Bloody injections

mids1999 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-13-2006, 08:33 PM

Anyone have any tips to stop bloody injections?
1 out of three injections result in bleeding for me.

lgvincent · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2006, 08:58 PM

I sometimes have them but not that often. What size needle are you using? I bled more with the 1/2 inch needle than I do with the shorter ones but still not that often.

mids1999 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2006, 09:12 PM

I am currently using relion (walmart brand) 1/3cc 29g 12.7mm (1/2") syringes.

I am starting to notice soreness in the muscles around the injection sites.

lgvincent · #4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2006, 09:30 PM

Try a shorter needle, maybe that will help. I used to get quite a few bruises with the 1/2 inch needle and while I still get some, now that I'm using the 5/16 inch (8 mm) needle, I don't have nearly as much trouble with it. Maybe it will help with the bleeding, too. I resisted using the shorter needle for a long time but once I started using them, I realized I had made a mistake.

mids1999 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-13-2006, 09:43 PM

I will try to get some shorter needles.

Do you think also trying a smaller gauge would be beneficial?
Currently using 29.

KickStart101 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mids1999

I am currently using relion (walmart brand) 1/3cc 29g 12.7mm (1/2") syringes.
I am starting to notice soreness in the muscles around the injection sites.

LG is right all the way. I rarely get a briuse either or much if any
bleeding. I don't consider a speck or small drop of blood as bleeding.
I put the needle in a spot with no capiliaries/veins. I leave the needle
in for about 6 seconds after injection and I put a swab or cottonball
at the needle entry point before I pull the needle out. Then I press
on the injection site for 8 seconds just in case.
I use the BD Ultra Fine ll, 1/2 cc, 50 units, 8 mm, 30 g short needles
also. I could have sworn mine were 6mm. It is a new box but it says
8mm. I believe the shorter the needle the thinner the gauge automatically.

DeusXM · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 02:12 AM

12mm? Do they still make those?

No wonder you're bleeding - those things are HUGE! Switch to an 8 or 5mm needle. Also, make sure you're injecting into subcutaneous fat as well.

Erin · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 10:43 AM

I'm going to go against the grain (again) here. I find the longer (1/2") needles make me bleed and bruise LESS. Go ahead and try the shorter needles, but they make me have messier injections.

I notice that I bleed and get sore and bruise more if I'm overusing an injection site. Try using a different body part for a while, and see if that helps.

Mich · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 07:26 PM

I tend to vote for the smaller needles. I used the smallest I could get my hands on as they developed. Of course the smaller ones need to be injected straight in instead of at a slant, but I found them less painful.

Hitting a capillary is always fun. Usually happens when you just put on something white. (Bernstein advocates carrying a little squeeze bottle of peroxide, but how much junk can you lug around?) I also find that when I am taking aspirin or ibuprofen, I tend to bleed more & longer, even from fingersticks.

Most bleeding will stop for me when pressure is applied, but of course I always get a bleeder when I am on my way out the door.

When I was on MDI, I tended to wear a lot of black t-shirts.

Mich

KickStart101 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm going to go against the grain (again) here. I find the longer (1/2") needles make me bleed and bruise LESS. Go ahead and try the shorter needles, but they make me have messier injections.
I notice that I bleed and get sore and bruise more if I'm overusing an injection site. Try using a different body part for a while, and see if that helps.

I'm usually the one in minority.

I say, learn what you
can first, then use what makes YOU Happy. It's your body and your
Life.

I have about 30, 12.7 syringes left. I find if I need to take a larger
amount of Insulin(like when I was taking the higher amount of
Prednisone), I prefer to use the longer needle so the Insulin would
go in deeper. Less chance of getting a bump of Insulin. It worked
fine. Only had 2 bleeding incidents in 2 weeks, nothing serious.

Funnygrl · #11 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 09:10 AM

If you bleed right after injecting, is is likely that you are lossing some of the insulin with the blood?

BriOnH · #12 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 09:36 AM

[english accent] Bloody injections! [/english accent]

Georgia · #13 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriOnH

[english accent] Bloody injections! [/english accent]

Oh my gosh

SugaryOne · #14 (**permalink**) 06-18-2006, 12:45 AM

I just got a bruise on my abdomen recently, even when using a short needle. I guess that's what happens when you use the pump for too long.

mids1999 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-19-2006, 12:25 PM

I was put on pens on Friday

I recieved some samples of Novofine 6 pen needles. 6mm 31g and I must say it is much better with much less bleeding. I used to get bleeding at the injection site that would run down to the floor.

Now I have to decide which pen needles to use.
I am considering either continuing using the Novofine 6 or trying the BD ultrafineIII mini's.

Any suggestions or past experiences?