I was just diagnosed T2 on April 20th of this year. I’m on Metformin. I’ve read and read and read everything I can find about Diabetes, but there’s one thing I’m curious about and have never seen anyone talk about it. How in the world do you learn to give shots to yourself??? I’m 61 years old and still a baby when it comes to getting shots and getting IV’s and stuff like that, I hate it. In the back of my mind I keep thinking what am I going to do if I have to go on insulin shots some day? I still hate sticking my finger every day. Can some of you enlighten me, how do you get used to the shots? Or do you ever get used to it? Thanks!
Turn your numbers around and that’s when I started shooting myself. I was 16. Now I’m 69. When I was in the hospital for the first time, just diagnosed, they had me shooting water into an orange. In those days the needles were steel and the syrnges were glass. I used them over and over, boiling them before each shot and even sharpening the needles now and then.
I was on multiple daily injections from June of 1956 until January 2009. It becomes a lot like shaving. In fact, I probably drew more blood shaving than I did shooting.
The shots are subcutaneous so you don’t go deep. The new disposables are so much easier.
Hey Patricia, like Gordie says we used to practice on oranges. My grandmother also had to use those awful needles above, sh didn’t have a glucometer either, this was way before I was born. I started 20yrs ago, the needles were bigger and sometimes it would hurt, so that made me reluctant to take insulin next time. Always did though because I was a child and I had to. Of course no one wants to stick a needle into themselves, but you get so used to it, I honestly don’t feel it now, even when they take bl. The needles nowadays are so fine its great, but I fully understand that you would worry if you ever have to inject, but you will deal with it, good luck Patricia.
No, not if you do what I do. Just close your eyes.
Kidding.
Your doctor’s office will teach you how to give yourself an injection if it comes to that. The needles are quite thin and short. Just pinch some skin and jab the needle in quickly. it’s much like removing a bandaid - doing it quickly makes it sting less.
And it only stings, it doesn’t hurt. Okay, SOMETIMES, every once in a blue moon you might hit a tender spot.
Don’t fret, you can do it. There are plenty of places on the web which will give you visual descriptions about how to do it. Just search 'giving yourself an injection."
Good luck,
Terry
I was already so use to needles because of troubled pregnancies and then when I found out about me being diabetic the needles was no big deal. My doc showed me and I just did it. Now I am on a pump so I insert a new i.v. every three days. They are more comfortable than the shots. Hopefully you will not have to go on shots especially since they bother you so. But if you do, you will adjust trust me.
Insulin needles (on syringes or on pens) are very, very thin and very, very short. Much, much smaller than other types of syringes you may be more familiar with (such as flu shot–those needles are HUGE).
Here are some ease the pain of injection tips, to get you over the fear factor.
I am a total needle phobe–I thankfully have a wonderful husband who has helped immensely–tlaked me crying through all the first ones (learned to do it in case of)
does it still bother me–yep–still get uptight before a shot—but it doesn’t really hurt often and if I can do it–anyone can…
at least I don’t pass out at the sight of a syringe now (and yes I seriosuly did)–
But here’s to hopin you don’t have to!
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had Gestational Diabetes. Then, I had to give myself 3 shots a day of NPH and Regular Insulin. At first, It was difficult because I never had to do it before. As time past, I got used to it. I don’t take shots anymore because since I have type 2 diabetes, I only take Metformin. I hope this helps hun. Laura
Yes, very little. So little, they don’t hurt 
Patricia-I was eleven when I was told the great news. The second day the nurse came in and said I was going to learn how to to give myself shots. I said “no I am not”. She said, " Either you give yourself shots or your going to die". Some 20,000+ shots later I can say it isn’t so bad. I hate having someone else give me a shot, I can’t even watch when they take blood. But like everyone else said the syringes are finer and sharper then they used to be. Now you can barely even feel it. Besides you aren’t on shots yet. You have a lot to deal with now, wait to worry about shots until they tell you that you have to. No need to get concerned about a maybe. If it really worries you, tell your doc. Maybe they can let you inject some saline so you can feel it for yourself. Then you will know what you are up against. Take care of yourself, and good luck!
Shots no problem painless 10 day. I find it a lot more dificult to prick finger for test.
Since I was diagnosed Type 1 at 38 almost a year ago I was a big needle-phobe. I can tell you that testing prob hurts more than the shots. I hardly feel the shots and now that I have the proper settings for my lancets that barely hurts also. Its amazing what you can get use to.
At first it was a little bit hard for me, but that didn’t last long at all, as others have stated, the needles are soooo small and fine it really does not hurt. And finger pricking does not hurt me either!? If you go on shots, you will be fine and get used to it very fast, it will just be like brushing your teeth…routine. good luck and take care!
Shoot in the tummy grease no nerves there.
Anthony…sooooo true, then add streched skin from having babies on top of that…No pain what so ever! LOL HA
It took me almost 45-minutes to inject myself for the first time with Levemir using a flexpen. I usually bite my tongue before getting a shot, giving myself one, or getting an IV started in the hospital. I heard somewhere long ago that biting one’s tongue tricks the brain and then the needle isn’t felt as much or at all. Works for me. Sticking my finger multiple times a day doesn’t bother me.
Yes, it looks like its going to hurt but usually it doesn’t because of the gauges of the needles now used for this. Uou can find demo videos on the net. I was on orals and I made the switch to insulin only this year. I use a pen for Novalog with meals and a syringe for Lantus at night. Taking insulin doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s just another tool used for managing type 2 diabetes.
i have always been very freaked out by needles… ironically and at my diagnosis i could not bring myself to give shots for almost a month! crazy but i was 11.
I think the worst part about it is your own mind. It’s one of those things that you freak out about and have nerves and it’s scary and its going to hurt and just OMG! but then you do it and realize, hey this really isn’t as bad as i thought
and to this day if anyone but myself comes near me with a needle i still freak out. I don’t know why lol
I ran around the kitchen screaming, crying and flapping my arms saying “I can’t, I can’t” when it came time for my first shot.
I’m using insulin pens with mini pen needles so mine aren’t that long but it still freaks me out 7 months later. I use the “slap the area, pinch some skin, take a deep breath and push” technique, it gets me through it without freaking most of the time.
Thanks so much everyone for all the information. You guys make it sound so easy!