month on from diagnosis type1 - needle phobia

[grantg]

Been out of hospital for a month now. was admitted through a&e for something non related. Hba1c 162 showed up in blood test been diagnosed as Type1 insulin dependant. Have needlephobia I have to laugh at the discharge letter they said "iv/im & venepuncture was challenging" that's putting it mildly to say the least. I've surprised myself by being able to do all the insulin injections, frequently there is some bleeding from injection sites and have started to notice some bruising around the belly button area (where injecting between 2 fingers and 2" from it). The Toujeo injection stings a fair bit and for a while afterwards presuming as that's almost 3.5x the amount of novarapid units I've to inject. Little bit of a struggle for the toujeo over the last week or so didn't have a major issue doing prior to that, I find myself using both hands to try force the injection now prob as hurts more than it did. instead of the 3-5 minutes to do both injections, this morning took me over half an hour to do. Was given BD Autoshield Due needles to use as can't see the needle which helps. I also couldn't bring myself to use the blood test pen at all, instead they provided me with safety lancets which found I could do 'most of the time' but not all the time. I was fairly surprised to learn that needle phobia effects at least 1 out of 10 persons that helps a little knowing its common.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow have to get bloods checked again, also to be done at the local hospital's primary care unit, the last time was there several months ago they failed to get them mostly because of myself shaking and getting myself into a right state over it, I had requested that they do it anyway regardless of my anxiety (they replied not allowed to). It was the same during my hospital stay out of many many tries they were successful on 3 occasions they were given consent to try and didn't say weren't allowed to. Something that i'm concerned over was that on hospital notes it mentioned the needle phobia and a psychiatrist prescribed a couple of diazapan tablets to help settle me down, this was also written on the board behind the bed to have that at least 30 minutes prior to trying. The phlebotomist, despite being informed of that fact ignored and marked it down as refusing treatment, which I wasn't doing (whole bed shaking no control over body) they tried to enact an AWI stating thought I wasn't sound of mind as was their words 'arguing with them over needed treatment'. I never refused the treatment only asked for what was prescribed and requested that they came back after the tablets started to take effect in popped a consultant shortly after then another psychiatrist came back to see me later that day to assess. I'm thankful that the different psychiatrist seemed caring and didn't push for me to be sectioned under the mental health act which the prior dr's tried to do, she just asked a few questions and said the prescription should help with nerves/anxiety, attached a sticky note to the front of the folder, alongside taped a a4 page outside the door to the room also staying I was needlephobic and required diazapan prior to cannulae/bloods getting done. stating to be given diazapan & elma cream to help with needle phobia prior to drawing blood and inserting canulae. Heart rate spiked 150+ every time they tried to draw blood/insert canulae.

I have nothing but praise for the local dr's surgery. They are bending over backwards to assist. Have been given a few diazapan and a tube of elma cream to help settle me for blood tests alongside libre sensor2+ fitted. My current sensor needs replaced on Saturday, and the surgery's nurse has kindly given up a couple of slots of her annual leave to nip in to do it for me on Friday as I can't bring myself (yet) to do it, hopeful over time I'll be able to.

The diabetic nurses have said said I'm doing well apparently coping good. data for the libre time in range.
30days: 13.3>3% 10.1-13.3: 21% 5.0-10.0: 76% (data 27 days only)
14days: 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 11% 5.0-10.0: 89%
7days 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 4% 5.0-10.0: 96%

I've found the Libre sensor is so much better than finger pricking however been told if directly upwards/downwards arrow and less than 5 or greater than 13/14 to double check with a finger prick glucose test especially, and to ensure if driving to test before hand, "five to drive". Although the sensor is a lot easier than the finger pricking I tend to find myself checking the app a lot of the time, panic when see 5.2 and below with a downwards arrow eating a biscuit or something to push back up. I think I maybe over compensate sometimes as can go down to around approx 4, I eat another approx. 45mins to hour half later later I find myself going above the target range (6-10) upto approx: 12.5-13.2 then having to exercise to bring back down within range. It would be my guess I prob should wait a little longer after trying to fix to see if it indeed would go back in range by itself?

I live in a remote area where ability to drive is really essential especially as hospital requires ferry which can be off due to weather, so hoping I don't ever go below 4. DVLA been informed took a few weeks to get medical license back. Lower readings scare me more than higher for that reason. With regards to medical license needing to be replaced every three years now is there an option to update your photograph when doing so?

