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Injections and bruising

dannybgoode

dannybgoode

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Went to inject my pre-lunch bolus today and I've been alternating between tummy and thighs and which side of tummy too. Right side is a little hampered by my ileostomy so went for the left side and noticed that I am quite bruised around where I inject. I do change the precise spot each time so I have a ribbon of bruising stretching a few inches.

Is such bruising not unusual? Going forward I may do thighs at home and save tummy for the one injection a day I need to do at work...
 
I bruise easily too @dannybgoode When I’m using injections, I almost always have various bruises on me. You can reduce the risk by choosing your injection site carefully, trying to avoid capillaries and the like; using a fresh needle of the right size for you; and pinching up, but I find I still get some anyway.
 
I probably bruise about 1 in 6 injections and each bruise lasts a few days. It is just where you have nicked a small capillary blood vessel with the needle. Sometimes you will get a little blood ooze out after you remove the needle if it is going to bruise but not always. I think some people are probably more prone to bruising than others. It shouldn't cause a problem and helps you avoid injecting into the same site by avoiding the bruises.
 
I do get a bit of bruising but as long as you change the sites frequently it shouldn't cause any problems - if you only have to inject once a day at work, then your stomach is easier (don't have to pull your trousers down!) for that
 
I jab my basal insulin into my thighs and buttocks morning and night, leaving my tummy for bolus unless, I am wearing a dress where I can't easily access my midriff and then I use thighs or very occasionally (in the summer when I am in short sleeves) I will jab one in the arm.
 
Brill. Thanks all - thought it would be normal but wanted to check.

Knowing my luck it weighs be some rare stuff effect and was a sign of some necrotic flesh disorder caused by the insulin or something

I change my injection sites a lot so will be careful to not aggravate anything.
 
Hello, it can happen in my book. But more likely for me on later examination a tapped needle? Did you have a preloaded needle for work? Could it have been knocked on the pen cover, removing it?
 
Satan’s little helper said:
Hello, it can happen in my book. But more likely for me on later examination a tapped needle? Did you have a preloaded needle for work? Could it have been knocked on the pen cover, removing it?
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Too many bruises for it to have been a knocked needle plus I put on a fresh needle each time and don't go pre loaded.

Only seems to be the left side of my tummy also. Thighs and right side of tummy are fine...
 
dannybgoode said:
Too many bruises for it to have been a knocked needle plus I put on a fresh needle each time and don't go pre loaded.

Only seems to be the left side of my tummy also. Thighs and right side of tummy are fine...
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Could it be a certain degree of “technique?” Could the left side be more awkward for you as a right hander? (Or left?) Also gathering up more clothing for work as you would at home to inject, hindering the technique? Resulting in catching yourself a bit “off?” (I use my stomach at work. Also.)
 
Satan’s little helper said:
Could it be a certain degree of “technique?” Could the left side be more awkward for you as a right hander? (Or left?) Also gathering up more clothing for work as you would at home to inject, hindering the technique? Resulting in catching yourself a bit “off?” (I use my stomach at work. Also.)
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Possibly. The actual clothing side of things isn't an issue as I wear a support vest and this makes a handy device to hold my top out of the way as I can just flip the whole lot up and the vest keeps everything well clear.

Could be technique otherwise though. I'll pay extra attention next time I use the left side. Tomorrow is right side though so nice and easy 🙂
 
dannybgoode said:
Possibly. The actual clothing side of things isn't an issue as I wear a support vest and this makes a handy device to hold my top out of the way as I can just flip the whole lot up and the vest keeps everything well clear.

Could be technique otherwise though. I'll pay extra attention next time I use the left side. Tomorrow is right side though so nice and easy 🙂
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It’s odd. You get into a routine & stop noticing the detail. (Sometimes to the point of not even rembering if you have done it or not?) my rule of thumb is, if you’re alright down one side. Analyse why not down the other?
 
I’m also going to add. Lunch breaks for me can be fast & furious. Even though I have a no brainer set amount of carbs, on reflection in my job as a dynamic team member I know I can rush the “break.” @dannybgoode , are you certain that sometimes when when injecting the less convenient areas. You’re not just hammering the needle & dosage under your skin? We are not like everyone else with a functioning pancreas. (Even my non diabetic colleagues suggest these breaks are never long enough.) 😉
 
Satan’s little helper said:
are you certain that sometimes when when injecting the less convenient areas. You’re not just hammering the needle & dosage under your skin?
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I'm very fortunate that I'm under no pressure at lunchtimes. We have a nice big back room in our office with tables and chairs so I can sit down and sort my kit out like I do at home (actually, probably better than I do at home!).

And I'm not under any time constraints. I genuinely have one of the best bosses anyone could wish for so he just lets me get on with it.

I'll keep an eye on it, take extra care when injecting that side and see how I get on.
 
I think you have mentioned that you are slim. Do you pinch your flesh when you inject?
This used to be the advice for all when needles were longer. With shorter (4mm) needles, someone decided this was no longer required.
However, i found that without a pinch, I bruise most of the time. As I am slim, I realised the pinching is still needed. My guess is I have around or less than 4mm fat where I inject. The pinching ensures needle doesn't go too deep.
 
I'm not slim but I'm not overweight either (just!) - BMI 25 but waist circumference is very much in the healthy range.

I do pinch but perhaps not enough. The left side of my tummy is less fatty and I can get to a lot more of it as there isn't an anyone ileostomy bag in the way that side.

Perhaps why that is bruising and the right side isn't. I'll modify things a bit and keep an eye on technique.

This morning I treated myself to my first buttock jabs just to mix things up...
 
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