Get Informed: B-Insulin

iGuard Answer/Reply:

The recommended places for insulin shots are on the outside and inside of the thighs, upper arms, buttocks, and stomach. Make sure you pinch the skin lightly, inject the needle at a 90 degree angle, release the skin, then inject the medication over 2-4 seconds. Make sure you rotate the sites so that each spot has a chance to heal. If you are still experiencing such trouble with your injections, please make an appointment with your physician or ask for a referral to another diabetic specialist who may be able to check your technique and give you some tips.

Posted: 2009-11-21 23:32:35

iGuard Answer/Reply:

i have been on insulin twice a day for over 20 years. my doctor and several friends have tried to convince me to use the insulin pump.i am okay with taking my insulin the way i am

Posted: 2009-04-16 15:51:34

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Using a syringe or even the pen is hard, and I agree gets harder the longer you have to do it. I went to the Medtronic pump about a year ago after years of a minimum of 4 shots every day. One stick that most of the time isn't even felt every 3 days. No more long acting at night either. The freedom it imparts can't be measured.

58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-04-16 17:41:38

iGuard Answer/Reply:

i've been on the omnipod for about 2 yrs. twice i had 2 different infections
that had to be lance open, i thought i was cleaning the spot where i put the pod
but ever dently i was not. if i have to use 5 alcohol swabs each time i will.

Greg--47 yr. old

Posted: 2009-04-29 15:32:07

Answer/Reply:

You may not ever get used to it; but I help administer my wife's shots to help with her doing it so frequently. A family member who knows and is able to assist can make a difference with your self-care regiment.

45 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-04 07:40:01

Answer/Reply:

I have used insulin for 24 yrs. I am type 1, And yes it will be hard to adjust to giving yourself shots ,, But syringes are have such small needles now,you will hardly feel it..Everyone is different with how they adjust to doing shots..Just be sure to understand we all are not text book diabetics ,, I totaly understand about uncontroled bloodsugars.. My bloodsugars have always been a rollar coaster.. And no Doctor can explain why..You have to no your body and how you react to all foods..Because what may be working for one person,may not work for you..Good Luck
Theresa

46 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-04 09:39:32

iGuard Answer/Reply:

I too was scared to go on insulin. Put it off and was sorry when I finally went on it that I hadn't done it the first time my doctor wanted me to. I give my shots in the fatty part of my tummy. Start on the left side on Sunday and work across. The needles are so short and fine that I usually don't feel them at all. Get a little jab in some spots so move to a different spot. It is not really as bad as your imagination will make it. The sooner you are on insulin the sooner it can start to work at getting your sugar down.

Linda

Posted: 2009-03-04 13:03:33

iGuard Answer/Reply:

hi stacy. it is not that hard.when i was first diagnosed they had me practice giving shots to an orange with a sryinge filled with saline solution.20 years later i can give the shots with out even having to look. ben

Posted: 2009-03-05 14:26:43

Answer/Reply:

Hi Stacy. I found out that I was a diabetic on my 45th birthday. I was in the hospital at the time for pancreas attack. At first, it's hard to give yourself a shot, because back in my younger years of life, I was afraid of the needle, when the doctor gave them to me. So, in the back of my mind, I told myself, this is going to hurt. But, now days, they make syringes that you cannot feel. It will be easy for you to practice with a orange. An orange has a little tougher skin than ours, but, it will be easy to practice with. I am taking humalog 70/30 plus humalin R. When my sugars start to get low, I start to see brightness in my eyes. You will sweat also. Thats the time to head for sugar or anything to bring your sugar back up. But, be sure you check your glucose level also. It's hard at first to get your levels straight. But, you will get there. Let us hope and pray that they will come up with a cure for our diabetes. Unless, you want to have a pancreas transplant. Good luck to you Stacy. God Bless. D. P. Glendale, AZ.

52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-05 14:32:17

Answer/Reply:

I was diagnosed at a young age of 10. It was very difficult to come to terms that I had to give myself a needle every day and watch what I ate. The older I got, the easier it became. The needles are very small now and do not hurt when injected.
When I got pregnant, my doctor put me on the insulin pump which I recommend 110% to anyone. It may be a life change, but it has definately changed my life for the better. There are no more lows from the injections and I have more flexibility with what I eat, although I still watch what I eat.

40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-05 14:54:57

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Hi Stacy.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes also about 2 years ago. I never thought I could stick myself with needles, especially when I had to administer my insulin on my thigh or stomach. But I tell ya what... it really wasnt as bad I thought it be. If you haven't yet, the nurse or medical assistant at your Dr's office can teach you how to or sometimes you can go to your local hospital that may offer classes for totally free! Try to stick to a healthy diet and execise atleast 1/2 hour 3 times a week. I walk approximately 5 days a week for 2 miles or so.

Good Luck!

Sincerely,
Kristina

Posted: 2009-03-05 15:45:07

Answer/Reply:

dear stacey,I guess it,s a situation like i need to do it.
they key to giving yourself insulin is rotating injection points
best of luck albert

52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-05 16:19:53

Answer/Reply:

No, not at all. Ask your doctor if you can humulin with the very short needles. They are so small and sharp you don't even feel them going in. I hesitated at first, but afterb two shots, there was no problem.

67 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-05 16:32:43

Answer/Reply:

It is not hard for me,mainly because I must take insulin to Stave off the nasty effects of diabetes.

51 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-05 17:18:56

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Hello, Stacy. The needles they are using these days are so small, you can hardly feel the injection. The best way is to rotate the areas where you inject yourself. Maybe a few shots around the belly button, then move to the thighs for a few, and then to the back of the upper arms. I have yet to feel any pain in the back of my upper arms. The needles I use are the 31 gauge shorts. Good luck.

