I just started giving my mom insulin shots....?!
Question: Do you really have to keep the needle in for 10 whole seconds??? or do i take it out once it clicks back to 0? it's a insulin pen. No one has taught me offically, i got the 10 sec. thing from the instructions in the box, but its starting to get painful for my mom, am i doing something wrong??
Answers: Do you really have to keep the needle in for 10 whole seconds??? or do i take it out once it clicks back to 0? it's a insulin pen. No one has taught me offically, i got the 10 sec. thing from the instructions in the box, but its starting to get painful for my mom, am i doing something wrong??
Why isn't she giving herself the injections? This is very important that she do this as she will be on insulin the rest of her life. There are 3 different lengths of pen needles and the first one that was prescribed for me was the longest length and painful too. It all depends on the volume of insulin and how thin or heavy she is. The Injection sites should be plotted out in a grid like pattern to avoid getting poor absorbtion and that crunching sensation where the insulin has been injected too frequently. I inject with the pen at a 90 degree angle to the skin and after depressing the plunger I wait 6 seconds to be sure that all the insulin has left the pen. You should always give the pen an initial "air shot "of 2-4 clicks before dialing in your moms dose.This "air dose" is simply to prime the pen and is expended into the air. She should have been shown all of this at the doctors office but your local pharmacist will be happy to instruct you..You can also check out the web site of the pen manufacturer which should be on the box. They often have instructional videos and sometimes coupons to help you get started.
I've never used an insulin pen to give shots. However, I have given many insulin shots over the past 25 years. Make sure you are pinching excess tissue, and insulin shot is given under the skin into the fatty tissue. Try to see a diabetes clinic for proper instructions or have them show you at the hospital or doctors office. I learned at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. If you ever have to counteract the insulin with glucagon, that is put directly into the muscle. I've given insulin in the upper arm, abdomen, thigh and buttock. Remember to rotate your sight in a grid pattern on any area.
my son uses an insulin pen and hes 12 , its so great compared to the needles. Anyways they say its best to but honestly its a pain to do that and I just mke sure my son leaves i in for about 3 seconds. Dont take it out right away because you could make a little of it come out and then you wont be gettin the right dosage. Just a drop can make a big difference. It shouldnt be so painful for your mom tho, try different areas, arms, tummy, sides, leg ect and make sure you always change the place where you give the shot. Tummy is the best about an inch away from belly button and work it outwards goin towards her side, so each day move over a little bit then star over on the other side. If you do the same area too much yu can get scar tissue and then it wont accept the insulin like it should. If you ever need advise or have questions ill be happy tp help. Im a pro now :-)
After the dose has been given, leave the needle in and keep pressing on the plunger for 5 seconds. This assures that all the medication is given. If it is painful for your mom, you are pressing on the whole thing too hard into her body. Don't make it look like the needle and syringe are into the skin, just the needle, with a little of the needle still showing at the top. You pinch up the skin to give the shot, but release the skin once the needle is in. Go to her doctor and let them show you how to do it properly. It should not be a painful thing.
When I used a pen I always held it for 10 seconds. Be sure you are rotating the site so you are not always injecting in the same place and be sure you are not moving the needle once it has been injected.
If you mom is able, she really needs to know how to do this herself. Her doctor should know of a diabetes educator who can help.
You have a lot of really good advice here. I just wanted to comment on one of your responses. The advice MamaSmurf gave you is bad. She gave you instructions for a regular syringe. I know with the pens you have to hold them in longer. She responded without reading your whole question, how irresponsible is that?