first injection, please help

[boss kitty]

I found out I have diabetes two weeks ago, and while seeing the specialist today I was handed a pen and asked to inject myself.. It was difficult but I did it. Then I cried and cried..

The injection in itself was painless, and I feel like a wimp for getting so upset, but I can't believe this is happening to me.

Can anyone offer any comfort from their own experience? I don't know anyone else personally who has diabetes and feel really alone right now, even though I have a great family and amazing friends, I just really want to hear encouragement from other people who are living with this thing..

Thanks and I'm enjoying reading through some of the posts here.

Kitty
xx

 

[totsy]

hya kitty and welcome,
it is scary being diabetic ,ive been injecting for four years and found it hard at first doing jabs but it does become second nature,
stick around the forum and ask as many questions as u need to,there will always be someone to help you

 

[dietfizzy]

you are not silly for getting upset..... this is a hard thing to get used to and you will go through a range of emotions but you will get there in the end. when i was first diagnosed i was scared to death to inject but IT DOES become second nature... your given a lot of advice mainly good, but you will eventually work out what is right or wrong for you. dont forget to talk to your diabetes team if your worried thats what they are there for and we are always here day or night. it a huge thing you have discovered but it is manageable and you can call on us here any time..... we all have the occasional meltdown i know! but the people on this site really helped me through.

so take care relax dont get stressed you CAN deal with this you are gonna be fine !

diet fizzy xxxxxxxx

 

[hazey276]

Hi, I had to start injecting in June this year after being diagnosed in mid-Feb. It was really scary at first but I can assure you that it will become second nature very shortly. It does get easier i promise and i've been exactly where you are now (crying, upset etc). The way i got through it was to stay with this forum. You won't believe the support you will get regarding all aspects of your diabetes. If you have any questions to ask, however silly they may seem, then ask them and you will get an answer from someone on here.

BEST WISHES AND HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS !!!!!!

Hazey

 

[boss kitty]

Thank you all so much for your kind words. I've just done my third injection and I'm finding the whole thing is getting easier already, although I'm only doing one a day and trying not to think about the 4 times a day that my doctor has hinted at for the new year... Still, I do believe you're right and it will become second nature.

Thanks again! I'll let you know how I get on. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
lots of love
Kitty
xxx

 

[johnar]

It is prety wierd a first, I was terrified of needles till i got diagnosed but I'm doing fine now (only 5 months ago). I wouldnt worry about switching to more injections a day either, I got thrown in at the deep end with that and I can honestly say i barely notice I have to do it now. If you've got support from family and friends the whole thing becomes easy before you even notice!

good luck

 

[hanadr]

Hi Boss Kitty!
You can help keep your need for insulin down by reducing the carbs in your diet.
If however, your doctor is planning bassal/bolus treatment for you, you won't reduce the number of injections, just the dosage. Are you T1 or T2?
low carbing works for both, but is particularly valuable in T2

 

[Jem]

You're not silly in the slightest ... I cried so much the first time I injected myself (and this was in DNs office with a "blank") I had snot streamers!

It is natural to have concerns over new procedures in your life and probably quite sensible to take being diabetic seriously.

Your first time was horrid but the first can be the worst so I'm pretty sure you'll relax more about it in the near future and get used to it.

As Hana said, dependant on your exact type of diabetes, you may be able to reduce the amount of insulin you need to inject by actively managing your carb intake ... I don't know the maths behind it but there's a formula (dependant on your type of insulin and personal requirements) that shows how much to inject per gramme of CARB to be ingested - so the theory being: less carbs, less volume of insilin.

All the best, Jem xox

 

[willogs]

I was scared at the idea of doing 4 injections a day, but the freedom this gives is fantastic, it means that you are not bound to meal times etc as strictly as you are on 2 injections. I wish I had known about this as soon as I was diagnosed.

 

[TROUBR]

Hi Kitty

It is hard ar first but it does get easier - promise. Before becoming diabetic I was so freaked by needles I would shake and when I had to take my son for his immunisations I used to ask the nurse to prepare it all out of my sight. Infact I still don't like anyone doing it to me! :?

When I first got out of hospital in April I would do a few ok and then out of the blue I would go to and would stop a few mm off and pause for ages!I had several bruises too. Now several months down the line I just do it - and you will too. In fact you get so casual about it you will start doing it and forget that people around you are not used to seeing fingers pricked etc!

Keep at it and you will be fine!

Take care

Louise