Needles are intimidating her

[Mackenzie'sMommy]

Mackenzie is having a little bit of trouble adjusting to all of the insulin injections. I think that the needles are intimidating to her. When she knows that it is time for her to get her shot she cry's, kick's, and lays in the middle of the floor screaming. Does anyone know of some ways to help ease her fear of the needles and the pain that they cause?
Mom of
Mackenzie (6) dx'd 3/08
Tate (8) no-D
Chandler (12) no-D

[fredntan2]

Have u gotten a injectese? yet?
Its a device thing that hides the needle and syringe from them.

U can find it at local pharmacy-around 20$ ask the pharmacist for it, they keep it behind the counter.

maybe lettin g her pick the spot will help her feel like she's in control.
is the insulin room temp?
ok to keep current insulin out of fridge for 1 month.

[Sarah Maddie's Mom]

The Inject-ease really helped my daughter when she was younger. I liked it too;) Do give it a try.

[Jeff]

This is the Inject-Ease:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/gifs/products/injectease199907s2.jpg (http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/gifs/products/injectease199907.jpg)

HIGHLY recommended for kids who are afraid of needles.

[bgallini]

Fortunately, my son was older when he was dx but maybe some of these suggestions will help:

Get everything ready out of Mackenzie's sight, so she doesn't have the dread of waiting for the shot.

Give her something to distract her, bubbles are good b/c they encourage her to blow and blowing helps lessen the pain. But something like a whistle or birthday party blowing toy might be better for when she is crying (don't want to spill bubbles).

If she is not crying and having a fit, when you approach her, give her two choices of where to have the shot.

If she is crying, just be quick and matter of fact, 'it's time for your shot, here's your whistle.' Then do the shot as quickly as you can w/ no more chit chat.

After the shot, give her a hug and then move on to something else. Try not to dwell on the shot or the crying or whatever.

BEFORE doing all of this, sit her down one day at a time when it's not shot time and tell her your new plan. We have to do the shots so I'm going to let you blow this whistle while I do it b/c someone told me if you blow, it won't hurt so bad. I also have some bubbles you can blow if you are sitting and not crying. Would you like me to ask you if you want the right arm or the left arm? If you aren't crying and kicking, I can give you choices like that. But no matter what, we will do the shot and then I'll give you a big hug and then we'll eat. During this chat, let her talk about how much she hates the shots or whatever, but at shot time, don't get into long chats about it or it will only delay the shot and the crying.

She will get use to it. But it's hard at first.

[Twinklet]

I also heard about a device called a shot-blocker. Some say they really work well.

Which shot is bothering her? My DD threw a huge fit when she was on Lantus because it's acidic and burns. We fixed that by giving it to her when she was asleep.

[rnemecek]

We sang songs which took her mind off of what was going on. We also let her squeeze one of her sisters hands which kind of turned it into a game. She also was allowed to pick the site which seemed like it gave her some control over the situation. Hope it helps!
Rachael
Mom to Katherine, Caroline, Courtney (dx 11/1/02), Corissa, & Chloe:)

[Sarah Maddie's Mom]

The Shot Blocker is a plastic disk, about 2 " accross with a rough, pimply underside. It has a hole in the middle for the needle. The idea is that the pimply underside sort of "tricks" the brain into responding to that nerve stimuli rather than the injection.
Nice idea ;) We used one for quite a while. It's not idea for insulin injections because it tends to squash down the injection site so unless you have a lot of fat you will hit muscle.
Having used both, I would try the inject-ease first. Then if you think you want to try it, the shot-blocker. It's made by bionix.


PS I used to have tons, but just sent some out to other folk. If I find anymore in the supply closet I'll PM you.

[csnider3]

We have used the inject ease since day 4 or 5 with out 3 year old and works well especially when they are fighting the shot. Wal-Mart's pharmacy ordered it for us and we had it the next day. We also used tons of band aides in the beginning. We got several styles for him to choose from.

Cathy

[Vi'sMom]

We did band-aids lots and lots and even more! We went to the store and bought all sorts big small, rectangle circle you name it all different kinds. Vi picked all of the out. Then at shot time she got to pick the band-aid and the site. That seemed to help the most for us. Although there for a long time she was absoultly covered in band-aids:Dlol

[Amy C.]

My son used the inject ease for nearly 9 years -- untill he went on the pump. There was a period of a couple months where he didn't use it, at the advice of the CDE. He wanted to use it again and I couldn't see any reason not to have him use it.

The best thing is it holds the needle still while doing the shot. Moving the needle while it is in the skin is what hurts. Shots are incredibly quick with that device.

[fredntan2]

I forgot to ask about the needles.

Isn't the 33's the better for 8? yr olds-and definately want short

one time we got a mix of longs wiht our shorts-took me a while to realize it:eek:

[miss_behave]

I also heard about a device called a shot-blocker. Some say they really work well.


I've searched all over the internet for a shot blocker recently, and I can't find one anywhere. I looked at old threads with links, but all the links were dead. I'm not sure its made anymore :(

[StillMamamia]

All of the ideas proposed are excellent...I have a slightly off-topic, humble:o one (don't know if 6 yr old are into this thought):

Get a doll/teddy bear, and get her to pretend-play to give a shot to the toy...see how she 'handles' the whole situation, what she says to the toy to 'make it feel at ease'...and imitate her, when you have to do the shot yourself.

Basically, let her feel control over something (i.e.: the toy shot)...it might ease her fears knowing what is involved first-hand, kwim???:confused:

Good luck!

[Gaia]

I love the bubbles idea. Ive seen that on "ER" and thought then that it was a great idea. Joey is 12 & fights the shots because they hurt. Have you tried numbing the area w/ ice? Or maybe that numbing cream Ive heard about - I honestly dont know too much about that one.

I know she's a big girl, but how about getting her a bear or something that she can give a 'shot' to at the same time she's getting hers. The twins are almost 6 ( end of April) and they love playing doctor on thier toys & on me and Joey. They have a big toy syringe they use to give Joey his 'medicine so his sugar doesnt go up'. I think its their way of trying to understand what he's going thru.

Im sorry I dont have any more ideas. I just wanted to give you what I could think of. I hate the thought of any child hurting for any reason. :( I hope you find something that works for you very soon!! :)

[Gaia]

Sorry mamamia.....didnt see your post first. :o Great minds think alike lol. Btw, what does kwim mean?

[Christopher]

This may be WAY over the top, but there is something called an I-Port that you might want to look into. I don't know of anyone who has ever used it and I haven't either, so I cannot vouch for its efficacy. Just throwing it out there.

http://www.pattonmd.com/

[jendean]

THey also make some safety needles for insulin pens...
I think they kind of stink, and make it hurt more, but then again, I can only guage that by the patients who I inject at the hospital....they all seem to think these needles hurt more.

Then there is the SQ pen, needle free, but I hear that hurts more too.

[StillMamamia]

Sorry mamamia.....didnt see your post first. Great minds think alike lol. Btw, what does kwim mean

Yes, indeed GMTA (great minds think alike):D....learned this one recently
KWIM (know what I mean) ;)