• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

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.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the support and advice, this is really helpful. Good tricks and tips, this will really help me and I am sure I will soon get over the fear of my needles. Thank you!
 
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..
Click to expand...
Thanks! Will do!
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...
Ok, thanks
 
I am 18 now, but was diagnosed when was 17. I am on pens and I remember how everything was hard at the beginning. In my opinion a positive attitude is key to successful diabetes management. You have to accept that your life is changed, but if you are doing things the right way you can live your life same as before. I had same fear of needles, but it disappeared over time after all shots I have every day.

When I was diagnosed, people here helped me a lot, so if you have any questions (I know that you have many) ask here and you will get answers for all of them :)
 
Hi Kyle I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and said at the time on Facebook 'what's the worst thing that could happen to a man that enjoys beer and hates needles?'. I got over the needle bit straight away as the only way I could cope with it was to just get on with it without leaving myself time to think.

Best of luck on your journey.

You'll be a pro in no time and just think with all of this learning you're a potential lifesaver to someone else with the condition.
 
KyleGreene70 said:
I am a 16 year old boy, my life was running very smoothly until 2 days ago were I was diagnosed with diabetes T1. I am now taking insulin with every meal and having to prick my finger several times a day... I absolutely HATE having to give myself insulin and I was wondering if there are any tips/tricks to help me get through giving myself the shot. It takes me 10 minutes+ just to give myself a small prick in the stomach... I can't tell if this is from my fear of needles which I am sure I will overcome soon or the fact that the first time I gave myself the pen, it went horribly wrong and was painful. It is nearly impossible to give myself the shot and I do not know what to do. I feel like my whole life is going to be consumed with needles, and I know the pump will probably help but I am just very scared. Scared about the shots, complications later in life and what would happen if I was to wrongly dose myself with insulin. Also, how painful is it to put the pump in? Please be honest about the pain. I feel quite depressed also... I am just hoping to get some advice on what to do. Thanks for the time of reading this.
Click to expand...


It's a hell of lot to take in, all the information, and getting to grips with injecting insulin. The pain of injections will go away as they just become the norm, I hate needles too, but have just got used to it.

In general I'd recommend reading 'Think Like a Pancreas' and if you do exercise and sport then the 'Diabetic Athletes Handbook'. Take your time in the reading though, and re-read paragraphs and chapters as needed as out's a lot of information to download.
 
Back
Top