Giving Yourself Insulin

Your D-team will help you and your parents know everything you need to know about insulin management. Like BG checking, soon you'll become an insulin pro!

Most of you have probably experienced insulin shots through a syringe and needle. There are several other ways to give yourself insulin including:

• Insulin pen – Looks like a pen, but instead of a ballpoint there is a small needle under the cap. Instead of ink, this pen is filled with insulin!
• Insulin pump – A small device that holds insulin and attaches to you right under your skin. Because you are always connected to insulin, you usually don't need to give yourself insulin injections with a syringe. Instead, you can tell your pump how much insulin to release and it goes automatically into your skin.
• Automatic injectors – Some people have trouble actually pushing the syringe into their skin. If that sounds like you, ask your D-team about an automatic injector. Automatic injectors shoot the needle into you at the touch of a button, but you still have to push the plunger to deliver the insulin dose.

You will work with your D-team to decide the best way for you to receive insulin. You'll also work together on developing an insulin schedule.

Hint:  Give yourself your insulin shot quickly - it will hurt less because your nerve endings have less time to react.

Site rotation
Try not to give yourself insulin in the same spot because that spot can get sore and you can get fat deposits in that spot called lipohypertrophy. So spread the wealth, and work out a site rotation schedule with your D-team.

Some site options:

• Stomach, but not too close to your belly button
• Back of your upper arm
• Top, inside, or outside part of your thigh
• Bottom (AKA: Butt)

Hint: Don't pick an injection site that's too close to moles or scars.