Alternatives to hypodermics? - Diabetes Message Board

wolf · 11-15-2000, 09:12 PM

I have recently been told I need to use insulin, but am completely averse to using hypodermic needles. Has anyone tried anything else? For example, on the web I found a device that injects using air pressure (micro-ject), and also read about pharmaceutical trials on inhalable or transdermal methods.

Chris R · 11-16-2000, 03:06 AM

The micro-ject, so I've heard is expensive, and can be painfull. I don't like using needles, and when I had difficulty injecting myself, I was given a special device. If you ask your specialist for a NovoPen PenMate. What you do is insert an insulin cartridge into the PenMate, and after setting it up, you press a button, which puts the needle in for you, you just inject the insulin. You don't see the needle, and it's absolutely painless. It's the only realistic alternative. The hardest part is doing it for the first time, believe me, after that it's easy.

wolf · 12-26-2000, 11:24 PM

I was given a Novopen, which doesn't do me any good -- I still won't use a needle, even it it doesn't "look" like a needle!

Chris R · 12-27-2000, 03:33 AM

How are you taking your insulin at the moment? OK they gave you a Novopen, but did they also give you the penmate? where you unscrew the pen and insert the end with the mechanism into the penmate, so that you only have to press a button to inject yourself?
Believe me, I was the worlds number one coward when it came to injecting myself, but the penmate does take a lot of the anxiety out of it, and if I can do it, then anyone can. Follow the link, and scroll about half way down the page to take a look at one. [url="http://www.novonet.co.nz/patientedu.htm"]http://www.novonet.co.nz/patientedu.htm[/url]

danno · 01-21-2001, 09:57 AM

I personally know many people who have gotten off their insulin treatmenst with natural remedies.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 01-22-2001).]