When having to use insulin to manage diabetes, “How do I inject insulin?” “How will insulin affect daily routines, social life, and hobbies such as exercise or travel?” …… These thoughts can seem to enter the mind unstoppably.
The truth is that most patients who use insulin can do anything they want to do. Once you have mastered the injection, it is not difficult to incorporate it into your daily life.
“It can make a big difference, but patients will soon realize that many people do and it’s not as inconvenient as they thought,” said Erin Kelly, a diabetes educator at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
Before you start, work with a diabetes educator (you can ask your doctor for a recommendation) to learn how to give yourself insulin and find what works for you. Here are suggestions on how to make insulin injections fit into your daily life.
A day when you need insulin injections
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may order insulin only once or twice a day, and this will not interfere too much with your daily life. In fact, you can leave your injection supplies at home when you go out and relax.
Sometimes multiple treatments are needed. If you have type 1 diabetes (or if your type 2 diabetes is not well controlled), you will need three to four injections of insulin a day. Some patients may be on “short-acting” insulin, which must be administered at a dose calculated before use, usually before meals. This means that you need to test your blood glucose level with a blood glucose meter, calculate the dosage, and then give the injection.
Toby Smithson, a diabetes education specialist in Hilton Head, S.C., says there seems to be a lot to learn at first.
“When you’re just diagnosed with diabetes, patients can feel physically and emotionally overwhelmed,” she said.
Smithson has a lot of firsthand experience. She has had type 1 diabetes for nearly 47 years.
She has a typical care routine, checking her blood sugar about 8 to 10 times a day to make sure it’s not too high or too low, so she can figure out how much insulin she needs. She uses an insulin pump, but needs to determine the amount of insulin to release, just as patients using syringes or insulin pens must calculate the dose of medication. She usually uses insulin at least 3 times a day: before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, and also between meals if her blood sugar is too high.
“I don’t know anyone who would like insulin injections,” Smithson said. But over time, one gets used to it, and blood sugar checks and injections no longer seem to be a problem.
Preparing for insulin injections
If you have type 1 diabetes or have type 2 diabetes, but your doctor requires insulin three to four times a day, you need to carry your medication and injection supplies with you. For example, when you go to work, when you have a dinner with friends, or when you work out at the gym.
Most insulin users need to have the following items on hand:
- Insulin vials and syringes, or insulin pens and pen needles;
- Glucose meter, blood collection device, blood collection needle, and test strips;
- Calculator or smartphone with calculator function (to determine how much insulin you need);
- hard candy, glucose tablets, or glucose gel (for when blood sugar drops too low)
Kelly says the blood glucose meter comes with a carrying case, but it may not fit anything else. Some female patients put other supplies in their bags or cosmetic cases. Men may choose a briefcase, gym bag, or even a sweatpants pocket with a large pocket.
Common concerns
How do I inject insulin at work?
If you are new to insulin, you are more concerned about how to check your blood sugar and inject insulin at work.
“Some patients feel like they can’t take a break from work to do that.” Kelly said. You can tell your boss about your condition and ask the company to provide time for employees to treat their illness.
In addition, Kelly recommends that people with type 1 diabetes carry a pancreatic hyperglycemic first aid kit. This medicine can quickly raise blood sugar if it drops very low. In addition, teach a colleague to use the kit in case they pass out and can’t inject themselves.
Can I still go to a restaurant?
Yes! There’s no need to go to the bathroom to test blood sugar or administer an injection, Kelly said. “Once they get used to it, patients realize it’s just part of life.”
If you’re worried about drawing too much attention to yourself, keep your glucometer and insulin pen or syringe on your lap or in a bag, not on the table.
Do I need to stop exercising or playing sports?
Being active can help control your diabetes. But be aware that exercise can make your blood sugar drop too low.
Discuss with your doctor how to do the right amount of physical activity. It may be necessary to check blood glucose levels before or after exercise and then adjust the dose of insulin accordingly.
How should I get through airline security?
Let the security screeners know you have diabetes.
Carry insulin vials, pens, and glucagon first aid kits with you in their packaging. Show the label of the medication for proof if needed so that you can carry the supplies (including syringes) with you. A doctor’s prescription may not be sufficient for certification, as these can be forged.
Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors usually do not trigger an alarm and do not need to be removed. It is also not necessary to turn off the glucose monitor during the flight.