Wednesday, December 13, 2006

What happened to syringes?

I've been on the pump since 1993 and hadn't used syringes much since then until I started using Symlin in October. What happened? I can hardly use one more than once without it becoming dull or even bending when I try to stick it into the vial. I used to be able to use a syringe for a week or more if I recall correctly. And these syringes hurt more, I swear. I do not ever recall feeling pain before. I don't think I've just suddenly become a syringe wimp, but I guess it's possible. The syringes in reference are a very popular brand, and the same ones I used to use back in the day. Despite the cost, who needs the extra trash?

6 comments:

Chrissie in Belgium said...

This isn't about syringes, except that my big syringe gripe is that the smallest marking is 0.5U and that really accurate measurement is impossible. I take very small doses. An insulin pump is my only alternative. I wanted to say that putting cookie smells into bus stations really is TERRIBLE and that I answered your question/comment on my blog about the biking on Île de Ré as a new comment. I so admire you athletic Ds who can manage bg values with intense exercise! This is so hard for me.....

Christine said...

I know some people say Symlin hurts more to inject because the vial is much tougher to push the syringe through and draw up.

Anne Findlay said...

Interesting... That could definitely explain it. I guess I should lay aside my conspiracy theories about the medical products industry squeezing every last penny out of diabetics! And I am fortunate that I have good health coverage; still, I like to get the most mileage that I can out of supplies.

Yeah, I agree that dosing with syringes is really inaccurate. What do you think about getting a pump? Is that an option.

Chrissie in Belgium said...

I have a pump since September 2004 and I LOVE it. Although sometimes I hate it, ie when the insertion site is faulty.........

Sarah said...

Anne,
I used symlin for almost a year and it hurts much more to inject symlin than it does insulin. If you aren't using the shorter needles yet, you might try them. Back when I used to inject insulin 11 years ago they only had much longer ones, and I found the shorter ones while using symlin mostly on accident. I wouldn't recommend reusing the syringes with symlin, you probly figured that out though. I had bruises all over when I used symlin, although they weren't as BLACK with the shorter syringes, they were still there.

Lili said...

Is it because the needles are thinner? Other than that, I don't know.