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Bruising from injections

P

pinewood

Well-Known Member
Messages
792
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Occasionally my NovoRapid injection leaves a little bruise on my stomach. I can't work out any rhyme or reason for when this happens. It also sometimes bleeds a little when I remove the needle (luckily only rarely, maybe one in ten injections).

Any tips to avoid this? I'm using the 5mm needles. Should I try the 4mm?
 
I sometimes get this too and my needles are the 4mm.
It could be down to a few things, aging ? how long you have been injecting ? Always best to vary the sites. I find.
You could make an appointment to see your DSN or hospital diabetes clinic, when you next go.

Good luck
RRB
 
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How much fat is around that area? i easily bruise and bleed there because i don't have much fat around there and it causes my blood sugars to drop unexpectedly.
 
@Jonathan CB When you say that injections in your stomach cause your blood sugar to drop unexpectedly are you talking about your fast acting insulin or are you specifically talking about Lantus?
 
@tim2000s Iv'e only just moved onto the Basal bolus routine. I was referring to novomix 30
 
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I used to have the same problem when I first started injecting and metioned it to my nurse and she told me not to grip the fat/flesh as hard as it brings the blood vessels to the surface. I have tried it and it seems to work worth a try?
 
Thanks everyone! I was only diagnosed a few weeks ago, so still new to it. @Jonathan CB - yes, I'm also lean and don't have much fat so that might be making things worse. @Bertybean - good tip, thanks. I'll try that. I must confess I do grip it quite hard.

Does everyone else use 4mm needles? Not sure why I have the 5mm ones :-?
 
I have found the best way to avoid bruising is to inject the insulin slowly. Every time I have noticed any bruising is when I have injected the dose quickly.
As regards to needle size it seems to vary on how much or little body fat you have. My DN has just dropped my needle size from 8mm to 4mm as she said the best place for the insulin to be absorbed most effectively is just under the skin and not too deep. Hope this helps :happy:
 
Have both 4 and 5 mm needles .

Best technique with myself is to gently pinch an inch on my tummy .
Always inject needle 'straight' and subject pen plunger of insulin into skin 'slowly' .
Too fast it can sting - or bruise me .

Count off to a full head count of 10 - this helps to make sure all insulin
is delivered into my subtaneous fat layer of skin fully .

Am too tiny on legs/arms/ plus no bum !
So can only use my tummy area/zone .

Keep rotating these areas is vital also .
 
pinewood said:
Thanks everyone! I was only diagnosed a few weeks ago, so still new to it. @Jonathan CB - yes, I'm also lean and don't have much fat so that might be making things worse. @Bertybean - good tip, thanks. I'll try that. I must confess I do grip it quite hard.

Does everyone else use 4mm needles? Not sure why I have the 5mm ones :-?
Click to expand...

Yes I do use 4 mm, as I used to be on 8mm, but DSN said that was far too long a needle for my size, so was changed immediately.
RRB
 
Certainly try the 4mm needle if you think that may help, but do make sure you use a new needle with every injection, also (as been mentioned) make sure to push the plunger in slowly to give the insulin time to disperse, don't forget you can also use your arms, legs and bum for injecting insulin, although for quickness and speed of absorption the stomach and arms are best for insulins such as Novorapid.
 
I use the 4mm needles as I have very little body fat and unfortunately even with the 4mm needles I pretty much bruise every single injection no matter where the injection site. I don't grip at all and none of my DS team can provide any help
 
pinewood said:
Thanks everyone! I was only diagnosed a few weeks ago, so still new to it. @Jonathan CB - yes, I'm also lean and don't have much fat so that might be making things worse. @Bertybean - good tip, thanks. I'll try that. I must confess I do grip it quite hard.

Does everyone else use 4mm needles? Not sure why I have the 5mm ones :-?
Click to expand...
I'm using 6mm novomix 30 twice daily bruised across my middle
 
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