A question about insulin shots?

Question

My oral meds are not working the way they should. Dr. wants to put me on insulin shots, but I'm a horrible needle phobic!!! I have been known to cry from a shot. What are insulin shots like, how bad do they hurt, how many do you personally take per day, Where do you inject it, and how long did it take until you were able to do it yourself?

Answer 1

Hello i inject daily with Insulin and do not feel the pain at all. I inject once before each meal and then lastly before bed to inject with a long lasting insulin. So in total thats four times daily. The needles you use are now very small, and the smaller the better. The places you inject are where subcutaneous fat is, where he absorbs into the skin quite quickly. These places are located at the front of the thighs, around the lower half of your stomach below the belly button, or around the cheeks of your buttocks. You can also inject in the arm, near the biceps It is important to keep changing the places you inject, as small layer of fatty skin may develope in over injected sites but in all the years I have done it I have lucky to avoid it. I found nothing in the pain, but you will be given plenty of information before they allow you to do it for yourself and the common practice is for you to practice on a sponge ball. Diabetic nurses will look after you and soon you will think nothing of it. The fear is worse than the action so do not worry at all and good luck with your injections

Answer 2

Insulin needles are quite different then lets say the flu shot needle. I take 5-6 a day and can no longer feel it. I look down at my tummy are to see if the needle went in sometimes because i can't tell. After a while your body becomes used to it and no longer feels it. I also use a small gauge needle. try the BD ultra thins, go with the short if you can. I am a 31 year old female with type 1. 3 years ago I was diagnosed at first my family Doctor thought it was type 2 (my BS was in the 600's-I should of been in the hospital but that's another story) So after 2 weeks of me getting sicker and sicker by the day and prescribing pills not insulin he sent me to an endocrinologist who gave me a RX for insulin and needles and sent me on my way (with no instruction at all just the phone # of a diabetes educator I could call-he said I could wait to see her or try it on my own that night!). So I had to learn (with the help of the Internet) how to draw and inject it that night. I saw a diabetes educator a few days later she said I did great I did everything i should as far as how to do it. My husband was so scared of me doing something wrong that the first shot, So I did it while hiding out in the kitchen then told him after ward. (my sugar was 650 and I was scared I wouldn't still be alert come morning if i didn't just do it) I use my legs sometimes, usually my bed shot so I don't walk off the insulin during the day.

Answer 3

It can be very upsetting to have to start on insulin injections. Personally, I inject twice a day with Lantus (long acting insulin), up to 4 times a day with Humalog (fast acting insulin) and twice a day with Byetta (an injectable protein for type 2 diabetics). I have been injecting myself for years.

Personally, my favorite injection site is my belly. I have found that when I use my arms or legs, it hurts more (compared to belly where it does not hurt at all) and the rare occasional bruise does not show.

Today, the insulin needles are very fine. The easiest way to inject is with the 'pen'. all you do is attach a new needle before each injection, dial up the dose and you are ready to go. It is much easier than the vial and syringe, but, if cost is a factor, go with the vial and syringe.

Before you are left on your own to inject, you will get lots of education on the how to's and your medical provider will make sure you are comfortable with it.

It could be that the change to insulin is only temporary and after a time, you will be able to go back to your oral meds.

If you are insulin resistant, then, as distasteful as the injections sound, it is the best option.

I have a friend who is a horrible 'needle phobic' as you are, and she adjusted quite easily. The first injection is the most difficult.

Good luck.
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Answer 4

I have been a diabetic for 11 years, with my last pregnancy my oral meds quit working, I have been on shots for a year now. the pain really depends on where you put the shot, I take four a day (two in the morning and two at night, Lantus and HUmalog) I have found that a buster style shot (in the back of the hip near the buttock) and right in the center of the stomach area are less painfull then the upper arm and thigh area are. but they are working with me now to put me on a pump, with is completely painless, maybe that could be an option if you dont want shots, they also just came out with an inhaled insulin that you take like nasonex or other sinus sprays. I hope this helps

Answer 5

Hi, I've been on Insulin for about a year I take my shot in my lower
stomach area. I was surprised there was little if any pain. If you can get past the first few and get good advice from your Dr. or nurse. you should do ok. If not you can also ask for a smaller size needle!! I only take one a day at nighttime and i can honestly say it hurts a lot less than poking my finger for the Glucose test'

Good luck!
Dan aka Wadoz

Answer 6

I started on injections 33 years ago. I currently take up to 6 shots a day. I inject in the thighs and stomach area. I injected myself from day 1 and have no pain, unless you hit a nerve. The needles are very fine and you can use 8 or 12.5mm (12.5mm being 1/2 inch)

Answer 7

It's only a small,fine needle and you get used to it. People inject in different places, wherever they've been told to by their nurse. I inject twice a day in the lower stomach area or top of the legs. I was shown how to do it just once, then sent off home with my pack. The hospital gave me back-up numbers to ring anytime, in case I was worried about anything. Don't be afraid to voice your worries. Some hospitals will let you visit for your injections, until you you feel confident enough to inject yourself. Don't worry, it really is a small needle.

Answer 8

I'm not a diabetic but my mom is and she didn't like shots either but i think it's different when it's something to help you. She is big so she gives herself injections in the stomach i know a lot of people that take injections in the leg..My mom is now on the pump and loves it..
good luck with everything

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I think insulin shots are the least painful shot u can get. I take 6 a day, mostly in my belly. I was kinda squeamish about doing it at first, but I became a pro in no time. You'll get used to it.