is it ok to use a needle more than once?

Question

sometimes when i test my blood sugar, i use my monitor to test it...but sometimes i use the same needle more than once for 4 weeks...is it ok, and sometimes i use the same needle 2 times and then throw it away...is that ok too? please help...i heard that u can die, is it ok....please help me

Answer 1

This is a common debate. I have seen it many times on the diabetes boards on WebMD. The answer is...it's not recommended that you use a needle more than once.

However, we all know the high cost of diabetes supplies and we all learn tricks to save money. When I used syringes and then pens, I would use one needle for one day's worth of shots. At the end of the day, I would toss that needle. As for lancets, I still do the same thing. I use one lancet a day. Lancets are pretty cheap though and I really should get out of that habit.

Although it's generally not a good idea, I can see why someone would reuse needles. As long as they are used ONLY ON YOURSELF BY YOURSELF, there is no real safety risk. There is a risk of infection so make sure you disinfect the injection site properly. Do NOT wipe the needle with alcohol to clean it as this removes the silicone coating and can cause damage to the needle, making injections more painful.

I won't tell you not to do it. I used to do it. I still do with lancets. However, I'm on a pump and there is no way to reuse the infusion sets. I won't even try. A good thing about pumps is that the infusion set remains in place for 3-4 days. All I do is set the pump to give me a bolus of insulin, in addtion to my regular basal rate (what the pump gives me over a 24 hour period). I replace the set with a new one every 3-4 days (when the pump runs out of insulin).

At the very most, you should use one needle for no more than one day and then dispose of it. At that rate, a box of syringes would last you roughly 3 months.

I hope this helps you out.

EMT

Answer 2

an important thing is are you keeping the needle sterile or covererd when not in use? If not than you should never ever use a needle more than twice especially if your a diabetic becasue you are already at risk for an infection and when using non sterile needles your significantly increase your risk for sepsis or blood sickness, not a fun thing to experience temps 104 or higher, be placed on a ventalitator and could even die. and also each times you use a needle the needle becomes dull and also weaker so a piece of the needle could break off. So with these risks I would use a needle only once if money is tight talk to your doctor about financial help. or even find a diabetic educator at your hsopital for any other questions regarding diabetes.

Answer 3

I have used lancets for up to a year without changing, think of it, it pricks your finger then u squeeze a little blood out, it never really touches the blood just punctures the skin. Not even close to an infection and I test about 6 times a day, if I had to change the lancet at every test it would cost me a ton of money and be a waste.
I reuse my needles as well, I bought 100 needles in 2004 and still have 20 left, and I inject about 6-7 times a day, so I use those needles for about two or three weeks with no infections or problems ever.
All these people saying how dangerous it is don't really know what they are talking about.

Answer 4

Then don't get the epidural. You don't *need* one in order to have a baby. A lot of women get them because they fear childbirth and because so and so tells them they can't have a baby without one, but it's entirely possible. You just have to be prepared for it. Epidurals can be great and they can also be a nightmare. They do carry risks, and sometimes can make a labor longer and more complicated. If you do become pregnant, you're going to get poked and prodded for various blood tests, and they usually hook you up to a hydration IV (or at the very least, insert an IV port just in case) when you go into labor. If you test positive for Group B strep (totally normal), they will administer antibiotics through an IV line. If you do become pregnant, take a good childbirth class. I would say the only way to totally avoid needles is to refuse some of the tests (which you CAN do, BTW) and have a home birth. No epidural there. :) Otherwise your fears are going to completely overshadow your birth and make it much more painful than it needs to be.

Answer 5

By needle, I'm guessing you're referring to a lancet. It's probably best that you change it as often as possible. No, it's not going to hurt anything to use it more than once, but understand that your fingers get calloused each time you check your sugar. It's a lot easier for a need needle to penetrate your skin, than an old one. The same goes for syringes. Syringes are fairly expensive, but you can get lancets pretty cheap. Using a needle for 4 weeks is probably not very wise, as you could risk infection. For reasons I already mentioned, just change it.

Answer 6

I have been using my tester needle for a month at a time=that's when it must be dull as it hurts=I asked my diabetic dietitian about it and she said I should be changing it more often =she also said ,not to let anyone else use it=I had told her they cost money I can't afford to change the needle each time ,especially when I have to test 3 and 4 times a day=so i guess it's OK as long as it's just you using it =I haven't gotten any sore fingers from it

Answer 7

That's DEFINATELY not ok, let alone very unhygenic ! I hope you "wipe down" those re-used needles with an alcohol swab once you recap them ( however this is also dangerous, you could stick yourself, and that hurts! ).....But please stop doing this, you can bent the tip of the needle and it could break of into the skin. Also, with re-use the needle becomes very dull and painful, and it can let to scar tissuse build-up. Which you DO NOT want! It will lead to erratic abosortion of insulin. Fresh needles are coated with a special lubricate, so it slides easly in the skin when quickly penetrated.... Diabetic needles are now dispoable and so cheap to make they must only be used once!
( and always please use a sharps container or other hard plastic bottle and tape it shut)

Please go to bddiabetes.com for more information!

Answer 8

My husband does - he knows he should not, but he has done this years and has never had any complications. It makes sense to me that you shouldn't, but my husband disagrees. I should clarify that my husband uses the novolog pen needles twice, but for his lantus he uses a syringe and he only uses it once.

Also, my husband uses an ancient looking lancet and the needle cannot be changed. The newer models won't break his very thick skin (he is a mechanic and has thick calluses). He has never had complications from this either.

Answer 9

Some people do the same without thinking, but no is the answer to your question chuck them away at once
being diabetic is more risky for skin and tissues to heal. Get a new pack requlary. If your on nhs I think your DR may be able to offer you a repeat prescription Also it would be a good idea to speak to the practioner nurse and see what she suggests in order to get rid of your fears Please don't worry just keep using new pens ( I think ther'e called) and once the Drs sort you out you will be just fine.

Answer 10

No it's not ok to use the same needle twice.
If a person is a diabetic they can get a very bad blood infection and become very ill. It is not wise to use the same needle twice.