I'm happy with the success of being able to preserve being able to do all the insulin injections 4x daily currently strongly believe that's an accomplishment to be proud of before being hospitalized never would of thought i'd of managed that. Have read some advice and researching alternative locations to inject to help with bruising/tenderness that's starting to show around my belly. I was wondering how common it is to bleed at injection sites, seems to be every 3-7 times have a little blood do I require to circle further away to help with that or is it something will need to just get used to?

The other part which dislike since been discharged, feel a little bit being bombared loads of appts. Have couple of other issues which makes hurt doing exercise, spondylothesis alongside apparently loads of fat in blood (which is why i've followup appt for blood test this week).

A website that the psychiatrist mentioned maybe useful for others with needlephobia: search google "keepingwellnwl common problems needle-phobia" it has some advice there on how to deal hoping that others in simular situation find that resouce useful. Its the site ending with nhs . uk

 

[Juicyj]

Absolutely fantastic that you are able to do the injections, it's impossible to cope otherwise so you are doing great there. I am on a pump now but when injecting I would pinch an area of good fatty tissue and inject into that, rather than poking it direct into skin, so less painful this way and a better way for the body to absorb the insulin too in fatty tissue, count to 10 and withdraw. I did draw blood sometimes but not much. Are you doing it this way ?

What helped me when I found things over whelming whilst injecting is to counter thoughts with humming a favourite tune and using the distraction of looking at the clock whilst I held it in to the count of 10, then other things that got me well and truly over the wall were thinking about how insignificant the little prick was compared to the huge syringes of bygone years, it's literally a tiny thing now so we have come on leaps and bounds,

 

[grantg]

thanks.

I am on a pump now but when injecting I would pinch an area of good fatty tissue and inject into that, rather than poking it direct into skin, so less painful this way and a better way for the body to absorb the insulin too in fatty tissue, count to 10 and withdraw. I did draw blood sometimes but not much. Are you doing it this way ?

No i haven't pinched at all. both at the hospital and diabetic nurse appt have said to make skin flat where doing the injection (struggling with that) I'm using both my hands one at pen near top so can slowly press it, and taking forever to do the actual injection, the other hand fingers is on the safety needle area pressing down until i hear the click and feel the needle enter before pressing down the pen with the other hand. they said its likely easier to do standing up, however to do what ever feel more comfortable with, which currently is seated position (prob as what was used to whilst in hospital)

What helped me when I found things over whelming whilst injecting is to counter thoughts with humming a favourite tune and using the distraction of looking at the clock whilst I held it in to the count of 10,

cheers will try listen to some music and distract that way, elsewhere its been suggested to try some mental mathamatical puzzles. Think i'll go for a mix of both distraction techniques for the 18 units of the long acting im finding stings like mad after around third to half, so stopping for a few seconds whilst sting goes away then doing the rest. . for the fast acting its less sore/stingy 5 units with meals.

 

[Antje77]

for the 18 units of the long acting im finding stings like mad

Toujeo (and every insulin glargine like Lantus or Abasaglar) are known for stinging, I hated my Lantus for this reason.
You could ask if you can switch to Tresiba, which doesn't sting for me at all.

 

[cloud]

Been out of hospital for a month now. was admitted through a&e for something non related. Hba1c 162 showed up in blood test been diagnosed as Type1 insulin dependant. Have needlephobia I have to laugh at the discharge letter they said "iv/im & venepuncture was challenging" that's putting it mildly to say the least. I've surprised myself by being able to do all the insulin injections, frequently there is some bleeding from injection sites and have started to notice some bruising around the belly button area (where injecting between 2 fingers and 2" from it). The Toujeo injection stings a fair bit and for a while afterwards presuming as that's almost 3.5x the amount of novarapid units I've to inject. Little bit of a struggle for the toujeo over the last week or so didn't have a major issue doing prior to that, I find myself using both hands to try force the injection now prob as hurts more than it did. instead of the 3-5 minutes to do both injections, this morning took me over half an hour to do. Was given BD Autoshield Due needles to use as can't see the needle which helps. I also couldn't bring myself to use the blood test pen at all, instead they provided me with safety lancets which found I could do 'most of the time' but not all the time. I was fairly surprised to learn that needle phobia effects at least 1 out of 10 persons that helps a little knowing its common.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow have to get bloods checked again, also to be done at the local hospital's primary care unit, the last time was there several months ago they failed to get them mostly because of myself shaking and getting myself into a right state over it, I had requested that they do it anyway regardless of my anxiety (they replied not allowed to). It was the same during my hospital stay out of many many tries they were successful on 3 occasions they were given consent to try and didn't say weren't allowed to. Something that i'm concerned over was that on hospital notes it mentioned the needle phobia and a psychiatrist prescribed a couple of diazapan tablets to help settle me down, this was also written on the board behind the bed to have that at least 30 minutes prior to trying. The phlebotomist, despite being informed of that fact ignored and marked it down as refusing treatment, which I wasn't doing (whole bed shaking no control over body) they tried to enact an AWI stating thought I wasn't sound of mind as was their words 'arguing with them over needed treatment'. I never refused the treatment only asked for what was prescribed and requested that they came back after the tablets started to take effect in popped a consultant shortly after then another psychiatrist came back to see me later that day to assess. I'm thankful that the different psychiatrist seemed caring and didn't push for me to be sectioned under the mental health act which the prior dr's tried to do, she just asked a few questions and said the prescription should help with nerves/anxiety, attached a sticky note to the front of the folder, alongside taped a a4 page outside the door to the room also staying I was needlephobic and required diazapan prior to cannulae/bloods getting done. stating to be given diazapan & elma cream to help with needle phobia prior to drawing blood and inserting canulae. Heart rate spiked 150+ every time they tried to draw blood/insert canulae.

