Another needle issue

[meakea]

A while back I posted about having trouble getting the needle cap off the needle and several people posted that they, too, were having some difficulty with that.

Well, last Friday when I went to give myself my shot, I decided to try to get the needle cap off BEFORE putting it on the syringe so that I didn't have to worry about damaging the syringe while trying to pull the cap off.  I had to tug and twist and turn but the cap finally came off but, again, because of tugging so hard my hand rebounded the needle so that it stuck into the outside of the plastic cap.  I inspected the needle and it appeared to me that the very tip of the needle was bent and, of course, I was concerned about using the contaminated needle so I used a different needle with no problem.

Now I'm trying to get a replacement needle and I'm finding brick walls everywhere.  I checked with my local pharmacy (where I get my meds) and after 3 phone calls and a personal visit to them, I was told that they can't get replacement needles.  So, I called Pegasys and they told me the same thing...no replacement needles.  WHAT THE FA!

The nurse I spoke to at Pegasys assured me that I did the right thing in not using the needle but she had no idea how I was going to be able to get a replacement.  I have a doc appt next week and I guess I'll see what they say.

Has anyone else had to get a replacement needle or a syringe?  (I don't need the syringe though).  

[ilene341]

I had the same problem with 2 batches of needles but I complained and haven't had any problems Once but I twisted it and it worked. I sometimes think we are experimental rats.

[meakea]

Thanks everyone for the input.  I'm going to take my bent needle with me to my monthly doc appt next week and let them decide how to get me a new needle.  

Lal...you're right that if pharmacies "sell" needles I most certainly should be able to get one.  Maybe my doc will give me a prescription for some if they don't have any extra on hand at the office.

[lalapple]

oh no!  don't take the cap off before hand, i've found that if i have shorter nail, it's better to take off the cap with.  first i put the needle with the cap on, then i press down on both a little harder, with my left hand pulling on the needle base plus syringe and right hand pulling on the cap, usually does the trick, if not , then i just press both down more and do it over again.  are you currently using any other injection meds?  like procrit and neup?  i'm on both so i get these regular syringes with needles and i think a regular needle can fit just fine on the Pegasys, so maybe give that a try, i think they sell them at walgreens too if you ask the pharm.  i usually use the 30' or 27'

[GrandmaBRZ]

I  think it is the drug addict thing too.  Luckily my pharmacy didn't worry and I had good support from my doc and nurse.  Jen

[copyman]

don't worry about it. doctors have all different size needles on hand. if they have to then they can transfer the medicine from the old syringe into one of theirs and give you the shot on shot day. no big deal.

I have never had a problem with pegasys, they just twist off. I'm in a trial so maybe they are different syringes. the one i use are gray caps that just twist off, no orange saftey guard.

[Rockerforlife]

I cant  believe you cat get a simple syringe....in Canada you can buy them buy the bagful...no questions asked...just wallk in and if you do have an addiction...no problem..all you tell them is their for diebetis...something is not right...UNBELIEVEABLE

[justme53]

The Dr.s office gave me some extras to have on hand. They're actually Tuberculin syringes, but the needles are the same 27 guage, 1/2 inch. I haven't had to try them yet, but they look the same as the old orange capped Peg ones.

[GSDgirl]

I also did the same thing and had to get a replacement from my mother-in-law, she is a diabetic.  I think the issue is the drug user thing.

Denise

[meakea]

I agree that it's NUTS!  In fact, I'm in disbelief that this is even an issue. I might have been better off saying I ruined the entire syringe because they surely would replace that.

Anyway, yes, I'll check with my NP next week at my appt and see what they say.  This won't really be an issue until I'm down to my very last shot since I get my batches of meds two weeks prior to needing them so I hope it doesn't take 20 weeks to figure out...lol

[meakea]

At first my pharmacy said they would give me "one of theirs" which was different but would work but they changed their mind.  I kind of wonder if they worry about people being drug addicts or something and THAT made me very uncomfortable.

I have a doc appt next week and I am hoping they will solve this for me because it seems ridiculous that it's such a big issue -- especially since their own instructions say NOT to use a contaminated or bent needle.  Maybe my doc can write a RX for a needle - I'll see.

The pharmacy I go to is an independent family-owned business.

Thanks for letting me know your experience with this too!

[portann]

That's nuts!!! Nuts!!!

This makes no sense. Pegasys should have a solution. I'd call back and talk to a different nurse.

I find it's like night and day when I phone in for my lab results. On Thursdays, I reach someone who is clueless and takes forever to find my file but on Fridays I reach a woman who couldn't be more helpful. Now I only phone Fridays, even though the results are in Thursday. So maybe life is similar at Pegasys.

And good for you for not using that needle. I did that in week ten and it still haunts me that I dribbled so much interferon because of the bent needle.

Does your treating nurse have a little fridge filled with goodies in her office? Maybe she has a replacement.

[GrandmaBRZ]

I had the same problem.  I complained to the pharmacist  who was also the manager and he gave me some that were a different size.  They worked o.k. sometimes but it was usually a struggle.  Is it possible that your doctor could talk to the pharmacy?  Are you going to a specialty pharmacy?  I don't know if this makes a difference but the one I got my drugs from was a specialty pharmacy and were far better equipped than the chains.  Better customer service too.   Good luck to you and I know the struggle with needle caps and the buroacracy.  Jen