If you need insulin to manage your diabetes, you often need to learn how and when to inject yourself. The good news is it's easier and less painful than ever.
Kathy Bostrom, 68, has been handling injections herself for more than 15 years. Once she gets the hang of it, she says, her shots quickly become a big deal.
“Syringes have come a long way since I started my journey,” says Bostrom, who lives in Mills River, North Carolina. The bigger challenges for her are „tests, remembering to record them, and eating the right foods.“
There are two types of syringes: syringes and pens. You and your doctor can choose which is better for you.
Syringes are simple and the oldest. But they're also prone to mistakes, says Ellen Leczek, M.D., program director in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolic Diseases at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
„You have to rely on people to look at the needle, draw the correct number of units, correctly judge that the correct number of units are in there, and not make those steps wrong,“ Leczek says.
Injectable pens, on the other hand, come pre-filled with insulin. Dial the pen to the desired dose by screwing or snapping the needle all the way. “This is a little more user-friendly and less prone to failure,” Leczek says.
You will also need other supplies, such as:
- Glucometer kit to test blood sugar level
- Alcohol wipes for the top of the vial and the skin at the injection site
- Sharps container for storing used needles
You can also put all this in a travel pack and take it with you when you go out. As a last resort, used needles can be disposed of in a plastic bottle with a cap.
Your doctor will tell you how many times a day you need to take insulin. Sometimes a day he needs to run only once, and sometimes up to 4 times.
Insulin comes in several forms.
Fast-acting. It starts working about 15 minutes after the injection.
Regular or short-acting. Also called mealtime insulin, it is taken about 30 minutes before meals to control blood sugar levels after meals.
intermediate acting type. It takes about 2 to 4 hours to reach the bloodstream and remains effective for about 12 to 18 hours.
long-acting. Take it at the same time every day.
Ultra long-acting. Some of these are effective for more than 36 hours, so fewer injections are required.
You may need to take two different types of insulin together.
Tom Cullen, 46, of New Orleans, said it took him a while to get used to injecting himself. “I was nervous, especially the first few times,” he says.
Now, „it's like wearing contacts or wearing a tie. It's part of my everyday life.“
To inject yourself, follow these steps:
- wash hands.
- Wipe the top of the vial (if used) with an alcohol swab.
- For the syringe: Breathe the same amount of air into the syringe as your insulin dose. Push air into the insulin vial. Draw the insulin into the syringe. Next, tap the syringe to make sure all air bubbles are gone.
- For pens: Attach the needle to the tip. Verify the pen is working by pushing out one or two units (an „air shot“). Dial up your dosage.
- Hold the needle at a 90 degree angle to the skin and push the needle into the outer layer of fat. Next, press the button on the insulin pen or the plunger on the syringe.
- Place the needle in a sharps container.
You can pinch the skin where the injection will be given. But Leczek says that's not necessary because the needles are so short.
„If you pinch, be sure to release your hand after inserting the needle, count to 10, and then pull it out.“ If you pinch too long, some of the insulin will be squeezed out and you won't get the full dose. .
Here are some tips to follow regarding insulin injections.
Keep cool. Insulin can be stored at room temperature for some time. However, it is best to store it in the refrigerator. If you plan to be away from home for a while, pack your insulin in an insulated lunch box to keep it from getting too warm.
Rotate the injection site. If you inject it in the same place, the skin will thicken and turn into a lump of fat. Insulin is also not absorbed in these areas. Therefore, use a different site each time. Leschek recommends a grid system. Draw a grid of your arms, legs, abdomen, and buttocks on a piece of paper to record when and where you injected. Start with your left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, right side of your abdomen, then left, right, left buttock. repeat.
Pay attention to the numbers. Blood sugar levels and mood are the best ways to know if the injections are working for you. If you're having trouble controlling your numbers or experiencing highs and lows in your blood sugar, it's time to re-examine your technique, says Reczek. A certified diabetes educator will monitor your insulin injections and make sure everything is going smoothly.
Think ahead. Mealtime injections mean planning what you eat so you get the right dose. Keep a travel pack filled with essentials and snacks like peanut butter and hard candy in case you end up somewhere without food.
Tag your team. Good diabetes care requires a team. In addition to your endocrinologist, you should also work with a certified diabetes educator or pharmacist who can answer any questions you may have about the injections.
be open and honest. To make sure you feel your best, your team needs to know exactly how your injections are progressing. „Tell me the truth, they've heard it all before,“ Bostrom says. „And don't beat yourself up about it. Every day is a learning curve. You have this.“