Insulin injection Sites

[Bruce Lee]

Hi all, I have been type 1 diabetic for 20 odd years now..Does anybody have issues reaching awkward areas to inject i.e. buttocks or upper arm. I find i want to rotate where I inject to keep skin un damaged but find it difficult to access above two areas? Does anybody else have this issue? Does anybody know of any products that can help in this area? thanks

 

[bennyg70]

Hi Bruce

20 years - snap! Happy anniversary!

I tried once pushing my arm up against the wall so that it squeezed the fat up, simulating pinching, it worked a few times then I hit something which ent my arm into spasm!! Never again... Stomach for me - Although I could probably do with incluidng a new site or two.

 

[novorapidboi26]

I can rotate on my upper arm no problem, but my bum is a different story.......I always feel as if it is in the same spot, even though it probably isn't...

Do you find one more difficult than the other.....?

 

[novorapidboi26]

Hi Bruce

20 years - snap! Happy anniversary!

I tried once pushing my arm up against the wall so that it squeezed the fat up, simulating pinching, it worked a few times then I hit something which ent my arm into spasm!! Never again... Stomach for me - Although I could probably do with incluidng a new site or two.

You don't need to pinch, unless your super skinny.......

 

[bennyg70]

I can rotate on my upper arm no problem, but my bum is a different story.......I always feel as if it is in the same spot, even though it probably isn't...

Do you find one more difficult than the other.....?

I want to know you technique nrb - I think I may just have ridiculously short arms and cant reach up to my arm to squeeze and inject.... I dont like the idea of going straight in!

 

[bennyg70]

Certainly not super skinny.... Just dont like injecting without pinching, possibly the fear of the unknown

 

[Phil65]

Hi all, I have been type 1 diabetic for 20 odd years now..Does anybody have issues reaching awkward areas to inject i.e. buttocks or upper arm. I find i want to rotate where I inject to keep skin un damaged but find it difficult to access above two areas? Does anybody else have this issue? Does anybody know of any products that can help in this area? thanks

Welcome to the forum Bruce, you will find your questions will always get answered with invaluable advice and help! When I was on MDI I always injected into my stomach or top of thighs........now pumping I insert cannulas into my upper thigh.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Bruce, welcome to the forum 🙂 I inject mostly in the buttocks these days after being told by my consultant to lay off the belly! I don't find a problem with it - only place I really have significant amount of fat and don't have to pinch, plus I just move randomly - lots of real estate from top of hips down and around, so plenty of opportunity for previous site to heal fully before being hit again. When I'm out I still inject in the belly, for propriety's sake 🙂

 

[novorapidboi26]

Certainly not super skinny.... Just dont like injecting without pinching, possibly the fear of the unknown

So you acknowledge its just a fear.........😉

try it out, its absolutely fine for me.......

I am a stabber however, I know there are some that like to push it in slowly......

What one are you....?

 

[bennyg70]

Lol -Injecting dosnt bother me in the slightest, I guess im just happy with the way i do it, however when ive gone to push it in without pinching I have a slight mental block!

Now stabber or pusher...

Def not a stabber, however a gentle pusher makes it sound like I do it with aprehension...

Id call myself a gentle thruster!

 

[novorapidboi26]

I also found it tricky when injecting into the upper arm, but when I changed to stabber, from a gentle stabber it became a lot easier........think I have long arms too.....

After many years been diagnosed nothing should worry you when injecting.......sometimes its nippy, big deal......

I hope you try a stab without pinch soon........

 

[bennyg70]

Haha - Id find it odd going about life not sticking needles in me now. Yet I couldnt stab myself. I remember my Dad making a joke when I went on a diabetic camp as a kid with numerous other diabetics (The only time in my life ive spent time with other type 1s) imagining us all being sat on the bus and some army type commander being at the front instructing 30 of us in unison to peel clotheing, pinch skin, stab. Much like the preperation of a gun or something..!

I think this year will mark my 30,000 injection mark... although i could have surpassed that a long time ago.

 

[novorapidboi26]

When I say stab I mean it goes in steadily, as opposed to some who go in slowly, pierce the skin, stop, then continue..........

this makes no sense to me.........🙂

 

[bennyg70]

Theres so many jokes and innuendo's to be said here... I keep typeing them and thinking, Im gonna get removed!!

 

[DeusXM]

And we haven't even started comparing needle sizes yet....


...seriously though, a 4 or 5mm needle makes it much easier to inject without having to pinch. I use 5mm for standard injections and a 12.7mm one for IM/IV rapid correction doses.

 

[bennyg70]

My needles bigger than yours 😛

 

[leechilvers82]

My nurse has said they have stopped advising patients injecting in thir arms, anyone else been told this? Stomach stings and it takes me 2/3 attempts, legs ok for me but not lays organised enough to take it early enough!