I have nothing but praise for the local dr's surgery. They are bending over backwards to assist. Have been given a few diazapan and a tube of elma cream to help settle me for blood tests alongside libre sensor2+ fitted. My current sensor needs replaced on Saturday, and the surgery's nurse has kindly given up a couple of slots of her annual leave to nip in to do it for me on Friday as I can't bring myself (yet) to do it, hopeful over time I'll be able to.

The diabetic nurses have said said I'm doing well apparently coping good. data for the libre time in range.
30days: 13.3>3% 10.1-13.3: 21% 5.0-10.0: 76% (data 27 days only)
14days: 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 11% 5.0-10.0: 89%
7days 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 4% 5.0-10.0: 96%

I've found the Libre sensor is so much better than finger pricking however been told if directly upwards/downwards arrow and less than 5 or greater than 13/14 to double check with a finger prick glucose test especially, and to ensure if driving to test before hand, "five to drive". Although the sensor is a lot easier than the finger pricking I tend to find myself checking the app a lot of the time, panic when see 5.2 and below with a downwards arrow eating a biscuit or something to push back up. I think I maybe over compensate sometimes as can go down to around approx 4, I eat another approx. 45mins to hour half later later I find myself going above the target range (6-10) upto approx: 12.5-13.2 then having to exercise to bring back down within range. It would be my guess I prob should wait a little longer after trying to fix to see if it indeed would go back in range by itself?

I live in a remote area where ability to drive is really essential especially as hospital requires ferry which can be off due to weather, so hoping I don't ever go below 4. DVLA been informed took a few weeks to get medical license back. Lower readings scare me more than higher for that reason. With regards to medical license needing to be replaced every three years now is there an option to update your photograph when doing so?

I'm happy with the success of being able to preserve being able to do all the insulin injections 4x daily currently strongly believe that's an accomplishment to be proud of before being hospitalized never would of thought i'd of managed that. Have read some advice and researching alternative locations to inject to help with bruising/tenderness that's starting to show around my belly. I was wondering how common it is to bleed at injection sites, seems to be every 3-7 times have a little blood do I require to circle further away to help with that or is it something will need to just get used to?

The other part which dislike since been discharged, feel a little bit being bombared loads of appts. Have couple of other issues which makes hurt doing exercise, spondylothesis alongside apparently loads of fat in blood (which is why i've followup appt for blood test this week).

A website that the psychiatrist mentioned maybe useful for others with needlephobia: search google "keepingwellnwl common problems needle-phobia" it has some advice there on how to deal hoping that others in simular situation find that resouce useful. Its the site ending with nhs . uk

My wife is type 1 and very needle phobic. Ok firstly you’re doing amazing. Celebrate each small win. See if your GP can refer you for CBT for phobias - this helped my wife a huge amount when she started living with me over 30 years ago.

She still struggles especially with things like blood tests - ask if they can be done laying down and see if you have a practice nurse that specialises in phobias that’s good at taking blood.

Routine has helped my wife - also remember if your doing injections/ sensors etc your in control - breathing can help - watch your not holding your breath - this will increase your anxiety as it raises your CO2 levels.

Also talk to your diabetic team about going on a pump - my wife got hers 10 years ago because of needle phobia. Good luck and remember your doing amazing.

