Question:
From New Zealand:
I have a 10 year old daughter diagnosed with type 1 about 6 months ago. I would like to enquire about the new injections that do not use a needle. Where can they be obtained from and how much do they cost?
Answer:
I'm sorry that I don't have the details that you require about where to get a jet injector but, I'm sure that you could find out from your clinic. Jet injectors have been around for quite a while and were originally introduced for mass immunisation programmes. Contrary to popular belief, they do not give painless injections -- simply needleless injections. They are expensive (around £150-300) and generally quite cumbersome. If your daughter is having problems with injections, there are a number of alternatives. There are simple devices which hold and 'fire' a standard syringe and a variety of pen devices (e.g., the Diapen which hides the needle until a trigger is pressed and then injects the insulin and the Novo Nordisk 'Penmate' which holds a standard NovoPen and does a similar job). If the problem were more severe, then an experienced psychologist could help a great deal to desensitise her.
KJR
Original posting 29 Oct 1998
Posted to Blood Tests and Insulin Injections
This site is published by Children With Diabetes, Inc, which is responsible for its contents.