Just Diagnosed

Diamattic said:

Hey man,

I was just diagnosed like 8 months ago myself, so i get what your going through. It sucks. The trick is (IMO) not to think about it. This is your life, you can't really do anything to fight so just roll with it and it will just get easier and easier.

I don't have a fear of needles so you'll just have to tough that out lol I'm sure you'll get used to them as time goes on and you realize that your life literally depends on it.

I use pens as well, and have found a couple things that can probably help you

- Experiment with different areas on injections. You stomach is a good start, the further from your belly button the less likely it will hurt, i tend to use like, way back on my love handles. Make sure you pinch and pull (you dont have to do that, but for whatever reason i have found it makes it less painful for me). Also, as weird as it may be, i have found a site on my butt (a couple actually - at the top of the cheek, and around where your leg and butt attach lol) that have been like 95% pain free. I obvs don't inject there in public but at home or in a bathroom thats my go-to site since i know i wont even feel the needle. Sometimes i have check to make sure it actually went into the skin lol

-I don't know what your doctor recommends but try to use the smallest needle you can, i have found a noticable difference between 4mm and 5mm needles, as well as between brands (some brands lubricate the needle to slide better, some brands are sharper, etc etc so they aren't all the same)

-if you grab some ice you can numb the surface of the injection site if you're really worried, make sure you wipe off any water before injecting. I don't recommend this for long term use, but since your new it might help ease you into the world of needles.


At the end of the day, it is what you make of it. It CAN be awful, if you let it, but if you ignore it and just check and inject mechanically without much thought then it just fades into the background and your life can be pretty normal.

Also, trying to eat low carb will mean you need less insulin, which means the chances of ODing are much lower. Its tough to over inject if you only needed 2 units in the first place, verses 10.

Chin up, you got this.

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donnellysdogs said:

It means a lot to us to be able to help and give our experiences too.

We all been new to this at some time (long time for some like me!!) but support is vital in your early days and you've got it from us.

You will get exactly the same support when you get a pump.

Makes me laugh now, when pumps came more available a few years back one of the biggest questions was "what colour?". Nowadays its more on the functions of the different pumps.

Let us know how you get on and if you are getting swings in your readings and can't get hold of your nurse for advice etc. we can give you examples of what has worked for us... However we are not qualified.. Just experienced in finding ways to manage.

Good to hear from you Kyle and we hope you keep posting and will find your way to overcome the initial challenges that diabetes can bring..

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Daibell said:

Hi. I guess I'm lucky as I find my 4mm needles normally just slide into my stomach without pain unless I hit a nerve or capilliary. I think the BD Microfine are the best. I'm now using a cheaper needle which is almost as good. May be your skin is slightly tougher or whatever? Do try other areas if the stomach doesn't work for you. Google the web for 'injection sites' to see loads of images.

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