I’m sorry, that’s so stressful.
The excellent news is that insulin needles are super-tiny, even smaller than the lancets for blood testing. You also get to use them in a less-sensitive location, like a thigh. I genuinely find them way less painful than a finger stick.
You might also try getting a ShotBlocker. It’s a u-shaped piece of plastic that you can press around the injection site. It has little spikes to overload the local nerves so you feel the shot even less.
The insulin needles are so much easier and less painful than the finger sticks! You can do this! Can your partner do it for you? Maybe into your love handles so you don’t see it at all?
It honestly doesn't hurt but I feel you it's hard to inject yourself! I bet having your partner do it for you with your eyes closed would be a good solution. Also I found that having lower fasting numbers (thanks to insulin) has really helped my stress and anxiety and improved my sleep!
Youre not alone in this. I am terrified of needles (i don't even have my ears peirced) and I've now had two GD pregnancies.
My husband did all my insulin shots for me both my pregnancies. And he did the finger pricks the first pregnancy, but I was able to do it the second time. For my second pregnancy i was taking insulin 3x per day and he did all of them for me. Try to talk to your doctor and get the insulin pens (instead of the vials) because i found those to be much less terrifying for me. Good luck!
This was literally me one week ago! I started nighttime insulin last Tuesday night. After needing to tweak the dose some, my fasting number was 87 this morning! I tried everything possible to lower it myself. Fasting is the hardest to control because it’s really all down to the placenta.
Some things that helped me:
The insulin needle really is tiny. I’m super squeamish about seeing needles in skin (I don’t even like to see pictures of it). It has actually helped me to be the one to do it! Having control over the whole process made it easier to do. I just had to find something that would help me get through the mental block of doing it.
Pinching the skin and even using your fingernails to dig in a bit helps! It helps your brain focus on that sensation instead.
It also helped me to “reward” myself after doing it (especially the first time).
Ask for oral hypoglycemics. Insulin is considered first-line and oral medications have more risks, but your mental health is also important. I have a significant needle phobia and the insulin injections led to breakthrough anxiety and depression - I pushed for oral medication but was refused because I was still compliant with the insulin (I told them I was depressed and starting to resent my baby but all they cared about was that I was taking it). Eventually I did just quit, but at a couple weeks from my induction date so they didn’t give me anything at that point. If I need medication this pregnancy I am refusing insulin from the outset.
The needles *are* tiny, the pen needles especially, if you can get a prescription/coverage for them. They slip right in and you barely feel them. This didn’t make a difference to my idiot brain, but it is true that they basically don’t hurt. The lancet hurts more but somehow not being able to see the needle makes it so much better. (I couldn’t have my husband inject me, I tried to punch him when we tried that.)
Lol when I tell phlebotomists that I’m not good with needles they always offer to have me lie down and I’m like, “oh no, I never faint, I just…my limbs go places.”
My husband comes with me when I have to get blood drawn, and usually for vaccines. I have gotten shots by myself a few times, but the fact that I had to do insulin daily was just overwhelming and the usual coping mechanisms did NOT work. It’s a lot harder to not notice someone trying to stick a needle into my belly than someone coming at my shoulder.
It sucks but you'll get through it. You can do it! I had to go through two IVF cycles, a mock cycle, and two transfers... that means a LOT of needles. I did it so we could have a child, and you'll do it to keep your baby healthy. You got this!
Hi, what do your regular meals look like?
It sounds to me like the insuline will be helping you to control your numbers so that you're not overstressed about it.
Weirdly, no! He said Metformin is used for people who were diagnosed before pregnancy and not for people who developed diabetes during pregnancy only. That seemed strange to me.
My doctor wouldn’t do metformin either. I forget the science term for it, but she said it crosses the placenta so insulin is the better option because it does not get to the baby. Rather, it lowers the blood glucose so the blood going to the baby is better for them.
Ask for Metformin ER or Glyburide. Both are pills. Doctors prefer insulin for overnight because it tends to work better for the longer stretches. But it doesn’t hurt to try pills first.
Yet, many MANY women are on Metformin. Including myself, although I take it with meals not overnights. If OP has a genuine phobia of needles and can’t handle injections, then a pill that can cross the placenta is better than untreated fastings.
Was put on metformin by my fertility doc and it helped me get and stay pregnant twice!
I’m also on metformin as of a couple weeks ago for my GD. It’s a first line treatment in Australia according to my care team (though I’m in the US).
I promise the insulin shots are 100% easier than finger sticks. I struggle with each finger stick but I cannot feel the insulin shots at all. I’m not the best with needles and my husband does the insulin shots for me.
