When i went to my endo last week, he asked me how long i had been diabetic. He said my diet is good and my a1c is improving. He wants me to start using the insulin pen. Has anybody on this board ever used the insulin pen. How was it different from using insulin & needle? Can mistakes happen with the pen? I mean would i have to program it or dail or what?

Im a little hesitant to try new things. Im perfectly fine drawing up my shots.

TJU, I used prefilled syringes (pens) for 4 years. had both NPH and Humolog (Lispro.) The differences I know of are convience and cost. they are expensive both the actual pens and the screw on )Novofine) needles.
I believe "Lily" is the only company offering them in U.S.
Possibly your endo may have a financial motive to promote the pens!
Art

Hi there.
I'm newly diagnosed as a Type 1 insulin-dependant diabetic and I'm using the Novofine needles and NovoPen 3.
I think they're absolutely great, and I inject in my thigh 4 times a day. They're very simple to use, and you can ensure you've got your correct dose as the dial will always return to "0" when it's done. You'd need to program the units through a dial, very simple!

Good luck!

I was also very comfortable with my syringe and vials, and had used them for 35+ years. I was suspicious about the switch. I did try the Lilly Humalog disposable pen, and after an initial awkwardness and distrust, I loved it. When I began to take insulin at lunchtime, I liked it even better, and using it at a restaurant was wonderful. I got a NovoPen Junior about 2 years ago, and I like that even better. For one, it it not disposable, but refillable. Second, it is the only pen which can measure in half units, and for me, being a very small person, that makes a huge difference. It is discreet, simple, reliable, accurate and rugged.

Michael
T1 since 1965

I use 3 pens, one for Lantus, one for Humulin N and one for Novorapid. I use the Innova pen for Novorapid. The nice thing about it is that it has a memory. When you slide the cap off, thr digital display reveals how long ago you had the last shot and how many units were injected. I sometimes can't remember if I have had my shot. And if I need to do a correction, the memory helps me take insulin-on-board into account.

Cheers,

Mark

Insulin pens are great because you can take them everywhere, and can basically use them anywhere.

I use the innovo for my NPH and my rapid insulins (they aren't compatable with lilly insulins -- lilly's pens are somewhat less durable), and it's super easy to take a quick shot under the table while out at a restaurant.

Honestly, I have never used syringes -- only pens, but I don't think I'd want to go with vials and syringes or prefilled syringes -- I like the convience of the pens too much.

I'm not sure about your area, but where I am from (eastern Canada) doctors and diabetes educators (and some pharmicists) give the pens away to diabetics. Not sure why because you can use any type of screw-on needle with it, unlike giving away free monitors -- but the pens come from the companies, and are free. I know to buy my two innovos would probably be expensive.

Anyway, give it a shot :) If you don't like it then go back :)

Best of luck!
LMB