Posted: 2009-03-05 18:26:37

Answer/Reply:

Hello stacy I have been a diabetic for 27 years and I am 38 years old I have been taking insulin for that long. And also what might help you is take the insulin for a little while ,but also start taking omega-3 fish oil pills this will help your body use your natural insulin that your body makes.

39 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-05 18:59:33

Answer/Reply:

The only thing to overcome is the anxiety of sticking yourself with a needle if you learn the proper technique it doesn't actually hurt like you think. The actual shot is less than the build up of it in your mind so I would suggest that you maybe practice with an orange on how to properly inject yourself, it helped me.

42 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-06 06:11:31

Answer/Reply:

I wondered the same thing and was terrified of them. You do get use to giving yourself your shots. I did it for a few years before I received my insulin pump. I still can not watch other people giving themself shots. I have to turn my head.

51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-06 12:39:13

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You will feel better when your blood sugar gets under control.It is not as hard or as painful as you might think to give yourself insulin. The easiest and least painful area is the stomach. The longer you have high sugar levels , the more damage you do to your body, I had probably been diabetic for several years before finding out , and the damage was already begun, I have been on dialysis for almost three years now. By the time I corrected my sugar levels, it was already too late, damage had already begun in my kidneys, and within 5 years I had to start dialysis.

47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-06 15:23:00

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Stacy,
I had the same concerns about injections as you. There is a device called an autojector that you can use if you have a problem with seeing the needle go in. It really helps and is worth the investment so that you can feel better. It took me about 4 yrs. before I cld. start injecting myself and I can only do my stomach or my arm. I was actually shamed into beginning to inject myself by a 14 yr. old who injects herself several times a day.

Feel better.

Brenda

Posted: 2009-03-06 15:34:53

iGuard Answer/Reply:

A person can get an insulin pump instead of taking shots all the time..I use to take shots a lot and now I have an insulin pump and it helps control it better and you don't have to poke youself all the time. Ask your doctor about getting an insulin pump.

Posted: 2009-03-06 18:33:18

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Hi Stacy--I am a type 1 diabetic (28 years old) for 15 years now. I just started the pump about 3 years ago, but before that I was on 4-6 injections a day. The one thing I can suggest is to vary your sites. I got used to injecting in one area, developing too much scar tissue in that area and it became painful as well as not as effective. Once you start injecting, just like finger sticks, it gets easier every shot. My husband used to healp me A LOT, doing shots in the backs of my arms. It is a nice break having someone else do the shots once in a while!

Good Luck and keep taking care of yourself :0)

Kelly

Posted: 2009-03-06 19:19:10

Answer/Reply:

I Stacy,
Im a 27 years old i have had type two as well. And i have had it seen the age of 14 and its hard to get use to it. But with the help of your family you will get through with it. My family was there for me.But the most person was my dad he help me alot cause he is a nurse. It will take some time to get use of the needles. It took me along time to finally do it. Just remeber that you have contol of it and it does not have contol of you. Good luck with everything you can do it i have faith in you!!

28 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-24 22:38:44

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As a child, it took 3 strong people to hold me down for a shot. Not to worry! The insulin needles are so small that only rarely will you even feel a sting.

68 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-25 15:52:17

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I am a 53 yr old female and I have had type 1 diabetes since I was 16 ssoooo to make along story short taking a shot is not as bad as you think. I was deadly afraid of needles at first I had other people do it but if you realize that you have to in order to stay alive it will help. Now they have short &sharper needles and it is better. Also in the stomach was something that I had a hard time doing but it is really not bad at all. Not saying you sometimes won't bruise but jab fast helps. Hope this helps and Good Luck in your journey!

54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-27 00:37:07

Answer/Reply:

Stacy, I am 29 years old and scared to death of needles, but I have to say with s sick as I was on the pills, I feel 100% better on insulin, and the needles are so small now, you barely feel anything. I was so scared the first few times I even had to prick myself to test blood sugar, I made my fiance do it for me and he gave me my first insulin shot, but I promise you it isnt as scarey as I made it in my head. It is really no big deal.
I had severe tummy troubles when taking glipizide and metformin, Im much happier, healthier, and my blood sugar is so much better under control.
Good luck to you.
Melanie

30 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-06-23 17:40:14

Answer/Reply:

Stacy,


It is very important to check your blood readings regularly. I do mine twice daily, before breakfast and before my evening meal. Vary your insulin amounts based on these readings, but do so in a very conservative manner. Usually I increase or decrease my insulin amounts by only one or two units daily. Don't chase wildly after spikes in blood sugar levels. Deal with changes in a slow but sure manner. Always remember that insulin is a power-house. Deal with it with caution.

71 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-03-15 03:29:07

Answer/Reply:

have you considered a 24hr insulin such as Lantus? it works great. my b/f disovered he was Type 1 after feeling unwell & a bslevel of 686. a night at the ER & week stay at a medical center; his b/s is doing well but was noted to be higher in the night and 2-5 am area, & so he takes lantus at night; it does really well for him and he only takes maybe one injection of Novolin R on a sliding scale if his 'numbers' go up farther than 150- those two work well together :]

21 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2008-12-28 17:42:03

Answer/Reply:

I'm a 33 yr old male. I've had type 1 since I was 10. It has been uncontroled for 23 yrs. I have recently started taking Lantus. It is not a 24 hr insulin. It is a 12 hr insulin. I take it at 8 in the morning and 8 at night. Since using the lantus my sugars have been getting better. It takes sometime to get to the right dose that works for you. Mine is still being adjusted but I've only been on it for 3 months. I am getting closer to being in control of my sugars.

34 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-01-04 20:34:56