 

[M80]

I find it very confusing that they say to do it flat- and that you have not been given alternate sites .
When I was diagnosed in 1990, underweight after being very very ill with undiagnosed type 1, I was given sheets with drawings of areas to use, and that was to help me vary. my arms were to skinny to use, so never done that , don’t think many do , but I always inject my long acting in my upper thigh, slightly to the left or right, and I always pinch some skin to have more to buffer the potential pain, even if when injecting it’s a pinch of skin, once needle is in I can let go and as the insulin goes in it is flat .
I have learned that if I hit a nerve, I quickly take it out and choose a different spot just a little bit away. I never go close to the belly button as it is far less painful further to the side where there is more fat.
I am a normal weight person now, small but not underweight.

I practiced to inject on oranges in the hospital , I think technique is important. I could never just be forceful with it on a flat stomach. I have very rarely much pain with the injections. I found lantus stingy and it smelled odd. Now on Tresiba and agree it’s not stingy like some insulins.
4 mm needles are great I think.

Best of luck!

 

[Juicyj]

I haven't heard of injecting into flat tissue, I suspect you are more likely to hit blood vessels this way, as a type 1 who injected for around 6 years around 7-8 injections a day i'd never inject into flat tissue and always used the 'pinch an inch' method instead, I found it far less painful, better for absorption and it was rare to bleed at the site this way.

Using a favourite song to hum or listen to helps the brain alleviate the anxiety associated with injections and should over time improve your phobia towards this, it's using a positive with a negative which helps replace the negative emotion, hopefully life should get easier and definitely steer your team towards pump therapy too, best wishes J

 

[Cumbrianjudith]

Some 11 years ago I became type 3c diabetic and needed insulin but for first year had to get husband to do the injections as needle phobic if I have to do the injection into myself…not so bothered if others do it, as long as don’t look. It’s to do with my ability not to go deep into the body, not the blood. My husband did them in my bottom so didn’t have to look, until I went into hospital for a gallbladder removal and there nurses claimed they didn’t know how to do it so I had to do it myself.. doing it in the dark to start… reality not so bad as the modern insulin pens are designed not to go far into the flesh….my phobia, and more recently though had got used to self injecting insulin could not do B12 as in normal syringe with small needle ( incidentally the most painful injections I’ve ever had that husband did in bottom,don’t know why, had me biting on cushions, screeching …not surprising gave them up!). Now on Toujeo and Fiasp instead of Humulin which I find much easier to use as the actual mechanism in the plastic ‘screw’ is so much better don’t need the effort to get insulin liquid in. Husband also did the first 3 Libre Freestyle sensors too…now no bother for me even got used to sharp clunk as the filament goes in….it is not a needle…have a play with one when old one is removed.

 

[stuart1111]

Been out of hospital for a month now. was admitted through a&e for something non related. Hba1c 162 showed up in blood test been diagnosed as Type1 insulin dependant. Have needlephobia I have to laugh at the discharge letter they said "iv/im & venepuncture was challenging" that's putting it mildly to say the least. I've surprised myself by being able to do all the insulin injections, frequently there is some bleeding from injection sites and have started to notice some bruising around the belly button area (where injecting between 2 fingers and 2" from it). The Toujeo injection stings a fair bit and for a while afterwards presuming as that's almost 3.5x the amount of novarapid units I've to inject. Little bit of a struggle for the toujeo over the last week or so didn't have a major issue doing prior to that, I find myself using both hands to try force the injection now prob as hurts more than it did. instead of the 3-5 minutes to do both injections, this morning took me over half an hour to do. Was given BD Autoshield Due needles to use as can't see the needle which helps. I also couldn't bring myself to use the blood test pen at all, instead they provided me with safety lancets which found I could do 'most of the time' but not all the time. I was fairly surprised to learn that needle phobia effects at least 1 out of 10 persons that helps a little knowing its common.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow have to get bloods checked again, also to be done at the local hospital's primary care unit, the last time was there several months ago they failed to get them mostly because of myself shaking and getting myself into a right state over it, I had requested that they do it anyway regardless of my anxiety (they replied not allowed to). It was the same during my hospital stay out of many many tries they were successful on 3 occasions they were given consent to try and didn't say weren't allowed to. Something that i'm concerned over was that on hospital notes it mentioned the needle phobia and a psychiatrist prescribed a couple of diazapan tablets to help settle me down, this was also written on the board behind the bed to have that at least 30 minutes prior to trying. The phlebotomist, despite being informed of that fact ignored and marked it down as refusing treatment, which I wasn't doing (whole bed shaking no control over body) they tried to enact an AWI stating thought I wasn't sound of mind as was their words 'arguing with them over needed treatment'. I never refused the treatment only asked for what was prescribed and requested that they came back after the tablets started to take effect in popped a consultant shortly after then another psychiatrist came back to see me later that day to assess. I'm thankful that the different psychiatrist seemed caring and didn't push for me to be sectioned under the mental health act which the prior dr's tried to do, she just asked a few questions and said the prescription should help with nerves/anxiety, attached a sticky note to the front of the folder, alongside taped a a4 page outside the door to the room also staying I was needlephobic and required diazapan prior to cannulae/bloods getting done. stating to be given diazapan & elma cream to help with needle phobia prior to drawing blood and inserting canulae. Heart rate spiked 150+ every time they tried to draw blood/insert canulae.

