Newly diagnosed type1 - needlephobic

[grantg]

Been out of hospital just shy of a month got libre plus2 on the 2nd one at the moment with a bit of a struggle to attach (local dr's surgery been great!) kindly given me some elma cream and diazapan to take prior to help settle me can't thank the practice nurse enough that shes given up her morning of annual leave to pop in to fit it. can't bring myself (yet) to do it myself hopeful in the future that I'm able to do that myself, sure beats finger pricking (they gave me safety lancets for that) as couldnt fire the pen. I still do fingerprick test to confirm when lowish > 4.5

I've found it difficult over the last few days with the toujeo (18 units) injection stomach is sore and stings a fair bit when doing the injection and afterwards (using safety needles so cant see them) fairly frequently bit of blood at injections sites, and starting to see some bruising. curious how long does it take to get used to doing? also have novarapid injections to take 15 min prior to food they dont sting or hurt as much (5 units) thankfully i dont struggle as much with those. Takes me a few minutes to actually inject unsure why as was able to do a lot easier a couple of weeks ago.

got to laugh at discharge letter they said iv/im & venepuncture was challenging, thats putting it mildly was lots of attempts due to panicing so much. Fairly surprised that the phobia effects at least 1 in 10 people that helps a little knowing its common. friday not looking forward to a couple of days time to get bloods checked again, havent got any elma left nor diazapan so hoping drs surgery able to do prescription and send it straight to the pharmacy.

Diabetic nurses have said im doing good apparently.

latest 7 day time in range: 89% yellow 11% *last 7
14 day time in range 83: yellow 16% high 1%
25th jan - 23rd feb red 3% yellow 23% time in range 74%.

any advice on how how to deal with needlephobia would be greatly appreciated and I hope I will be able in time to overcome that irrational fear

 

[Inka]

Welcome @grantg 🙂 I have a needle phobia. It took me a couple of weeks to psych myself up enough to use my first Libre! I now have a Dexcom, which I prefer. I found that focussing on doing it right helped. I inserted the Libre wile watching the video, but had to psych myself up to watch the video, which I managed to do by desensitising myself slowly. That is, watching it over a few days. Slowly and carefully really helps.

You mention injecting Lantus in your stomach. I find my thighs much easier. Have you tried those?

 

[grantg]

Welcome @grantg 🙂 I have a needle phobia. It took me a couple of weeks to psych myself up enough to use my first Libre! I now have a Dexcom, which I prefer. I found that focussing on doing it right helped. I inserted the Libre wile watching the video, but had to psych myself up to watch the video, which I managed to do by desensitising myself slowly. That is, watching it over a few days. Slowly and carefully really helps.

You mention injecting Lantus in your stomach. I find my thighs much easier. Have you tried those?

No i've not tried my thighs? guessing that would be in the back of thigh/side rather than front of them (fattier places?) i've been injecting 2 finger widths to 2" from my belly button which is what they said to do whilst was in hospital.

I'll try watching some more videos more frequently on the libre side of things thanks for the advice. will attempt to do same for blood sampling. more concerned over the upcoming blood test at the moment :< heart rate when they were trying to get samples in hospital went upto 150-170 bpm (resting according to fitbit 68-74 usually) 70-76 with just the finger thing on, whenever have blood pressure done also pops up a fair bit 120+. I've never been good with medical stuff ;/

 

[Inka]

Yes, for the thighs you inject anywhere in the top centre (sit down and look down at your thigh to see where I mean) and out to the sides. I pinch up when I inject (gently pinch up a wide-ish lump of flesh to inject into). It does gradually get easier even with a phobia. Breath, take your time and fix your mental focus elsewhere.

I lie down for blood tests at the GPs. I also try to book with my favourite nurse who is very skilled at them, thus making them less painful and quicker. I never use the Emla cream. I don’t think it helps and it kind of focuses me on that area. Again, mental distraction is the way, eg doing calculations or anagrams in your head, or counting how many US states you can remember, etc etc.

 

[Tdm]

I keep my tummy for when i want a quick response, thighs (front and sides) otherwise and bum for basal.

I'm nor sure if tummy is scientifically quickest but seems to work and spreads the injections out.

I presume the nurse said 'at least 2 finger widths' away from belly button and you aren't just circling that area?

Wonder if a insulin pump may help, that way its a canula every 3 days rather than injections many times a day.

As for bruises etc, it does happen sometimes...dunno, every couple of days

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done on working through this @grantg

Sounds like your surgery are offering you some extra things to help, and great that you are now connecting with others for support, encouragement and shared experiences.

I guess with the daily routine you are getting a sort of recurring exposure therapy. I’m sure you’ll find some approaches and systems that help make things easier.

I’m another who injected basal in my buttocks. Fewer nerve endings near the surface, I think, which reduced any sensation and was easier.

 

[Flower]

Hello @grantg and welcome

Well done on coping with what is a real challenge on top of dealing with your diagnosis. It isn’t an irrational fear but it does improve with practice and the having to find a way to do it.

I have needle phobia it has slowly reduced over the years. I find getting blood taken far more stressful than injecting needles/cannulas/sensors in to myself.

I think there’s an expectation because we have diabetes that we must be ok with needles. I’ve been told on numerous occasions when I’ve gone for blood tests & said I’m nervous of needles “but you’re diabetic” as if that automatically overcomes any fear.

As said above experiment where you can inject more comfortably, different areas can feel different & be less sore.

