Am I crazy? Injection worries

W

WhooshEffect

Active member
Hey everyone,

I'm a bit red-faced posting this, but I need some reassurance. I just gave myself my first GLP-1 shot today. I'm on my second dose, following the nurse's demo last week.

I'm terrified of needles, so this was a huge deal for me.

Here's the thing: I'm not 100% certain I actually did it right! Can you tell me if this sounds right?

1. I held the pen close, about a thumb's width away from my skin. I chickened out and looked away, then pushed it in. Couldn't watch the needle go in.

2. I glanced down and the pen was pressed against my stomach. I gave it a little extra nudge to be sure, but didn't feel much. I'm pretty positive it was fully against my skin.

3. I pushed the button, held it, and counted to six slowly. Pulled it out, and there was a tiny droplet on the needle tip. I think I saw the needle come out, but I was so nervous.

4. I pushed the button again to see if there was more medication, but nothing came out.

I'm asking because it barely felt like anything. The nurse's injection felt more noticeable. Now the injection site is slightly itchy and there's a faint red mark, like a bug bite.

Could the needle have not gone in properly? Is it possible I screwed it up?

I've attached a pic, but it's not very helpful. I thought there'd be a mark or something, haha.

Thanks so much for your help!
 
I just did my initial dose yesterday. I was prepared for pain, but felt nada. It definitely worked because I've only eaten about 800 cals today and I'm struggling to eat more before bed. Sounds like you got it!
 
I think you probably did fine. I rarely feel these injections to be honest. I also use Tresiba (insulin), and it's the same story. Sometimes a little prick, but usually nothing. Hopefully, that's reassuring!
 
That's been my experience too, barely a thing! It's likely in if you dialed the dose correctly and you pressed it against your skin. The fear is usually worse than the actual injection! Congrats on facing your fear!
 
Think about it this way - if the needle didn't go in, where would the medicine have gone? That's what helped me when I started. I was terrified those first few times, but the needles are super tiny and thin.
 
Hey WhooshEffect I'm a nurse, and you did everything right! Pressed flush against the skin, pushed the button, and waited. You got the medication. If the itchiness or redness gets worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
 
One time, I was convinced I bent the needle and didn't get the injection because it felt like nothing. Just to be safe I waited until the following week to take my shot. I figured better safe than sorry.
 
No shame! Self-injecting is scary at first. It sounds like you did it correctly! Unlike my bonehead move yesterday when I dialed the dose and pushed the button BEFORE injecting... Glad I didn't lose much!
 
After 18 months, I rarely feel anything. Occasionally, it stings, but usually, it's nothing. I'm confident you're fine.
 
My first injection, I was sure it didn't work. I called the support line and described the exact same thing you did. They told me, "You gave yourself the shot. Don't worry."
 
I'm terrible at remembering things, so I write everything down on the pen box: date, time, injection spot (I circle my belly button: top, left, bottom, right). I also note the dose and the total number of clicks (my pen has 300 clicks total). That way I can quickly check. If I mess up and double dose by accident I'd know right away.
 
One time, I removed the needle too soon, without counting, and the liquid shot back out, haha! Now I count slowly to 10.
 
LeanStrong said:
You're golden! I've been on this med for years. Sometimes I don't feel a thing; sometimes it burns a bit.
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I've heard of people using a free app to track their injections and doses. I think it was called Jabby or something similar. Might be worth checking out.
 
I just took the last dose from my pen, and it looks like there's a bit left. Is that normal? I got four .25mg doses and two .5mg doses out of it.
 
There's always some left in the pen. You could try to extract it with a regular insulin syringe if you want, but it's probably not even a tenth of a dose.
 
Food_Strong said:
I just took the last dose from my pen, and it looks like there's a bit left. Is that normal? I got four .25mg doses and two .5mg doses out of it.
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Yep! I get the same thing. Usually enough to prime the needle for the next dose, but not much more than that.
 
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