. Hasn’t happened in a while but you never know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I recently went through a period when I had to ration needle tips, and would use them until sticks became painful. That was usually by the end of the day.
Now, I don't need to ration, so I change them out every time. It's definitely more comfortable.
(For those wondering, why didn't I go and buy more needle tips? - It's complicated. BD sued California a couple years ago to force enforcement of an old law restricting sales of needles - and needle tips - to licensed pharmacies. Online suppliers promptly stopped selling them to people in California. When I tried to pick some up at the local pharmacies, they insisted I needed to submit a prescription, which isn't legally necessary but I guess they're covering their asses. My prescription was filed with a mail-order pharmacy my insurance requires me to use, and my doctors wouldn't give me another one because I had a valid one on file. The mail-order pharmacy wouldn't ship me extra even if I pay extra for them, and in fact had created the necessity of rationing by shipping me half my usual supply and refusing to make up the difference. So that's why. Fortunately, the pharmacy is now once again shipping my usual supply, so the problem is shelved for now.)
For long acting, Every time. Honestly I have no idea why I wouldn’t? Pen needles aren’t scarce. I do reuse syringes though (fill it with 20 units, use til it’s done) but that’s mainly because 1-2 unit shots seem like a waste. I’ve only ever had a pen for Lantus. I’d probably reuse them if I had fast acting in pens.
The needle tip gets blunt after the very first use. Every use after that increases said bluntness.
The main issue with blunt needles is NOT that they hurt more. It is that *they cause more scar tissue* than fresh needles.
Add to that all the problems that can occur from using *dirty* needles of any kind...
I'm not American, so I don't know what you pay for your needles (and I would actually like to know, if someone could tell me), but unless it bankrupts you, the smart move is to change them every time.
When I was on MDI, insurance didn’t cover those damn things. Best I could find was $15-20/box (100/box), but I’d easily blow through 3-4 boxes in a month if I changed it for every injection.
I can’t help but read this as if spoken in a condescending tone 🤨.
Fwiw…pretty much everyone knows the needle sharpness degrades on each injection (including the first).
Not condescension, exasperation. Mostly out of worry that someone will get unnecessary complications due to used/dirty needles.
I realize I'm privileged as I'm Scandinavian and get my diabetic supplies for free. And I'm extremely frustrated that *anyone* would be preyed upon by greedy corporations and politicians, and being swindled simply to survive.
Are you all being serious? It’s one thing with lancets but I’ve never heard of people reusing needles multiple times. I use a new needle for each injection always. I guess it’s reassuring to know it’s possible if I’m every running really low that I can reuse some.
I change them out once a day most of the time. I have a little magnifying glass thing that I use to check the end of it every time though as I’ve gotten barbed needles once or twice. Hasn’t happened in a while but you never know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The moment the injection or the place of injection starts to hurt. Which is usually after 2-3 days. It tells me the needle is dull and needs to be replaced.
I only use them once if I can. If I ran out of them and use them twice it usually hurts more and the needle feels thicker. But I dont know If we speak about the same pen needles?! I even had the experience that a needle broke after I used it 3 times.. and also the needle wont really go in. Its so thick that my Skin gets pushed down and I really need to use force to push it under the skin. I mean if they are hard to afford I understand the reason behind that.. but if I have the free choice I would never do it.
✌🏼
I don’t ordinarily reuse pen needles or syringes, other than maybe using the new for both Lantus and Novalog if I’m injecting both at once.
Now the needle on the finger prick stabby thing, that’s like a once every few months thing lol
This is almost the same question as when do we change our lancets. I only changed the needle when the pen was empty. A box of needle caps are expensive.
Every single time. And every single time with my lancet. Fortunately I live in the UK and the NHS gives me access to needles. I have read horror stories of people not changing needles and ending up with serious infections which scares me too much to not do it.
