Insulin

[sue35]

So I talked to my doctor today and they want to start me on insulin because I am going on 40mg prednisone for a couple days. Here is my problem: I am terrified of needles. I have trouble just checking my blood sugar. My parents are out of the country and I live alone so to have someone give me the shots all the time is going to be impossible.

How big are the needles? Any good places to stab you? How much does it really hurt?

I am afraid I will just not be able to do it.

P.S.-I could have put this under my other blood sugar thread but thought this is a little different.

I am going to make an appt. with an endocrinologist but need to go on insulin before I see him.

Any advice? I am very nervous

 

[sue35]

So I talked to my doctor today and they want to start me on insulin because I am going on 40mg prednisone for a couple days. Here is my problem: I am terrified of needles. I have trouble just checking my blood sugar. My parents are out of the country and I live alone so to have someone give me the shots all the time is going to be impossible.

How big are the needles? Any good places to stab you? How much does it really hurt?

I am afraid I will just not be able to do it.

P.S.-I could have put this under my other blood sugar thread but thought this is a little different.

I am going to make an appt. with an endocrinologist but need to go on insulin before I see him.

Any advice? I am very nervous

 

[sue35]

So I talked to my doctor today and they want to start me on insulin because I am going on 40mg prednisone for a couple days. Here is my problem: I am terrified of needles. I have trouble just checking my blood sugar. My parents are out of the country and I live alone so to have someone give me the shots all the time is going to be impossible.

How big are the needles? Any good places to stab you? How much does it really hurt?

I am afraid I will just not be able to do it.

P.S.-I could have put this under my other blood sugar thread but thought this is a little different.

I am going to make an appt. with an endocrinologist but need to go on insulin before I see him.

Any advice? I am very nervous

 

[sue35]

So I talked to my doctor today and they want to start me on insulin because I am going on 40mg prednisone for a couple days. Here is my problem: I am terrified of needles. I have trouble just checking my blood sugar. My parents are out of the country and I live alone so to have someone give me the shots all the time is going to be impossible.

How big are the needles? Any good places to stab you? How much does it really hurt?

I am afraid I will just not be able to do it.

P.S.-I could have put this under my other blood sugar thread but thought this is a little different.

I am going to make an appt. with an endocrinologist but need to go on insulin before I see him.

Any advice? I am very nervous

 

[sue35]

So I talked to my doctor today and they want to start me on insulin because I am going on 40mg prednisone for a couple days. Here is my problem: I am terrified of needles. I have trouble just checking my blood sugar. My parents are out of the country and I live alone so to have someone give me the shots all the time is going to be impossible.

How big are the needles? Any good places to stab you? How much does it really hurt?

I am afraid I will just not be able to do it.

P.S.-I could have put this under my other blood sugar thread but thought this is a little different.

I am going to make an appt. with an endocrinologist but need to go on insulin before I see him.

Any advice? I am very nervous

 

[barbc888]

Hi Sue,

It's so normal to be freaked out when you learn you need to stab yourself with a needle everyday! If you can, practice with an orange or some kind of fruit first so that you get the hang of it. There are different size syringes, and I use a very small, thin one (I don't remember the cc size). I

've been doing this for quite a while, so for me it's as normal as brushing my teeth each day. You just do it and go on with your day. As far as painful, it's more like a little prick to your skin... don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of the time I shoot into my butt... the "shooting range" is more spacious than if I shoot into my skinny arm or leg. I hope your doctor can help you with any concerns you have.

Good luck... you'll do fine!

 

[barbc888]

Hi Sue,

It's so normal to be freaked out when you learn you need to stab yourself with a needle everyday! If you can, practice with an orange or some kind of fruit first so that you get the hang of it. There are different size syringes, and I use a very small, thin one (I don't remember the cc size). I

've been doing this for quite a while, so for me it's as normal as brushing my teeth each day. You just do it and go on with your day. As far as painful, it's more like a little prick to your skin... don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of the time I shoot into my butt... the "shooting range" is more spacious than if I shoot into my skinny arm or leg. I hope your doctor can help you with any concerns you have.

