Hiya Everyone
My 7 year old son was diagnosed with Diabetes last week. He's started accepting his Insulin shots and finger pricks really well, but one problem we are having so that he will not have the shots anywhere else but the tops of his arms.
We've tried everything to try and get him to have them in his legs and bottom but he absolutly refuses. We have managed twice to get them in his legs, but his screams were terrible and each time, it left him tramatised and when we went to give him his next shot (in his arm) he became hysterical again and it took him a long time to coax him into getting it.
Is is so important that the shots have got to be rotated. We would have a happly little boy if we could keep to his arms, but he has up to 5 shots a day so we not sure what damage we could be doing.
Love Angel x
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Hi Angel,
My 32 year old Sister-in-Law is a diabetic and has been since she was born. She only ever injects into the tops of her arms ??? It certainly hasn't done her any harm. Maybe the information given has changed regarding rotation.
I'd be tempted to letyour soncall the shots for now ..... he might change his mind after a while, when he's got more used to the shots, and decide to try other sites !! Traumatising him more by forcing him might just make matters worse.
Meridianmoon xx
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Hey Angel!
I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my little girl and was on insulin. The least sore place I found was my tummy! Pinch a bit of flab on the side of his belly and inject into that, i guarantee he won't feel it because you're effectively isolating the spot. It worked for me cause I was beyond phobic of needles before that!!!!:)
If this doesn't work for him, like meridionmoon said let him call the shots. I was told to rotate injection sites, but I also found that it left me with bruises which I'd prefer others not to see!:eek:
If its only been a week it'll be ok until he's more used to it.
I'm sorry that he's going through it - its not easy. I was on four big injections a day and it was a nightmare at first, but after I had her, I still found myself going to the cupboard to get my injection pen!! He'll get used to it - at least you've found it early!!
Best of luck - he's a brave little lad;)
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
I know of several children who do their own shots - the youngest is7 (she is amazing!) and has been administering her own insulin since Christmas, when she decided she was a 'big girl'!!! Each one of them use their lower abdomen and thighs, on rotation.
Let him get more used to the situation - it is still all very new for him - he will soon let you know when he is ready to accept a different regime.
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Hiya Everyone
Thanks for all the good advice you have given me. I have spoken with my son's Diabetic Nurse today and she has said the same thing too, let him call the shots, he'll move when he's ready. and there's no need to worry about rotating just yet either.
It's put my mind at ease and will make giving these injections a whole lot easier from now on.
But just on the safe side, I've asked for extra "pens" so I am going to show my son that I can give shots to my own legs, buttocks etc, without it hurting. Maybe when he sees it dosen't hurt me, then he'll be happy to go ahead and rotate himself.
Love Angel x
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Hiya Everyone
Just a heads up, in just over a week since making this post, we have managed to pursuade Kieran to have the injections in his leg. When we first tried over a week ago, the screams were horrible, last night, after a 10 minute talk that his arms look like they are getting a litte sore, he allowed me to inject into his leg. Then he has had another 2 in his leg since then and has now declared, he prefers them there as they hurt less.
We're gonna give it another couple of weeks and see if we can move to his tummy or bottom.
Love Angel x
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Me again!
Less than 10 days later, Kieran anounced today that he wants me to use his stomach. I was gobsmacked, I haven't pushed it at all and he just came out and said he wants to try his stomach.
We were at school and a few of his class mates were there, they were saying, "Are you getting it in your arm or leg today?" Kieran said, "Tummy."
I nearly fell off my chair in shock! So now we have 5 Injection sites.(2 arms, 2 legs and tummy.) I am so proud of him.
Angel x
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
That's fantastic ~ your little boy is being so wonderfully brave! I don't think I could do what he has to do day in day out x
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
He's a brave young lad. I agree with the diabetic nurse let him decide. When he gets stressed and upset his muscles will tense and it then makes it hurt. He's old enough to know he has to have them so let him decide where.
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Thanks everyone
I am such a proud mum right now, yesterday he told us to give him his injection in his bottom. We nearly passed out in shock!
We now have all the injection sites covered, he's only being diagnosed 4 weeks today.
Angel x
RE: Insulin Injection Sites.
Big hug to Kieran - what a little Star 