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Type one and injections

Tylers73

Tylers73

Well-Known Member
Messages
223
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I can not inject my stomach any more because all it does is swell into lumps I do alternate all the time. I am alternating between my thighs and bum but now going into lumps too. Also have severe joint problems and it is not my imagination but the insulin seems to aggravate the pain in my hips. Running out of areas haven't got a lot of fat on me as only 8 stone . Only had diabetes since last year and having no fun especially with a needle phobia too. Everytime my women's things are due my levels go through the roof like now 19.2 bed time hit bothered fed up
 
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That doesn't sound very nice. Have you spoken to your DSN about it? What length needles are you using?
 
how are your blood levels? and have you always been so slim?

I dropped down to under 8 stone myself earlier this year but i think that was due to a chest and heart problem, I have been smoke free for 12 weeks and I have put 1.5 stone back on but bad control can cause this too or hyper thyrodism

Get yourself seen asap by your Dr or diabetic consultant
 
@Tylers73

Although bolus insulin will always work faster if injected in the tummy, it can also be injected in the arms anywhere between the elbow and shoulder with no ill effect and little difference in onset speed. The arms are less sensitive than the tummy so are fairly good......Try and see

Has your GP changed you to using 4mm needles? If not, ask for them as they are very tiny and thin as well.
 
Sorry to hear that you've got a high bs reading. I get those too from time to time, and it can be depressing I know. I'm sorry you've got a needle phobia, and I expect you don't want to hear about them, but are you using a new needle for every injection? I got into a bad habit for a while of not changing the needle each time, so the needle got blunt and caused more pain and lumps. My doctor also changed my needles to a smaller length. I still have to remind myself not to inject in the same old areas. You sound like you're doing everything right, so maybe take the advice above and discuss it with your DSN and/or consultant as soon as possible, as well as the problem with high blood sugar readings with a period.
 
Thanks for all reply's I am on the smallest needles now 4mm. Still getting lumps. I change my needles everytime I use my insulin pen. Always have been quite slim but since my operations last year and being diagnosed with diabetes have gone from 10.5 st to 8st so not much fat there to inject
 
Maybe you are injecting too fast. Try sticking the needle in fast, but pressing the plunger very, very slowly. That helps reduce lumps and bruising.
 
Hi @Tylers73, sorry if I'm being too basic but I am also very skinny so can sympathise with your difficulties! I cant use my arms because I don't have any extra tissue there at all. I mainly use my tummy and thighs. I use a 4mm needle and have learnt from experience that to avoid the lumps and bruising I have to slightly hold my skin together (not a proper pinch) and gently inject (rather than stab!), never pushing hard enough to push the skin in with the pen part. I then inject slowly (always bruise if I do it quickly), count to ten and slide (not pull) the needle out. The other thing I find is because I'm so skinny I can actually see all the tiny blue blood vessels and do my damnedest to avoid them to prevent the bruising!! It did take some time to get it right, and I still get it wrong sometimes but it may be worth trying altering your technique? Take care, Sue x
 
Hi, I actually thought I had written this post! I have had diabetes since the age of 13, I am now nearly 33 and have the same issue! Lumps in my stomach, pain injecting in arms and insulin resistance in legs and bum. They put me on metaformin too for polycystic ovaries which has helped my sugars. 4mm needles have worked... Have you considered an insulin pump? It helped me when I was on it because I only had to change the needle after three days, giving my sites a rest. Please be reassured that you are not alone and big hugs. X
 
Thanx for all your reply's I have tried everything you all have suggested. I can have a simple blood test and come out in a lump!!! And as for pump that would be the obvious solution but getting one that's the problem. I did do the form that is on this site for eligibility and said they would contact me in the next few days but nothing. At a stand still as per usual
 
I'm a very lean female and quite muscly. No fat. I had to come off my pump because 6mm needles were too long and causing problems. I suspect I'm odd on this as other lean, athletic people seem to be ok on a pump.
Back on MDI now after 5 years and like you I can get lumps in stomach but generally only with the levemir-not bolus's.
Arm is good for me, better than stomach and never comes up in a lump. Only trouble is only being able to inject in one arm I have to be selective that I only use it for my levemir jabs.
Like @mrspuddleduck I also pinch my stomach now. Also always rub the needle area after an injection for a few moments.
 
Hi, I am very slim too and the 4 mm needles are the reason I'm getting lumps. It is like the insulin stays under the skin. I tried 6 and 8 mm after and thoss worked perfectly fine. Also grabbing some skin when injecting and letting go while pressing the pen. That works fine.
 
Gaz-M said:
how slim are you ?
Click to expand...
Me or OP? I'm now less than a size 8. But muscly. For example even before my mastectomy I had no boobs... As my weight is all in my muscly arms and legs. Even my sliced n diced boob only weighed 85grams.
 
Tylers73 said:
Thanks for all reply's I am on the smallest needles now 4mm. Still getting lumps. I change my needles everytime I use my insulin pen. Always have been quite slim but since my operations last year and being diagnosed with diabetes have gone from 10.5 st to 8st so not much fat there to inject
Click to expand...

Can I ask what size doses do you tend to take?

What basal dose(s) do you give?
What range of bolus doses do you take?
 
@alaska ,my carb- humalog ratio is 1:10 and once a day 30 units lantus. So my humalog dose is mostly between 8 and 10 with the correction included
 
Simranp said:
@alaska ,my carb- humalog ratio is 1:10 and once a day 30 units lantus. So my humalog dose is mostly between 8 and 10 with the correction included
Click to expand...

Do you do 30 units straight off for the lantus? Ie in one go or do you split in to doing 2x15 units at the same time?
 
Simranp said:
30 units straight off @alaska
Click to expand...

Is it both injections that cause lumps? Only that I know with my leaness I can't tolerate 10units in one go.

I think somewhere in the back of my brain suggestions have been made at some point that splitting a 30 unit dose may cause less lumps especially with lantus/levemir.

I still have probs sometimes with just 5 units!! So I do appreciate the probs with lumps.
 
I'm thinking along the same lines as donnellysdogs, splitting the dose of 30 into two separate injections (into separate sites) might help with reducing the lumps.

Note that the way two doses of 15 are absorbed may be slightly different than to a single dose of 30. So test regularly if you do do this and be on the look out for any hypos.
 
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