 

[rebrascora]

I am not needle phobic but another vote for basal insulin in the buttocks. Obviously you can't see it unless you are a contortionist, so perhaps that might make it easier. I do it lying down in bed as soon as I wake up.

 

[helli]

I keep my tummy for when i want a quick response, thighs (front and sides) otherwise and bum for basal.

I'm nor sure if tummy is scientifically quickest but seems to work and spreads the injections out.

Many years ago, I was advised to avoid injecting in my legs when I am exercising because the extra blood flow will make it absorb quicker.
I don't know how true that is because exercise makes me more sensitive to insulin wherever I inject.
I do know racket sports players who avoid putting their pump in their arm for the same reason so there could be some truth in it. 🙄
For this reason, I only use my legs at night.

Another option is the back of the arm but, as I lack much fat, I would need to pinch and I am unable to contort myself to do so whilst injecting - I haven't got enough hands. So, I have never tried it.

 

[HayleyR]

Hi @grantg and welcome to the Forum 🙂. I remember well the first injection I had manage and it was awful, I felt hot, panicky, sick and it took ages for me to finally pluck up the courage to do it; nurse needless to say was very patient! Then when I got home I thought OMG I've now got to do this all on my own but I gradually got used to it as I knew there was no choice. Honestly though it does get better and I just don't really think about it now. Blood tests though, I've always hated 🙄 and can't bear to see what's going on so only turn my head back once I'm totally convinced it's all over!

 

[nonethewiser]

Bolusing in arms or legs then exercising always sends my bg tumbling, even after 4 decades still have a bit of needle phobia, not doing my own more others doing it like with flu vaccine, have to look away.

 

[Woodywoodpecker]

Last time I had my hba1c done at hospital it was just a finger prick. I wondered what she was doing, she said that’s your blood test, was brilliant for me as have bother getting blood. Must be a new thing as usually taken from arm, not sure if any others do it, gp doesn’t

 

[grantg]

thanks for such warm welcome 🙂

take your time and fix your mental focus elsewhere.
I lie down for blood tests at the GPs
mental distraction is the way

thanks pinching up maybe an issue im using both hands at the moment when injecting, to get the safety needle past the 'click' noise it makes when its in. mental focus elsewhere will
need a little time. Great advice to lay down for the tests and will give try some maths to see if helps to distract me next time they've to be done.

I presume the nurse said 'at least 2 finger widths' away from belly button and you aren't just circling that area?

Wonder if a insulin pump may help, that way its a canula every 3 days rather than injections many times a day.

circling between 2 finger widths to 2inches
have no idea on insulin pumps sort of like the idea of that being much fewer times prob would help with bruising too. canula worse than the needles at least when was in the hospital.

your surgery are offering you some extra things to help.

I guess with the daily routine you are getting a sort of recurring exposure therapy. I’m sure you’ll find some approaches and systems that help make things easier.

I’m another who injected basal in my buttocks. Fewer nerve endings near the surface, I think, which reduced any sensation and was easier.

the gp surgery is bending over backwards to try assist. don't even feel rushed. Few months the dr spent just shy of an hour whilst trying in vain to get bloods from me. she asked a lot of questions and took a lot of notes alongside fingerprick test / pee samples etc as was very distessed. really nice dr.

will definately need to check into alternative injection sites.

I find getting blood taken far more stressful than injecting needles/cannulas/sensors in to myself.

100% agree blood taken is way more stressful. I'm actually surprised month down the line i've managed to do all insulin injections (and most not all finger pricks) libre sensor been awesome as now only need to do to double check if low/high readings.

I do it lying down in bed

laid down in bed i'll try that, was told more common to inject when standing up followed by sitting down, but to do whatever was most comfortable with.

For this reason, I only use my legs at night.

I'll bear that in mind thanks.

I gradually got used to it as I knew there was no choice. Honestly though it does get better and I just don't really think about it now.

glad to know it gets better. seems time will assist.

Bolusing in arms or legs then exercising always sends my bg tumbling

thanks for the info. couple of others have mentioned simular above, will avoid those areas for the timebeing. looking at the libre app is simular to looking at 'the rocky mountains' I'm guessing i shouldn't worry too much initial spikes after food, then the cliff edge drops after a while.

 

[Inka]

I'm actually surprised month down the line i've managed to do all insulin injections (and most not all finger pricks)

Once I got a grip on my phobia and knew what I was doing, I’ve always found doing my own injections much better than having them done to me. As an example, I fainted after my last flu vaccine but had no problem doing my injections/cannula that day. Being in control helps a lot.

As well as the distraction and ‘thinking past’ the injection, controlled breathing helps too. I still have my needle phobia but I can live with it when I’m doing my own injections the vast majority of the time. The last time I totally lost it was 4 or 5yrs ago, and prior to that I’d been fine for years. It does get easier @grantg

 

[bachstrad]

I'm trying out a needle free gadget called insujet. Early days (since friday) but it seems to be working .

 

[grantg]

I'm trying out a needle free gadget called insujet. Early days (since friday) but it seems to be working .

that sounds awesome surprised wasn't mentioned as it appears to be available via the NHS much appreciate the info. now if they could invent that measures blood glucose without finger pricking / cgm with filament i'd be over the moon. Will be bringing up isujet and see what they see next time see them 🙂 thanks

 

[Inka]

There have been various attempts at non-needle injection @grantg If you read around, you’ll find comments on the safety of it and potential damage to the skin.

 

[grantg]

There have been various attempts at non-needle injection @grantg If you read around, you’ll find comments on the safety of it and potential damage to the skin.

Thanks for info I will read up on it before mention to them.