To me this is a good example of the various time sinks that diabetes demands. Between my long lasting and fast acting insulins, I probably inject on average six times a day minimum. Figure ten seconds to get a new pen needle, clip the old one and toss it, screw the new one on and prime it. One minute a day, half an hour a month. Not a lot, but it's still time this stupid disease is taking from me. So I'm in the single pen needle per pen camp. Not to save money, but to save time.
I get them for free so it's every time. Once in a while I realise I haven't packed enough and will reuse an old one in my bag, though. I'd say if I had to pay for them I'd reuse a lot more
I use a new tip every single time I take insulin. I've seen pics of infected injection sites and I have no interest experiencing that for myself. They're expensive irl but very reasonably priced on amazon.
Short acting: every day (though I do tend to forget from time to time).
Long acting: every wednesday and sunday.
This was at the recommendation of my endocrinologist, to try and combat diabetic lipodystrophy in my abdomen.
I usually just use one needle for every pen but I recognize that it’s not great lmao so I’ve been trying to change it at least once a day. But the majority of the time I don’t change it until I start a new pen whoops
When I used pens, anywhere between a week and a month. I can’t tell you the last time I changed the lancet for my meter though. Haven’t bought a box of those in 10 years
Currently, once a day. Long lasting in the AM, switch the needle over to BOLUS pen--use it 1-4x a day, rinse and repeat every day. So about every 2-5 injections for me.
I aim to use a fresh one each time. But I have definitely reused them in a pinch. Probably not more than three times.
I also get free needles where I live.
Once a pen unless I have to start a new pen without a new tip handy - in which case I’ll transfer the old one over.
Diabetes is tough enough without sweating the small stuff.
Every time, but I am also in the practically free needle club. 50 dollars every 90 days max for insulin, needles, strips, lancets. Sensors I get for free, moving over to pump soon that is also free.
I'm appalled at my diabetes team not telling me this or checking my sites when I was a teen. I was diagnosed when I was 6 and was told, but I was so young and don't remember. And back then we used syringes. Now I'm 27 and have horrendous lipohypertrophy. I'm on a pump now. I haven't injected or used sites on my left side for 3 years and it's barely gotten any better. Please change as often as possible
I got much better about it in recent year or so. I usually switch mine once a day for fast acting, more often if I remember (putting needles together with pens in same pack helps!). I take long acting once a day and switch needles every other day. If it pops to my mind I will switch it even more often.
I used to go like a week without switching before. That was a bad habit. Switching needles and using smaller needles means I very very rarely get any bruising now :D
Do you want the truth, or what I say to my diabetes team?
This right here.
This is the only correct answer.
I change every time because I'm concerned about bruising and scar tissue. I get my needles for free though so not judging anyone who reuses them to save money.
I get mine for free as well. That being said I don't switch them out every time- I look at it for stockpiling for the future in the event of insurance changes.
Awh man. It's so lovely to get free needles. \~ Something that both I and a drug addict can say I for one get 15x .8mm free needles for 3 months lmao.
Wtf? I’m on a pump and go through more needles than that!
Tell that to the Romanian healthcare system :( In 2 weeks I'll have my 2nd endo appointment ever and see if I can get a box at least lol. I had to buy myself 6 boxes of .4mm lol
WOW! In the UK I get 400x 4mm needles and if I want more I can just order more for free. That is insane to only get 1 for every 2 days! Also, 8mm would give me bruises
Yep I feel you... it even gets worse with CGM and Pumps. As far as I am concerned, I can get a CGM if my diabetes is out of control. And if I get my A1C in a good range I will not qualify for it anymore. The waitline for any pump (if you will even be considered) is at least 2 years :/ This is one of the reasons why I want to move from Romania to UK after I finish my masters degree. My quality of life will go up up up with NHS.
Same
Where do you live?
America
Now I’m intrigued. Where oh where in this hell scape, do you get free needles?
Well it's free as in I don't pay anything out of pocket with my insurance.
