Hi, I need advice about the freestyle libre. A nurse in my doctor’s office inserted my first one, but a crippling fear of needles keeps me from doing this myself.
Does anyone have any advice or tips for overcoming the fear of pushing a spring-loaded needle into your arm? Thanks.
Do you have someone who could do it for you a handful of times?
I am also VERY needle shy. It scared me too. I have needle issues that I think relate to diagnosis. I think I have sorta unconscious memories of being really sick as a kid and I panic around IV’s. The more you are exposed to something, the better it will get, most of the time. I did a bunch of paramedic training and that helped to some degree. I am capable of giving an IV sometimes. Sometimes I can get an IV without panicking. Sometimes I dont have any difficulty. But, sometimes I do.
If you can’t do it, then have someone else do it for you upfront. You will get more used to it if you do it in a calm setting with someone you trust (who can keep calm and not get impatient). Do it fast - dont allow yourself to build up a bunch of stress and adrenaline during the experience. If you start to panic, then dont move forward. Wait until your distracted by something else and you can do it without overreacting.
Thank you so much. That is good advice.
Is it fear of just needle, or also pain?
There are numbing creams that people or parents with T1D kids use. Some use ice to numb.
Another trick is to say to yourself, 1_2_3 GO and cringe!!!
You don’t have to push too hard either. It doesn’t take much. I kept mine in the box until I got brave and then realized it did not even hurt. Neither does the Dex. You can do it!!! 
So how do you shoot insulin?
Probably pre-diabetic or type 2 not on insulin.
I have given thousands of insulin shots and still prick my fingers all of the time. I am fine with those, but other needles scare me. It took me a few days to work up the nerve to insert my Dexcom. I realize that the fear is mostly psychological, but it is still there.
You just have to work up the nerve to do it the first time. It really won’t hurt and it will be easier the next time.
The needle only goes in 1/4 inch or so and is inserted and withdrawn, probably in milliseconds - my wife only feels it sometimes.
Just build yourself up to it. I found freestyle easy but I was worried about doing it in my arm. I still build myself up to dexcom because sometimes it is very painful and causes a lot of bleeding. The worst was lovenox, a huge needle in your stomach. I had to get someone to do it 1st 2 x but eventually I did it.
I am prediabetic and got this to help me figure out food effects. Although I have a vasovagal reaction to needles, I’ve worked up to finger sticks, so I just need to work up to this. Thank you for all the great suggestions and information. They’re really helpful.
I have faith in you that you will do it, if you can conquer finger sticks you can do this. For me the Libre stick is much easier and much less painful than a finger stick. There are not nearly as many nerve endings in your arm as your fingers.
You’ve got this, I just know it.
Once you’ve done it once, it’s easy after that. This I know.