Comments on: Reusing Syringes [Part 3] http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/ A Diabetes Blog About Real Living with Diabetes Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:33:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tony http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-1339 Tony Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:32:27 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/#comment-1339 Thanks Lynnette for sharing! I personally have only used a syringe (before I started pumping) once before discarding it. Only if I was in a bind would I ever use one more than once. On the other hand, why do so many people with diabetes use a lancet over and over again without changing. I use to change every time, but now go a few days. I guess there is much less risk of it breaking off and it doesn't go more than just a tiny bit below the skin. I can't imagine the feeling if a needle were to break off and be lodged inside me. It's not really worth it. Thanks again! Thanks Lynnette for sharing!

I personally have only used a syringe (before I started pumping) once before discarding it. Only if I was in a bind would I ever use one more than once.

On the other hand, why do so many people with diabetes use a lancet over and over again without changing. I use to change every time, but now go a few days. I guess there is much less risk of it breaking off and it doesn’t go more than just a tiny bit below the skin.

I can’t imagine the feeling if a needle were to break off and be lodged inside me. It’s not really worth it. Thanks again!

]]> By: Lynnette http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-1338 Lynnette Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:25:12 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/#comment-1338 I always use my syringes only once no matter how many times I inject through out the day. I feel extremely fortunate that my insurance covers my needles for single use! I worked in the health care field for over 20 years so the idea of syringe reuse doesn't appeal to me for many reasons. Microscopic particles are left on the syringe after each use and bacteria can build on these particles and make you more prone to infection, even if the syringe is wiped with alcohol. Also, particles actually enter the syringe itself contaminating the insulin your using! Another reason NOT to reuse is that todays needles really are made for only single use having been made thinner for patient comfort . This makes the needle more succeptable to breakage under the skin. I really feel bad for patients who are forced to reuse due to lack of insurance and financial reasons. Many studies say the people who are reusing are covered by insurance and do have access to be able to use a sterile needle with each injection, they just choose not too. I don't understand this. There are many pictures avaiable for people to see what happens to needles after just one use and still the people reuse. I don't think this is a good practice. By reusing you are setting your self up for so many negative possiabilitys. These are some reasons why I choose to use a sterile needle with each and every injection. Why take chances especially when your covered by insurance! You are only hurting yourself in the long run! As long as I'm able I will always choose to use a new syringe with every injection! I always use my syringes only once no matter how many times I inject through out the day. I feel extremely fortunate that my insurance covers my needles for single use! I worked in the health care field for over 20 years so the idea of syringe reuse doesn’t appeal to me for many reasons. Microscopic particles are left on the syringe after each use and bacteria can build on these particles and make you more prone to infection, even if the syringe is wiped with alcohol. Also, particles actually enter the syringe itself contaminating the insulin your using! Another reason NOT to reuse is that todays needles really are made for only single use having been made thinner for patient comfort . This makes the needle more succeptable to breakage under the skin. I really feel bad for patients who are forced to reuse due to lack of insurance and financial reasons. Many studies say the people who are reusing are covered by insurance and do have access to be able to use a sterile needle with each injection, they just choose not too. I don’t understand this. There are many pictures avaiable for people to see what happens to needles after just one use and still the people reuse. I don’t think this is a good practice. By reusing you are setting your self up for so many negative possiabilitys. These are some reasons why I choose to use a sterile needle with each and every injection. Why take chances especially when your covered by insurance! You are only hurting yourself in the long run! As long as I’m able I will always choose to use a new syringe with every injection!

]]> By: Tony http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Tony Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:16:44 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/#comment-77 That is a great point regarding the contamination of the insulin. Even if the site is clean there could still be the possibility of contamination when the syringe is used. Then, the syringe goes into the insulin bottle and contaminates the medicine. Now you are using a dirty needle that is less sharp and could possibly be contaminated. All of these scenarios are not good at all. I definitely don't think it's worth the savings. Thanks for the comment! That is a great point regarding the contamination of the insulin. Even if the site is clean there could still be the possibility of contamination when the syringe is used. Then, the syringe goes into the insulin bottle and contaminates the medicine. Now you are using a dirty needle that is less sharp and could possibly be contaminated. All of these scenarios are not good at all.

I definitely don’t think it’s worth the savings.

Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Foolsville http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Foolsville Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:38:17 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/12/reusing-syringes-part-3/#comment-76 Reuse of lancets fine I do that, but I really don't think re-use of the syringe a good idea. Why? This is just my opinion, the insulin is not to be used after 28days of first use, not because it spoils but (this is what the pharmacy told me) the more needle pokes into the bottle the more the chance of contamination. Wouldn't the same be true of any minute amounts of insulin that are left in the syringe? Contaminated insulin is not something that I would like to experience a reaction to. Reuse of lancets fine I do that, but I really don’t think re-use of the syringe a good idea. Why? This is just my opinion, the insulin is not to be used after 28days of first use, not because it spoils but (this is what the pharmacy told me) the more needle pokes into the bottle the more the chance of contamination. Wouldn’t the same be true of any minute amounts of insulin that are left in the syringe? Contaminated insulin is not something that I would like to experience a reaction to.

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