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Insulin Injection - Bleeds And Leaves Bruises

Discussion in 'Pregnancy' started by B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018.

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  1. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Hello Again,

    I am 19+5 days pregnant, and on Novorapid pens for last 4 weeks - 2 times a day with 4 units each (lunch and dinner).

    I occasionally have a bleed on the injecting spot, and it leaves a bruise thereafter.

    I take my daytime injection on my stomach, and evening ones on the legs (thighs). I change spots on the stomach, and alternate the legs each evening.

    Am I injecting it incorrectly? Is there anything like this will cause the insulin to not act (since not injected in right way?)

    Very confused!

    Please help...
     
    #1 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:08 PM
  2. johnpol

    johnpol Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    it sounds like you are catching a small blood vessel as you are injecting, which is causing the bleed and subsequent bruise, your insulin will still be working. unfortunately you can't predict where these vessels are under the skin so keep rotating the injection sites. You are doing well so don't worry too much.

    Take care.
     
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    #2 johnpol, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:23 PM
  3. alphabeta

    alphabeta Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Hello, what needle length are you using?
     
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    #3 alphabeta, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:24 PM
  4. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Thank you! Its good to know I am not doing something silly :)
     
    #4 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:28 PM
  5. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Hello, I am on 4mm needles.
     
    #5 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:29 PM
  6. alphabeta

    alphabeta Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Do you stretch or pinch your skin?
     
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    #6 alphabeta, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:30 PM
  7. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    No, I try to keep it soft by sitting so that it is fleshy when I inject, but never pinched or stretched. Should I try any?

    Thanks!!
     
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    #7 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:32 PM
  8. alphabeta

    alphabeta Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Personally, I never pinch anymore but I stretch my skin, it makes veins more clear to see if there is any and massively reduces pain! Anyway I do that only with my thighs I don't have a third arm to stretch my arm ;)
     
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    #8 alphabeta, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:34 PM
  9. porl69

    porl69 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    I would defo start to pinch the skin a bit. I have always pinched the skin up. Every now and again I will get a small bleed or bruise BUT very seldom now
     
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    #9 porl69, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:34 PM
  10. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Thanks, I will try doing that. I am not very good with needles and blood tbh :p But will try to be brave and have control over it going forward
     
    #10 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:37 PM
  11. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Thanks for the info. I will try doing the change and see if it helps me. Appreciate you all sharing ur experience :)
     
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    #11 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:38 PM
  12. alphabeta

    alphabeta Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget to keep us updated!!
     
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    #12 alphabeta, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:38 PM
  13. porl69

    porl69 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    I hate needles.....T1D for 46 years too :)

    Let us know how you get on
     
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    #13 porl69, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:42 PM
  14. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    I will :)
     
    #14 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 1:31 PM
  15. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Oh... Brave of you :) I am in between type 1 and type 2 somewhere, had pancreatitis as a child, and guess pancreas have worn out over the years now. Insulin deficient but not dependent as they call it.
    Have been told to have insulin for pregnancy, and go back to diet after delivery, fingers crossed...
     
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    #15 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 1:32 PM
  16. porl69

    porl69 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Fingers crossed after the baby is born everything will go back to normal
    Congratulations on the pregnancy too
     
    • Hug Hug x 1
    #16 porl69, Aug 9, 2018 at 1:41 PM
  17. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Thank you! Much awaited pregnancy as I have a 9 year old, and this one took a long wait to actually happen :)
     
    • Winner Winner x 1
    #17 B2Reading, Aug 9, 2018 at 1:43 PM
  18. ealingr

    ealingr Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Are you taking aspirin? I was prescribed aspirin when pregnant (due to having T1 diabetes) and found it made me bruise more easily than when I wasn't pregnant.

    I've been on an insulin pump for a few years but the rare times I had bleeding back when I was on an insulin pen I don't remember it having any effect on insulin absorption. I never liked injecting on my thighs, though - always preferred stomach or backs of arms, personally. :)
     
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    #18 ealingr, Aug 12, 2018 at 9:22 PM
  19. B2Reading

    B2Reading Type 1.5 · Member

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    Thank you for that information - yes I am on Aspirin too... I will raise it with my consultant in next meet, just to make sure.
    I had just once bleed on stomach too :p
    Tbh, since I have started pinching as suggested here , its better, had only once bled since then on the thigh.

    Lets see how many bruises I would end up with until the little one pops out :)

    Really appreciate the support I get here...its so assuring to know I am not alone doing stuff and getting confused!!
     
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    #19 B2Reading, Aug 13, 2018 at 9:28 AM
  20. kitedoc

    kitedoc Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Hi @B2Reading, Congrats on your pregnancy. I wonder whether the influence of your hormone levels during pregnancy are causing your blood vessels to be more dilated (larger in size) so that you might be more likely to hit one when injecting.
    I would imagine your BSLS would reflect whether the injected insulin was working sufficiently and reliably and thus not affected by the bleeding under the skin.
     
    #20 kitedoc, Aug 13, 2018 at 10:22 AM
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