To pinch or not to pinch?

[Peapod87]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit confused with injection sites. I know obviously its stomach, arm, bum thighs etc but the whole pinching thing? I've mainly done stomach and thighs not too keen on arm or bum coz I can't manoeuvre myself haha! But when I do thigh I normally just sit on the floor on my knees and inject no pinch? Is that ok? My needles are 4mm so not huge but I do always pinch my stomach when I inject there. Help please!

 

[Robin]

When I first started injecting, I was issued with 8mm needles, and told to pinch. Now I'm on 4mm, I don't need to, because I've got sufficient depth of flab to accommodate that length without. But old habits die hard, and I usually use the other hand to semi-pinch, or at least tension the skin, because I find the needle goes in more easily that way. I think provided there's no danger of hitting muscle, it doesn't really matter whether you do or don't, it's a matter of personal comfort.

 

[KookyCat]

Entirely up to you I think. I pinch because my skin is a wee bit looser than I'd like after the muscle loss at diagnosis so I get better surface tension with a pinch, but if you've got enough padding to do it without that's fine too. I don't need to pinch my thighs they've regained their previous muscle tone nicely so I can stab with relative abandon, although it always bleeds 🙄

 

[Caroline]

I have 5mm needles and pinch when I remember. Most times because I know how quickly my food will be ready I am injecting with one hand and stirring with the other. I am on humulin m3 twice a day and was told not to inject more than 10 minutes before eating so tend to do it as food is getting to be almost ready which means I don't always pinch.

I think it is a personal thing, you do what you feel most comfortable with. Since we are all individuals there is no one way that is right or wrong.

 

[stacey_w]

At the hospital, Riley was told to pinch. When DSN saw him doing this when we're out of hospital she said don't pinch and looked a bit distraught we were pinching! Riley still prefers to pinch he says it makes it less sore x

 

[SB2015]

It sounds as if this is one for Riley to choose.
I was like others and with longer needles I did pinch, but on 4 mm I did not need to, however old habits died hard and I still did it a little.

I also squeeze finger once punctured. I know I am not supposed to .

 

[stacey_w]

It sounds as if this is one for Riley to choose.
I was like others and with longer needles I did pinch, but on 4 mm I did not need to, however old habits died hard and I still did it a little.

I also squeeze finger once punctured. I know I am not supposed to .

Haha Riley squeezes after puncturing too! He's a slow bleeder though so sometimes it needs a bit of extra help! Even in hospital with a canular in they could barely get any! Xx

 

[Copepod]

People are often lacking in fat / flab when diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, so have to pinch, at least until they regain some body weight. Less of an issue these days, with short 4 or 5mm needles more common than 6 to 8 mm needles that were used routinely 20 years ago.

 

[Matt Cycle]

I've been on 8mm pen needles for 29 years and I've never had any fat on me. 😱 As it's what I've always used I've got nothing to compare it against. It's stupid I know but I'm now somewhat loathe to ask for the smaller ones as they might realise I get the BD Microfine and change them to the crappy GlucoRx ones.

 

[ronnierabbit]

Sorry only on tabs so cant help.

 

[Bloden]

I'm a pincher!😛

 

[SlowRunner]

I pinch too! I also have to squeeze blood out of my fingers sometimes, I'm more likely to get a bruise than a droplet, it's very annoying!

 

[shirley]

I pinch for Jamie too. He is pretty tiny and it definitely seems to hurt him less, sometimes he doesn't notice at all

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I always pinched injections - probably due to starting with 12.7mm needles which are a bit more pokey than the 8mm ones I ended up on. I never got as far down the needle length scale as the 4's/5's that people often mention here!

 

[DaveB]

I've been on 8mm pen needles for 29 years and I've never had any fat on me. 😱 As it's what I've always used I've got nothing to compare it against. It's stupid I know but I'm now somewhat loathe to ask for the smaller ones as they might realise I get the BD Microfine and change them to the crappy GlucoRx ones.

I was changed from 4mm BD Microfine to GlucoRX and find they are just as good.

 

[Matt Cycle]

I was changed from 4mm BD Microfine to GlucoRX and find they are just as good.

Yes, it's probably just me being stupid. I don't even know they would change them from the BD Microfines and although a number of people have mentioned the quality of GlucoRx, there must be loads like yourself who have had no issues.

I also realised I never clearly answered the original question at the top of the page. 😳 From syringes to 8mm pen needles and with no flab I've always been a pincher.

 

[spiritfree]

I've been on 8mm pen needles for 29 years and I've never had any fat on me. 😱 As it's what I've always used I've got nothing to compare it against. It's stupid I know but I'm now somewhat loathe to ask for the smaller ones as they might realise I get the BD Microfine and change them to the crappy GlucoRx ones.

I also hate the new needles, the GlucoRx. I have had 2 break off in my arm. Thank goodness I don't use them often. I will ask dr if she will change them back to the B D Microfine/