IV needles

[bob]

I do IV IgG at home weekly and use standard 'green' butterfly needles, which are 21g size. So, having used butterfly needles from a number of manufacturers, with no problems, over many many years, I was surprised to find that the latest needles from a company I had never had products from before were a problem!
The butterfly set looks the same as all the others but I find them 'blunt' to insert and uncomfortable........has anyone else had problems with Vygon butterfly sets?
I have given this feedback to my IgG support nurses.
Bob

[liz2mac]

Hi Bob,
That sounds like an uncomfortable experience. I've never experienced this problem, glad you reported it to your Nurse though. Was it a one off problem or have you experienced it with several of these?
Liz

[Andy J]

Hi Bob

Sorry to hear this.

May I ask, why do you use 21G needles? These are larger and more likely to cause damage I think to your veins and skin.

I use 23G butterfly needles from Hospira:

www.hospira.co.uk/english/ivcathetersandaccessories.aspx

The needles themselves are slightly shorter in length and I have always found them to be quite comfortable.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Andy