October 18, 2005
Blood Tests and Insulin Injections
Question from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA:
My 12 year old son was diagnosed in March 2005. He began using an insulin pen about two months ago. For the first few weeks, he did great with “poking” himself. Prior to that, I (Mom) was giving injections. He was able to inject himself in his leg and stomach and I did the hip and arm areas. Then, one day he woke up and said he couldn’t “poke” himself. He literally freaked out when he attempted to “poke” the needle into himself. His doctor said to “force” him to give himself the injections. We have progressed to Mom “poking” and then he injects the insulin. My husband and I feel that it is doing him more damage mentally to force him to do this (he won’t even if forced). We feel that there will come a time when he will want to do something away from us and that he will then be “forced” to inject himself; it will be his choice then. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer:
I tend to agree with you. When the time is right, he’ll take over the task. Typically, children will want such independence when they spend the night with a friend, go to summer camp, or in general, feel more confident. Keep your son involved, however. He should gather the supplies, put the needle on the pen, dial in the dose, swab the site, push in the button, and remove the needle after the injection. This keeps him actively involved and not just a passive receiver.
I would also try to figure out why the injections are a problem. Do they hurt? Is he afraid of the needle? Do they sting?
A diabetes educator could help sort out some of the reasons and offer some solutions. For example, stinging may come from giving an injection through “wet” alcohol on the skin. Painful injections may be aided by applying ice to the site to numb the injection site.
BS
