Self Injection Tips

[GlitterSparkles]

hi i was only diagnosed about 2 weeks ago at the moment my mum is doing my injections but i would like to do it myself but i dont know, how any tips?

 

[DCUKMod]

hi i was only diagnosed about 2 weeks ago at the moment my mum is doing my injections but i would like to do it myself but i dont know, how any tips?

Hi there @GlitterSparkles - GlitterSparkles - Is this something you have discussed with your DSN? I'm sure she would be happy to show you and give you some helpful tips.

I would however stress that it is very, very important indeed that your parents know if you are going to start trying things out for yourself. You, and they, need to know you're going to be safe.

 

[Antje77]

Maybe next time you need an injection just tell your mum you'd like to try yourself, and then take a deep breath and just do it. First time was scary for all of us but you'll get used to it pretty soon. I think your mum will be proud of you if you try it yourself
Let us know how it went!

 

[Jayden2407]

hi i was only diagnosed about 2 weeks ago at the moment my mum is doing my injections but i would like to do it myself but i dont know, how any tips?

Hi,

My 10 year old son was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and on Saturday he plucked up the courage to do his own Novorapid, now he does it himself before every meal. He was so keen to do it like yourself but just couldn’t.
I pinched his skin for him the first couple of times while he injected the needle but now he does both himself. Try asking your mum to pinch the skin so you only have to concentrate on putting the needle in correctly, you’ll have so much more independence once you do it
Good luck

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @GlitterSparkles,
At age 13 I had a struggle with this. This was in 1966 and the needles then were not as fine and sharp as they are now.
Your DSN is your best teacher in this but imagine the syringe/needle/pen is a dart but a dart you keep hold of !!
Rather than pressing the needle on the skin it is best (according to all the children I have seen on diabetes camps, too)) to 'throw' it through the skin quickly with the (usually) the hand you write and draw with.. The sting (if there is one) is over really quickly that way. You will need your other hand/fingers to help push the plunger in !!
Good luck, Best Wishes and lots of Gold Stars !!! Having a super heroine as an imaginary helper is a good idea too !!

 

[Antje77]

'throw' it through the skin quickly

Thanks! I used to do that but somehow had completely forgotten lately. I will be a happy darter again as of tomorrow . And I like the idea of a super hero being around so I think I'll find myself one too !

 

[Libby3781]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago. Last week I had my first appointment with the hospital specialists. They have put me onto insulin.

I thought I’d never be able to inject myself. Slowly but surely I have been though.

The nurse at the hospital had a brilliant technique for us newbies regarding injecting.
She had a rubber bath duck, that I practiced on.
The practice involved loading needle onto pen, then setting it to 2 and releasing the insulin beforehand.
Then finally injecting it into the duck.

Might be worth you considering doing this to practice, then you’ll find it actually isn’t that bad.
The first one will be the worst, but it will get easier. I will be at the week milestone tomorrow for self injecting.

Good luck, and please keep us posted xxx

 

[kitedoc]

Rubber Duckie, you're the one .........

 

[Antje77]

Outch , poor rubber duckie. Did it even have diabetes? I think I'd rather practice on an orange or a sponge.

 

[kitedoc]

Unfortunately for the duck I think the plasticky exterior probably simulates the 'feel' in the injector's hand of the needle going through skin better than the orange or sponge does.
And I suppose the duck IS a better bath toy !!
We are all big kids after all !!!
What about a competition to see which is the best article/surface etc to practice injections with (apart from one's own skin !!)
And two others:
Best bath toy and best super hero/heroine??

 

[Libby3781]

Unfortunately for the duck I think the plasticky exterior probably simulates the 'feel' in the injector's hand of the needle going through skin better than the orange or sponge does.
And I suppose the duck IS a better bath toy !!
We are all big kids after all !!!
What about a competition to see which is the best article/surface etc to practice injections with (apart from one's own skin !!)
And two others:
Best bath toy and best super hero/heroine??

Please can I make a poll in this group using you’re idea for a competition?

 

[kitedoc]

Please can I make a poll in this group using you’re idea for a competition?

Please do. Does a moderator need to do this or can anyone do it ?

 

[Libby3781]

Please do. Does a moderator need to do this or can anyone do it ?

I’m not sure, I’ll have a try though and see how we get on x

 

[GlitterSparkles]

Thanks everyone, some great helpful advice there - GlitterSparklesDad

 

[knipster]

just be careful to hold the needle 90 degrees from the skin - nice and straight, pinch the skin a little, go slowly and i sometimes find it easier to look away or close my eyes just while I'm pushing the needle all the way in (not while finding somewhere to put it!) Be sure to wait 10 seconds after fully injecting before pulling the needle out and pull out at 90 degrees as well nice and slowly. Good luck over the next couple of weeks - those are definitely the hardest and it'll get easier after that x

 

[GlitterSparkles]

Outch , poor rubber duckie. Did it even have diabetes? I think I'd rather practice on an orange or a sponge.

lol

 

[GlitterSparkles]

Hi everyone I know its been a while since I posted this thread and I am glad to say that a while ago i did start doing my own insulin (but i did come of it for a while and didn't do insulin for a while but after coming back on to my insulin i have now come back on to it but i am still doing my own injections myself.)

 

[porl69]

Hi everyone I know its been a while since I posted this thread and I am glad to say that a while ago i did start doing my own insulin (but i did come of it for a while and didn't do insulin for a while but after coming back on to my insulin i have now come back on to it but i am still doing my own injections myself.)

Woohoo Big up to you hun
Its easy isn't it?

 

[GlitterSparkles]

Woohoo Big up to you hun
Its easy isn't it?

Yes well most the time lol

Thank you everyone for all the help you gave me to be able to do this myself

 

[porl69]

Yes well most the time lol

Thank you everyone for all the help ou gave me to be able to do this myself

I worked out how many jabs I have done in nearly 49 years of T1D from the JDRF website. Just over 58 thousand injections