Needles: What More Can I Say?

February 17th, 2011 by Amy Gonsalves Leave a reply »

I wanted to spend the week blogging about needles and diabetes.  Now that it’s Thursday I’m feeling like I’ve run out of things to say.  I mean really: as a type one diabetic I need to inject insulin to stay healthy (and alive) and sometimes I don’t like that.

Yup; that about sums it up.

So now what? 

Now, I start in on what other people do.  (whee!)

Many parents and I think not a few adults understand fear of needles when it comes to life with diabetes.  I am fortunate to have gotten over any fear I had right away… I don’t enjoy shots, but I can’t say they have ever made me quake in my boots.

But what about those who ARE terrified of needles?

Of course those are the ones who need to explore other options for themselves beyond the traditional needle.

Lucky for all of us, scientists and engineers have been working on alternate injection methods for decades.  I remember gazing at the ads for the injectors that didn’t have needles but somehow sprayed insulin through the skin.  (It wasn’t until I was a little older and a little more aware of the laws of physics that I realized that might not cut down on the pain…but I’ve never tried it so I don’t know.)

Although I should really have said on Monday: I’m really not a “jab and go” type one diabetic.  I take my time with each shot and go slowly I always have, and haven’t seen a need to go faster with my shots.  I’m amazed (AMAZED) by people who can go fast.  I always want to ask “what if you hit something?” but usually want to ask a millisecond before they inject and I am afraid of messing with their concentration at that point.  I worry.

Although the article discussing needle fear mentions people who are so afraid of needles that it can take them an hour to take a shot.  An hour?!  Yikes!!!  I can think of about 3,219 better ways to spend an hour.  No, more than 3,219 ways.  A lot more.

There is just so much there is to do in this world, and so much those of us living with diabetes specifically have to do every day I can’t imagine letting a fear of needles add any more time to my thoughts. 

I suggest that if you are struggling with needles and/or taking shots, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss other options for you.  This, I repeat, is YOUR LIFE and YOUR DISEASE so don’t let someone emotionally bully you into doing something you aren’t comfortable with.  If you need to speak with someone specifically about needle fear or anxiety, I’d say do it now rather than struggle longer than necessary. 

We know insulin is here to stay so let’s find ways to make it work FOR you instead of against you in your life or the life of your child.

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