# IM Injections Over Sub Q Shots/ or Pump Boluses **URL:** \ **Category:** Treatment\ **Created:** [September 29, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207 "2017-09-29T21:35:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/41 "2017-10-09T22:58:47Z")
> [@cardamom](#): > > I wonder if it would be a good idea for FUD to get and post some guidelines from some MD/nurses re: best IM injection sites. I think that is a GREAT idea! I’ll see if I can contact someone about that. If anyone having an endo visit soon would also ask at the next visit, that would be great. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/42 "2017-10-09T23:17:01Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > If anyone having an endo visit soon would also ask at the next visit, that would be great. Sadly, a lot of endos will just tell you not to do it. You need a cool and progressive endo to give you the green light on IM. Many will just worry and tell you to stick with subcu. But it’s a good thing to ask. Interesting to see how they respond! ---
**Author:** ![cardamom](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/cardamom/32/2622_2.png) [@cardamom](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/cardamom)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/43 "2017-10-09T23:25:41Z")
My endo will definitely have the convo with me (I plan to have a larger one about IM and Afrezza and options for more quickly correcting blood sugars), so I will definitely ask him when I do see him and report back. This is a good reminder to schedule an appt actually ha. ---
**Author:** ![CarolynA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/carolyna/32/1828_2.png) [@CarolynA](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarolynA)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/44 "2018-02-09T05:28:48Z")
My old needle wimpishness… Well. Here is my little piddly insulin needle with my lantus vs the ones for one of my ivf meds (menopur). I have to keep reminding myself that I’m doing this because I want to. ![IMG_3415](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/7/77a5f2601d41e94aaec84c1e48e51c9670981f88.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/45 "2018-02-10T04:17:58Z")
Now that is a NEEDLE! Where in the world do you inject with that lance? I thought Menopur was supposed to be injected subQ ---
**Author:** ![Sam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/sam/32/10595_2.png) [@Sam](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/46 "2018-02-10T04:26:04Z")
I’m not even going to ask… ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:58am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/47 "2018-02-10T04:58:17Z")
I use 12 mm needles for IM injections (I’m not skinny) and they seem to work more and more (I think because my technique is improving). My BG hit way north of HI today (a number of circumstances converged to cause this ridiculous level) and with a combined injection of 15u bolus and 10u IM, I came down from what was probably 40 mmol/L to 10 mmol/L in under three hours. I don’t think there’s any way a bolus or regular injection could have done that. I have never asked my endocrinologist which sites are best. He’s pretty cool, but I’m not sure how he’d react to the question… I use my arms exclusively and haven’t tried any other sites yet. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 6:32am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/48 "2018-02-10T06:32:13Z")
> [@Jen](#): > > I use 12 mm needles for IM injections That is pretty good. Our 8mm needles have been really hit and miss for IM in the calf. I am ordering 12.7mm needles just for that purpose. We’ll see if it works better for us. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 8:08am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/49 "2018-02-10T08:08:25Z")
2 posts were split to a new topic: [Best brands of pen needles and syringes?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/best-brands-of-pen-needles-and-syringes/3472) ---
**Author:** ![Millz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/millz/32/12204_2.png) [@Millz](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Millz)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/50 "2018-02-11T05:26:45Z")
Oh that doesn’t look fun at all 😳 ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/51 "2018-02-12T20:41:03Z")
> [@Jen](#): > > I have never asked my endocrinologist which sites are best. He’s pretty cool, but I’m not sure how he’d react to the question… I use my arms exclusively and haven’t tried any other sites yet. i love doing my IM shots in my thigh. i am very lean there and the muscle is readily available. what i do is fold my legs under my tushy and sit on my feet. then i warm up the muscle with my hand massaging the area i am going to inject. this way the muscle is quite tight and prominant and a cant miss. i only need the 8mm needles. also, after injecting, i massage the area again for about 5 -10 minutes and walk around the house a bit. i love that within only 1 hour, i can come down to near target range from a big BG high. if i take a subQ shot, it will take at least 2 hours to see that kind of effect. ---
**Author:** ![lh378](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lh378/32/601_2.png) [@lh378](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/lh378)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/52 "2018-09-15T16:20:30Z")
> [@daisymae](#): > > when i discussed this with my endo last week, he recommended that i save the IM injections for higher BGs I think it’s great that your endo is even supportive of IM injections! Many doctors, I would imagine would just be mortified, horrified that we would take matters into our own hands. ---
**Author:** ![lh378](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lh378/32/601_2.png) [@lh378](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/lh378)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/53 "2018-09-15T16:21:58Z")
Me too. I think it would be a great idea - with pictures. ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/54 "2018-09-15T16:45:51Z")
> [@lh378](#): > > I think it’s great that your endo is even supportive of IM injections! Many doctors, I would imagine would just be mortified, horrified that we would take matters into our own hands. my endo is supportive of experimenting with all of the craziest ideas. nothing is off limits, and he never judges me. wow, huh? he even prescribed me a special novolog pen with cartridges that has 1/2 unit increments and 1/2 inch needles specifically for my IM injections!!! ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/55 "2018-11-16T04:34:10Z")
> [@TravelingOn](#): > > Yes, yes, I hear you @Eric, you don’t tell them _anything_ and you forgot your testing kit at home. I doubt @Eric’s endo knows he has diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/56 "2018-11-16T04:37:38Z")
> [@Eric](#): > > Sadly, a lot of endos will just tell you not to do it. You need a cool and progressive endo to give you the green light on IM. Many will just worry and tell you to stick with subcu. But it’s a good thing to ask. Interesting to see how they respond! Did anyone ever get around to this? Getting an endo’s perspective? I go tomorrow (maybe— if I actually make it this time), and I like to think of my endo as the most awesome endo on the planet. I’ll see what she has to say on the whole topic. ---
**Author:** ![Beacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/57 "2018-11-16T20:32:31Z")
> [@Nickyghaleb](#): > > Did anyone ever get around to this? Getting an endo’s perspective? I’ve raised it with my CDE only in a “theoretically speaking” way. But when I was picking up some meds at my pharmacy recently and asked if they had 1/2-inch syringes, right away the clerk said, “For intramuscular insulin?” as if everyone was doing it now. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/58 "2018-11-16T20:56:34Z")
> [@Beacher](#): > > the clerk said, “For intramuscular insulin?” That is hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/59 "2018-11-16T21:09:49Z")
Yes, so my endo managed to dodge the question completely, gave me a Fiasp sample and a _correction factor sliding scale_, and said, “you don’t need anything other than this.” As I don’t plan on giving up my IM shots so easily, looks like I’ll have to find another endo to ask. ---
**Author:** ![glitzabetes](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/glitzabetes/32/4287_2.png) [@glitzabetes](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/glitzabetes)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207/60 "2018-11-16T22:43:41Z")
So I had an endo appointment today, and I didn’t specifically ask about this but my endo made some comment to the effect of “You know, for the closed loop artificial pancreas thing to really work we would need to get past one hurdle… sub-q insulin is just too slow to act! Maybe I should start my own company, eh? Like some sort of intravenous catheter for the insulin pump?” So I think he might be interested by the idea of IM if I really wanted to get into a discussion about it [Previous page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/im-injections-over-sub-q-shots-or-pump-boluses/2207.md?page=4)