Newly diagnosed - need help

[chloeTx]

Hi I've been diagnosed about 5 months not. My first long lasting insulin was lantus, but I got bruises every time I injected. My diabetic nurse changed me onto levemir, but I'm still getting these bruises this time worse??? They're so uncomfortable and I get them 7/10 times that I inject. What shall I do???

 

[Type1Bri]

How much are you injecting??
Large amounts injected too quickly will bruise. Also do you pinch up the skin slightly, if doing this too hard you will bruise. Do you push the button slowly and steadily, pushing in too fast will cause a bruise too. Hope this helps a bit, never nice when it bruises

 

[TorqPenderloin]

What size are the needle tips you're using? They shouldn't be anything longer than 4mm.

Also, are you making sure you're injecting into fat rather than muscle?

 

[noblehead]

They're so uncomfortable and I get them 7/10 times that I inject. What shall I do???

That is a lot, comfort wise just be sure to use a new needle with every injection and don't push the insulin in too fast, just gently push the insulin in and pinch the skin if necessary to see if this makes a difference. Normally bleeding at the injection site just means you caught one of the small capillary blood vessels that lay close to the skin, it's nothing really to worry about and the bruising should disappear after a few days.

btw, if you've tried it before have a go at injecting your basal insulin in your bum, I found it one of the more comfortable places to inject my basal insulin.

 

[Mrsass]

Are you changing your needle each time? I know if I forgot to do that when injecting in my stomach I'd get some nasty lookin bruises!

Also what Torq says about make sure you're injecting into fat, I'd sometimes accidentally inject into muscle in my thighs and that really hurts & bruises too

 

[donnellysdogs]

Who is the manufacturer of the needles? BD ultrra microfine ones arevthe smoothest. The smaller in size you are, you may find the shorter the length of needle is the best.
The softest area with most fat may be the best if lean and muscly.. Ie the bum cheeks.
If injecting over 5 units then it may be less bruising to inject more ie split overbtwo injections.
If needing larger doses it may be good to try degludec tresiba injection as you need less and only once a day.. You can only get a Consultant to initiate the changeover to this insulin.
Hope you can find some comfort in future...