I have nothing but praise for the local dr's surgery. They are bending over backwards to assist. Have been given a few diazapan and a tube of elma cream to help settle me for blood tests alongside libre sensor2+ fitted. My current sensor needs replaced on Saturday, and the surgery's nurse has kindly given up a couple of slots of her annual leave to nip in to do it for me on Friday as I can't bring myself (yet) to do it, hopeful over time I'll be able to.

The diabetic nurses have said said I'm doing well apparently coping good. data for the libre time in range.
30days: 13.3>3% 10.1-13.3: 21% 5.0-10.0: 76% (data 27 days only)
14days: 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 11% 5.0-10.0: 89%
7days 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 4% 5.0-10.0: 96%

I've found the Libre sensor is so much better than finger pricking however been told if directly upwards/downwards arrow and less than 5 or greater than 13/14 to double check with a finger prick glucose test especially, and to ensure if driving to test before hand, "five to drive". Although the sensor is a lot easier than the finger pricking I tend to find myself checking the app a lot of the time, panic when see 5.2 and below with a downwards arrow eating a biscuit or something to push back up. I think I maybe over compensate sometimes as can go down to around approx 4, I eat another approx. 45mins to hour half later later I find myself going above the target range (6-10) upto approx: 12.5-13.2 then having to exercise to bring back down within range. It would be my guess I prob should wait a little longer after trying to fix to see if it indeed would go back in range by itself?

I live in a remote area where ability to drive is really essential especially as hospital requires ferry which can be off due to weather, so hoping I don't ever go below 4. DVLA been informed took a few weeks to get medical license back. Lower readings scare me more than higher for that reason. With regards to medical license needing to be replaced every three years now is there an option to update your photograph when doing so?

I'm happy with the success of being able to preserve being able to do all the insulin injections 4x daily currently strongly believe that's an accomplishment to be proud of before being hospitalized never would of thought i'd of managed that. Have read some advice and researching alternative locations to inject to help with bruising/tenderness that's starting to show around my belly. I was wondering how common it is to bleed at injection sites, seems to be every 3-7 times have a little blood do I require to circle further away to help with that or is it something will need to just get used to?

The other part which dislike since been discharged, feel a little bit being bombared loads of appts. Have couple of other issues which makes hurt doing exercise, spondylothesis alongside apparently loads of fat in blood (which is why i've followup appt for blood test this week).

A website that the psychiatrist mentioned maybe useful for others with needlephobia: search google "keepingwellnwl common problems needle-phobia" it has some advice there on how to deal hoping that others in simular situation find that resouce useful. Its the site ending with nhs . uk

I used to give my ex her insulin. Did over 4000 of them, because she said she never felt it when I did it. I also gave our daughter hers as a toddler. If you were not taught to pinch your skin to inject, nor the alternative injection sites of thighs, shoulders, and not just right next to your belly button then you have genuine grounds for a medico-legal claim for negligence.i suggest that a possibility could be that you paid less attention due to your needle phobia? My ex and daughter never once bled, my ex had only the very very rare slightly tiny bruising.

Squeezing your skin, the pinch method, effectively stretches your skin out. Making more space between each nerve point and blood vessel. Hence not feeling it if done correctly. I recommend you join some kind of diabetic support group where they meet face to face and share each others problems and solutions, etc.
Here's a couple of links to YouTube examples.

The first shows good positions to inject and importance of always a different place each time you inject :

The second is the pinch method:

Here's an extra one from our yank cousins thrown in:

Good luck.

 

[Cumbrianjudith]

I do get some bruising on tum, think bled 1 or 2 times…oddly I remember my diabetic nurse ask if I bruised last time I had my annual check a month or so ago, had answered ‘yes , sometimes’ but she just moved onto next question, didn’t look or check method of injecting, so assumed it was ok to bruise occasionally!

