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Rotating sites for injection

R

RN25

Active Member
Messages
34
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, when I started on insulin I was put on mixed insulin injected twice a day and told to rotate between 4 'quarters' of my stomach and each outer thigh. I'm now on basal bolus so minimum 5 injections a day. How do you rotate injections sites when injecting so often?

Thanks,
Rachael
 
RN25 said:
Hi, when I started on insulin I was put on mixed insulin injected twice a day and told to rotate between 4 'quarters' of my stomach and each outer thigh. I'm now on basal bolus so minimum 5 injections a day. How do you rotate injections sites when injecting so often?

Thanks,
Rachael
Click to expand...
Rotating just means moving an inch or two at minimum from the previous site.
There are even cardboard templates with holes you can hold over your stomach or thigh to guide you.

I'm more the type of the wild rotations: stick the needle anywhere I can't remember injecting lately.

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I do the wild rotations too but lately it's about trying to find somewhere that isn't bruised or red from previous injections (especially my thighs which tend to be bruised, veiny and lumpy anyway).
Is it normal to have red patches from the insulin? I fear my body is reacting to it a bit. I do tend to be sensitive.
 
RN25 said:
I do the wild rotations too but lately it's about trying to find somewhere that isn't bruised or red from previous injections (especially my thighs which tend to be bruised, veiny and lumpy anyway).
Is it normal to have red patches from the insulin? I fear my body is reacting to it a bit. I do tend to be sensitive.
Click to expand...
It is possible to be allergic to specific insulins.
Bruising sounds more like the cause is due to your specific body type though.

The long acting insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo, Abasaglar) is known for stinging, as is the quick acting Lyumjev. I've noticed slight stinging with Levemir as well, but not with any other insulins I've used.

Personally, I hate injecting in my thighs, so I don't. More than enough rooms on my belly and arms.
The occasional bruise is normal but being red or bruised from injections everywhere isn't usual.
 
RN25 said:
Is it normal to have red patches from the insulin? I fear my body is reacting to it a bit. I do tend to be sensitive.
Click to expand...
I get an occasional mark but my lipohypertrophy was caused by not changing my needles often enough and overusing a particular location on my stomach during a pregnancy.

In your position, I'd talk to my clinic or DN to see if it's an insulin issue or a technique issue.
 
Seasoned pro of 50 years here.
I use my backside alot and whilst i cannot see where the needle is going i can feel it if that makes sense.
The novopen makes this dead easy.
I only use my stomach for small doses.
Legs and arms but again only in arms do i jab small doses as they are a bit skinny.

Tony
 
Agree with @Tony337 - its a challenge as the years increase.

Try other bits of the body to spread the load (rather than just stomach) as its the pooling of insulin under the skin that seems to do the damage.

Can be less of an issue with pumps as they inject way less at a time - but thats a whole load of work to do (can be really beneficial though) but pumps still need good rotation to keep the skin healthy and working
 
Hi @RN25 .

Like @Tony337 (I'm pretty much toe to toe with the 5th decade.)
I use these sites where apropriate.
The larger basal dosage goes into my thighs inner thigh too. With a pinch up. Any fat source on my body steering clear of a vein.

Wearing shorts weather permitting gives my stomach a break when out in public, too..
 
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