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Needle phobia and libre

S

Smiler99

Well-Known Member
Messages
174
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Needles
I am so struggling to get over my fear of putting my new sensor on as I am terrified of needles struggled for 3 hours still in the applicator
 
Smiler99 said:
I am so struggling to get over my fear of putting my new sensor on as I am terrified of needles struggled for 3 hours still in the applicator
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Have you got someone at home to do it for you if not you could always ask someone at your local pharmacy to do it for you
 
I can understand your fear, but it doesn't hurt. It looks much worse than it is. Don't overthink it, just pick it up and press the applicator to your arm, you'll be fine.

Just to add that the sensors are obviously sterile when manufactured, and the bit that stays on the outside of your arm is sticky. If it's exposed to the air for too long, it will end up not being as sticky and there's a risk of it falling off early.
 
Soplewis12 said:
I was exactly the same, hand sweats & anxious. Once I did the first one & realised it was a breeze the fear melted. Go on, you know you can do it!
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I know it doesn't hurt as the nurse put my first one in but like you say the anxiety is awful just it's an awful fear I'm so glad you were able get over yours
 
Hopeful34 said:
I can understand your fear, but it doesn't hurt. It looks much worse than it is. Don't overthink it, just pick it up and press the applicator to your arm, you'll be fine.

Just to add that the sensors are obviously sterile when manufactured, and the bit that stays on the outside of your arm is sticky. If it's exposed to the air for too long, it will end up not being as sticky and there's a risk of it falling off early.
Click to expand...
My last one lasted 2 days before it fell off nearly I will have to do it soon
 
Do you have any skin tac to make your arm sticky before applying the sensor? If not, tegaderm or one of the patches to cover the sensor would keep it on better.
 
Hopeful34 said:
Do you have any skin tac to make your arm sticky before applying the sensor? If not, tegaderm or one of the patches to cover the sensor would keep it on better.
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I have made a arm band and also got tape
Thank you for your help
 
Smiler99 said:
I am so struggling to get over my fear of putting my new sensor on as I am terrified of needles struggled for 3 hours still in the applicator
Click to expand...

Relaxing bath, some calming music, dry the area then apply the sensor?
Treat it like a chilled "treat night/home spa.." ("Pamper Thing.")
 
Hi. Every time I do mine I worry a bit but it never hurts when I actually do it. Always use an alcoholic wipe and shave if needed before applying. Mine stick like glue - literally.
 
Can you approach it as a trade off of some sort?
The insertion of one 5mm filament against additional finger prick tests? (I still finger prick test, but no where near as much as I used to).
And you will get all that valuable information...
I like the idea of creating a relaxing environment and treating yourself to some kind of reward once it's attached, give yourself an incentive.
And keeping it on your arm? I'm an electrical engineer and there have been times when I was sure I'd dislodged it, clambering in and out of harnesses etc, I use a biggish (my arms aren't huge) tubigrip that doesn't cut off any circulation and keeps Libre and miao miao firmly in place.
 
Any joy yet @Smiler99 ?

Distraction technique always works for me when doing something I am not keen on, turn your favourite music up loud and then count back from 5, also make sure you're attaching to your bingo wing, so flex your arm and apply to the underside, it's less likely to catch anything there, good luck.
 
Juicyj said:
Any joy yet @Smiler99 ?

Distraction technique always works for me when doing something I am not keen on, turn your favourite music up loud and then count back from 5, also make sure you're attaching to your bingo wing, so flex your arm and apply to the underside, it's less likely to catch anything there, good luck.
Click to expand...
Counting back from 5, great suggestion. I have to do that when I'm doing Lateral Flow Test tonsil zone!
 
Don’t look while you do it? The lovely thing about the applicator is that we can position it by feel. It doesn’t seem like any kind of needle, does it. Tell yourself you’re just stamping a barcode on your arm.
 
It's not actually a needle, it's a filament if you take a close look at it, rather fine and bendy. I know that doesn't help but at least you only have to apply it once and it's better than pricking your fingers ten times or more a day, now those needles do hurt!
 
Juicyj said:
Any joy yet @Smiler99 ?

Distraction technique always works for me when doing something I am not keen on, turn your favourite music up loud and then count back from 5, also make sure you're attaching to your bingo wing, so flex your arm and apply to the underside, it's less likely to catch anything there, good luck.
Click to expand...
Lol I haven't been able to do it I had to get my partner to do it. It's quite embarrassing maybe one day x
 
Mine wasn't thin at all, measured at 9mm akin to a rivet nail much thicker than a drawing pin that most articles suggest, far too deep for my liking, won't be buying again. sticking to finger pricks until something both affordable and less invasive comes along
 
scorpius14 said:
Mine wasn't thin at all, measured at 9mm akin to a rivet nail much thicker than a drawing pin that most articles suggest, far too deep for my liking, won't be buying again. sticking to finger pricks until something both affordable and less invasive comes along
Click to expand...

But that retracts, and what remains is teeny tiny.
 
I understand how you are feeling. Needle phobia, like other phobias, is in my head, but that’s the same head that has to make me get over it! I’ve spent 40 years on injections and taught family, friends and work colleagues to inject me and when I was alone it could take an hour or more to do it myself. For the past 10 years I’ve used a pump (SO much better) and now also using the Freestyle Libre. Both are inserted in broadly similar ways. It is still stressful. No one can know how hard you are finding it. Personally, I have a word with myself, for the Libre I always stand in front of a mirror, raise my arm and rest my forearm against the glass so that it is firm and won’t involuntarily move, I position the inserter under my arm then look myself in the eye. Breath, put off the moment, count three, two one…. My rule is I can’t move away until it’s done. Sounds ridiculous to the non phobic but there you are. Sometimes takes a while of persuading myself it’s going to be ok, counting down again etc but finally I apply the pressure and it’s done. Jelly legs and rapid breathing follow but if I stick to the rule that once I start I must finish it really helps me. Keep at it, you’ll find a way that works for you but know you are not alone in your struggles.
 
Jan(I love Goldies) said:
I understand how you are feeling. Needle phobia, like other phobias, is in my head, but that’s the same head that has to make me get over it! I’ve spent 40 years on injections and taught family, friends and work colleagues to inject me and when I was alone it could take an hour or more to do it myself. For the past 10 years I’ve used a pump (SO much better) and now also using the Freestyle Libre. Both are inserted in broadly similar ways. It is still stressful. No one can know how hard you are finding it. Personally, I have a word with myself, for the Libre I always stand in front of a mirror, raise my arm and rest my forearm against the glass so that it is firm and won’t involuntarily move, I position the inserter under my arm then look myself in the eye. Breath, put off the moment, count three, two one…. My rule is I can’t move away until it’s done. Sounds ridiculous to the non phobic but there you are. Sometimes takes a while of persuading myself it’s going to be ok, counting down again etc but finally I apply the pressure and it’s done. Jelly legs and rapid breathing follow but if I stick to the rule that once I start I must finish it really helps me. Keep at it, you’ll find a way that works for you but know you are not alone in your struggles.
Click to expand...
That is extremely good advice, I still haven't been able to do a libre alone I rely on my partner, I intend on doing it and I did the mirror but I ended up a heap on the floor well done in doing needles x
 
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