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Type 1 insulin lumps

Tylers73

Tylers73

Well-Known Member
Messages
223
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Got diagnosed one year ago. Every time I done insulin I got a lump. THEY said maybe I'm doing it wrong left it for months lumps were getting bad painful to sleep on also have joint problems and arthritis so this was adding to the pain. Anyway I carried on and eventually they changed night time insulin from levemir to lantus been ok. Now having pain again not little lumps like before but large areas of swelling. My friend and husband can see it through thin clothing. I'm running out of sights what to do????? Any advise pls
 
hi there Tylers73
from your post is sounds as though you are not carrying any fatty tissue at all which can make things harder.
if you rotate your sites you should get about 28 injection sites per leg and about 21 per side of the stomach before having to repeat
if you use your backside for all your long acting insulin injections that should lessen the load on your stomach and thighs as well.
 
I rotate all the time it does not matter where I do it still get swelling. I find using bum/hip aggravates my hip problem too
 
what length pen needle are you using ?
could you go shorter ?
also -- have you tried pinching the skin where you are injecting and then injecting into the "hollow" created ??
( an old technique from my olden days doing injections with 1/2" long needles )
 
4mm and yes I do pinch. And to be fair doing really well as have a really bad needle phobia too
 
have you spoken to your DSN about this ?
i don't think they go shorter than 4mm
 
ok - ring your GP tomorrow and ask for a referral to Hospital Diabetes Unit -- this unit will have a specialist nurse that looks after these types of things and may be able to advise / assist on any changes / alternatives -- possibly a pump -- i don't know for sure but do ring and try to get some assistance on this -- you obviously need some help with swelling sites :(

all the best
 
Do ring your DSN and mention these lumps again, it may be that your allergic to analogue insulins and a change of insulin may resolve the issue, ask your diabetes team if this is a possibility.
 
I would try and see a DSN as mentioned and maybe a Dr. Another option is that you could be allergic to the insulins. I've heard of this happening with levemir and lantus before and it was an allergy.
 
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