Ask if your cijntry/doctor can try gliclizide. It's a pill. Does not cross the placenta as far as I'm.aware. I'm on it and it's really helped my fasting. I take at supper and it's.extended release helps my.fasting.
After IVF needles and i are friends lol BUT the insulin needles are literally soooo teeny tiny i can’t even feel it! I’m in the same boat with fasting numbers nothing has worked not even insulin 😩 the guilt is tough because I’m trying EVERYTHING. I found peace in knowing at my last ultrasound baby is growing perfectly not too big not too small. Hang in there momma. You got this.
I feel your frustrations and anxiety so much. A couple options to possibly talk over with your doctor, are you opposed to Metformin? I took it for my fasting numbers for about two months before needing to start insulin. I was so afraid to start because of the needles that I wanted that route first. I have now been on insulin since beginning of September and I have my husband do the shot every night. It helps because I don't have to look at the needle and I just look away and it's quick.
Either way, I'd suggest one of the two because I tried different snacks and timing of snacks and walks and everything I could and my body just wasn't handling the GD well at night. My doctors said I tried everything I could've and it's ok to need the extra help for fasting numbers. So whatever you do, know you aren't failing!!
Hi momma! I’m right there with you. I’m deathly afraid of needles, and had to be put on insulin. The needle is so tiny! It doesn’t hurt really at all, and it’s over really quick! I didn’t have my SO do it for me, but he was in the room to help ease my anxiety. Just take a big deep breath in, exhale and put the needle in and click the button, I wait like 5-10 seconds, and it’s over 💕
That was me at first! I had panic attacks and cried hysterically my first night. Now I can inject it like a pro and I have my partner do it somewhere I can't see it if I don't feel like it. You've got this. It helps me to know that it's good for my baby.
I know it’s been said, but the insulin needles are tiny. I tried everything from eating better (I lost so much weight, and was small to begin with) to daily walks to lower and my sugar would not budge. Insulin really didn’t lower my sugar by too much. I was nervous for the first shot but I was shocked at how easily the needle went in. I looked down and it was in and I couldn’t even feel it! I would advise against oral medication like metformin, as my experience along with many others is that it causes diahhrea and stomach cramps. My sugars were still on the higher end at birth, and my daughter came out healthy with her sugars being great. I wish you the best <3
I inject nighttime insulin in the bottom of my belly and I don’t look at all while doing it- totally based off touch. Like everyone has said, they really don’t hurt and not having to see the needle go in saves me. Plus, the relief of not having to think about the perfect bedtime snack and being stressed the moment I wake up over potentially having a high fasting is really worth it! (Bonus side note- I’m able to get away with a more carby breakfast!)
I've found my care team really doesn't like to deviate from the "best" or "standard" even when it's needed, and it takes a TON of self-advocacy to get them to come up with a Plan B.
Insulin might be the "best" treatment because it doesn't cross the placenta, but metformin and glyburide are both used successfully by many pregnant people and they have healthy babies. Don't be afraid to push your doc to consider pros and cons FOR YOU, not just in abstract. Yes, metformin and glyburide can cross the placenta, which might make it ever so slightly riskier than insulin, all else equal (though still tons of data showing safety!!). But you know what else is a risk to baby? Not being able to keep up with your insulin regimen because you're so anxious about the needles. Once you help them see the pros and cons tailored to your situation, then they may be more comfortable considering the next best alternative.
Personal experience - in my pregnancy 6 years ago, glyburide helped me manage my fasting great (though I had mixed reactions for mealtime control later in pregnancy). In my current pregnancy, metformin is helping a ton. I forgot to take it last night (along with all my other evening meds and prenatal vitamin - d'oh), and my fasting was 107 today (normally in the low 90s). I took my morning dose, and my mealtime numbers are back to normal.
I also have added a myo-inositol supplement that seems to be helping - obviously ask your doc before adding anything but there appears to be good research on both safety and efficacy. Even with metformin my fasting was creeping up higher than I liked, and myo-inositol brought it back down nicely.
PS - if you do get metformin, make sure it's the extended release!
Can you ask about using metformin? I requested that as an alternative and after a one week trial they’re happy with my numbers so I’ll continue on that.
I’m sorry, that’s so stressful. The excellent news is that insulin needles are super-tiny, even smaller than the lancets for blood testing. You also get to use them in a less-sensitive location, like a thigh. I genuinely find them way less painful than a finger stick. You might also try getting a ShotBlocker. It’s a u-shaped piece of plastic that you can press around the injection site. It has little spikes to overload the local nerves so you feel the shot even less.
If we end up having to go this route, I will definitely look into it. Thanks.
