GD and Insulin

[Uni tsi]

After ages struggling to avoid insulin, all my effort was to no avail and they've put me on once-a-day Lantus. It's really improved my fasting numbers, but I hate poking my bump every night because sometimes it leaves little red dots and I want my baby bump to stay pristine and unmarred. Maybe that is a little vain, but I feel like I've been through so much already, I just want to be able to show off my bump in the heat of summer if I feel like it without everyone being like "woah what are all those red dots?!" I tried injecting into my thigh and the first night it went ok but the second time it really, really burned during the injection, and I'm wondering if that's because I accidentally injected into muscle or what. I would like to use the back of my arm, but I can't figure out how to do it one handed.

I would love advice from anyone who had to take injections during pregnancy. Where did you inject? Were you able to avoid injecting into the bump? I'm not worried about poking the baby, or anything like that. I just don't like poking my belly, having that discomfort on my bump, and it's getting harder to pinch as things get more taunt. Getting DH to help me inject into out of reach places is unfortunately impossible because he's very needle phobic.

I know there's a lot of ladies on this site who had to use insulin. How did you handle things? Am I just being needlessly whiney and should suck it up? lol I know I'm fortunate it's only one shot a day so far. But I really hate injecting into my bump and would really like to figure out an alternative.

 

[1nceUponATime]

Hey Hun I have GD too but so far diet controlled. I can't speak for injections during pregnancy, but I did have to do injections to get pregnant during fertility. Menopur usually burned when injecting.... I think a couple things helped with the burning . One was injecting super slow, just sloowwwwly pressing down on the plunger. The other was making sure you get the right "angle" on the needle. And I always pinched the skin while inserting the needle and let go of the skin while plunging. Unfortunately, I didn't master a way to not get little red dots and tiny bruises.... Maybe I am just an easy bruiser. I don't think you are being whiney! GD sucks never mind you have to poke yourself in the fingers and now you have to inject. It's totally understandable you would be upset. Oh, also I read a lot of people online who have issues with burning just ice the area a bit before hand.... A sub dermal needle shouldn't be long enough to hit a muscle I would think, they are usually just long enough to reach under the skin. Good luck Hun!

 

[Uni tsi]

Thank you 1nce for responding! I'll try going slower. I think I do get impatient to just have it over with and go too fast sometimes. Ice is a good idea, I'll try that too. I agree it does seem unlikely I'd be hitting muscle since the needle is so short. But it seems like the more flab in the particular spot, the easier it goes. I tried my thighs again and am having better luck. It still stings, not so much during but afterwards, but it feels like less of an indignity compared to sticking my bump.

Great job controlling your GD with diet! That is a real accomplishment!

 

[minties]

Did you get to try something like metformin before they tried insulin? I just went on metformin a little while ago and it's already helping immensely.

I would probat use my hips or something if I had to inject insulin and had a nice looking tummy! Mines covered in stretch marks and surgery scars and droopy skin from weightloss so I don't care about it. I don't think you sound at all vain! It sounds annoying and painful to have to do.

 

[Uni tsi]

Thanks for telling me I'm not vain Minties! Don't get me wrong, I don't have one of those "perfect" bumps like you see in the baby magazines. It's shaped more like a kidney bean lol But, I just detest hurting there. Last night, my thigh did sting again for a while after the injection, but it's easier to deal with for some reason cause it's not at my core. I've been reading up on lantus, and apparently it just tends to sting more than other types.

They did start me on metformin first, and it's been really helpful getting me this far but my numbers have been slowly creeping up even with that. As you say, it is kind of annoying to have to inject, but I keep reminding myself at least it's only once a day. Hopefully, I can keep up my exercise etc and not escalate to the next level. fx

It's funny you mention the hips, I tried to use my hips already but because it's a two handed procedure, I couldn't reach around far enough with my other hand because the bump is in the way! I was all set to go, before I realized the bump blocked my arm from reaching that far across my body

How are you liking the metformin? Did they put you on the time release or the regular? I've tried both now and found the time release a lot easier because I could take it only once a day.