 

[grantg]

I haven't heard of injecting into flat tissue, I suspect you are more likely to hit blood vessels this way, as a type 1 who injected for around 6 years around 7-8 injections a day i'd never inject into flat tissue and always used the 'pinch an inch' method instead, I found it far less painful, better for absorption and it was rare to bleed at the site this way.

Using a favourite song to hum or listen to helps the brain alleviate the anxiety associated with injections and should over time improve your phobia towards this, it's using a positive with a negative which helps replace the negative emotion, hopefully life should get easier and definitely steer your team towards pump therapy too, best wishes J

flat area at 90 degree's to ensure its flat was what was told by the nurses in hospital. Many thanks for the above info much appreciated.

Husband also did the first 3 Libre Freestyle sensors too…now no bother for me even got used to sharp clunk as the filament goes in….it is not a needle…have a play with one when old one is removed.

well done on doing ur own libre sensors. I hope to get there soon.

="stuart1111"]
i suggest that a possibility could be that you paid less attention due to your needle phobia

that maybe a possibility i do recall them in the hospital they didn't want to go into details as not to completely overwhelm me. when they tried to fit the first libre 2+ sensor it failed to go in, likely as i still have traces of elma cream on the area they were doing, was very panicy at that point of time. which was when they were telling me 90 degrees and hold skin up to ensure flat, pretty certain 95% they said between 2 finger widths and 2 inches around the belly button which is why been by circling inside that area. many thanks for all the links you've posted, i'll watch them later on this evening

---

Failed to get bloods done today :< instead of 1:30pm they called me at 10:30 am to nip up for 11:30 (they said as 30 min slot avail vs 10 min later on). took 4mg diazapan slapped on elma quickly. popped up a little early to grab a coffee settle nerves a little bit. ended up way too anxious hyperventilating eventually managed to calm down a little bit and they asked if ok to put on the tourniquet wouldn't do anything until ready, agreed to that. started to panic again, then unfortuantly 15-20seconds after the tourniquet was on and tightend rather than let me calm down a little they tried to draw the required sample without warning : ( as wasn't prepared at all for it automatic jerked away from it and started hyperventilating again needle was inserted again but they missed the vein second time around. They said i've had enough so wouldnt try again. They've re-refered me back to gp surgery and suggest i try hypotherapy or something. They tried another distraction technique asking me to list in order all the shops in the towns main street. that was how they managed to settle me down a fair bit during the initial panic attack alongside some breathing exercises. arm is black and blue. I'm still waiting a month on for the local hospitals mental health team appt to contact me to arrange help in overcoming the phobia.

still looking at the brightside haven't missed one insulin self injection yet :O

sugars seem to relatively ok last few days, few lowsish during night alarm going off (set at 4.2 currently) exception today where spiked fairly high 16+for a bit just shy of 2 hours, just after getting called to change the appt time . dropped back down pretty sharp after i left and started to be able to relax a lot more. One of the staff spotted me in the lobby on way out whilst holding her lunch and spoke to me for a wee bit, offering to assist call taxi or someone to pick me up. went a short walk with her. did tell her it was ok just to eat her lunch i'd be fine. she didn't listen and walked me down to the entrance asking a few questions and offered some other advice suggesting CBT. She left me around 15 mins when said looked a lot better than did when she first saw me was worried :/

 

[grantg]

managed to get the new libre sensor attached without major issue, lot less nervous than last time local dr's surgery nurse came in on her annual leave for 30 mins to do for me. she had a quick chat about yesterdays issue with blood test, then took off the dressing much to my dismay wasnt attempted where the elma cream was put! have handed in a thankyou card + some chocolates for the staff member who offered assistence during her lunch.

 

[Barb3]

