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Does anyone else find when injecting that the insulin just does not work. Been type 1 for 55 years..

Does anyone else have problems sighting injections?

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Happy2bepart

Member
Messages
14
Location
Dorset
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Don't like hot weather
Hi does anyone else find sighting injections a problem? Sometimes my new areas just don't get the insulin to work. It would seem like I have not had any at all.
 
I don't think with injections I ever noticed it not working. But I had a tendency to stay around the abdomen, especially the lower stomach area. Now with my Omnipod pump pod there are areas that don't work as well, the lower stomach is not the best. I think maybe because I took a lot of injections there and maybe more scare tissue?

But I also can't use certain areas for my pod that I never took injections in those areas. Lower back/buttocks and love handles do not work well for me, a huge delay in insulin working and more of it in those areas.
 
I've been on insulin for 25 yrs and when you start on insulin it takes about 4-5 weeks before you feel it taking affect but it is starting from the first injection but you feel it a few weeks later but that is because your body is getting used to the insulin being injected into you and your results for glucose or bm's will start to get used to it then but believe me you will get to notice it even if you think you don't at the start but once your body is used to where the insulin injection site is you will be able to have a hold on your blood sugars results.

My body took 3 weeks to get used to the insulin and I had to watch as I had the weekend effect of my pancreas which lasted for about a year or two and then now it's still producing insulin just not much as why I need extra insulin and I have to check my sugars before each meal and I can then do as I wish for a meal and I also found that if you inject insulin you are prone to lack of iron and potassium and a few other things so watch as you will need them eventually
 
I'm new to insulin but have found the insulin works more quickly if I inject it into my outer thigh. I think it's because afterwards when walking around, the insulin has come in close to a moving muscle.
 
Hi @Happy2bepart,
Someone here as your 'juniour' at 52 years on insulin:
Just to clear the deck: i am assuming all the other possibilities like stress, infection, out-of-date insulin, spoiled insulin, insulin leaking from ampoule, underlying conditions like endocrine conditions -adrenal, thyroid etc and others have been excluded.

At 45 years on insulin i changed to an insulin pump because of needing 8 plus injections per day in an attempt to keep bsls under control, but suffering nightime hypos as a consequence.

That went well for some years and then bsls would rise for no apparent reason usually nearer the end of the 3 day course before change of cannula site etc.

What was theorised was that after so many years of injections into the abdomen and then some with a pump that scar tissue had built up and the cannulas were sometimes situated in that tissue keading to either variable absorption of insulin or a limit of infusion as maybe the scar tissue was unable to continue to give way as insulin was injected and thus created back pressure on the infusion set, but insufficient to set off obstruction alerts.

The solution which has succeeded (so far) was to change the length of my cannulas on the theory that scar tissue may not have formed at that level.

Of course there is still the need to avoid injecting into muscle, unless as part of my sick day plan which was worked out with my nurse for high bsls and rising ketones.

After even 45 years on injections i must admit to not being able to be certain whether the next place i chose on my abdomen was a previously used site or not. And moreso with inserting pump cannulas.

There is some opinion that a cannula infusing insulin over 3 days or so in one spot is likely to cause more scar tissue formation than separate injections of insulin.

So as well as trying completely to choose new areas for injection, would it be worth discussing with your nurse and doctor trying a different length of needle.?

The other thought is whether over time your body has developed antibodies to the particular insulins you have been prescribed.
It was something which occurred with people on beef insulin in the past and some have had reactions to newer insulins.
So the question is could some antibodies have formed and tend to neutralise the effect of the insulin you inject?

My guess is that an endocrinologist it probably the one to consult about the possibility of formation of antibodies to insulin and what might be done about it.

I have a further thought but will PM you about it.
 
Thank you for your replies.

I have been tested for thyroid misfunction, but there is no problem there.

It is very interesting Marks 2 that you are on the Omnipod. I had thought of trying that, but it would seem not the best option, having read the problems you have had with sighting it.

I have used a pump many years ago, when I had to buy one to use it, but now they have improved slmewhat, it might be a better option. If I find an area that good then all goes well until the next injection! Maybe I might have a longer period of good function, if I find a good sight for canular. It is all just luck.

Thank you for all for you comments. Everything helps when trying to get things to improve.

If anyone else has any suggestions please let me know.
 
Thank you Kitedoc,
Yes most of the checks have been eliminated.