 

[sethsmummy]

ive not read the other replies just now but i injected round my belly button or in the thigh... the best thing to do is find a really meaty point on yourself and pinch it then slowly inject.. the faster you go the more it stings

 

[Uni tsi]

Sethsmummy, Thank you for your reply which part of the thigh did you have the best luck with?

 

[Lucasmum]

You probably caught a little nerve if it stung, just remember to keep moving your injection site and watch out for little lumps, I've been injecting myself 4 times a day for as long as I can remember gone up to 5 now I'm pregnant as well as all the extra finger pricks

 

[sethsmummy]

im quite a bit lady so honestly i just did the top of my thigh as there is always somewhere i can "pinch" xx

 

[Uni tsi]

Thank you ladies for all the advice! I've switched to the outside of the thigh and I inject as slowly as possible. That seems to have made a huge difference.

 

[fairycat]

I was told not to inject it into my belly, because of pregnancy. They told me either thigh or in the lovehandle part of the hip. I'm currently putting it off, but may have to inject myself soon, I have the pens at home.

 

[Uni tsi]

It's interesting to me they told you to avoid the belly Fairy. I was specifically told originally to use the belly, but I've rebelled! lol I wonder if we're injecting to different depths? But either way, I've found the outside of the thigh works pretty well. I wish I could reach my love handles with both hands! I didn't get the pen, even though I wanted it. She thought my insurance wouldn't cover it, or something. I would have paid extra! But oh well. I'm stuck with the old fashioned method which isn't that bad but it does take two hands, and I feel like that really limits my choices of injection sites.

Once you get going with it, let me know what you think of the pens. Maybe I'll push for her to change by prescription.

 

[fairycat]

My insurance doesn't cover the pens either. Luckily they gave me a couple free ones and then gave me a coupon for 5 free pens. I won't need all of them, since there's only like 1.5 months to go from when I'd start using them. Have you asked about any coupons they might have? I'm glad i won't have to use the syringe and vial, I'm afraid I would totally mess it up!

 

[Uni tsi]

Coupons! That's a great idea! I'll ask. I have a lifetime supply of syringes already though They come in such a giant box

 

[sethsmummy]

ooo no wonder its stinging you so much... definitely if you can get some coupons get them hun! the pen makes it so much easier! xx

 

[fairycat]

Hope you are able to get some! Check websites too.

 

[Uni tsi]

Searching online was a good idea! I found a really great coupon from the company. I have an appointment next week, I'll talk to her about switching over

 

[fairycat]

Awesome!!

 

[Lbutterfly]

So I am 29 weeks pregnant. Got diagnosed with GD around 20 weeks and now the diabetes sprcialists that are working with me think I am carb sensitive because at night my levels seem to be a little high. I think it may have to do with the cup of 1% milk I have with dinner. I usually have 1 serv of a carb and they said most women have 2. So they might put me on insulin if my levels don't go down. I am worried. Isn't insulin bad for the baby? It might be worth it since I feel like I can't eat anything and feel food deprived.

 

[Uni tsi]

Lbutterfly sorry to hear you're having to deal with this. I know how scary it can be at first. Insulin is actually good for the baby, compared to having your blood sugar out of whack. Did they say what type they are thinking of putting you on? The once-a-day kind, or after every meal? I'm on once-a-day to help my fasting numbers in the morning and even though at first I was upset to get put on it, actually it's really great.

One thought I had, and I know it wasn't the purpose of your post, but have you tried whole milk with dinner? It's true there's a lot of sugar in milk (lactose) but with the fat still in the milk it metabolizes differently. Fat and protein cause the sugars to metabolize more slowly so they don't cause such a huge spike in blood sugar, or something. I didn't completely understand what they were explaining to me, but I've experimented with it and it does seem to make a difference.

I assume you're already taking a walk after dinner? They told me to try that, but for me it didn't make any difference. I was so reluctant to go on insulin, but now I'm really glad I did. As you said, it's not good feeling food deprived.

Try not to worry too much! If you have any questions, maybe we can answer them for you