Injection site...
 

Hi again. Just wondered If anyone has any advice or comments. I have been injecting since the 10th of Jan and its all been pretty painless. The odd twinge perhaps but nothing too bad. Tonight though when I was using my lantus pen it really stang. It took all my might not to just pull the needle out but I wanted to keep it in for the recommended 10 seconds to make sure the dose was right.

Has anyone else experienced this? I have always been injecting into the stomach so far. I pinch a little to get the needle started and then release as I push it in.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Adam_Fozz

Yes, it happens sometimes. :) You may have gotten a semi-dull needle or hit a nerve. Either one hurts, burns, etc.....

Thanks Dano, 2 or 2! You're on fire!!!

Where are you from? I live in the north west of England, UK.

You're right burning is prob a better description.

Thanks,
Adam

Adam;

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have been at this a long time. One thing that I wanted to mention, is that you should alter your injection sites. Use a grid system and inject upper arms, thighs and stomach. Somewhere on the web there is a diagram showing this. It is not recommended to inject in the stomach only.

I am located near south central USA. Kentucky to be exact.

Good luck, I wish you well.

Thanks dano. Do need to change site but haven't plucked up the courage yet. I was quite lean before diagnosis and since have lost some more weight so finding a decent area to pinch on legs and arms is tough. Anyone have an tips on injecting there a lack of fat?

Adam

Try the back or side of arm, between elbow and shoulder, and the back or side to thigh near hip. :)

Have you tried your butt? When I was on the pens I started on the stomach and arms, being skinny it got hard to keep pinching to inject, I was recommended to use my back side, no pinching needed just stab and press. :)

Do u guys not use no pinch needles ????? I only found out recently that ive been using them for 10 years lol , defo change sites i have big lump on stomach now from using same place :(

I've been dealing with Type 1 since July '10 an so far I've only injected in my stomach area. However, I consider the "injectable" area around my stomach to be quite large. Anything between the two sides of my torso and between my lower stomach almost up to my rib cage is fine for me and is absorbed well. I've never felt the need to change sites since this area offers plenty of room. I suppose this will vary based on the size of the person, though.

Regarding the pain, I have that happen to me every once in a while too. Not much you can do about it as far as I know. Sometimes the injection site bleeds a bit too; I've been told that that happens when I hit a capillary by chance.

If you do end up trying another site let me know how it compared to the stomach area :) I've been told that insulin is best absorbed in the stomach, so if you do try out other areas the effectiveness of the shot may be something to look at afterwards.

I usually inject in arms when away from home, I inject my daily dose of lantus in my behind and switch around for my novolog injections when I am home. I have only been injecting since september - but I'm starting to feel pretty hole-y by now. My dad injected for 5+ years.

Here in Sweden we learn to take our shots in the abdomen. Sure you can take it in the upperside of the legs or buttocks to, but you’re surer to get a more even uptake in the abdomen.
Normally if you feel pain, you’ve surely hit a nerve or a place where you got a rich area of tiny blood veins. Sure it hurts and yes you can see a drop of blood. But, if you get use to or find a spot where you don’t feel pain and use that spot over and over, you’re likely to have your body creating inner scar tissue or fat lumps. This way your body absorb and destroy your insulin injected instead of using it, you’re likely to get somewhat insulin resistant.
Link to a Swedish site regarding making an insulin shot. Ignore the language, look at the pictures.
http://www.alltomdiabetes.se/website...20insulin.aspx
I don’t know what doctors around the globe say, but my info is that a shot taken in the arm has a 39% chance of different uptake into the bloodstream, compared to an abdominal injection that have a difference of 29% or less. Uptake in the abdomen is also the fastest way to take a shot of rapid working insulin, compared to the legs and buttocks. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of anyone saying they do, or have had hospital staff suggesting an insulin shot in the arm. (again, I'm in Sweden) The difference of percentage in uptake I just mentioned, is from a US book, “Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetic Solution”.

I’m new to diabetes myself, (got diagnosed dec-10) but I have a brother and father that also has Type1. As for the pain, I find it less painful to “dart” the needle in, rather than pricking the skin slowly. I did that the first 7 weeks to “scout” for painless spots until my diabetes nurse banned this type of behavior due to the effects mentioned earlier.

Added:
Regarding switching needle sites, to switch between abdomen and legs for example, makes a big difference in the time the body absorb the insulin and it makes it into the bloodstream. My doctor clearly stated that if I switch between stomach, legs or buttocks for a “simple” rapid insulin shot say, 1 at breakfast and 1 at lunch, I should consider the time and uptake consequence. This behavior could mess up my blood sugar levels if I think that a shot in the abdomen and one in a leg acts the same way. Slow insulin can easily be taken wherever, but fast should be taken in the same “area”.

That was good reading thanx learnt a lot !!! I got taught to inject in arm by hospital staff !! Hhmmm but that was over ten years ago , i think when u first get diagnosed u get so much thrown at u it all mixes together and u forget half of it . Im only member of my family that is diabetic so no1 to ask advise from and my husband just got diagnosed type 2 last month hes on tablets and diet so diffrerent kettle of fish !! Ive started to read up about diabeties more recently now i have realised im falling apart slightly, starting to get lots of poor control symptoms :((((( lots of helpfull stuff on here !!!!

Just thought I would add my 2 cents.

I'm T1 for a yr, but the one thing I did figure out very quickly is that if you take your shot before the alcohol (that you swabbed onto the injection site) is dry, it will burn.

Just something to consider...

@ Charissa

I only swab with alcohol tissue before taking BG on fingertips, and I only do that if I can't wash my hands with soap. Never heard of anyone else that swabs injectionsite for insulin. I makes sense, I dunno why ppl don't bother...

You can also rotate sites on your arms and legs, though there is less fat there So you may feel a little pain, but I find it comfortable there too.

you should try refridgerating your lantus it is an acid and its allways works for me

DB Nano (or Micro-Fine in UK)
 

Have you tried the new 32gauge 4mm needles from DB?

http://www.bd.com/uk/diabetes/page.a...14153&id=31373

Give it a try.

Lantus particularly hurts more than other Insulins since it is more acidic, I was on it for over 4 years and moved to the pump- suggest you move to pump as well... it is a far better experience!

Cold insulin should hurt more then room temp. Anything that is hotter or colder then your skin makes a difference. The times I have to pull a new vial out off the fridge, it hurts a little like a small burning sensation. With room temp insulin it never feels a thing injecting it, so I always try to pull a new vial a few hours before I need it.

My 2 cents...