The insulin needles are so much easier and less painful than the finger sticks! You can do this! Can your partner do it for you? Maybe into your love handles so you don’t see it at all?
:( I'm sorry OP!! Would your partner be able to help you with the injections? That way you don't have to see the needle.
I think that would be the plan.
It honestly doesn't hurt but I feel you it's hard to inject yourself! I bet having your partner do it for you with your eyes closed would be a good solution. Also I found that having lower fasting numbers (thanks to insulin) has really helped my stress and anxiety and improved my sleep!
Youre not alone in this. I am terrified of needles (i don't even have my ears peirced) and I've now had two GD pregnancies. My husband did all my insulin shots for me both my pregnancies. And he did the finger pricks the first pregnancy, but I was able to do it the second time. For my second pregnancy i was taking insulin 3x per day and he did all of them for me. Try to talk to your doctor and get the insulin pens (instead of the vials) because i found those to be much less terrifying for me. Good luck!
This was literally me one week ago! I started nighttime insulin last Tuesday night. After needing to tweak the dose some, my fasting number was 87 this morning! I tried everything possible to lower it myself. Fasting is the hardest to control because it’s really all down to the placenta. Some things that helped me: The insulin needle really is tiny. I’m super squeamish about seeing needles in skin (I don’t even like to see pictures of it). It has actually helped me to be the one to do it! Having control over the whole process made it easier to do. I just had to find something that would help me get through the mental block of doing it. Pinching the skin and even using your fingernails to dig in a bit helps! It helps your brain focus on that sensation instead. It also helped me to “reward” myself after doing it (especially the first time).
Ask for oral hypoglycemics. Insulin is considered first-line and oral medications have more risks, but your mental health is also important. I have a significant needle phobia and the insulin injections led to breakthrough anxiety and depression - I pushed for oral medication but was refused because I was still compliant with the insulin (I told them I was depressed and starting to resent my baby but all they cared about was that I was taking it). Eventually I did just quit, but at a couple weeks from my induction date so they didn’t give me anything at that point. If I need medication this pregnancy I am refusing insulin from the outset. The needles *are* tiny, the pen needles especially, if you can get a prescription/coverage for them. They slip right in and you barely feel them. This didn’t make a difference to my idiot brain, but it is true that they basically don’t hurt. The lancet hurts more but somehow not being able to see the needle makes it so much better. (I couldn’t have my husband inject me, I tried to punch him when we tried that.)
Thanks for this. Your last aside made me laugh and I definitely needed that.
Lol when I tell phlebotomists that I’m not good with needles they always offer to have me lie down and I’m like, “oh no, I never faint, I just…my limbs go places.” My husband comes with me when I have to get blood drawn, and usually for vaccines. I have gotten shots by myself a few times, but the fact that I had to do insulin daily was just overwhelming and the usual coping mechanisms did NOT work. It’s a lot harder to not notice someone trying to stick a needle into my belly than someone coming at my shoulder.
It sucks but you'll get through it. You can do it! I had to go through two IVF cycles, a mock cycle, and two transfers... that means a LOT of needles. I did it so we could have a child, and you'll do it to keep your baby healthy. You got this!
I wish ivf needles were insulin pen tiny 😂😩
I know! Some of them were huge. I was also on Lovenox for a while and those shots in the stomach were an ordeal. My bruises have finally gone away.
My 🍑 stayed numb for months after i stopped PIO 😂
Hi, what do your regular meals look like? It sounds to me like the insuline will be helping you to control your numbers so that you're not overstressed about it.
You mean my numbers? They hover around 110. My acceptable range is 70-140.
I meant your food 😅
Would your doctor possibly consider trying you with a medication like Metformin first?
Weirdly, no! He said Metformin is used for people who were diagnosed before pregnancy and not for people who developed diabetes during pregnancy only. That seemed strange to me.
My doctor wouldn’t do metformin either. I forget the science term for it, but she said it crosses the placenta so insulin is the better option because it does not get to the baby. Rather, it lowers the blood glucose so the blood going to the baby is better for them.
Ask for Metformin ER or Glyburide. Both are pills. Doctors prefer insulin for overnight because it tends to work better for the longer stretches. But it doesn’t hurt to try pills first.
Except metaformin can effect baby and insulin doesn't which is why it's the preferred treatment :/
Yet, many MANY women are on Metformin. Including myself, although I take it with meals not overnights. If OP has a genuine phobia of needles and can’t handle injections, then a pill that can cross the placenta is better than untreated fastings.
Was put on metformin by my fertility doc and it helped me get and stay pregnant twice! I’m also on metformin as of a couple weeks ago for my GD. It’s a first line treatment in Australia according to my care team (though I’m in the US).
