One of those funny mornings this morning. Was taking my insulin as usual, but when I stabbed myself, it was really painful. It can get like that sometimes, I think where there must be a bruise from a previous injection. It used to happen more in the early days for various reasons, I assume that was because of my unfamiliarity with the gear and the process. So I took the needle out a tiny bit to make it more comfortable.
I pushed the plunger down as normal, but when I took the needle out a few drops on insulin spilled out onto the floor. With insulin, you’re talking about fractions of millilitres, really tiny amounts. I normally shake the pen after use, precisely to see if any drops come out, and normally it is dry.
So I’m left wondering, “did I get all/any/none of my dose?” I assumed not, but to be cautious I injected myself again, properly, with another half dose. So, today I’m anywhere between ½ dose to 1½ doses. If the former, I was fortunate that my sugar was quite low this morning so it shouldn’t be too bad, if the latter I’ll have to be prepared for a hypo, and maybe this’ll be my last post? Literally. I’ll need to be very careful what I eat today, and to measure myself again tonight to get a fix for this evening’s dose. I kinda concluded that it is my sugar over time that is the important thing, rather than its spot value, although of course when the spot values are all high, that spells trouble.
Mister Bump 
Reblogged this on Stroke Survivor and commented:
Yay, it is Friday again, and Fandango has just published his Friday Flashback post. The idea is that he picks a post from this day in a previous year, to give newer readers a better insight into what does and doesn’t make him tick.
I have always liked that idea, so shall also post my own reminiscence. As much as anything, it reminds me of where I was, where I am now, and how far I have come. Hopefully, you will find it entertaining along the way.
I dug out a post today from last year. Actually I was quite surprised when I found it, because most of my health was not very interesting by then, I was three years post-stroke. I guess I posted because it was remarkable
My insulin comes in two pieces. There is a plastic pen, about 6 inches long, containing the insulin itself, with a screw thread on the end. I use it several times (about 2 pens per week), using a little bit more of the insulin each time.
The second part is a single-use sterile needle. It screws onto the pen and goes into my tummy maybe just an eighth of an inch. It is not at all like injections as we normally think of them. Most of the time it doesn’t hurt a bit, you hardly even know it is in you.
Sometimes it messes up. Like, less than 1% of the time these days. It used to mess up more often but my “success rate” has improved over time. I guess my technique and my eyesight have improved. But every now and again it still messes up, even today, leaving me unsure just how much insulin I got. Mostly it’s only by a couple of units but this time it was obviously enough to post about.
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