So, I am the teenage aunt of a diabetic 8 year old. Now, he has no problem with insulin shots and even encourages me to give them to him. But I've never done it before..his mother taught me today how..I was confident, and when it came the moment to do it, I couldn't..
I broke down crying and have no idea why...
How do I get over this?
I know I won't hurt him with it, and I know it helps him..but I can't..I just can't bring myself to do it...
Please, please help me get over this fear..somehow..
ssspecialk - Being in the health profession and having to give injections or do blood tests on a daily basis I totally understand you. The first time I had to draw blood I refused to do it, but then, you are not purposefully harming the person, in some twisted way, you are trying to help them....
ReplyDeleteSo basically, just go for it and you will get used to it.
Good luck!
P.S. What might be useful, especially since your nephew is so young, is an insulin pump that is permanently hooked up so no one has to inject him and he doesn't have to patiently put up with it all.
Chronos - Just load the syringe according to the doctor's instructions.
ReplyDeletePinch up a little bit of the fat layer around the belly. It doesn't take much of a pinch, you just want to have a little between your thumb and finger.
In one smooth motion,push the needle into the pinched area between thumb and finger.
Push the plunger all the way down and leave the needle in for 3 or 4 seconds.
Pull the needle out in one smooth motion.
Look for leaking insulin (you probably will not see any but look anyway. I leaking, you just need to move to another spot next time).
Put the used syringe/needle into your sharps container.
Go get a cup of coffee.
It doesn't hurt. At all. I was scared too, first time but there really is no feeling at all. I don't even pinch up anymore, I just put the needle in the fat layer around the belly area on the side just above hip bone. No problem. No blood. Just quick and easy.
Noccie - If you don't babysit him, you don't have to learn. If you babysit him from time to time, then just hold your breath and do it! If you can't get over this, then you will not be able to be alone with him or babysit him.
ReplyDeletesyl c. - Take deep breaths before you do it. Talk him during the process. Talking helps relieve fear and stress, particularly if you find a topic you enjoy talking about. Talking to him about what he likes, school, baseball, sports, cartoons, friends, etc. this helps in distracting from the apprehension not the task at hand, though. You will see that as the needle goes in is also a form of relief. This should calm you and know you have done something that will help him and keep him alive and healthy and you are a part of it.
ReplyDeleteUse a 'cool-down' mental process. Steeling yourself for frightening events is part of handling fears that are crippling. Be mentally pro-active, counting, bracing yourself, and otherwise reacting to the fear mechanism to control it. There are many ways of doing this: one is with a mantra (for example "it's ok") that you repeat to yourself. These stress-relief practices can actually work well. So, the next time it will be easier.
Don't wait around. Try to plan the shot process so that you can get it done without proscratinating. You will be fine because you know its for someone you love very much and this keeps him healthy and active so its worth it for you to get over your phobia. So that way if his mother can't do it and he needs it esp. in an emergency situation you will be able to do it for your nephew. Ultimately it is for him and that alone she get you going!!!!
Hope this helps.
Tabea - I like to fight fear with fear.
ReplyDeleteSo think about it...what are the consequences of NOT giving the shot?
Blood sugar could rise to dangerous levels. Patient could end up in hospital, in intensive care. In the long run, complications could include kidney damage, heart attack, amputation and blindness.
Which is more scary?
tod m - he can do it himself. watch out for low blood sugar... shaking, sweating, rapid heart beat.
ReplyDelete