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Bruises when injecting

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lucy123

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

My stomach looks mottled with green/yellow bruises from where I am injecting - I only noticed them this morning and was surprised as injecting doesn't seem to hurt much at all.

Am I doing something wrong in how I am injecting, or is this to be expected?

The Byetta is kicking in good and proper now - feeling sick, sick , sick!
 
I have had a few small bruises (grotty yellow colour) where I assume I've injected - never hurts but stings like mad, which I understand is an effect of Lantus.

Doc has seen my tum as they checked it after I'd been injecting for a month - she said its fine, pointed out a couple of lumps to avoid injecting again for the next couple of weeks. She didnt seem concerned by the bruising, so I wasn't either! I always bruise quite badly when they take blood, so I guess the little yellow bruises are the same thing, just with a smaller needle.
 
i get the odd bruise but when i do i try to avoid that area..... just my logic....
 
You shouldn't have lots of bruising although you will get the odd occasional one. It sounds to me like you might need a shorter needle. I'd also be concerned that you're losing sensitivity - while injections shouldn't hurt, if they feel like they hurt 'less' now, that could indicate you're overusing that particular area. Try to rotate your sites more frequently - constant use of one area leads to scarring and lumps under the skin. This is particularly true for stomach injections - if you inject a lot in your stomach, you'll end up developing a 'spare tyre' of tough skin and fat that will be extremely difficult to shift.
 
I get the odd bruise but not many.
 
Thanks all, I have only been injecting twice a day since Wednesday and I do keep injecting either side of the naval. Can I go above and below the naval too?

To be honest it isn't that I feel the needle less as I say I have only just started, but I dont really feel it going in. I do have a considerable sized tummy though!

The bruises dont hurt either, just look as Emma says grotty!

I will take advice re the spare tyre - definitely dont want another one!
 
I was told by DSN to stick to below naval in the area between hips. Or, tops of legs, where your hands fall when you are stood up. However, i'm sure someone with much more knowledge / experience will be along to advise!
 
Emmaathome said:
I was told by DSN to stick to below naval in the area between hips. Or, tops of legs, where your hands fall when you are stood up. However, i'm sure someone with much more knowledge / experience will be along to advise!
Click to expand...

Thanks Emma, I was told to try and not do legs but stick to stomach - not sure why.

I think I may try above and below too, the spare tyre comment has worried me a bit.
 
Ah, hang on a sec, I've been incredibly stupid. I've just realised you're injecting Byetta, not insulin.

In that case, I honestly don't know whether injecting in the same area repeatedly would cause the 'spare tyre'. Insulin definitely does as it's a fat storage hormone. Byetta might cause an accumulation of sub-q scar tissue from the constant trauma (as you would also get from insulin) but it might not promote the fat storage as well.

I would still have thought if you are getting lots of bruises, the needle is too long. Might be worth checking with a professional. Otherwise in the meantime, arnica cream is supposed to be good for bruising and might help reduce the yellowness.
 
Thanks - I am changing where I inject each time, and now may go up and below too so thats 4 areas instead of 2.

Thanks for all your help.
 
I often get bruises. Think I hit a capilliary every now an again, thats why.

MY DSN tells me to inject two and a half inches above my navel.
 
veganlass said:
I often get bruises. Think I hit a capilliary every now an again, thats why.

MY DSN tells me to inject two and a half inches above my navel.
Click to expand...

Thanks VeganLass

Isn't it funny how they all tell you different things!:D
 
Although i have only been injecting a couple of weeks, I think the first Lantus i did at home caused a bruise but no others.
 
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