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Bruised, sore, tummy from injections

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Sals75

Sals75

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi, I've been injecting for about 4 months now and initially the needles went in easily with very little or no stinging. I am now fining that I get a lot of stinging and it can actually become painful. I am also fining that sometimes I am left with yellow bruising. I inject into my tummy and I always make sure I manage where I'm injecting so I am not doing it repeatedly in the same area each time etc. Is this normal for it to begin to hurt over time? Should I be trying to inject elsewhere? I have not been shown how to inject anywhere other than my tummy.
 
You can also inject in the outside of your thighs exactly the same way you inject in your tummy. Do you use a brand new needle every time? What length are they? Shorter needles have less chance of bruising
 
I was the same, they let me out the hospital only knowing how to use my stomach, I now use a thigh for breakfast the other thigh for dinner, my stomach for my tea and my bum for my long acting, I used to cope well with my stomach but since I stopped using it all the time it does feel more painful, talk to your DSN about changing sites like using your thigh, the outer part below your hip bone, I don't find it sore although if you do it be sure to relax your leg rather than sitting normal as that does hurt (i found out the hard way) lol x
 
I use a new needle every time, 5mm. So do you mean the outer top part of thigh?
 
Yeah like the bit that looks fatty when you relax your leg x
 
Sals75 said:
Hi, I've been injecting for about 4 months now and initially the needles went in easily with very little or no stinging. I am now fining that I get a lot of stinging and it can actually become painful. I am also fining that sometimes I am left with yellow bruising. I inject into my tummy and I always make sure I manage where I'm injecting so I am not doing it repeatedly in the same area each time etc. Is this normal for it to begin to hurt over time? Should I be trying to inject elsewhere? I have not been shown how to inject anywhere other than my tummy.
Click to expand...
just curious as to what insulin you have been put on......... Lantus is known to sting like heck, are you using your insulin at room temp as this can make a difference and lastly what needles are you using? Some of the cheap nasty needles have been known to cause problems.
 
Yes I am on Lantus and Apidra. My needles are GlucoRx Fine Point 5mm. I do always have the insulin at room temperature after reading on here straight out of the fridge can make it stingy.

I will discuss with my nurse. Thanks for responses!
 
Thank you, have just read the link.
 
I changed from gluco Rx 5mm to Bd Viva 4mm. Apparently they are about the same cost, so your doctor shouldn't be able to complain!
The gluco Rx bruised me no end, and since switching I haven't had nearly as many bruises. Also, it's really important to rotate your sites as others have said. I used stomach, thighs, bum and upper arms. Arms are a bit of a debated area, but I'm quite... lucky (?!) to have quite fatty upper arms, but many people don't and there is more risk of injecting into a muscle in this area if you're lean!
 
I also was given GlucoRX needles and although I do not use them often (pumping) when I did they bruised. I wrote to the practice and got switched back to the BD microfine needles. These have 5 bevels rather than 3 which makes the entry of the needle smoother. The new BD Viva are also 3 bevels and I have NT tried those, but others have found them a lot better than GlucoRX.

If you have a problems getting them to switch, write to your CCG. I was told that no one else had complained about the needles, but that changes made may not suit all, and they were happy to change me back.
 
You can use lots of different sites on the body - stomach, thighs, top of your arms, backside - pretty much anywhere that's got some fat. Careful you don't inject somewhere without too much fat though, as it may go into muscle and be absorbed much quicker (you can use this to your advantage if you need to lower blood sugar quickly, but if you do it without being aware, it could make you question why your sugars aren't what you expect, and lead to an incorrect change in your routine, as you'll likely blame other factors)
 
Am going to see if I can change my needles plus maybe trying injecting my thighs or bum. Who knew that diabetes would bring me to discuss injecting my own bum with total strangers?!! Thank goodness for this forum ☺☺☺☺☺☺
 
Sals75 said:
Am going to see if I can change my needles plus maybe trying injecting my thighs or bum. Who knew that diabetes would bring me to discuss injecting my own bum with total strangers?!! Thank goodness for this forum ☺☺☺☺☺☺
Click to expand...
We all love a good prick in our arse when the occasion arises!
 
I tried BD Viva needles today and they are SO much better than the GlucoRX that had previously. Thanks for recommendations!
 
I ran out of BD ones yesterday, and have been using my old stock of GlucoRx. SO much more painful But new prescription arriving tomorrow!
Glad you like them 🙂
 
I've only ever been on BD Viva needles and haven't had any major problems 🙂 x
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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