Starting Insulin

"There is no way I am injecting myself!"

I hear you. And you are not alone. Come with me while I walk you through this.

If you've been told you need to start insulin, you may be feeling like you've failed. Like you should have done more, eaten better, tried harder. And on top of that — the thought of injecting yourself, the fear of pain, the idea of doing this every day — it can feel completely overwhelming.

I want you to hear this clearly: you have not failed. And it is very likely not going to hurt the way you think it will.

It's not you. It's your pancreas.

Diabetes is a progressive disease. And here's the thing about that word — progressive. In most contexts, progressive means moving forward, getting better, improving. But in diabetes, it means the opposite. It means the disease advances over time, regardless of how well you manage it. Your pancreas — the organ responsible for producing insulin — gradually loses its ability to keep up. That is not a reflection of your effort, your willpower, or your choices. It is simply the nature of the condition.

Think of it this way.

Australia doesn't produce enough of its own oil — so we import it. We rely on supply from elsewhere to keep the country running. And right now, with fuel prices the way they are, we all know what happens when that supply runs short.

Running on empty.

Your body is going through its own fuel crisis. Glucose is your body's fuel. Insulin is what gets that fuel into your cells so they can use it. When your pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin, your cells are left running on empty — no matter how hard your body tries. Starting insulin is simply importing the supply your body can no longer make on its own. It's not a failure. It's a solution.

How the body runs out of fuel.

Here's what's actually happening inside your body — and why starting insulin is the logical next step, not a last resort.

Starting insulin is not a punishment. It is not a sign of failure. It is the next step in managing a disease that has progressed — and it is often the step that finally gives people the support they've been working so hard to find. And I promise you — you will feel so much better!

Now for the next hurdle — the needle.

So we've got over that hurdle — understanding why your pancreas can no longer keep up. But there's often another hurdle waiting just around the corner: the thought of injecting. Needle phobia is real, and the fear of self-injecting is one of the most common concerns I hear from people starting insulin.

So here's a little secret that not many people know.

Injecting insulin doesn't hurt.

Seriously. And there's a very good reason for that. Your abdomen — where insulin is typically injected — has very few nerve endings compared to other parts of your body. Think about your fingertips and the soles of your feet. They're packed with nerve endings because you need them for touch, sensation, and balance. Your abdomen simply doesn't need that level of sensitivity — which means it's actually one of the least painful places on your body.

Add to that the fact that modern insulin needles are incredibly small and fine — far more delicate than you're imagining right now — and most people are genuinely surprised by how little they feel. Many say they barely notice it at all.

The fear is understandable. The reality is usually a relief.

You're in the right place.

Now that we've worked through the two biggest fears — the guilt of needing insulin, and the worry about injecting — you might be feeling a little lighter. Good. Because starting insulin is the beginning of feeling better, not worse. And you don't have to figure it out alone.

I'll work with you every step of the way — helping you understand your carbohydrate intake, adjusting your doses as your body responds, and working closely with your GP so your whole care team is on the same page.

My goal is simple: to help you feel informed, empowered, and better. Because you deserve all of those things.

Book an appointment with Angie today