More on Insulin and injections...
You may hear the diabetes team talking about the HONEYMOON PERIOD. They are talking about the first few months after diagnosis, when your pancreas is still making some insulin. When the honeymoon period ends, insulin stops being made and you may need a larger dose. When this happens, it does not mean that your diabetes is getting worse.
You and your parents will soon learn to give the insulin injections, and in time you will learn to measure the insulin dose and do it for yourself. Don’t worry, you have lots of time to practice this.
The diabetes specialist team decides how much and which type of insulin you will need at first. In time you may decide how much insulin to take by yourself. The amount of insulin you use changes as you grow. You may need more insulin if you are ill, or less insulin if you are doing lots of exercise. At home you will use your blood glucose tests to decide whether you need to change your insulin dose. You will find out about these tests later.
Your diabetes team will give you all the information you need about the insulin you are prescribed, including how soon to inject it before you eat and how long you can expect the insulin to last.
Parents' note
The strength of the insulin your child will use is 100 units per millilitre. In the UK it is called U100. Insulin is available in vials (bottles), cartridges and pre-filled pens. Vials of insulin are for use with syringes, and cartridges are for use with re-useable pen devices. If you use a pre-filled pen, once the insulin has been used up you throw the pen away and start a new one.
Storing your insulin
Keep spare insulin in the door of your fridge at home (Not in the freezer compartment). Insulin you are using must be kept at room temperature, out of direct heat or sunlight. The expiry date of insulin kept at room temperature differs from that of insulin kept in the fridge (check with your diabetes specialist nurse).