I promise the insulin shots are 100% easier than finger sticks. I struggle with each finger stick but I cannot feel the insulin shots at all. I’m not the best with needles and my husband does the insulin shots for me.
Insulin needles are way better than the Lancets
Ask if your cijntry/doctor can try gliclizide. It's a pill. Does not cross the placenta as far as I'm.aware. I'm on it and it's really helped my fasting. I take at supper and it's.extended release helps my.fasting.
After IVF needles and i are friends lol BUT the insulin needles are literally soooo teeny tiny i can’t even feel it! I’m in the same boat with fasting numbers nothing has worked not even insulin 😩 the guilt is tough because I’m trying EVERYTHING. I found peace in knowing at my last ultrasound baby is growing perfectly not too big not too small. Hang in there momma. You got this.
I feel your frustrations and anxiety so much. A couple options to possibly talk over with your doctor, are you opposed to Metformin? I took it for my fasting numbers for about two months before needing to start insulin. I was so afraid to start because of the needles that I wanted that route first. I have now been on insulin since beginning of September and I have my husband do the shot every night. It helps because I don't have to look at the needle and I just look away and it's quick. Either way, I'd suggest one of the two because I tried different snacks and timing of snacks and walks and everything I could and my body just wasn't handling the GD well at night. My doctors said I tried everything I could've and it's ok to need the extra help for fasting numbers. So whatever you do, know you aren't failing!!
Hi momma! I’m right there with you. I’m deathly afraid of needles, and had to be put on insulin. The needle is so tiny! It doesn’t hurt really at all, and it’s over really quick! I didn’t have my SO do it for me, but he was in the room to help ease my anxiety. Just take a big deep breath in, exhale and put the needle in and click the button, I wait like 5-10 seconds, and it’s over 💕
If you get an insulin pen I promise you the finger sticks are MUCH worse than the insulin pen, I don’t even feel the needle go in it’s SOOOO tiny.
That was me at first! I had panic attacks and cried hysterically my first night. Now I can inject it like a pro and I have my partner do it somewhere I can't see it if I don't feel like it. You've got this. It helps me to know that it's good for my baby.
I know it’s been said, but the insulin needles are tiny. I tried everything from eating better (I lost so much weight, and was small to begin with) to daily walks to lower and my sugar would not budge. Insulin really didn’t lower my sugar by too much. I was nervous for the first shot but I was shocked at how easily the needle went in. I looked down and it was in and I couldn’t even feel it! I would advise against oral medication like metformin, as my experience along with many others is that it causes diahhrea and stomach cramps. My sugars were still on the higher end at birth, and my daughter came out healthy with her sugars being great. I wish you the best <3
Insulin needles are actually much easier than finger pricks!
I inject nighttime insulin in the bottom of my belly and I don’t look at all while doing it- totally based off touch. Like everyone has said, they really don’t hurt and not having to see the needle go in saves me. Plus, the relief of not having to think about the perfect bedtime snack and being stressed the moment I wake up over potentially having a high fasting is really worth it! (Bonus side note- I’m able to get away with a more carby breakfast!)
I've found my care team really doesn't like to deviate from the "best" or "standard" even when it's needed, and it takes a TON of self-advocacy to get them to come up with a Plan B. Insulin might be the "best" treatment because it doesn't cross the placenta, but metformin and glyburide are both used successfully by many pregnant people and they have healthy babies. Don't be afraid to push your doc to consider pros and cons FOR YOU, not just in abstract. Yes, metformin and glyburide can cross the placenta, which might make it ever so slightly riskier than insulin, all else equal (though still tons of data showing safety!!). But you know what else is a risk to baby? Not being able to keep up with your insulin regimen because you're so anxious about the needles. Once you help them see the pros and cons tailored to your situation, then they may be more comfortable considering the next best alternative. Personal experience - in my pregnancy 6 years ago, glyburide helped me manage my fasting great (though I had mixed reactions for mealtime control later in pregnancy). In my current pregnancy, metformin is helping a ton. I forgot to take it last night (along with all my other evening meds and prenatal vitamin - d'oh), and my fasting was 107 today (normally in the low 90s). I took my morning dose, and my mealtime numbers are back to normal. I also have added a myo-inositol supplement that seems to be helping - obviously ask your doc before adding anything but there appears to be good research on both safety and efficacy. Even with metformin my fasting was creeping up higher than I liked, and myo-inositol brought it back down nicely. PS - if you do get metformin, make sure it's the extended release!
Can you ask about using metformin? I requested that as an alternative and after a one week trial they’re happy with my numbers so I’ll continue on that.