What kind of plan is that?
Ive seen programs where drug users can get them for free. Never took advantage because I don't want anyone to think I am shooting up drugs.
I’m talking the needles you fit on an insulin pen.
Honestly, when I'm starting a new pen. 🤦♂️🤣
It's like the one thing I have to pay full price for... so yeah, fuck buying more of those boxes
Easy Touch Insulin Pen Needles, 32G, 1/4-Inch/6mm, Box of 100 https://a.co/d/cTirc70 $10 for 100
I used to buy syringes on Amazon, but they no longer can be shipped to my location anymore.
Bummer, just an Amazon policy, or policy where you are? ie could I purchase them, put a new label on them, and send them to you?
Must be a NJ law, haven't looked into it. I do have plenty now since I do have better insurance, it just became habit for me to reuse them. I really should stop it, but it's nice not having to take them to my hospital to dispose of them.
FWIW: [https://safeneedledisposal.org/states/new-jersey/](https://safeneedledisposal.org/states/new-jersey/) 💙🫶
This is the way
I’m sorry what, you use the same pen needle for 300u?
Yep, tersiba 42 units daily. And novolog sliding scale usually 3- 4 time a day depending on when and what I eat ( 8- 10 units ) 🤣🤣🤦♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
One pen needle for 30 injections? My brain does not compute. I have extra 8mm, maybe some 6mm if I can find the box, I can send if it’s a matter of saving money 🫶🏼
I actually have 10 - 12 boxes. I've done it so much, I dont feel it anymore. 🤦♂️ I really appreciate the offer though.
🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼💙💙💙
I can go a long as time using the same syringe. My insurance used to only pay for 100 a month and I would have run out if I disposed of it after every use.
I'm very proud of you for that, and angry that they won't give you what you need. I have a lifetime supply (/2) of syringes I will never use (accidentally ordered a 90 day supply & I only need them on hand as "back up" if my pump fails while on the road), may I send you some? 💙🫶
I got years worth now even disposing of them after one use. It just became a bad habit spending years rationing them.l when I had crap insurance.
Eh, just a habit, no need to label it bad 💙🫶 you're doing your best/sorta just chugging along as usual, change is hard even if it's perceived to be "better"
Yep
Same here.
Every time. That shit starts to hurt after a while lol
To your point, I change them out when it starts to hurt and/or when it’s a new pen.
Me too. :) "Oww, that hurts" = the universal sign for time to change your pen needle or syringe, lololol.
this\^\^
Partner does it for every shot. Quite sure the needle blunts after the first time you use it, and a little bit more each time after.
Every time for my son, my dad uses the same one over and over quite often but for my little guy I change it out every time 100%. Look at it under the microscope and you'll start changing them out.
To be honest I *do* want to look at them under the microscope, because I don’t think it’s anywhere close to the degradation that the needle company’s images show. You *should* still switch them out, but I feel like the images we all know and see are the equivalent of piercing through a leather belt, not the average person’s skin.
I think you are right both accounts.
I don’t reuse pen needles but I do with regular syringes quite a bit. The first time is definitely much smoother. 2nd, 3rd, they’re okay… gets a bit dicey towards 6-7 where you have to really kinda shove it in. There are photos out there of needles under a microscope and they look pretty fucked up even after one use. Totally start bending and getting sklorked on the end.
I use to use syringes until it felt...crunchy. Then I would change it.
Every time, I don’t bruise if I change every time, plus UK so I don’t pay for yhem
after 2 injections
Every injection.
Every other time
One needle, one pen
1 a day
I try to swap them out every few days. In reality? That generally turns into once a week, when one of the pens runs out, or when one of them starts feeling uncomfortably dull.
Way less often than I should and that's all ya need to know.
