size matters

leeard · #1 12-13-2010, 05:32 PM

A little while ago I was switched from NPH and Regular which I have been taking for 29 years to Lantus and Novalog. My sugars were all over the place after the switch. There was no rhyme or reason to it, just very large swings, normally about 375 in the morning and then anywhere between that and 50 throughout the day.

Even my Dr didnt understand the sings, I was eating right and taking enough insulin.

Anyway a week ago I needed more needles for my pen, I normally used the 8mm ones (thats what the Dr gave me as a free sample and I just stuck wth it) but they were out of the 8mm so I got the 12mm. Holy crap what a difference 4mm makes. My blood sugar hasnt been over 200 and for the most part stays around 120. This morning instead of my blood sugar being 300+ like it has been for weeks, it was 89.

This has also resulted in needing to take less insulin for the same coverage.

dano · #2 12-13-2010, 06:06 PM

Very interesting, to say the least.

What do you attribute the positive effect of the longer needles? I would think that it is getting the delivery system into the "meat" of the matter.

I am currently using the BD Ultra-Fine™ Mini pen needle at 31 gauge, 5 mm (3/16") with no pinch and they seem to be working for me. I am glad that the longer needles are working for you.

leeard · #3 12-13-2010, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dano

Very interesting, to say the least.

What do you attribute the positive effect of the longer needles? I would think that it is getting the delivery system into the "meat" of the matter.

I've been taking insulin for so long that all of the injection sites are toughened up pretty good. I guess the shorter needles weren't getting past that so the insulin wasn't being absorbed properly. (but hey I'm no Dr, that just sounds reasonable to me)

redrevis · #4 12-19-2010, 06:50 PM

As far as I've read, length of needle just makes the insulin get absorbed quicker as it has less fat to pass through. I use 4mm needles as I am very thin. Supposidly anyone can use 4mm needles, but if the subcutaneous fat is thicker it's logical to think it will take the insulin longer to pass through it.