Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would you be able to inject yourself?

185 replies

UltimateWednesday · 07/07/2020 18:36

DH has to have daily injections. The District Nurse has been coming to do it but obviously they'd prefer he did it himself.

He really can't. I've done it today and will do them from now on but I'm not sure I could do it to myself.

OP posts:
Belowwreck · 09/07/2020 13:04

I was 21 and in the middle of chemo BTW, some days I had GCSFs too - it's tough luck, you just have to get on with it. A district nurse to give a sub cut injection daily is a complete waste of resources.

chubbyhotchoc · 09/07/2020 13:14

I found it really difficult the first couple of times but I did get used to it

thecatneuterer · 09/07/2020 13:20

I'm sure I could. If he really finds it a problem could you perhaps do the injecting OP?

mrscampbellblackagain · 09/07/2020 13:21

Yes, I could do it. Also have a type one child who has done all his own injections since diagnosis age 10.

I do understand phobias but worked with a woman who was totally needle phobic and couldn't understand why she didn't get help. I mean if you want to have DC then you need to get used to needles when pregnant.

I don't think anyone enjoys injecting themselves but it is amazing what you do when it is the choice between life and death.

But I am vain and regularly have botox etc and if lockdown had continued for much longer would have injected myself with that Wink

eggofmantumbi · 09/07/2020 13:26

Type one diabetic here. Always makes me laugh when people say they couldn't inject. You learn to live with it..... Or literally die!! (And I've also had to inject for other things not just when the relatively fine/small diabetic needles)

rubydoobydoo · 09/07/2020 13:26

Yes I used to have to do it every day with a previous treatment - I had an automatic thing where you press a button and it shoots it into you to start with but I switched to doing it manually as it hurt less.
The first couple of times it took me a while to actually do it as it was a bit scary but it was fine after that, you soon get used to it.

It also prepared me well for doing our insulin-dependent diabetic cat!

planningaheadtoday · 09/07/2020 13:28

Yes. You can.

If you are in any way squeamish there is an auto injector designed for insulin but can be used with other drugs.

I couldn't do my own injections but found it easy with the auto injector.

You draw up what you need in a fresh syringe. Put it into the device press against directed body part and press the button.

It does it all for you and you don't have to look!

Saved my bacon.

BertNErnie · 09/07/2020 13:29

Yep. IVF so needs must. Once he gets over the initial one, it's fine. I can remember it room me about 45 minutes to do the first one!

DaniX91 · 09/07/2020 13:30

Yea I had to inject Clexane everyday for 6 weeks after having my baby. Weird at first but you get used to it.

MrsPoll · 09/07/2020 13:32

I had to have blood thinners while pregnant and 6 weeks after ( 5 months in total) I couldnt do it to myself, my partner had to do them. Thank god they are over with now!

planningaheadtoday · 09/07/2020 13:33

@rubydoobydoo , there is a tension adjustment on the auto injectors. They shouldn't be painful.

If it's adjusted, you don't feel it at all. I used to worry it hadn't happened then dismantled the device to find it had injected after all.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/07/2020 13:41

Yes. I did it. It was five.

elliejjtiny · 09/07/2020 13:42

Yes, I did for 6 weeks after my c-sections. Hated it and never managed to do it without bruising myself but I did it.

BlueThursday · 09/07/2020 13:44

I did it for egg donation and after my own pregnancy. The thought was worse than the deed

Nat6999 · 09/07/2020 13:50

I used to do ex husband's when he was on Rebif 1-a for MS, 3 times a week with an auto injector. Used to give me enormous pleasure towards the end of our marriage.

Marmite27 · 09/07/2020 13:51

Yes, I did a few years ago daily for 2 weeks after I had a section.

Rosebel · 09/07/2020 13:58

Six weeks after a c section? Is that standard? I only had them for 2 weeks. Perhaps thats why I'm in hospital with blood clots.

thesedaysarescary · 09/07/2020 14:05

Yes had to inject for 6 weeks after having my 3rd child then for a year while having my 4th. You get used to it

InsaneProbably · 09/07/2020 14:08

Yes, also plenty of IVF, and found it okay. Well, the subcutaneous ones were okay. I didn't manage to do intramuscular injections on myself - just something about it, not sure why - so DH did those ones.

heynori · 09/07/2020 14:09

Yes. Blood thinners in pregnancy and also for IVF.

Megatron · 09/07/2020 14:12

Yes, I had to for months after every time I had chemo.

My DD is type 1 and has been injecting herself since she was 8 and could handle the insulin pen properly.

Had a needle phobia for years but when I found I had to inject DD countless times daily, I just had to do it.

Megatron · 09/07/2020 14:16

@squeekums

Nope, not a chance Other people cant either Needle phobia
I used to faint even at the sight of a needle.

When DD was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes I knew I needed to be able to deal with it. I hated it and felt sick but that last thing I wanted was for her to pick up on that. I had to think of it as literally saving her life every single day, which it was. She was 3 so couldn't do them herself then.

Howmanysleepsnow · 09/07/2020 16:49

No. I had a finger prick blood test recently and had to ask my 7 year old to do the finger prick for me as I just couldn’t bring myself to do it (he loved it! Wouldn’t dream of asking his older brothers though...).
I’m a nurse and not at all squeamish either.

Mumtumwobble · 09/07/2020 17:38

I had to do the injections after have dd as I’d had a CS. It was fine once I’d got the first one over and done with. My mum has Crohns and has to do weekly injections. It’s not pleasant, but she just gets on with it.

MistyIsland · 09/07/2020 17:41

Yes I have done it before 🤷‍♀️ It’s easy enough