Size of needles

[Willow]

I usually use BD MicroFine 8mm pen needles. The hospital gave me some 6mm needles which were fine but now I've got 5mm needles & they look tiny!!!.....does anyone use the 5mm ones & find them long enough???

[Teresa]

i started off on 8mm needles and was changed to 6mm needles, i found that insulin leaked out of my tummy with those so i am back on Novofine 8mm again now. ive never seen 5mm needles, i bet they are tiny!!!!

[notme]

I got some short needles also back when I was on MDI. The problem with them for me was lumps forming under my skin when I injected. I found the longer needles stung less and I didn't have the lumps. I switched back and then finally went to the pump. That was my best solution.

Nancy

[buzzborne]

I have used the 5mm needles but that is because I was using insuflons and they were easier to use than the 8mm, I also used them normally, but found I came up with more lumps, my dad tried them and he was fine with them. Tho I prefer using the 6mm.

[Lorna]

I started off on 12mm ones and am now on 8mm- I actually prefer the longer ones, but I am sure that if you have been prescribed them they are fine for whatever you are using them for.

[Willow]

Thanks everyone. Not sure if I'll use the 5mm needles or not, they look too small!!!

If I decide to stick with the 8mm I'll take the 5mm to my doctors as the nurse said they can use them up.

[buzzborne]

Just go with whatever you feel comfortable with. Have you tried the 5mm? you never know you might feel comfortable with them - everybody is different!

[lazydaizy]

What causes the bumps or lumps from the needles? Is it from not inserting the needle in correctly? I use the BD Micro FineIV (12.7mm) size. They are short. Once or twice, I have noticed a small droplet of insulin that weeps out. Does that mean the injection hole is not big enough to hold the dosage? If one needs to increase the insulin dose, does one also increase the size of the needle?
LazyDaizy

[rzrbks]

They are short. Once or twice, I have noticed a small droplet of insulin that weeps out. Does that mean the injection hole is not big enough to hold the dosage?

could be several things:

not in far enough
withdrew needle too fast



those would be my guess

I always leave the needle in at least 10 seconds and that way I don't have any weeping sites, generally, but then I use 6mm needles on injector and syringe

[barryh]

The short needles seem to work just as well as the long ones do for me. I have had reactions while using both which makes me believe the delivery is not affected by the different lengths.

[Willow]

Not sure I have the courage to try the 5mm ones ha ha!

[JasonJayhawk]

Are the needles you're talking about for insulin pens? The smallest syringe needle I've heard of for insulin is 8mm.

The 5mm BD insulin pen needles are meant for "no-pinch-ups" on injections. The idea is to just jab and inject. I have, on a few occassions (less than 5 times), injected a "bubble" from the smaller pen needles, but I've liked them for my arm injections, when it's impossible to pinch up on my skin.

Novofine 30/31 needles are 6mm and just as nice. BD's 31 gauge needles are 8mm, just like syringes.

Oddly enough, I've met people who claim the "best" are 29 gauge 1/2" (12mm) needles. They weren't joking, either. Having been dx'ed just in March as a type 1, I guess I don't agree with their long-developed opinion for larger-is-better idealogy of syringe needles, but I'm still trying to learn!

[eevee]

The lumps just under the skin from just delivered insulin are usually because the needle ejected too close to the skin's surface. If this is a fairly regular occurence it might pay to use 8mms at least. The length of the needle is probably dictated by the depth of fat under the skin. 5mm sounds like a 'skinny' body (not mine, lol ).

Cheers..Eve