New to this diabetes

[glitter]

I have a question when you give yourself a shot in the stomach- can you do it in your fat? I have a fat belly so my first shot today I did my leg, and what is a 45 degree angle?

[Chris]

Well I am sure you can, it will take the insulin more time to be effective if I remember right (been so long since being a diabetic) and a 45 degree angle is the slant of entry you want to insert the needle at. I am surprised that the doctor or a diabetic educator did not teach you how to give an injection and just prescribing it and leaving you on your own. If you have a pharmacy that gives flu shots, I am sure they can explain and show you. Or if you have a protractor, set it to 45 degrees to get an idea. Itis easier to show than explain. After 30 plus years of diabetes before transplant,  did not always do a 45 degree entry, sometimes it is not possible depending where you are at.

[iketchum]

Even though you may be pleasantly plump, the needles go just under the skin. The angle doesn't matter as much, just don't go straight in, tip it a little. The insulin will be under the skin and goes where it is supposed to. I take two kinds of insulin and it does not matter if I shoot in the back of the arm or in the belly, the fast acting one works the same.

[Pam]

When we went to the classes for my son, the rule of thumb was to inject anywhere you could pinch an inch.
I do my shots in the belly.
I;d much rather poke my self with that tiny needle than take a blood test! Checking my BS 6 times a day is hard on the fingers.
Pam 

[lmunchkin]

You can really stick anywhere you want, Glitter.  I stick J in his left arm, but really, it doesnt matter! As long as you get it in and let it work on your glucose.

lmunch
 

[jbeany]

A 90 degree angle is an L.  A 45 is half of that - picture bending the upright part halfway to the bottom arm.

Just remember to rotate the spots you use to inject yourself.  The insulin creates little fat lumps in places you use repeatedly.  I still have a spot on my right thigh that hasn't gone away after 2 years without insulin.  It's in the easiest spot to reach with my right hand, of course, and the spot I could inject with one hand even while driving.

Other things the doc won't tell you... If you take a shower every other day, your skin is clean enough to do an insulin injection without alcohol.  This was tested in a study with diabetic nurses and they had no problems with infections.  I did it that way with no problems for years - no cold alcohol preps to drag along and mess with.  Also, it's perfectly feasible to inject yourself directly through your clothes, rather than having to find a restroom to do injections in, or try to shimmy out of pants to find an injection spot while eating in the car.  Again, something I did for years with no problems.  Especially now, with those click pens, sometimes it's easier to stay in your seat and unobtrusively inject yourself in the thigh under the table than it is to get up and go find a spot to do it.

[glitter]

Thank you for your replies- They showed me how to work the pen and sent me home with it- I thought I would get to do it there, but no. I am going through a local clinic until I am working long enough to get insurance, I am not getting much education. I have an appointment to see a nutritionist in a week or so. The shotare very hard for me- last night was the first one- and I am very apprehensive about them, on a good day needles scare me. I know compared to dialysis needles these are nothing, but to me, they are still bad enough. Glad to know they were overthinking the alcohol, I have the solostar pen.

[Chris]

The insulin creates little fat lumps in places you use repeatedly.  I still have a spot on my right thigh that hasn't gone away after 2 years without insulin.

jbeany, mine took close to 3 years to disapear since I mostly used my arms and legs until I finally got a pump a year before my transplant. I felt like I had popeye arms with the way they looked...lol

[jbeany]

The insulin creates little fat lumps in places you use repeatedly.  I still have a spot on my right thigh that hasn't gone away after 2 years without insulin.

jbeany, mine took close to 3 years to disapear since I mostly used my arms and legs until I finally got a pump a year before my transplant. I felt like I had popeye arms with the way they looked...lol

Oooh, good to know there's hope for that yet.  I had matching bumps on either side of my belly button, but they disappeared along with the belly button when the surgeon cut off all the excess skin while putting my guts back on the inside.  I was happy to see them go, but thought I might have to live with the one on my thigh forever!