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Help with bruising from injections

tpaz

tpaz

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Location
Canada
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Cardio exercise
So I've been giving myself injections in my stomach only recently, as a result of some pretty bad bruising on my legs and arms.

I know it's not good to stick to one area, so I'd appreciate some advice on how to stop the bruising? My legs are pretty muscular and I can't really pinch fat on them, but my arms are normal - why am I still bruising there?

I use pens, and a 4mm needle.
 
My thighs kill me and always bruise. I take my basal in my love handles but the rest goes in my stomach. Faster acting too. Never tried my arms but imagine it would hurt. I rotate stomach in quadrants as well as quadrants in quadrants. Works well for me. Thighs kill, bleed and bruise
 
Kristin251 said:
My thighs kill me and always bruise. I take my basal in my love handles but the rest goes in my stomach. Faster acting too. Never tried my arms but imagine it would hurt. I rotate stomach in quadrants as well as quadrants in quadrants. Works well for me. Thighs kill, bleed and bruise
Click to expand...

Thanks @Kristin251

You haven't had any problems with scar tissue or lumps in your tummy from only injecting there?

What's your trick to remembering where you put it last in your stomach?
 
tpaz said:
So I've been giving myself injections in my stomach only recently, as a result of some pretty bad bruising on my legs and arms.
Click to expand...

You can also use your bum, ideal for basal doses.

tpaz said:
I know it's not good to stick to one area, so I'd appreciate some advice on how to stop the bruising?
Click to expand...

Inject slowly, don't force the insulin in, I found this useful in preventing bruising.

tpaz said:
I use pens, and a 4mm needle.
Click to expand...

Good, make sure to change it each time.
 
noblehead said:
You can also use your bum, ideal for basal doses.



Inject slowly, don't force the insulin in, I found this useful in preventing bruising.



Good, make sure to change it each time.
Click to expand...


Thank you!

So I don't use basal right now, just bolus.

I can't actually control the injection I push a button and the insulin goes in pretty quick. I can't do anything about it.

I admit I'm guilty of not changing the needle each time. I'll use it 2-3 times before I change it. I will try this and see if it helps.
 
tpaz said:
I can't actually control the injection I push a button and the insulin goes in pretty quick. I can't do anything about it.
Click to expand...

What do you use if you don't mind me asking?
 
tpaz said:
Thanks @Kristin251

You haven't had any problems with scar tissue or lumps in your tummy from only injecting there?

What's your trick to remembering where you put it last in your stomach?
Click to expand...
No scar tissue or lumps but occasional bruising. I go by quadrants. Start upper right, lower right, lower left, upper left. There's 4 injections. Then you can also do upper part of right quadrant, then lower or middle of the same quadrant etc. Another way would be to use the same quadrant for a day and just pick a different spot. Then you won't be in the same quadrant for 4 days. I generally use lower right at BF, lower left at lunch and either upper at dinner. Just a pattern I fell into. I just keep moving it around
 
Thanks @tpaz

When you press down on the button to administer the dose just don't apply a lot of pressure (if possible), as said I found this made a difference when using a syringe and a insulin pen.
 
noblehead said:
Thanks @tpaz

When you press down on the button to administer the dose just don't apply a lot of pressure (if possible), as said I found this made a difference when using a syringe and a insulin pen.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I will definitely try this. I didn't even realize I had the option.
 
I don't have the option. The p n just shoots. I do think the amount of insulin in one bolus makes a difference. I squeeze the skin, shoot, let the skin go and hold 5 seconds, never releasing the button, withdraw and usually good. If I didn't pinch the skin I think I would die
 
I've found the same recently - stomach, outer thigh, bum and arms all bruising, some quite bad! Also been diagnosed with anemia recently, so just kind of guessed they were linked?!
I'll take on board some of these comments about pressure and site rotation more though :)
 
tpaz said:
Thank you!

So I don't use basal right now, just bolus.

I can't actually control the injection I push a button and the insulin goes in pretty quick. I can't do anything about it.

I admit I'm guilty of not changing the needle each time. I'll use it 2-3 times before I change it. I will try this and see if it helps.
Click to expand...
Always change your needle at every use, as at each use the needle blunts, making it harder to go into the skin, always change up your sites, use your arms, bum and love handle bits, try to avoid your tummy for a bit, overuse of one area means that eventually you'll get a build up of insulin at that bit and further insulin wont be absorbed.
 
xxAJxx said:
Always change your needle at every use, as at each use the needle blunts, making it harder to go into the skin, always change up your sites, use your arms, bum and love handle bits, try to avoid your tummy for a bit, overuse of one area means that eventually you'll get a build up of insulin at that bit and further insulin wont be absorbed.
Click to expand...

The build up is what I'm afraid of. My sister in law has build up in her stomach and she hates it.

I have found that a new needle each time is really helping! I know it seems so simple, but the same sister in law had told me I could probably get 4-5 uses out of each pen needle, so I had been following her advice. I have to admit it's a bit of a pain to change the needle at each meal. I'm just being lazy.

Does anyone know if it's ideal to inject a bolus dose in the bum cheeks? I've heard of it, but also heard that it doesn't work as efficiently? I also feel like the logistics of doing it might be awkward
 
Steph22 said:
I've found the same recently - stomach, outer thigh, bum and arms all bruising, some quite bad! Also been diagnosed with anemia recently, so just kind of guessed they were linked?!
I'll take on board some of these comments about pressure and site rotation more though :)
Click to expand...

I hadn't even thought about anemia!! While I'm not anemic, I was told my iron levels are low. That could very well be contributing.
 
Kristin251 said:
I don't have the option. The p n just shoots. I do think the amount of insulin in one bolus makes a difference. I squeeze the skin, shoot, let the skin go and hold 5 seconds, never releasing the button, withdraw and usually good. If I didn't pinch the skin I think I would die
Click to expand...

I tried this yesterday and today and it seems I don't have the option either. As softly as I tried to push the button it injected in the same way each time.

I was told never to squeeze the skin, as I could end up injecting in muscle instead of fat. I loved pinching it, because it didn't hurt at all!
 
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