diabetic needs an answer for "drop" of lancets
 

I'm new to The Villages and before just arriving here was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I know that I'm to put my lancets in an empty detergent bottle for disposal BUT where do I take this when it's full? The garbage wouldn't be the probable "drop". I live in Sumter County and would appreciate an answer. I checked at a couple of the pharmacies in the area and they were of no help at all. Thank you ahead of time.

JenAjd, I don't know what brand of lancets you use, but the Humira company offers free containers and free shipping of the full containers back to them for disposal. I'm not sure if you have to use their products to get the terrific service. I'm posting a link with a phone number to call and ask about this program.

Sumter County doesn't have a "Sharp Solid Waste" disposal program. But Marion County does have a program for disposal.

Hope this helps.

Here's a link for this:

http://www.marioncountyfl.org/solidw...psprogram.aspx

http://www.myhumira.com/Disposal/Default.aspx

I use FreeStyle Lite...and I'd heard about the Marion County site BUT living where I do thought there "might" be one a bit closer. Thank you though for responding and sending me the links to look at---which I will do! :)

Good lord, how many lancets do you use. I use about 2 or 3 per year and dump them in the trash. Am I evil or something?

Yoda

Sharps/needles
 

Most people dispose of lancets and insulin needles in their trash. Up until a few years ago it was thought that placing them into a coffee can or other impenetrable container before putting in trash was appropriate. Recently, it is recommended to purchase a sharps/needed destruction device. A device can be purchased for as little as ten dollars. There is a wide variety of choices on line.

2 or 3 per year? Per year??

Your fingers must be sandpaper by now.

You are kidding I hope.

Don't want to head this thread in another direction, but I too, only use 2-3 per year (test 4x per day). Lanclets or needles should be placed in a plastic gal jug (like Bleach) bottle, taped real well with something like duct tape and then placed in garbage. I have a device that cuts the needles off too. I called the Sumter Co authorities and that is the procedure they gave me after the trash folks and myself had a "conference" and they wanted me to comply with Marion county brochure that they presented me. VA also will take your collection.

If you are using the same lancet more than once, you are putting yourself at great risk of infection. I use a fresh one each and every time I test. Those things are dirt cheap. What's expensive is the test strips. It's not worth the risk to use the same lancet more than once.

the new testers do not require you to draw blood from your finger. The arm is fine. You need to adjust your calculations a little bit. Maybe two or three per year is an understatement but it's close.

Yoda

I buy a Sharps container at Wal-mart for about 3 bucks, made for needles and such. My Dr office told me that you can take them to the local fire station for disposal. I haven't done that yet so I can't confirm if true.

Yes i know but the lancet still dulls after a while and can become contaminated. Lancets are very, very cheap at Walmart, Target. I use it once and toss.

I test once a day and always use a fresh lancet. I purchase plastic sharps containers for disposal. Do not take the full container to the fire department or the Sumter County sheriff's office. They will not accept them. I recently had a full container and I just took it to my doctor's office where they have a contract with a company to properly dispose of them. I've also heard that The Villages Regional Hospital will accept proper full containers.

Good luck.

Diabetic Lancet question
 

I'm fairly new to The Villages and prior to coming down here this year I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Having so many questions is part of this transition. It never occured to me OR my practioner, apparently, to discuss disposal of the lancets. What I do know is to put them in a detergent container when done BUT then what do I do with that container?? Can anyone give me some in-sights to this? Also the location, when/if you have the answer would be wonderful! I live in Sumter County south of 466.

I generally cap the old one with the cap from the new one, installing a new one as I remove the old one. If you ever fill the detergent bottle you are using, you should then tape it shut with duct tape and see if Walgreens or CVS will take it. Better still, call Walgreens and see if they have FREE "sharps" containers and if they do, get one (and they will take it back when full).

If should take you a L-O-N-G time to fill a container. You say you are new at this...do you realize that most of us use the lancet more than once? Many people use them until they feel dull, actually...

M.

I've found it's time to change lancets when the old one won't pierce the skin enough to bleed. :cus: