Have to go on injections - don't think I can do it.?!

Have to go on injections - don't think I can do it.?

I have been a diabetic for over 10 years and controlled my diabeties with oral medication. My blood sugars are not in good control now and my doc says its time for insulin. I don't think I can give myself shots. How have others made the transition?

3 weeks ago
I have been reading through your answers and found them very helpful and encouraging. Thanks for taking the time and energy to respond.

Bob, I know how you feel; I have always been terrified of needles. I have Diabetes Type 1; I've had it for 6 years. At the very beginning, I was told I would have to give myself 4 shots a day. I freaked, especially when they told me I had to inject into my tummy.

The very first time, a nurse did it for me, to show me how. It didn't really hurt, and she explained why. When you get your blood drawn, the needle has to go into a vein, so it hurts more. Also, if you get a shot, like a flu shot, it hurts because it goes into your muscle. But it's different with insulin injections. It just goes below the skin, what they call subcutaneous. So you can get the skinniest needles I've ever seen, plus you can get them really short.

For me, that didn't take away the fear. I cried the first week I think, every time I had to do it, even though I had to admit it didn't hurt. You pinch a small area of skin on your belly and just hit it, not too slow, just do it, then push the plunger in, and after a few seconds, just take out the needle real fast.

Now, I can do it like a pro. I don't even stop watching TV if that's what I'm doing.

Here's a couple of tips - the higher the number of the needle, the skinnier it is - try to get a 31 gauge - that's the skinniest there is. Also, try to get the shortest needle you can - 5/16ths are the shortest (if you are overweight, you will need a bit longer).
There is a great device that's sold that has helped me a lot. You can find it in any drugstore where they sell diabetes supplies. It's plastic, and after you load up your needle with insulin, you drop the needle into the plastic device; then you pull up a lock. Now you can't see a needle, so it kind of fools your mind. You just place the bottom edge against your skin and press a button. It shoots the needle in for you, really fast, so you don't feel a thing.

I use that device 6 years later. If I don't look at that needle, I feel much better. My husband teases me that I'm a big baby (not in a mean way), but, hey, needles scare me. I still won't let anyone else give me a shot (like my husband). I haven't gotten that brave yet, but what the heck - it's my diabetes, I'll take care of myself. And I know you will too. It's OK to be scared; it will go away faster then you realize it.

Eventually, you may want to go onto an insulin pump, but if you are just starting insulin injections, doctors don't normally let you start out with them. You have to wait until the insulin is the best type for you. I was only switched once from one type of insulin to another. Then they wait until your numbers are under control and things are going smoothly. Then they will talk to you about a pump, which may be a lot easier for you. But right now just deal with the first step. I bet you'll be a pro in no time. Good luck.