Good luck... you'll do fine!

 

[barbc888]

Hi Sue,

It's so normal to be freaked out when you learn you need to stab yourself with a needle everyday! If you can, practice with an orange or some kind of fruit first so that you get the hang of it. There are different size syringes, and I use a very small, thin one (I don't remember the cc size). I

've been doing this for quite a while, so for me it's as normal as brushing my teeth each day. You just do it and go on with your day. As far as painful, it's more like a little prick to your skin... don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of the time I shoot into my butt... the "shooting range" is more spacious than if I shoot into my skinny arm or leg. I hope your doctor can help you with any concerns you have.

Good luck... you'll do fine!

 

[barbc888]

Hi Sue,

It's so normal to be freaked out when you learn you need to stab yourself with a needle everyday! If you can, practice with an orange or some kind of fruit first so that you get the hang of it. There are different size syringes, and I use a very small, thin one (I don't remember the cc size). I

've been doing this for quite a while, so for me it's as normal as brushing my teeth each day. You just do it and go on with your day. As far as painful, it's more like a little prick to your skin... don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of the time I shoot into my butt... the "shooting range" is more spacious than if I shoot into my skinny arm or leg. I hope your doctor can help you with any concerns you have.

Good luck... you'll do fine!

 

[barbc888]

Hi Sue,

It's so normal to be freaked out when you learn you need to stab yourself with a needle everyday! If you can, practice with an orange or some kind of fruit first so that you get the hang of it. There are different size syringes, and I use a very small, thin one (I don't remember the cc size). I

've been doing this for quite a while, so for me it's as normal as brushing my teeth each day. You just do it and go on with your day. As far as painful, it's more like a little prick to your skin... don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of the time I shoot into my butt... the "shooting range" is more spacious than if I shoot into my skinny arm or leg. I hope your doctor can help you with any concerns you have.

Good luck... you'll do fine!

 

[CaliSally]

The way I learned to overcome that fear of administering the shot when first learning:
Place the needle on the skin where you want it to go in. Hold syring with thumb and middle finger about half way up the syringe. Place pointer finger on the top, where the plunger is. At the count of three, use a "tap&force" to help push the needle into the skin. Once there, then push the plunger. If you tap it just right, no insulin with leak out with the tap, but WILL be enough to go through the skin.
I still do it this way after 20 years. It is strange to get used to whether or not you are afraid of needles. But like everything else, you get used to it and it becomes second nature.
I use my stomach and arms.
Also, if they want to you ever go on insulin permanently, you can get a pump - then you only have to stick yourself once every few days.
Best Wishes

 

[CaliSally]

The way I learned to overcome that fear of administering the shot when first learning:
Place the needle on the skin where you want it to go in. Hold syring with thumb and middle finger about half way up the syringe. Place pointer finger on the top, where the plunger is. At the count of three, use a "tap&force" to help push the needle into the skin. Once there, then push the plunger. If you tap it just right, no insulin with leak out with the tap, but WILL be enough to go through the skin.
I still do it this way after 20 years. It is strange to get used to whether or not you are afraid of needles. But like everything else, you get used to it and it becomes second nature.
I use my stomach and arms.
Also, if they want to you ever go on insulin permanently, you can get a pump - then you only have to stick yourself once every few days.
Best Wishes

 

[CaliSally]

The way I learned to overcome that fear of administering the shot when first learning:
Place the needle on the skin where you want it to go in. Hold syring with thumb and middle finger about half way up the syringe. Place pointer finger on the top, where the plunger is. At the count of three, use a "tap&force" to help push the needle into the skin. Once there, then push the plunger. If you tap it just right, no insulin with leak out with the tap, but WILL be enough to go through the skin.
I still do it this way after 20 years. It is strange to get used to whether or not you are afraid of needles. But like everything else, you get used to it and it becomes second nature.
I use my stomach and arms.
Also, if they want to you ever go on insulin permanently, you can get a pump - then you only have to stick yourself once every few days.
Best Wishes

