What's the best way to give yourself an insulin shot?

I must be doing something very wrong, because I have really bad scar tissue around my (squishy) abdomen. I've been giving myself insulin injections for as long as I can remember; I always find a nice squishy spot (and plenty of it!), pinch it up and ram that needle in at a 90-degree angle. I guess when you've been doing it as long as I have, you're bound to have some scar tissue, but the insulin won't get absorbed as good if you inject it into scarred tissue. What am I doing wrong? Anyone have any pointers? Thanks!

tim2000s said:

Scar tissue is usually a sign of not rotating injection sites thoroughly enough. Do you use thighs, bum and arms as well?

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I used to inject in my hip area, but after several years, it got all rough and weird-looking. I used to inject in my upper arm when I was younger, but it actually pinches more than my stomach! I've been using my stomach for many years now, and yes, I rotate. Every shot and a couple of inches apart. I tried my thighs once, but it really hurts on my thighs! (Inner and outer.) And my butt? When I try reaching around, I get a side spasm! And there's no way on earth I'm ever going to ask someone's help shooting me in the butt! LOL

Daibell said:

What size needle do you use? Do you have excess weight? I never pinch tissue but not sure if that makes any difference.

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The needles are always different; depending on what the pharmacy gives me. They're very small and ultra fine, though. No, I don't have excess weight; I'm average. A little squishy in the middle, but not heavy. Just out of shape. I tried not pinching the skin up -- but it stings a little, so I keep pinching myself! (Hopefully, one day, I'll wake up!) LOL

iHs said:

Although bolus insulin works fairly fast injected into the tummy, it doesnt take much longer if its injected into the top outer arm and is painless with a 4mm needle and saves tummy marks, scar tissue. Keeps tummy nice so that if a pump is required, infusion sets will be ok.

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I suppose I can try my upper arm again, but from memory, it pinched when I was little.