Been out of hospital for a month now. was admitted through a&e for something non related. Hba1c 162 showed up in blood test been diagnosed as Type1 insulin dependant. Have needlephobia I have to laugh at the discharge letter they said "iv/im & venepuncture was challenging" that's putting it mildly to say the least. I've surprised myself by being able to do all the insulin injections, frequently there is some bleeding from injection sites and have started to notice some bruising around the belly button area (where injecting between 2 fingers and 2" from it). The Toujeo injection stings a fair bit and for a while afterwards presuming as that's almost 3.5x the amount of novarapid units I've to inject. Little bit of a struggle for the toujeo over the last week or so didn't have a major issue doing prior to that, I find myself using both hands to try force the injection now prob as hurts more than it did. instead of the 3-5 minutes to do both injections, this morning took me over half an hour to do. Was given BD Autoshield Due needles to use as can't see the needle which helps. I also couldn't bring myself to use the blood test pen at all, instead they provided me with safety lancets which found I could do 'most of the time' but not all the time. I was fairly surprised to learn that needle phobia effects at least 1 out of 10 persons that helps a little knowing its common.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow have to get bloods checked again, also to be done at the local hospital's primary care unit, the last time was there several months ago they failed to get them mostly because of myself shaking and getting myself into a right state over it, I had requested that they do it anyway regardless of my anxiety (they replied not allowed to). It was the same during my hospital stay out of many many tries they were successful on 3 occasions they were given consent to try and didn't say weren't allowed to. Something that i'm concerned over was that on hospital notes it mentioned the needle phobia and a psychiatrist prescribed a couple of diazapan tablets to help settle me down, this was also written on the board behind the bed to have that at least 30 minutes prior to trying. The phlebotomist, despite being informed of that fact ignored and marked it down as refusing treatment, which I wasn't doing (whole bed shaking no control over body) they tried to enact an AWI stating thought I wasn't sound of mind as was their words 'arguing with them over needed treatment'. I never refused the treatment only asked for what was prescribed and requested that they came back after the tablets started to take effect in popped a consultant shortly after then another psychiatrist came back to see me later that day to assess. I'm thankful that the different psychiatrist seemed caring and didn't push for me to be sectioned under the mental health act which the prior dr's tried to do, she just asked a few questions and said the prescription should help with nerves/anxiety, attached a sticky note to the front of the folder, alongside taped a a4 page outside the door to the room also staying I was needlephobic and required diazapan prior to cannulae/bloods getting done. stating to be given diazapan & elma cream to help with needle phobia prior to drawing blood and inserting canulae. Heart rate spiked 150+ every time they tried to draw blood/insert canulae.

I have nothing but praise for the local dr's surgery. They are bending over backwards to assist. Have been given a few diazapan and a tube of elma cream to help settle me for blood tests alongside libre sensor2+ fitted. My current sensor needs replaced on Saturday, and the surgery's nurse has kindly given up a couple of slots of her annual leave to nip in to do it for me on Friday as I can't bring myself (yet) to do it, hopeful over time I'll be able to.

The diabetic nurses have said said I'm doing well apparently coping good. data for the libre time in range.
30days: 13.3>3% 10.1-13.3: 21% 5.0-10.0: 76% (data 27 days only)
14days: 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 11% 5.0-10.0: 89%
7days 13.3>0% 10.1-13.3: 4% 5.0-10.0: 96%

I've found the Libre sensor is so much better than finger pricking however been told if directly upwards/downwards arrow and less than 5 or greater than 13/14 to double check with a finger prick glucose test especially, and to ensure if driving to test before hand, "five to drive". Although the sensor is a lot easier than the finger pricking I tend to find myself checking the app a lot of the time, panic when see 5.2 and below with a downwards arrow eating a biscuit or something to push back up. I think I maybe over compensate sometimes as can go down to around approx 4, I eat another approx. 45mins to hour half later later I find myself going above the target range (6-10) upto approx: 12.5-13.2 then having to exercise to bring back down within range. It would be my guess I prob should wait a little longer after trying to fix to see if it indeed would go back in range by itself?

I live in a remote area where ability to drive is really essential especially as hospital requires ferry which can be off due to weather, so hoping I don't ever go below 4. DVLA been informed took a few weeks to get medical license back. Lower readings scare me more than higher for that reason. With regards to medical license needing to be replaced every three years now is there an option to update your photograph when doing so?

I'm happy with the success of being able to preserve being able to do all the insulin injections 4x daily currently strongly believe that's an accomplishment to be proud of before being hospitalized never would of thought i'd of managed that. Have read some advice and researching alternative locations to inject to help with bruising/tenderness that's starting to show around my belly. I was wondering how common it is to bleed at injection sites, seems to be every 3-7 times have a little blood do I require to circle further away to help with that or is it something will need to just get used to?

The other part which dislike since been discharged, feel a little bit being bombared loads of appts. Have couple of other issues which makes hurt doing exercise, spondylothesis alongside apparently loads of fat in blood (which is why i've followup appt for blood test this week).

