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Needle in a Haystack LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
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Old 09-22-2007, 09:17 PM
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I am a: Type 1
 
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Needle in a Haystack

I just broke a needle off my Humalog Pen while putting the tiny blue safety cap back on (or attempting to do so!). I bent it...and then of course, it broke when I tried to straighten with the cap. I really know this by now...really.

After millions of pen injections this has only happened to me twice, so I don't find fault with BD...but I panic thinking that my cat (or me/husband) will one day find this tiny bit of metal in our toes. (I don't go barefoot...but you get my point!)

Last time this happened I used a magnetic pin finder from my sewing room and found on my tile floor. This time I'm in a new house with my sewing room still boxed up and it hit the wood floor in my kitchen...or maybe the granite counter top where I can't see a thing.

I vacumned (sp?) floor and counter top. I was in the kitchen using the pen from my purse.

Has anyone else "lost" a needle from their pen? The beauty is that they are tiny (mine is 3/8") but also the agony of finding them!

I do recommend keeping large magnets handy for when this happens...I just can't get to mine now. I may have to go to the hardware store tomorrow to find a "tool" magnet!
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Old 09-22-2007, 09:32 PM
someone's Avatar
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You don't need to put the tiny blue safety cap back on. Just put the main puncture proof cap on. Another alternative is to get a sharps container that also has a slot for pen needles (the BD ones have this). When you're finished with the pen, it has a small apparatus that will unscrew the needle then it drops into the container.
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Old 09-22-2007, 10:00 PM
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Location: Northern California
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Oh Alice, I have done this with a syringe before. I think the best you can do is vacuum until you are fairly certain you got it. The only other option would be a metal detector, but I doubt you unpacked that yet.

Ok, not funny. Wear shoes and vacuum good. I am sorry. I know it is a worry.
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Old 09-23-2007, 09:54 AM
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Yes, I have a sharps container...but it is never near my purse. I empty the used needles from my zipper case every few days into the container. With my "over 40" eyes...I'm finding it more difficult to put that blue cap on...at least when I'm in a hurry. I never have trouble when I slow down...lesson learned!

I just think because it "flipped" in the kitchen I'm more concerned about where it landed. It could be in my purse, wallet, or in my vacumn by now (hopefully!)

Just wondered if I'm the only one who's snapped those little puppies off?
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Old 09-23-2007, 10:08 AM
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Nope, I have done it too.
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Old 09-23-2007, 12:18 PM
someone's Avatar
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I never snapped them off because I never bothered to put the little blue cap on. I would just put the big cap on. I probably would have done the same trying to put the little cap on.
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Old 09-27-2007, 11:48 PM
someone's Avatar
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I just saw this and thought of this thread. Amazon.com: Bd Safe Clip Needle Clipper: Health & Personal Care

That would pretty much solve your problem.
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Old 09-28-2007, 07:48 AM
palefacegirl03's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by someone View Post
I just saw this and thought of this thread. Amazon.com: Bd Safe Clip Needle Clipper: Health & Personal Care

That would pretty much solve your problem.
I have used one of them, you can clip of ALOT of needles in them.
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pumping with purple MM 722, since 9/21/07
Finally named my pump, she is PIF, that stands for purple insulin feeder


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Old 09-30-2007, 07:12 AM
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When on the pen, i bent the needle a few times but it never broke off.
When on syringes, the needle sometimes went through the orange cap and jabbed into my finger...ouch!
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