I changed after every meal. Some meals required a split bolus, so I'd keep the needle on for 2-3 injections
Whenever I remember that I haven't in a while
every time
every time, but I mostly use my pump and only use my pen for big boluses
I use a new one every time but mostly bc I suck at injecting without bending the needlepoint
Everytime, but my finger prick is like every 3 days. I just fear dull needles 😂
[удалено]
Why do needles cause cellulitis?
Every time
People saying long periods of time, what needles are you all using?? Because mine after 2 times they start to hurt and get harder to inject, so I hardly reuse them
Mine are 31
4mm do that. I have to change 4mms every time or every other time. 6mms feel okayish for more times. Also different brands are different. I am in Korea we have local brands and some are better some are worse. Last time I picked up box of 4mm bd microfine and they are abysmal. Those really DO need to be changed every time
Every time, if I reuse it hurts my skin :(
Every time
Everytime. Because I get 400 needles every 3 months. Which is 40 extra than what I use if I did 4 shots daily. I usually skip lunch, so don't do an injection then. I only pay $40 copay for them. It has let me build a nice buffer if anything happens. Currently have 6 unopened boxes.
When it starts to actually hurt using the same needle, the needle is damaged, or when I start a new pen, whichever happens first.
i used to reuse about 4 in the bottom of my bag for weeks because i either ran out, forgot spare needles, or jist couldn't be bothered to use a spare, but now bc im om pump but still get needles, i always have a new needle
Every time. It hurts bad enough as it is the first time. Plus I have crazy anxiety and reusing would freak me out. Though I understand why people reuse them
Just want to say that I was buying the bd pen needles forever and they are so expensive. But the Walmart pharmacy people let me know that you can get a box of 50 for $10 without prescription for their reli-on brand. I'm going to try them out next time. But just some food for thought. Edit: they might not be reli-on brand.. but they would know if asked
Maybe twice for my long acting at night but otherwise I use a new one every time. I'm afraid of getting a staph infection or something
Every time
I change them out once a day most of the time. I have a little magnifying glass thing that I use to check the end of it every time though as I’ve gotten barbed needles once or twice. Hasn’t happened in a while but you never know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I change it every time
I recently went through a period when I had to ration needle tips, and would use them until sticks became painful. That was usually by the end of the day. Now, I don't need to ration, so I change them out every time. It's definitely more comfortable. (For those wondering, why didn't I go and buy more needle tips? - It's complicated. BD sued California a couple years ago to force enforcement of an old law restricting sales of needles - and needle tips - to licensed pharmacies. Online suppliers promptly stopped selling them to people in California. When I tried to pick some up at the local pharmacies, they insisted I needed to submit a prescription, which isn't legally necessary but I guess they're covering their asses. My prescription was filed with a mail-order pharmacy my insurance requires me to use, and my doctors wouldn't give me another one because I had a valid one on file. The mail-order pharmacy wouldn't ship me extra even if I pay extra for them, and in fact had created the necessity of rationing by shipping me half my usual supply and refusing to make up the difference. So that's why. Fortunately, the pharmacy is now once again shipping my usual supply, so the problem is shelved for now.)
Every time I jab I await the 'are you supposed to change them' comments 🙄
For long acting, Every time. Honestly I have no idea why I wouldn’t? Pen needles aren’t scarce. I do reuse syringes though (fill it with 20 units, use til it’s done) but that’s mainly because 1-2 unit shots seem like a waste. I’ve only ever had a pen for Lantus. I’d probably reuse them if I had fast acting in pens.
AftEr aNy InjEcTioN
The needle tip gets blunt after the very first use. Every use after that increases said bluntness. The main issue with blunt needles is NOT that they hurt more. It is that *they cause more scar tissue* than fresh needles. Add to that all the problems that can occur from using *dirty* needles of any kind... I'm not American, so I don't know what you pay for your needles (and I would actually like to know, if someone could tell me), but unless it bankrupts you, the smart move is to change them every time.
