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New type 1 diabetic

C

chezrel

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Insulin
My son (aged 13) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two and a half weeks ago. While he was in hospital, he was able you give himself his insulin, but since he came home, he has got some sort of fear of doing it. After lots of persuasion he is now able to hold the insulin pen but it can take up to half an hour for him to put the needle in with me holding his hand. I don't know how to get him over this fear. Has anyone else been through this? I would love to hear any suggestions that anyone may have. Many Thanks.
 
Chezrel
I have a similar problem. Some times I am fine yet others it is as much as I can do. I try to relax by deep breaths in and slow breaths out while positioning the pen over my belly. Then on a breath out I just "do it". Only been at this since October 2013 so still fairly new but getting there. It does take some doing actually sticking a needle, however small, into your own body. This is for a lifetime, dammit.



Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
 
My heart goes out to you both - I still remember the odd days when I'd sit at the kitchen table, stariing at my leg thinking how I didn't want to do it.

If he's not allergic to any of the ingredients in Anbesol or Bonjela, you/he could try dabbing some of that on the 'chosen' spot just before injecting - they contain lidocaine (amongst other things), which is a painkiller. Anbesol is better as it's a liquid.

That can be a short-term fix - it dulls the injection site and so can remove the fear of pain.

The other thing you can try is to get him to 'feel' for the best place - even now, after 37 years of doing this malarky, I still find times when the area I've chosen for the cannula (I'm a pump user now, but the same applied when I injected) is just not receptive to the needle - if I ignore the feeling, it hurts, whereas if I spend a little longer 'feeling' for another site, that generally produces a much more harmonious result.

If he's into Star Wars or The Hobbit, etc., he could try picturing his search for an injection site as a test of Jedi / Elvish strength.

I'd also look at where he's doing it - as I mentioned, when I was a lad, I did it in the kitchen (the insulin I used then had to be kept in the fridge), which used to make it a big deal because everyone else would be in the lounge, etc. so it could be that letting him chose another room to do it (perhaps in front of the TV for example) would aid his mindset.

It's not easy, I know, and it's still very early days for him, but try not to get over-anxious as that can work against you.

Do call the Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurses - they may have tips or support mechanisms in place that can help you all come to terms with the diagnosis and treatment.

Lastly, get in touch with your school and get an Individual Health Plan (IHP) set up for him straight away - from September it's a legal duty for schools to provide support and equal opportunities for children with diabetes. See this link:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Schools/
 
This might sound a bit stupid but it worked for me. I used to hold the pen in my fist as close as possible to the needle end and do a countdown 3-2-1 then literally hit myself. The needle went in at the same time as I hit myself so I didn't notice the pain. Pushed the plunger with the other hand while still gripping the pen.

Good luck with it all. I was 13 when diagnosed and it took me about 45 mins to do my first few jabswhen I left hospital. Lots of tears and encouragement from my mum helped


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When I was younger at the age of about 7 I went on a boot camp that was designed to give me independence for testing, recording my own sugars and also also doing my own injections.

We first practiced injecting into oranges. They are meant to have the same feeling as injecting into the skin.

Although the pain is probably the main reason your son is hesitating it may also be that he is not sure on technique and what it's going to feel like. You could try the orange with an aim to build confidence in injecting using the right speed and approach.

After 30 years of Diabeties I still prefer not to inject in my stomach as I find it the most painful.maybe try an alternative along with his legs such as his bum to reduce the pain he might be experiencing.

Sorry if this is a bit of a strange reply suggesting oranges but was the in thing to do in the 80s.


All the best
Adrian
 
I was diagnosed at 13, and remember being asked if I wanted to try it out on oranges first. I also remember my response, which was "No, I might as well use my leg as that's what I'll always have to do", and then jabbing an 8mm needle in pretty hard.

I've always used legs and arms as I find that my stomach is more painful and gets fat build ups more rapidly.

Ultimately though, you need to help him through it, and tough love may actually be better than sympathy.

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
 
I used a ticking clock (on tick 5 I'll do it) sort of thing, or music can help, as you can sing along for the next 10 seconds whilst the needle's in to distract you from it!


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Thank you very much for all of your advice. I like the idea of using the bonjela to numb. He often places himself infront of the tv to do it or in his bedroom. He can get the needle to his skin but can't put it in anymore, so hopefully the bonjela or Anbesol will help. Thanks again.
 
Thank you. He does ask me about what speed he should do it so maybe an orange is the answer. I will also try to get him to use his legs more. Thanks again.
 
Thank you very much.
 
I really feel for your lad, the only suggestion I can make is to speak with his diabetes team and ask for their advice.
 
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