Man Accidentally Injects Insulin with Needle Cover On for a Month

In a story making waves across social media, a man from Yanji, Jilin province, has shared his utterly relatable, yet hilariously frustrating, experience with diabetes management. The internet is abuzz with reactions to his admission of a month-long insulin injection blunder.

The man, who remains unnamed at his request, revealed he had been diligently injecting insulin for a month, only to discover, to his utter shock and amusement, that he had neglected to remove the needle cover. The result? A month of wasted medication and, presumably, elevated blood sugar levels, initially.

“During my first follow-up appointment after a week of injections, the doctor said my blood sugar was still high,” he confessed. “So, naturally, I increased the dosage. Turns out, all the medication was just leaking onto my stomach.”

Unbelievably, even this didn’t trigger his realization. He simply attributed the leakage to the increased dosage. This continued for a full month.

It was through a random online video that the truth finally dawned on him. Comparing his injection technique to that demonstrated in the video, he discovered the crucial step he had been missing: removing the protective needle cover. The silver lining? Despite the incorrect administration, his blood sugar levels had surprisingly decreased, thanks to his strict diet and increased exercise regime.

For the uninitiated, insulin pen needles typically come with two protective covers. The outer, larger cover maintains the needle’s sterility and should always be removed before use. The inner, smaller cover (or safety cover) is, in some designs, intended to be replaced after injection to prevent accidental needle sticks, but absolutely must be removed beforehand to allow the medication to flow.

This incident highlights a critical issue: the importance of proper instruction and careful adherence to product guidelines. Without reading the instructions, or without receiving adequate guidance from healthcare professionals during their initial injection training, patients may mistakenly believe that the inner needle cover is part of the injection process and should not be removed.

And this gentleman’s experience is far from unique. According to the “China Diabetes Drug Injection Technique Guidelines (2020 Edition),” the error rate for insulin injection techniques among diabetic patients in China exceeds 50%. This staggeringly high figure underscores the need for improved patient education and training.

While this man’s misadventure provides a moment of amusement, it serves as a potent reminder of the significance of thoroughly reading instructions and seeking proper guidance. Overlooking these crucial steps can lead to more than just embarrassment; it can have serious consequences for treatment efficacy and overall health.