Diagnosed T1 yesterday; high readings

[Bruce Stephens]

I’m not sure there’s enough length on a 4mm to go in at an angle?! 😱

Which might increase the chances of bruises, I guess (if the insulin is going only just under the skin, I could imagine that causing more irritation and inflammation).

 

[iharding]

@pawprint91 if you touch the skin gently with the needle tip you can often tell if there's a nerve under the surface which is going to hurt if you break the skin.
As for injection sites, we're all different. Anywhere around my abdomen stings when the needle goes in, stays sore afterwards, and usually results in a bruise. Arms can also be painful. As a result, I nearly always inject into legs.

 

[rebrascora]

There are areas of my abdomen which are really no bother at all and I don't feel a thing and other areas which are really sensitive. Just above my belly button is one of the nice numb spots but of course the temptation is to use those areas more which isn't good, so I generally just rotate and accept that some will hurt and just get on with it. My buttocks where I inject my morning Levemir are the same. The underhung part is much less sensitive than the main backwards facing bulbous part. Thighs, right at the top is less sensitive than main front and side, but if you touch a nerve, yes it will be more painful however since you can't see them, it's just the luck of the draw. I do sometimes use the technique of touching the needle tip gently to my skin to find a less painful spot and then push it through.... or let the weight of the pen (Love the Novopen Echo for that as it is a nice solid weighty pen) take it in. The bruising is caused by nicking a fine capillary. No big deal and again, no way to avoid, just the luck of the draw. It is the stinging when I inject the insulin which I find most difficult to understand. Sometimes it doesn't sting at all and other times it really makes me wince. If I am really unlucky I get a triple whammy of hit a nerve and a capillary with the needle and it stings when I inject the insulin, but occasionally I get triple lucky and don't experience any discomfort or bruising at all. You take the rough with the smooth.

You might find your thighs better if you inject into them with semi straight legs rather than bent because the muscles are taut when the legs are bent so perhaps make the nerves and capillaries a little more stretched and vulnerable. With the modern 4mm needles I think you would have to be quite emaciated to hit muscle in the recommended areas and I think the 45degree angle was generally advised for older longer needles. You can of course pinch up a bit of flesh on your tummy to inject into or your thighs for that matter.... harder to pinch and inject your bum unless you are a contortionist but most people have a decent covering on their bot. 🙄

 

[trophywench]

Have to say, in areas where I could 'pinch an inch' such as literally my midriff bulge and some parts of my belly - I found it much less painful to actually stretch the skin to make it taut before jabbing. Also if a bead of insulin on the pointy end to touch the bead to the skin to remove it, then jab on a dry bit away from where the bead was.

 

[trophywench]

I’m not sure there’s enough length on a 4mm to go in at an angle?! 😱

I think the outer casing of the bit with the thread to screw it to the pen, would be much more likely to cause a bruise, frankly.

 

[nonethewiser]

I think the outer casing of the bit with the thread to screw it to the pen, would be much more likely to cause a bruise, frankly.

Never angled needle for long time, not even with 6mm ones. Maybe did with 8mm just forget now.