I have not thought about the insulin not reacting due to antibodies. I have used the same insulin since I was on my initial pump. The only thing is that when I do get a good site the insulin is absorbed very well and reacts perfectly.

The other problem that you might have found is that being diabetic, it does cause problems with the digestive system and delays flood being absorbed. This is another problem I suffer with, so even though I inject insulin, it works quite often before the food is absorbed. Even trying to very when I inject, there is no way to know if it will take hours or even a day to absorb the food eaten. Very confusing.

I will have to think very carefully before deciding whether to use a pump or not.

Thank you.
 
 
Hi, you have had some very helpful replies, so I can't add anything else, except well done on reaching 55 years, that is amazing and so inspiring to know All the best
 
Robinredbreast said:
Hi, you have had some very helpful replies, so I can't add anything else, except well done on reaching 55 years, that is amazing and so inspiring to know All the best
Click to expand...
Bless you,

Common sense comes into dealing with diabetes, but some things do creep up on you. Thank you for your lovely comments.
 
Thank you for your reply,

I do hope that you can get off insulin through diet, but I am sure you have been through all that. Yes I do take various extra vitamins to cover certain deficiency levels..

just take care of your self we all need to do this.
 
I'm never going to be off insulin as I am on it for life as I am still producing insulin with my pancreas but it is the wrong one and I am insulin resistance and on a high dose of insulin to counter it so that I can no longer do it by diet only or by anything else and I don't do drugs and insulin just insulin as a type 1 but my pancreas is still working a little bit and I am on a lfhc diet and that helps a bit but now and then I still need a few extra calories but other than that my life is to cope with the insulin resistance and insulin and that I am keeping a close eye on each day and night
 
Hi Jordi77,

So sorry that you are always going to be on insulin. It is very hard work keeping life on a reasonable setting with diabetes. Being insulin resistance must be very difficult.
24/7 is the way we have to cope and it does get tiring and can be depressing. I have been through a few depression periods in my life course, but generally I must admit that as long as we don't go over the top with too much sweet stuff, then we are blessed that we can live with the problem, unlike those with cancer or other life threatening diseases. Just take care and ask for help if you need it.

 
I have been type 1 diabetic since diagnosis 48 or so years ago (age 57 now). About 18 months ago I started seeing another "different" doctor and we discussed my perception of insulin resistance. As others have noted I do see different responses when comparing different injection sites, another variable to deal with. No matter how things were sliced we did see evidence of insulin resistance and I started using metformin to supplement. It aided with the resistance part but above 1 gram/day my GI tract simply would not tolerate things (really painful cramps). I still see odd variances where some days it feels as though I am not diabetic and I need oh so little insulin. Other days it seems I need to inject a horseload. But overall things have settled out somewhat even though good control is a constant battle and hypos occur whether I want them or not. But one thing to consider is insulin resistance and from there considering a type 2 medication that may help. Good luck!
 
Thank you for your infofmation, yes I too have found various sites differ as to how the insulin is accepted. Very annoying, as the blood sugar looks like a mountain range most days. I have been fortunate to be able to use the Freestyle libra, which shows all the movements.
Not sure if I would be willing to try the Metformin, as I have big problems with my gi track as it is. But all the information have given me a lot to think about.
I do hope that you continue to find it helps. I will discuss it with my specialist when I next see her.
All the best.
 
Hi @Happy2bepart,
Thank you for your reply.
From my reading and diabetes education, not as medical advice or opinion.:
i wonder if the trouble absorbing food is about delays in the passage of food.
My endocrinologist does check my blood pressure and pulse laying flat and then standing for 5 minutes (no rushing like some doctors do).

Apparently the nerve that contols some of the adjustment to blood pressue and pulse to change in posture also influences the ability of the stomach to empty out food into the small intestine (where any glucose is absorbed). The medical term is gastroparesis.
So if the injected insulin starts working before the delayed food reaches the small intestine, that mistiming might cause low bsls on occasion.

As you have noted the insulin absorption seems to be quite variable but i wonder how much the possibility of a variable absorption rate of food further confuses the issue.

I hope your doctor can help sort things out .
Best Wishes.
 
Thank you Kitedoc,

Yes my digestion is slow and I have been given medication to help, it dose not seem to do much to help though. I have had scans to check the rate of degestion, which.showed it was slow.

Unfortunately diabetes can damage the Gi and other areas of the digestion tract. Much appreciated your comments, as you have very kindly suggested most of the reasons why we have problems with insulin what with sites and digestion etc. Thank you for your help.
 
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