Hi my names Jess, I'm 21. I got diagnosed with type 1 Diabeties this year. I've tried my best to manage it so far but I feel like I haven't really had any support. it's turned my world upside down as I never used to look after my self. does anyone else get anxious injecting them selfs if there are other people around?
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Newly diagnosed with type 1 Diabeties
- Thread starter Jessica L
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Jessica, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis 
What insulin are you on? It's not unusual for people to have anxieties about injecting, it's not a great thing to have to do. Do you find it hurts when you inject? If so, it might be worth asking your nurse if you can try different needle sizes, as this can sometimes help. Being tense when you inject can also make it more painful. I found the best way to overcome the fear was just to go straight in without 'hovering' - sometimes it might sting, but not for long.
I'd really recommend getting a copy of
Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and young people by Ragnar Hanas- it really is an excellent book covering every aspect of Type 1, and the more you know, the easier it can be to deal with things. Do you know anyone else with Type 1?
Please let us know if you have any questions - there is a lot to learn and a lot to deal with, but it can be done and it doesn't have to dominate or spoil your life. Just taking care of what you need to do each day and then getting on with the rest of your life is far easier than spending time worrying and hating it, which takes far too much of your energy and achieves nothing. You'll find plenty of people here who understand just how you are feeling, so if ever you want to have a rant about it, don't hold back! 🙂
What insulin are you on? It's not unusual for people to have anxieties about injecting, it's not a great thing to have to do. Do you find it hurts when you inject? If so, it might be worth asking your nurse if you can try different needle sizes, as this can sometimes help. Being tense when you inject can also make it more painful. I found the best way to overcome the fear was just to go straight in without 'hovering' - sometimes it might sting, but not for long. I'd really recommend getting a copy of
Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and young people by Ragnar Hanas- it really is an excellent book covering every aspect of Type 1, and the more you know, the easier it can be to deal with things. Do you know anyone else with Type 1?
Please let us know if you have any questions - there is a lot to learn and a lot to deal with, but it can be done and it doesn't have to dominate or spoil your life. Just taking care of what you need to do each day and then getting on with the rest of your life is far easier than spending time worrying and hating it, which takes far too much of your energy and achieves nothing. You'll find plenty of people here who understand just how you are feeling, so if ever you want to have a rant about it, don't hold back! 🙂
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Jess - I was 22 when I was diagnosed and since that was over 43 years ago now, I think I'm qualified to say that you do get used to it and can have a normal life, jabs and testing notwithstanding.
If you were diagnosed last year, it's now high time you were on your DAFNE, or local version of a carb counting/dose adjustment course. If no-one has mentioned it - you should ask to go on it.
Good luck!
If you were diagnosed last year, it's now high time you were on your DAFNE, or local version of a carb counting/dose adjustment course. If no-one has mentioned it - you should ask to go on it.
Good luck!
Reeceeey
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Heya,
I've only just been diagnosed this year too and only just found out I am Type 1 but yes, I was so scared and anxious to inject myself when I had too, what size needle have they given you? I have now been given 5mm which is really small and you can hardly see it which has helped me a lot, all I know is I feel the scratch on surface of the skin and its how I know the needle is in but I agree that it is such a scary thing to do, what I also do is put in my mind that 'I need this injection to help me live' once I have that in my mind I find it much easier!
However if you don't really have much support that does put a struggle on things, as the first time I had to inject myself the first time I was crying my eyes out but I had my mum to help me and told me to look at her rather than the needle and just go for it but try getting into the mind-set of you have to do this injection and you may find that it gets easier as time goes by.
I've only just been diagnosed this year too and only just found out I am Type 1 but yes, I was so scared and anxious to inject myself when I had too, what size needle have they given you? I have now been given 5mm which is really small and you can hardly see it which has helped me a lot, all I know is I feel the scratch on surface of the skin and its how I know the needle is in but I agree that it is such a scary thing to do, what I also do is put in my mind that 'I need this injection to help me live' once I have that in my mind I find it much easier!
However if you don't really have much support that does put a struggle on things, as the first time I had to inject myself the first time I was crying my eyes out but I had my mum to help me and told me to look at her rather than the needle and just go for it but try getting into the mind-set of you have to do this injection and you may find that it gets easier as time goes by.
TheClockworkDodo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Jess, and welcome (and welcome Reeceeey too - sorry, missed your intro thread!) 🙂
If it's people seeing you inject that's the problem, Jess, then yes, I used to find that difficult - I wasn't exactly anxious, but didn't like the idea people might see. I'd go and sit in the car, or in the loo (if it was an individual one with a washbasin!), or hide behind my partner, and just couldn't do it if there were people about. Now, I think it's their problem if they don't like it, not mine! But it did take a while.
If you're having trouble seeing the needles go in, Reeceeey, you could ask for covered ones - I have novofine autocover needles because I'm needle-phobic and couldn't inject at all if I could see the needle go in. They have a little cover so it's more like pushing a pen against your skin than a needle - the only thing is they are a bit longer (8mm), but you don't have to push them all the way in!
If it's people seeing you inject that's the problem, Jess, then yes, I used to find that difficult - I wasn't exactly anxious, but didn't like the idea people might see. I'd go and sit in the car, or in the loo (if it was an individual one with a washbasin!), or hide behind my partner, and just couldn't do it if there were people about. Now, I think it's their problem if they don't like it, not mine! But it did take a while.
If you're having trouble seeing the needles go in, Reeceeey, you could ask for covered ones - I have novofine autocover needles because I'm needle-phobic and couldn't inject at all if I could see the needle go in. They have a little cover so it's more like pushing a pen against your skin than a needle - the only thing is they are a bit longer (8mm), but you don't have to push them all the way in!
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