best places to inject

Diseases & Conditions Diabetes
1
Hi my name is Amiee im 14 and just diagnosed in august.  OK heres my question....
 
I take loads of insulin during the day, all at different times and i tend to just use my stomach and thighs to inject, but i take alot of fast acting cause blood sugar is usually high and when this happens i inject in the stomach... so because i also take warfarin (blood thinning drug) for heart condition, i am soooo bruised.
 
Anyone have any suggestions?? it hurts too when i inject but i think thats cause the insulin is too cold when i do it.
 
I would be gratfull of any help...
Thanks
 
Amiee
2
I usually inject in the stomach or thigh also, but you can also inject in the upper arm or in the behind.
Do you think the injection hurt bcuz you are using the needle too much? I reuse my needle at least five times and then toss.
3
hi jtu
 
thanks for replying.  I dont realy know why it hurts cause i use a different needle every time so i dont think its that.  its a mystery!!
 
but i do know i need better control of my blood sugar!
 
Amiee
4
Amiee,
For myself I find that if I stick the needle all the way into the vial and get insulin on the outside of the needle it stings more going in and coming out. I try to only poke the needle just thru the stopper. Don't know if this will help but good luck.

~ Jeannie

"As one goes through life one learns if you don't paddle your own canoe you don't move."
-Katherine Hepburn

"Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change."

5
thanks Jeannie....  I tried that and it didnt hurt as much but still hurt.  do u think its cause i am just all skin and bone!! (i only weigh 90 pounds and only 4' 9") you see this is why i dont really like using my arms.. but u can guarante i will get a bruise no matter where i inject!!  its a nightmare!
 
But if i had better control over my blood sugar then i wouldnt need injections 6 times a day!  im trying but its very very hard when my cardio doc is telling me i need to put weight on and i am on a restricted diet cause of diatetes! makes it kinda difficult!!
 
Thanks for the help and be grateful if u keep it coming!!
 
Love Amiee
6
You may want to have your cardio doc and diabetes doc use that new invention called the TELEPHONE and discuss some meal plan options as well as food teaching for you. (Jeannie is shaking her head in disbelief!) Seems like the guys with the diploma on the wall would be able to communicate so you don't have to find your way thru this whole thing by yourself! Many people actually gain weight on insulin so maybe you will be one of those. Hang in there girlfriend... you can do this!

~ Jeannie

"As one goes through life one learns if you don't paddle your own canoe you don't move."
-Katherine Hepburn

"Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change."

7
your dead right Jeannie, i thinks also that its about my heart doc and diebetes doc got there act together and actually helped me, and i am seeing both on 12th and 13th jan so i will be having words!! its very confusing for me when my docs are contradicting each other, so i just tend to go with what i think is best and this is where im going wrong....i just dont wanna bruise so much from the injections cause i dont really think i can inject in a bruise but im not sure but i think it would just make it bleed and bruise worse.
 
thanks
Amiee
 
 
8
When you have 2 or more Drs they ALL need to be informed & working together with you............

SnowyLynne

9

Hi Aimee,

Also speak to your doctor about getting shorter needles.  When I was diagnosed so many years back I was also skin and bone, and the first thing the nurse did when she saw my bruises was to give me the shortest needles possible.

Claire x

10
yeah thanks everyone, I totally agree my docs need pullin to one side and having a word to! lol I might be little but im gonna make em listen! lol.
 
And yeah Claire im gonna ask about tiny needles too! lol. thanks.
 
Thanks Amiee
11
Dear Aimee,
                 possibly your doctor will tell you that insulin when injected when it's cold is liable to produce pain.The method i found very useful was to roll the insulin vial between the palms of the hands for about a minute or so and then inject.
                As you mentioned that you are thin,abdomen maybe the best site.I start injecting 6 inches away from the umbilicus on either side and go farther away.Injecting yourself in the arm will be uncomfortable as you have to use only one hand.I hope you will discuss all this and more with the doctor.
               Warfarin is a drug which prevents blood from clotting,and there are more bloodvessels around the umbilicus than anywhere else on the abdomen,so remember the 6 inch hint,as if the needle tip pierces a blood vessel,it may be a problem.
                                                           with best wishes,
                                                                                  sharer cool                                                     
 

Mind is a myth,thought is your enemy,no way out!

12

Dear Amiee,

                       my apologies for mis-spelling your name.

                                                                                     sharer confused        

Mind is a myth,thought is your enemy,no way out!

13
Hi Sharer!
 
Awwww don't worry about it! lol... it happens all the time... lol
 
Amiee x
14

Hi Amiee!!,

Well, I think that modern science may help you out here. Stomach or thigh, it doesn't make a lot of difference.  I do a circle using left, right tummy, then right left thigh and then all over again.  That way no one site gets overused.  Now.....whats gonna help you out is the miracles of modern medicine!!  The THIN needle.  I use a 31g (.25mm) needle.  Either 8mm long which is short or 5mm long which is very very short and doesn't need a skin pinchup.  These needles are soooooo thin you can't feel them go in most times.  I like B&D brand (here in the US) as they micro coat them so they slip in really easily. But most manufactuers make the 31g needles.

I know you don't do this, but for everyone else, DO NOT REUSE disposable syringes.  The tips dull microscopically even after one use.  I've bruised up using one twice so I learned the hard way.  Just don't do it!

One last note.  If you are using the 5mm ultra short needles, your insulin will probably start to work even faster, so if this is a concern you may want to stick with the 8mm needles (still very short).

scool Warren

Post Edited (Warren) : 1/4/2006 8:43:31 AM (GMT-7)