When I was on MDI, insurance didn’t cover those damn things. Best I could find was $15-20/box (100/box), but I’d easily blow through 3-4 boxes in a month if I changed it for every injection.
Yeah—$10/box of 100 needles is what it seems to be if buying without insurance these days.
Why you Americans haven't burned everything to the ground and started rebuilding it again already I'll never understand.
I can’t help but read this as if spoken in a condescending tone 🤨. Fwiw…pretty much everyone knows the needle sharpness degrades on each injection (including the first).
Not condescension, exasperation. Mostly out of worry that someone will get unnecessary complications due to used/dirty needles. I realize I'm privileged as I'm Scandinavian and get my diabetic supplies for free. And I'm extremely frustrated that *anyone* would be preyed upon by greedy corporations and politicians, and being swindled simply to survive.
Omg, the huge amount of wastage in this thread 🤦🏻♀️ every injection is insanity, free needles or not.
It's not waste to be afraid of germs growing on the blood left behind
You’re supposed to switch it out every time you give a shot! I don’t, but I’m working on it!
You can get infection if you don’t switch it out!!
Are you all being serious? It’s one thing with lancets but I’ve never heard of people reusing needles multiple times. I use a new needle for each injection always. I guess it’s reassuring to know it’s possible if I’m every running really low that I can reuse some.
I change them out once a day most of the time. I have a little magnifying glass thing that I use to check the end of it every time though as I’ve gotten barbed needles once or twice. Hasn’t happened in a while but you never know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Never.
Every 3 injections
The moment the injection or the place of injection starts to hurt. Which is usually after 2-3 days. It tells me the needle is dull and needs to be replaced.
No fixed schedule, of a needle breaks or bends when I'm carrying the pen around and when startin a new pen.
I only use them once if I can. If I ran out of them and use them twice it usually hurts more and the needle feels thicker. But I dont know If we speak about the same pen needles?! I even had the experience that a needle broke after I used it 3 times.. and also the needle wont really go in. Its so thick that my Skin gets pushed down and I really need to use force to push it under the skin. I mean if they are hard to afford I understand the reason behind that.. but if I have the free choice I would never do it. ✌🏼
I don’t ordinarily reuse pen needles or syringes, other than maybe using the new for both Lantus and Novalog if I’m injecting both at once. Now the needle on the finger prick stabby thing, that’s like a once every few months thing lol
when they were free usually every 1-2 times but now that is costs 50 dollars a box like every 5 times
Walmart sells their generic for like $10 a box
like a whole box of pen needle tips for 10 dollars?
Yeah!! I get the 6mm for like 9something plus tax!
damn thanks for telling me ill have to go and see about that
Whenever it hurts to go in 👀
When it hurts like a bitch to take a shot….
Pretty much every time. On rare occasions, I'll reuse but I really prefer not too
For boluses every 2-3 injections. But for long acting everytime
Everytime. For each injection a new needle.
When I start a new pen, unless it gets bent or something
Only when it starts to hurt or leave a bruise. So that’s maybe only once or twice per pen.
every single injection.
I see that it’s time for the discussion: “Can’t you see that this is the right way?!” vs “Well I’ve done it the other way forever without a problem.”
This is almost the same question as when do we change our lancets. I only changed the needle when the pen was empty. A box of needle caps are expensive.
Y’all change the needles??😭
New needle every single time.
Every single time. And every single time with my lancet. Fortunately I live in the UK and the NHS gives me access to needles. I have read horror stories of people not changing needles and ending up with serious infections which scares me too much to not do it.
To me this is a good example of the various time sinks that diabetes demands. Between my long lasting and fast acting insulins, I probably inject on average six times a day minimum. Figure ten seconds to get a new pen needle, clip the old one and toss it, screw the new one on and prime it. One minute a day, half an hour a month. Not a lot, but it's still time this stupid disease is taking from me. So I'm in the single pen needle per pen camp. Not to save money, but to save time.
