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

Needle phobic

T

Tbnh1

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi I am really struggling I was told I have type 2 in nov 2016. It took me a good year to accept that I have it but my problem is I have an awful phobia of needles I can't even do my own bloods and i am finding it a real problem to keep things under control. I struggle with getting my head around any kind of diet too as I have another medical condition which makes taken in information and keeping information hard. Any tips of advice would be great thank you
 
Look at Freestyle Libre, expensive but it depends on how much you want to control your BG.

Testing with a normal Lance should not hurt if you do it correctly, but then I don't have a needle phobia.
 
If you have difficulty in retaining information write things down maybe on post it notes then you can keep going back to it when ever you need to refresh your memory or stick them around your home where you can see them.
 
Hi,
Sorry you are needle phobic, have you thought about maybe attending therapy?
Hope you can get this under control soon.
Take care
 
If you can use a spreadsheet it is very useful, or just an exercise book.

Get a copy of Dr Michael Mosley's 8 week sugar diet. Not necessarily to to do the diet but to read the background stuff. Very compelling and motivating.
 
If you use a smartphone, I’d highly rowdommwnd the MySugr app for tracking your blood sugars - you can add in meals etc as well as BG data.
 
Tbnh1 said:
Thank you everyone
Click to expand...
Hi. I can fully understand your needle phobia. I am not keen on stabbing my fingers either. I bought Accu Test mobile. It has the lance pen on the side. You just press the top and its like a king of gun. The prick depth is very adjustable. I have mine set on 1.5. Almost the lowest setting. I use theinside edge of my left thumb approx 1/2 centimetre below the thumbnail. Seriously you cannot feel it and looks like it wont bleed but after a few seconds it produces a surprising amount. Let me know if you want a pic for guidance.
 
I too use the Accu Mobile and the prick set on mid way is less than a scratch you may pick up gardening! The results give you confidence too
 
Tbnh1, I feel your pain - I too am extremly needle phobic and, allthough well meant, the odd comment on here is quite typical of people that do not understand the condition ( re Gavmolds post above ... sorry, Gav, not trying to have a dig, but you really misunderstand the problem with your comment ). It took me a year of denial and then a further 6 months of avoidance to eventually come to the realisation that I somehow had to try and get a grip of my blood sugar problem - mine rides particularly high at between 10mmol - and 18mmol, depending on food and times eaten. I bought an Accumen meter and had a nightmare of a time trying to stab myself and then, having managed this, subsequently got very queasy and on the verge of passing out again and again ( not a situation you want to repeatedly face ! ). Luckily, I do have a rather naturally numb, fleshy mound at the top of my leg and I discovered I can use this area without suffering the indignation of passing out every time I need a little drop of blood ). I did closely look at te Libre system and it might be worth your while considering it if you can't handle a pin prick 6 times a day ( I know I couldn't ). The Libre just requires one brief prick in the upper arm and then the unit is active and stays on for up to one month - you literally just hold your app against it and it gives you a read out. Best of luck and don't get discouraged.
 
Back
Top