Epipen

[retrocop]

Could anyone who has knowledge of Diabetes and use these pens tell me if they are used for Type 1 diabetes only and are they used intra muscular or intra venous. I have plenty experience of self injected Fragmin over the years but really do not fancy mainlining into my veins. Is type 2 usually diet and or medication? TIA :-)

[Milo2]

My husband has type 2 diabetes and controls it with medication.

[retrocop]

Thank you Milo2 for your response

[ethandron]

Some type 2 use insulin injections, it depends on the reason for being type 2.
The injections are into the fatty layer between skin and muscle, most definitely NOT intravenous.
Type 2 is mainly controlled by medication and/or diet.
(Insulin is delivered via a pen injector not an Epipen, that’s completely different although the devices look similar).

[ducksie]

thanks for that eth, I wondered why diabetics were using epipens when I thought it was only used for extreme allergic reactions
I know the pen you are speaking of.

[mallyh]

hubby is type 2 and controls his with tablets and 1 weekly jab into stomach .I'm type 2 and control mine with pills .grandson is type 1 and injects into fat layer xx

[retrocop]

Thanks ethandron.I assume the pen injector would be like giving yourself a flu jab?

[mallyh]

with epipen ^^^^^

[retrocop]

Thank you all for your input or should I say injab. :-)

[ethandron]

Yes I think so retro.
I’m type 2 and well controlled by two metformin daily, however my youngest has been type 1 for 25 years since he was 10 and always been dependent on insulin injections. He does four jabs a day when and where needed...sometimes his arms, sometimes his stomach, sometimes his legs.
Queenie or Kval are both type 1 and I’m sure are more up to date with it all than I am, maybe they’ll be along soon to answer you.

[TonyV]

Mrs Tony is a type 2 diabetic. Medication is by tablets and until recently daily insulin injections to stomach. She is now trialling a weekly insulin injection.

[mallyh]

Tony that's the one my hubbys on it's working a treat x

[hc4361]

Am I allowed to direct you to this site for diabetics? The forums are very good
https://www.diabetes.co.uk

[ethandron]

I don’t think the weekly injection is insulin, it’s something else which helps the body to either produce more insulin or be more receptive to what is being produced. I could be wrong though.

[chrisitr]

These are only used by people with an allergy , to prevent anaphylactic shock. They would not be used to treat diabetes.

[hc4361]

That's right, Christine, it's called an epipen because it contains epinephrine for treating shock.
The same sort of pen with different medication can be used by diabetics, usually called insulin pens or autopens, used in exactly the way as the epipen.

[Sqad]

Epipen CAN be used in diabetics.......particularly in severe hypoglycaemic attacks in children.

Can't add anything to the excellent posts above.

[ducksie]

thanks sqad, I didn't know it could be used for diabetics

[ethandron]

That’s interesting Sqad, I don’t think it’s widely used though in that setting is it?

[Sqad]

eth.....widely used in children mainly for severe hypoglycaemic attacks....the other alternative being Glucogen.
Football is just starting.

[ethandron]

Had to use glucagon twice with my son, very frightening as he was fitting, but epipen was never ever mentioned.
You learn something every day.