 

[CaliSally]

The way I learned to overcome that fear of administering the shot when first learning:
Place the needle on the skin where you want it to go in. Hold syring with thumb and middle finger about half way up the syringe. Place pointer finger on the top, where the plunger is. At the count of three, use a "tap&force" to help push the needle into the skin. Once there, then push the plunger. If you tap it just right, no insulin with leak out with the tap, but WILL be enough to go through the skin.
I still do it this way after 20 years. It is strange to get used to whether or not you are afraid of needles. But like everything else, you get used to it and it becomes second nature.
I use my stomach and arms.
Also, if they want to you ever go on insulin permanently, you can get a pump - then you only have to stick yourself once every few days.
Best Wishes

 

[CaliSally]

The way I learned to overcome that fear of administering the shot when first learning:
Place the needle on the skin where you want it to go in. Hold syring with thumb and middle finger about half way up the syringe. Place pointer finger on the top, where the plunger is. At the count of three, use a "tap&force" to help push the needle into the skin. Once there, then push the plunger. If you tap it just right, no insulin with leak out with the tap, but WILL be enough to go through the skin.
I still do it this way after 20 years. It is strange to get used to whether or not you are afraid of needles. But like everything else, you get used to it and it becomes second nature.
I use my stomach and arms.
Also, if they want to you ever go on insulin permanently, you can get a pump - then you only have to stick yourself once every few days.
Best Wishes

 

[JazzysMom]

The first time I went on insulin & had to check my sugars was when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes.

I cried like a baby for hours from the time the words came back about my testing. I even had my husband come down & take me home from work early. We both worked at the same place.

Since then I have had high sugars due to prednisone & infections & most currently my official dx of CFRD.

You do adjust. I cant say you get use to it, but you get thru it. Especially when you know how much better you feel as the insulin kicks in.

HUGS.......you will get thru it. I have faith in you!

 

[JazzysMom]

The first time I went on insulin & had to check my sugars was when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes.

I cried like a baby for hours from the time the words came back about my testing. I even had my husband come down & take me home from work early. We both worked at the same place.

Since then I have had high sugars due to prednisone & infections & most currently my official dx of CFRD.

You do adjust. I cant say you get use to it, but you get thru it. Especially when you know how much better you feel as the insulin kicks in.

HUGS.......you will get thru it. I have faith in you!

 

[JazzysMom]

The first time I went on insulin & had to check my sugars was when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes.

I cried like a baby for hours from the time the words came back about my testing. I even had my husband come down & take me home from work early. We both worked at the same place.

Since then I have had high sugars due to prednisone & infections & most currently my official dx of CFRD.

You do adjust. I cant say you get use to it, but you get thru it. Especially when you know how much better you feel as the insulin kicks in.

HUGS.......you will get thru it. I have faith in you!

 

[JazzysMom]

The first time I went on insulin & had to check my sugars was when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes.

I cried like a baby for hours from the time the words came back about my testing. I even had my husband come down & take me home from work early. We both worked at the same place.

Since then I have had high sugars due to prednisone & infections & most currently my official dx of CFRD.

You do adjust. I cant say you get use to it, but you get thru it. Especially when you know how much better you feel as the insulin kicks in.

HUGS.......you will get thru it. I have faith in you!

 

[JazzysMom]

The first time I went on insulin & had to check my sugars was when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes.

I cried like a baby for hours from the time the words came back about my testing. I even had my husband come down & take me home from work early. We both worked at the same place.

Since then I have had high sugars due to prednisone & infections & most currently my official dx of CFRD.

You do adjust. I cant say you get use to it, but you get thru it. Especially when you know how much better you feel as the insulin kicks in.

HUGS.......you will get thru it. I have faith in you!