Many people new to life with diabetes worry about having to inject themselves. This is a natural response, and with help and support from their diabetes care team, the majority of people adapt very well and find it is not as bad as they feared.
Part of the problem is often that people do not really have an idea of what to expect. Before being diagnosed with diabetes, a person's experience of needles is usually of the long needles used for taking blood from a vein, when in fact the needles used to deliver insulin are much smaller and are designed to enter the layer of fat just under the skin.
Very few people are actually needle-phobic, suffering panic attacks at the sight or even thought of a needle. But some people are, and need the appropriate support to help them overcome this. Various approaches can be taken. Sometimes the 'hierarchy method' is used, where a person with a phobia of needles agrees with their diabetes specialist nurses or counsellor a list of ten fears relating to their phobia. Number one, the bottom of the hierarchy, might be a picture of a needle, and number ten might actually be injecting. If someone is gradually taught how to relax and handles panic by facing each fear in turn, not moving on to the next level until the current stage is completely conquered, then it is quite possible to overcome phobias.
Anyone who is worried about the prospect of doing injections should talk to their diabetes care team. Everyone has their own way of dealing with blood injections, and you need to discuss with your care team what might work for you and the possible approaches you can try.
When people become used to insulin injections, it generally becomes very routine and many people don't find it painful.
People starting insulin treatment need help with injection technique from a healthcare professional. This can ensure that people do not hit a muscle and cause themselves unnecessary pain. Tips such as changing injection sites regularly or injecting insulin at room temperature can all make injecting easier. When you are first getting used to injections, you might find it helpful to hold an ice cube against the skin for a few seconds, just before you inject. This can help numb the area to any pain.
Insulin pens can help people who are put off by the need to draw up their own injections. You simply insert your insulin cartridge into your pen, and dial up the dose you need. A wide range of insulin pens are now available and you should discuss your individual requirements with your diabetes care team. People using the NovoPen 3 from Novo Nordisk may be interested in the NovoPen 3 PenMate, which can be used with it. This is an auto-inject mechanism that slips over the NovoPen 3 and inserts the needle into the skin automatically. Some people who are worried about giving themselves injections may find this makes the injecting process easier. Talk to your care team if you want further details.
There are also auto-injectors which can be used to make injections with traditional syringes easier, for example the Autoject 2 available from Owen Mumford. The syringe is placed inside a bulky penlike device, which is then placed against the skin. Pressing a button lowers the needle and inserts it into the skin, and pressing a plunger releases the insulin.
A needle-free injecting device is available on prescription in the UK. The Insujet insulin administration system is intended for people who are uncomfortable injecting themselves with a needle. When administered, the insulin passes through a small channel, creating a high speed jet that can penetrate the skin and underlying tissue.
The pressure is generated by a spring, which is optimized for subcutaneous insulin delivery. Combined with a unique automatic injection system, this results in virtually painless insulin administration.
Speak to your GP or Diabetes Specialist Nurse for more information, or visit the Insujet website.
You can also contact European Pharma Group (EPG) the manufacturer on: +31 (0) 20 316 0140 or info@insujet.com.