• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2026 Survey »

Hey everyone

RevitalS

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, I was diagnosed a week ago with type 1 diabetes. It's been really hard because my biggest fear is needles. How did you handle with this at the beginning? It is very hard for me.
Thanks for your time
 
A warm welcome to the forum.

Yes it is hard getting use to injecting, especially when you have a fear of needles. I learnt to inject in hospital as I was admitted at the time of diagnosis, the diabetes team and ward staff wouldn't let me go home until I was confident at doing the injections, had to practice the technique on a orange.

See if there's anything in the following which might help you:

http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/page.aspx?cat=7001&id=7259
 

Hello and welcome, practically the same as Noblehead and I was the biggest wuss regarding needles. When I eventually got back to where I live, later I saw my mum and she said, why did it happen to me, as I the worst one in the family' regarding medical stuff, but I had to do it and, after that it just fell into place really and the needles are small, light and very fine. Try not to worry to much, I know it can be a shock and a worry to some. Take care

Best wishes RRB
 
I personally hate anyone giving me injections and would rather do it myself, I have no memory other than having them tbh and back in the 70,s the needles were really big and fat.

It will be hard for you and you may hit a sensetive spot every now and again but if you use a new needle every time this will be reduced alot.

Try not to worry to much as in time it will just become part of your day

Also welcome to the forum, this is a great place to discuss matters
 
Hey and welcome, I was also pretty scared at the prospect of needles having had a bad experience at the dentists a while ago. What helped me was knowing how small the pen needle is, mine is 4mm and it doesn't even touch the sides, I literally grab a roll of flesh and inject, count to 10 and done, nothing like a big needle. Also try some positive thoughts like 'my body needs this' and 'by doing this I am looking after myself' or try distraction techniques like humming a song while you do it. It does get a lot easier I promise
 
Hi there, I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and had the exact same fear! I have loads of tattoos and piercings so people don't understand how I can be scared of needles but to me that's totally different. The first day I was a wreck, the hospital doing my injections was the worst! Then the nurse said I had to do it myself, it took me ages, I kept hesitating! Then she told me I wouldn't be allowed home until I could prove I could do it, that was my motivation, no way was I spending more time in hospital! After that I just accepted that I had to do it. It was either that or become seriously ill and end up back in hospital. That wasn't an option! I found just take your time and don't pressure yourself. It also helped me to do it alone for the first wee while until I was used to it. Now I don't care and just do what I need to do
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…