Needle free insulin injection device for diabetic.

Hi, I have been diabetic for many years now and require insulin twice a day. I also have a number of other physical conditions plus depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Because of the physical impairments and GAD I am unable to self-administer insulin via injections with either a syringe or 'pen'. I am asking for help to pay for a device which will deliver the insulin without the need for needles which will greatly reduce the risks, pain and severe distress caused by injections. If you can spare a few minutes to read on I will explain why I am asking you to help me.

I have fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis which make using my hands to deliver insulin via syringe and pens very painful. I also suffer from an extreme phobia of needles and cutting skin which links in with GAD and means I get extremely fearful and panic when I think about injections, blood tests etc. The injections are also very painful due to the sensitivity of my skin and the way I feel pain because of the fibromyalgia. Most people don't realise this but when you inject insulin it takes several seconds and then you have to wait, with the needle still in, for 6-10 seconds before withdrawing it to prevent any insulin leaking back out of the skin. Imagine the extreme fear, anxiety and panic together with the pain I've described for up to a minute. Not something anyone would be able to cope with twice a day for the rest of their lives.

Due to these issues, when I first started using insulin (just once a day in the evenings) my boyfriend had to give me the injections. This meant I had to be home at the same time every day. If I wanted to visit friends etc I had to first find a friend who would accompany me, then have my boyfriend teach them how to inject me. Now imagine how horrid it must be for my boyfriend and friends to have to inject me whilst I am in so much pain and distress. Could you do it to your partner/sister/friend?

When they (Community Diabetes Team) moved me to twice daily injections they agreed this couldn't continue so we did some checking and found a needle-free device on the NHS. That device was difficult to use as it is very big and heavy to hold and the twisting action required is very difficult due to it being very stiff. I've had 2 of these devices so I know it isn't a fault with my device. The first one broke and I am now aware that the remaining unit is failing. Sometimes my injections leak and the plastic body of the unit is weakening. I'm also find it harder and harder to operate myself. There was another device on the NHS which is much smaller, lighter and easier to use. But the NHS decided the one I have been using is the only one they support and stopped paying for it. I have been told I can have a replacement of the existing device but nothing else.

Having been trying to get the GP's, specialist nurses and pharmacies to help me find out how I appeal to the NHS for funding for 2 years I have given up. They now say they are referring me to another consultant who they 'think' might be able to sort this but I have no idea how long it will take and have lost all confidence in the NHS being able to do this.

So, I am asking you to help me. I need £530 for the starter kit and a years supply of disposable parts. Yes, that's right. Just £530. I haven't been able to get a full time and permanent job since finishing university and my current contract ends in April so I can't buy it myself or I would have by now.

If you an help I would be very grateful. I can't offer anything by way of a thank you other than saying the words. But you would be making a huge difference to my life.

Thank you for reading this, Robyn