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Hi all

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Daddio76

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Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Hello, we’re into week 2 of finding our 5 year old has type 1. I think the main thing we’re looking for at the moment is any tips to administer the insulin injections. He’s fine with his arms but the rest of the areas he’s really not enjoying.
TIA.
 
Daddio76 said:
Hello, we’re into week 2 of finding our 5 year old has type 1. I think the main thing we’re looking for at the moment is any tips to administer the insulin injections. He’s fine with his arms but the rest of the areas he’s really not enjoying.
TIA.
Click to expand...
Hello @Daddio76 ,

I am so sorry to hear about your son and I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you. @Bronco Billy may have some thoughts or suggestions.
 
Hi, I’m so sorry for your son’s diagnosis. Have your team offered any suggestions. Sometimes different needles can be easier. Sometimes numbing the area with spray or ice beforehand can help. Getting him involved with aspects of the injecting can help him feel more in control. He could maybe put the needles on press the button. If he was able to he could do the actual injection with your help (we pinched the thigh or belly for her and she injected). She hated having injections in her bum so we did basal in her thigh.
Keeping calm and being as patient as you can and just being very matter of fact about it. He will get used to it.
 
Hi @Daddio76, welcome to an exclusive club. One trick my wife and I found helpful was to numb the site with something like a sugar-free ice pop and then let our daughter eat it afterwards. You could also try letting your son choose where he has the injection, excluding the arms and anywhere that would be out of the question anyway. In what way is he finding other areas difficult?
 
Thebearcametoo said:
Hi, I’m so sorry for your son’s diagnosis. Have your team offered any suggestions. Sometimes different needles can be easier. Sometimes numbing the area with spray or ice beforehand can help. Getting him involved with aspects of the injecting can help him feel more in control. He could maybe put the needles on press the button. If he was able to he could do the actual injection with your help (we pinched the thigh or belly for her and she injected). She hated having injections in her bum so we did basal in her thigh.
Keeping calm and being as patient as you can and just being very matter of fact about it. He will get used to it.
Click to expand...
Thank you. We’re slowly letting him get involved, he’s fine doing the finger tests and he can do those by himself. I let him squirt the 2 unit tester today to let him no what that’s like. We’re being patient with him and can finely calm him down and ask him when he’s ready. I think even 2 weeks in we’re all still very new to it and hoping he won’t get so worked up before insertion.
what is ‘Basel in her thigh’?
 
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Bronco Billy said:
Hi @Daddio76, welcome to an exclusive club. One trick my wife and I found helpful was to numb the site with something like a sugar-free ice pop and then let our daughter eat it afterwards. You could also try letting your son choose where he has the injection, excluding the arms and anywhere that would be out of the question anyway. In what way is he finding other areas difficult?
Click to expand...
thanks, the ice pop sounds like a good idea and we’ll give it a try over the weekend.
he’s gets himself wound up just before each insertion. He says he’s ready, then we get the injection ready and he gets wound up again. We get there eventually, I guess it’s a matter of time but it’s just heartbreaking seeing him so fearful of it.
 
You’re right, it isn’t easy at all to see our children get upset. In part, it might be simply because he’s still getting used to everything and it will probably sort itself out in time. Maybe try to have something positive planned for afterwards, such as watching television or playing music. Injections could even be done doing something like that. Other than trying to make injecting as easy and stress free as possible, it’s going to take time and patience, but you’ll get there.
 
Daddio76 said:
Thank you. We’re slowly letting him get involved, he’s fine doing the finger tests and he can do those by himself. I let him squirt the 2 unit tester today to let him no what that’s like. We’re being patient with him and can finely calm him down and ask him when he’s ready. I think even 2 weeks in we’re all still very new to it and hoping he won’t get so worked up before insertion.
what is ‘Basel in her thigh’?
Click to expand...

Basal is the background/slow-acting insulin eg Levemir or Lantus. Bolus is the meal-time/fast-acting insulin eg Novorapid or Humalog.

So ‘basal in the thigh’ just means giving the once or twice daily basal insulin injection in the thigh.

What insulins is your son on?
 
Hi
I don't know what modern treatment recommends but at the age of 5 I had all my injections in the arm. Mind you I only had two a day then. I am still to be convinced that my 4 injections a day which I started 3 years ago is any better for my control than the 2 injections I was on. So first 12 years all injections in arms. Then eventually I took over from my parents and been in the tummy since then. I know its not good because it can lead to fat atrophy but needs must. For me I would rather someone just got on with it the quicker the better. Everybody seems to deal with it differently but I think expecting a 5 year old to deal with it is expecting too much.
 
I wonder if something like the "Tickle Flex" might work. It is a circular soft fingered attachment which goes over the end of the needle and is supposed to distract from the needle insertion as well as making the injection process more stable for older or younger persons particularly, with less dexterity. If you do an internet search, it might be something you feel is worth a try. I haven't used it myself so I can't recommend it. I just know of it's existence and thought it might help in your situation. Let us know how you get on if you decide to try it.
 
Sorry to hear about your little dude’s diagnosis @Daddio76

Kids with T1 are superheroes, and you are the Alfred to his Batman, and the Pepper Potts to his Iron Man.

I am in awe of parents of kids with diabetes who learn to help, support and enourage (and occasionally cajole, bribe and strongarm) them to become independent experts in their own diabetes management, while simultaneously picking up the slightest cues and indications of low BG etc to keep their little one motoring along.

It might feel scary and overwhelming to begin with, but you are doing an awesome job already and will only get better as the weeks and months go by.
 
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