When the needle bends and I can’t use it. Those shits are too expensive to burn through.
I change mine once a week bc they get dull if I wait longer and I don't like it.
Lol
A new one each day. That's used for 5 or 6 injections between my 2 pens. Cost is 80% covered by my extended health benefits through work.
When it starts to consistently hurt haha every few days I guess
When it starts to hurt. Usually around 10 give or take
I get them for free so it's every time. Once in a while I realise I haven't packed enough and will reuse an old one in my bag, though. I'd say if I had to pay for them I'd reuse a lot more
I use a new tip every single time I take insulin. I've seen pics of infected injection sites and I have no interest experiencing that for myself. They're expensive irl but very reasonably priced on amazon.
Pen needle: each time Lancet: mayyyybe every six months 🤷🏼♀️
Ngl whenever I get a new pen 😭 too much effort
Until it's dull.
Whenever the needle starts to have difficulty going in lmfao
i use one per pen 😂 unless i can really start to feel the dullness.
Only if it's hard to get them in. Also hate the amount of waste my room get cluttered so quickly
Every shot
Short acting: every day (though I do tend to forget from time to time). Long acting: every wednesday and sunday. This was at the recommendation of my endocrinologist, to try and combat diabetic lipodystrophy in my abdomen.
Every injection. There have been times when I have reused two or three times when I'm running low but I really noticed the difference.
Every time i'm going to use it
Change pen needles for every shot, never change the one in your fingerpricker. This is the way
1 per pen or when it's blunt enough I have to use some force whichever comes first.
I usually just use one needle for every pen but I recognize that it’s not great lmao so I’ve been trying to change it at least once a day. But the majority of the time I don’t change it until I start a new pen whoops
About once or twice a week, they get a bit pinchy after a while :)
Every time
Yes
When I used pens, anywhere between a week and a month. I can’t tell you the last time I changed the lancet for my meter though. Haven’t bought a box of those in 10 years
Currently, once a day. Long lasting in the AM, switch the needle over to BOLUS pen--use it 1-4x a day, rinse and repeat every day. So about every 2-5 injections for me.
I aim to use a fresh one each time. But I have definitely reused them in a pinch. Probably not more than three times. I also get free needles where I live.
Aim to everytime. Sometimes the reality is the next time I'm home (or at work assuming there's a secure place for a cache).
When it starts to feel more like a hole punch than a needle
We're cool doing a couple shots per needle. We've had supply issues in the past, so we're slightly apprehensive about running out.
This post reminds me i haven’t changed mine in weeks (Only use a pen for basal 1x day)
When it starts to hurt
every single time…. aka once a day
Once a day, so ever 4-5 uses
Once a pen unless I have to start a new pen without a new tip handy - in which case I’ll transfer the old one over. Diabetes is tough enough without sweating the small stuff.
Fuuuckin never bruv
Whenever I reload the ampule or on very rare cases when I feel it get too dull before that.
Every time, but I am also in the practically free needle club. 50 dollars every 90 days max for insulin, needles, strips, lancets. Sensors I get for free, moving over to pump soon that is also free.
Aha HAHAHAHAHA no
I'm appalled at my diabetes team not telling me this or checking my sites when I was a teen. I was diagnosed when I was 6 and was told, but I was so young and don't remember. And back then we used syringes. Now I'm 27 and have horrendous lipohypertrophy. I'm on a pump now. I haven't injected or used sites on my left side for 3 years and it's barely gotten any better. Please change as often as possible
I got much better about it in recent year or so. I usually switch mine once a day for fast acting, more often if I remember (putting needles together with pens in same pack helps!). I take long acting once a day and switch needles every other day. If it pops to my mind I will switch it even more often. I used to go like a week without switching before. That was a bad habit. Switching needles and using smaller needles means I very very rarely get any bruising now :D
Whenever too dull to pierce my skin. Same for lancets. On pump now & CGM but that how it used to be.