A website that the psychiatrist mentioned maybe useful for others with needlephobia: search google "keepingwellnwl common problems needle-phobia" it has some advice there on how to deal hoping that others in simular situation find that resouce useful. Its the site ending with nhs . uk

 

[Barb3]

I too have a needle phobia. My diabetic team have given me iports which are painless to attach to my stomach and mean I’m not injecting directly into my stomach. Just needs changing every 3 days. Might be worth enquiring about them but you are doing really well

 

[grantg]

I too have a needle phobia. My diabetic team have given me iports which are painless to attach to my stomach and mean I’m not injecting directly into my stomach. Just needs changing every 3 days. Might be worth enquiring about them but you are doing really well

how do u find the canulae insertion for the iport ? im absolutely terrible with the ones to draw blood and lines being put in, hoping to hear something positive ie not as bad as those ones :F

 

[Barbie3]

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how do u find the canulae insertion for the iport ? im absolutely terrible with the ones to draw blood and lines being put in, hoping to hear something positive ie not as bad as those ones :F

It’s really easy and totally painless, I don’t get stressed at all about inserting it and have to look to make sure it’s attached, it’s that simple!

 

[grantg]

It’s really easy and totally painless, I don’t get stressed at all about inserting it and have to look to make sure it’s attached, it’s that simple!

thanks for the info. Next appt with consultant will bring the subject up many thanks.

 

[etmsreec]

thanks for the info. Next appt with consultant will bring the subject up many thanks.

Hi,

I don’t have the issue of needle phobia, though I am aware of it. I would expect it to be very debilitating for a type 1. For what it’s worth, you have my sympathy.
For me, your needle phobia and the consequent difficulty on getting bloods and doing injections would be a reason to put you on the list for a pump as quickly as possible. The Omnipod, for example, is a device that is stuck on the skin and delivers up to 200 units of insulin over the three days that it stays on. There’s no separate basal injection, the short acting in the pump is dripped in as a background insulin. There’s cannula inserts automatically when starting the pod, which might be better as one doesn’t see the cannula when applying or starting it. Would that help?
Libre 2 is being phased out in favour of Libre 2 Plus, which runs for 15 days instead of 14, and works with Omnipod 5 for looping.
If it helps, the Dexcom One is the same price for the NHS as the Libre 2, and it has the advantage that no needle or fibre is seen when applying the sensor. The applicator is quite chunky, but if not seeing the insertion needle helps then perhaps discuss with your team? The Dexcom One is prescribable by the GP. Dexcom One and Dexcom G6 can be calibrated, too, whereas Libre cannot - if the Libre’s wrong then it will stay wrong until the sensor gets changed. One may do a finger prick blood test and tell the Dexcom what the blood value is if what the sensor is reporting is not consistent with what the user is feeling (e.g. sensor saying hypo when the user is thirsty and frequently urinating.
My final point would be why are your team doing bloods if you have a needle phobia? You have been out of hospital for a month and, presumably, wearing a glucose sensor for a month? The Time in Range (also known as time in target, but that’s not so nice an abbreviation) is now taken as a better indication of diabetic control. HbA1c can be skewed by a lot of time high or hypo, whereas this will show up in the TIR figures. If you are able to apply and change the sensors then they should be using that. Point of reference: I’m on Dapsone, which kills off red cells at an accelerated rate, so the HbA1c is worthless. My diabetes team just use the CGM (sensor) details.

 

[grantg]

My final point would be why are your team doing bloods if you have a needle phobia? You have been out of hospital for a month and, presumably, wearing a glucose sensor for a month? The Time in Range (also known as time in target, but that’s not so nice an abbreviation) is now taken as a better indication of diabetic control. HbA1c can be skewed by a lot of time high or hypo, whereas this will show up in the TIR figures. If you are able to apply and change the sensors then they should be using that. Point of reference: I’m on Dapsone, which kills off red cells at an accelerated rate, so the HbA1c is worthless. My diabetes team just use the CGM (sensor) details.

i'm currently going to dr's surgery for sensor replacements taking up nurses time. haven't yet managed to insert the sensor myself. I have at last appt i did manage to to open applicator and the sensor packaging and put them together still couldnt apply it.

They are wanting to draw blood for a few reasons. the main one was whilst in hospital, with the initital 'sucess' obtaining a sample, the lab was unable to get reading due to very high levels of lipids. 3rd sucessful sample taken showed cholesterol 17.2 trigiycerides 63.2 from profile test. My best guess to why they've tried a few times since then to see wether or not thats going down or not, and if they could do something about it. The Hospital refered to gp 'assist', gp refered to local hospital, they've re-refered back to the gp. was some other high& low results from blood sample which the hospital was able to obtain after umpteen litres of infusions

 

[Cumbrianjudith]

It seems you are slowly making progress with the sensor application, don’t worry about taking us a nurse’s time when reapplying, that is what they are there for supporting our health. I’ve just swopped to the Libre 2 Plus…must admit I didn’t notice any difference in preparing and installing, but not taken it out so not looked at filament…do know I still get sensor pressure ‘lows’.