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

Type 1 Diabetes Insulin

Coffee_Lover

Coffee_Lover

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone,

I was just wondering where else I can inject apart my tummy or my legs (because I've used both of them, and its starting to hurt). I also can't inject in my bottom because I can't see what I'm doing. I've recently heard that you can inject in your arms, but I'm just wondering if this is true and whether I can.

Any help/support/advice would be grateful.

Many thanks,

Aaron x
 
Some people do inject in their arms.

However, I an worried that you say your tummy and legs are starting to hurt.
I don't think this should happen.

How long have you been injecting for?
How long are your needles?
Can you describe the pain? Is it all the time? Just when the needle goes in? Is it sharp or more like a bruise?
 
Yes you can use arms.
I have also used my back.
 
helensaramay said:
Some people do inject in their arms.

However, I an worried that you say your tummy and legs are starting to hurt.
I don't think this should happen.

How long have you been injecting for?
How long are your needles?
Can you describe the pain? Is it all the time? Just when the needle goes in? Is it sharp or more like a bruise?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I've been injecting since May 2017. My needles are 5mm/31g. The pain comes and goes it's like a shooting stabbing pain in my stomach and on my legs. I do tend to bruise on my tummy and legs so I obviously don't inject into a bruise. When the needle goes in I do suffer with pain sometimes but not all the time. Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.
 
Hmmm.
The size of your needles shouldn't be a problem.
I used to inject 6mm needles into my tummy 5 or 6 times a day for 12 years and only got the sharp pains when I stabbed a nerve which was very rare.

I am wondering if there is anything about your injection technique.

I would always pinch my flesh and inject into this. I understand the advice has changed and, in theory, you don't need to pinch with the smaller needles but, even when I changed to 4mm needles, I needed to pinch.
And I always made sure I injected straight rather than at an angle.
There are a few youtube videos showing the technique which may be worth checking out.

Do you always change your needles?
Injecting with a blunt needle can be painful.

The other possibility is that it is the insulin.
I know some people find the insulin stings when it is going in. When this is particularly bad, they have changed their insulin.

Perhaps someone else has some ideas?
Otherwise, I would suggest talking to your doctor as I don't think you should be having these problems after less than 12 months.
 
I've exclusively injected into my tummy and thighs(for Lantus/Levemir) for 15 or so years, never had any problems like that. Do you have any skin conditions or something that may affect healing capabilities?
 
Coffee_Lover said:
Hi everyone,

I was just wondering where else I can inject apart my tummy or my legs (because I've used both of them, and its starting to hurt). I also can't inject in my bottom because I can't see what I'm doing. I've recently heard that you can inject in your arms, but I'm just wondering if this is true and whether I can.

Any help/support/advice would be grateful.

Many thanks,

Aaron x
Click to expand...

Hi bud, I find if I quickly inject then its very rarely painful.I normally do basel in buttock and insulin with meals in tummy,or now and again in arms.:)
 
I usually inject basal into tops of legs and bolus into stomach. I change my pen needles every other injection. Its very rare I get any pain from the jabs.
Do you change your needles regularly?
 
Do you inject your insulin straight from the fridge?
Cold insulin can be unpleasant going in.

I use my backside for the bigger injections and rarely use my arms as they are quite thin.

Good luck

Tony
 
My technique is to gently rest/slightly insert the needle on/in my skin & if it feels painful move a few millimetres & try again. I'm usually fine at the second attempt but move again if necessary. I've never liked the "stabbing" action some nurses advise.

New needles make a big difference, though I do forget to change them.
I inject basal in my back side & boluses in a rotation - abdomen, thighs & arms. Do tend to over use my abdomen because it's the easiest to get at, especially in winter.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top