Weekly injections - do you inject yourself or does someone do it for you?
I've been injecting myself for 16 years now but I never get used to it. I wondered if others find injecting just as problematic as I do. It's a weekly battle for me. Plus there's the build up under the skin which prevents injecting painlessly and effectively. Any tips, thoughts?
Hi James. I did have a nurse visit many years ago, when I first started injecting myself. I probably wasn't very clear in my post. I am good with the 'how-to' of it - and my wife is a nurse too, so she injects me sometimes. I was thinking more about the mental battle I have with myself every week, of having to inject myself and sometimes not being able to find a new location to do it painlessly. I rotate the injection sites, going from stomach to thighs and to my backside - when my wife does it for me. But having injected now for getting on for 15 years, I am noticing the places to inject painlessly is reducing. I think I was curious to know if other people have that mental struggle with themselves when they are due to inject - or do others find it easy, maybe got used to it over time. Thanks for message James. Good to share thoughts.
Cheers
Steve (Community Advocate)
Hi
,
Apologies for getting mixed up! I definitely had a bit of a mental challenge when I first started injecting. I used to have to do it with somebody around me, and during lockdown on the phone or video call with somebody to feel a bit more relaxed about it. I think nowadays I have got used to doing it alone but I do often play some relaxing music whilst I do it which kind of takes my mind away from being stabbed by a needle, maybe that might help a little?
I think rotating injection locations is a great idea too, I have only ever tried my thighs and I switch between them each week. Although unlike you I have only been doing so for just over two years so these areas are (relatively fresh) so haven't found any extra pain from overusing them. Maybe someone a bit more experienced in this might have some better advice than me I am afraid.
Hope you find something that works better for you soon!
All the best,
James (Community Member)
Hi Steve, sorry to hear that you have been having some problems injecting. I have been injecting myself for the last two years, but for my first ever one I was able to arrange a nurse to visit me and talk me through it so I knew how to do it correctly. Maybe you could see if you could arrange something like that to see if they can give you any tips? Other than that I do inject into my leg and when I do so I use my other hand to stretch the skin around the point that I inject into to make it easier. Although I am not sure which kind of injection you are taking so I am not sure if this is possible in your case.
Hope you are able to find a pain free method of injecting soon!
All the best,
James (Community Member)
