I was wondering if any of you parents have the issue of little ones NOT wanting to eat because they know that they will have to have an insulin injections? I’m hoping to find answers from parents that have or have had children with diabetes between the ages of 2-10. Thank you!
Absoutely!!! Huge problem for me!!! The association with food and being poked is so strong that I will skip a meal if it means having to inject. The worst part is that I am a snacker and will eat a little here and a little there until I’ve consumed more carbs that I thought and need to inject to cover it. I think food issues and diabetes is a topic that needs more discussion - for people at all age levels.
When I was younger yes, I had the same problem. Mother shifted me to pumping as soon as they would let her so I wouldn’t feel the discomfort or the anxiety associated with MDI. I remember hiding come meal time and snack time just so I wouldn’t have to do an injection.
I’m not sure if this particular problem was addressed in this discussion about toddlers and diabetes, but it’s worth a try. Also, how about low carb snacks that wouldn’t require a bolus?
I was 8 when I was diagnosed, so I was a bit older. But it never bothered me. I just started giving myself shots and have done so ever since. My family didn’t treat it as a big deal, it was just something I did. Obviously, since your child is still young, he can’t do shots on his own, but I think, as soon as he’s able to, try to get him to do it himself. (It gives you a feeling of control and independence.)
But, no, I never had problems giving myself shots. Like I said, the best advice I can think of, is just treat it as a routine thing that is no big deal, that you do before you eat. You kid will take his cue from you – shots usually don’t hurt that much, and so long as you act like it’s just a normal thing and it’s not going to bother him, I think he will tend to feel that same way.
(Side note: I know that’s probably really hard; you don’t have to actually think it, but you should probably act like it.)
What about using something like an i-port or insuflon? That’s one poke every 3 days or so, and you can use EMLA to ease insertion… it might be worth trying. Then you can give insulin whenever you need to without having to do another shot. I don’t persoally have a problem with all the shots, but occasionally I’ll have a bad run where I’ll get a number of massive bruises at several injection sites… I’ll use an i-port while I let those heal so I’m not coming up with creative places to inject… really it’s just me being lazy… I like not having to think about where I’m shooting using a port 
Pumping would also eliminate all the mealtime pokes… I know if any of my kids developed D, I’d want them on a pump as soon as humanly possible just to make things a little less trouble for me. I would not want to do MDI with a child - simply because I can give myself upwards of 12 shots a day (most days it’s more like 8, including my 2 lantus shots), and I can’t imagine having to do that to my kids… they range in age from 2-8 and I don’t think any of them would be able to handle it (well, maybe my 8yo, but he could probably do his own shots - he’s stuck himself with a syringe just to see what it was like, and seemed to think it was no big deal… but the younger two, no way)
We are going to class in July to start the process of putting Judeon a pump. I absolutley HATE giving him injections everyday. He has Levemir 2 times a day and can have Humalog up to 8 times a day. He barely flinches anymore, but it’s still awful. I’m looking forward to the pump, I think that it will relieve a lot of stress for the whole family.
This is so sad! How old is your little one? My niece was diagnosed at 8. She had a hard time with having her blood sugars taken and getting injections in the hospital. Once we started using the Freestyle Flash meter, which uses a small amount of blood, no problem with taking BS; she adjusted. Once home from the hospital, for the first few weeks she would only allow her mother to give her a shot. Switched to MDI, Lantus and Novolog after a month (new endo). We used the insulin pen (I think it may hurt a little more than the needle), and she was fine with her shots for meals. But she dreaded the Lantus shot because it stung. She went over to the insulin pump in the next four months. Insulin makes her hungry and she will then eat, once having received it. She would have three meals and one snack a day on MDI (necessitating a shot each time) and she was fine with it. Any chance of getting your little one on a pump? It may make it easier for her. I do not think you are alone regarding this problem. I have seen people advise devices to make the shot less painful. One is called a “Shot Blocker”. You could ice the area before the injection. Are you pinching up the skin, first, so you are sure you are injecting into fat? Shot Blocker is supposed to work, I would look for it.
Just saw this after posting my reply. Good! Glad you are going on the pump for your little guy; it will make it easier on him. Humalog 8 times a day and Levimir twice! My niece would never have more than five shots a day, unless she had to throw in an overnight correction. I don’t blame him or you for being upset. Too many shots, way too many. If an endo is going to put a young child on a regime that necessitates ten shots a day, IMO, that child should have the pump before he leaves the hospital, at diagnosis.
My son is only 13 months old right now, but I am fearful of things that may come in the future, I have never heard of shot blocker. I have been usind alcohol swabs with lidocaine in them, it seems to help some. Yes, we do pinch up the skin, but because he is so small, we are limited to injections in the upper thigh and rear. We use the smallest gauge needles and lancets (33 gauge). I agree with you about fitting a child with a pump as soon as possible. We have to go to 2 classes, that are full until July, before we can put him on a pump. Our endo thinks that it is the best thing for Jude, too.
Hi, again. The other device I have seen mentioned to help the child with injections is called the "Inject-ease."
This device just hides the needle and spring loads the injection to make it quicker. If you can find the shot blocker anywhere, it is supposed to work well (physically distracts from injection). Google “shot blocker” it is an older device and you may have to hunt for it online. Actually makes me angry reading your posts. In some countries young children leave the hospital with pumps (though in other countries, it may be hard to get insulin). For insulin I am thankful, but this is an industrialized nation, insurance covers the pump in most cases, and I think it is heartless to give 10 shots a day to a 13 month old. Hope you can somehow get through the next two months, I feel for you. P.S. I fear for the future as well, but there are so many advances in the works, as well as cgms and pump on one insertion (Minimed), they are reducing size of introducer needle. In two or three years, you will probably have him hooked up to pump/cgms (one device AND one insertion needle); in five or ten years so many advances… one advance will probably pan out. Just take it day by day. Or you can do what our dentist does and have one person tickle, lightly pinch or tug hair in another area of the body while you give the injection (distraction method). Have read Insulfon catheter is better than the I-Port catheter (which clogs) if you want to try that route. I think the pump sites are easier than the Insulfon, not sure though. You may want to ask endo about the Insulfon cathether for a month.