Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I did find one needle that was a bit longer than the sharps I was using and it sure does work better. It however is a little dull on the point. The stores are open tomorrow and I"ll stock up.
Today is my 74th birthday!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, the cat (age 13, Maine Coon...blue smoke tuxedo)...already gave me the first present. A lovely long and skinny hairball, barfed up on the clean sheets I had laid on the bed. Looks like she ate a hairy snake. How did she know?? It was so appropriate!