Living with Diabetes

Living with Diabetes
An Everyday Guide for You and Your Family©

Start Today!
This guide will give you tips for how you can
control your diabetes and feel better.
These small changes can make a big difference
in the way you feel.
This guide was developed by patients, doctors,
diabetes educators and nurses, many of whom are
in these pictures.
Get started now. The sooner you start, the sooner
you’ll begin to feel better!
For additional trusted information
and resources related to diabetes, visit
http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/
diseases_conditions/diabetes/
January 2014

This Guide Will Help You:
1
Keep your feet healthy
page 41
Eat right
page 4
Be active
page 23
Take your medicines
page 37
Learn about insulin
page 46
Check your blood sugar
page 29

You Are Not Alone
When you have diabetes, taking care
of yourself is important. Your doctor
and health care team are here to help
you. However, most of your day-to-
day diabetes care is up to you and
your family.
People with diabetes say they
sometimes feel overwhelmed.
Some people feel alone.
You are not alone.
Millions of people have diabetes.
Share this guide with family and
friends and get their support.
“We’ve taken charge
of our health and it
feels good!”
2

What Is Diabetes?
• When you have diabetes, your body
has a hard time changing the food you
eat into the energy you need.
• Diabetes causes sugar to build up in
the blood. If the sugar stays high, it
can slowly damage the heart, kidneys,
eyes, and feet.
• Diabetes is a life-long disease, but
you can control it by eating right and
moving your body more. Most people
also have to take pills, insulin shots or
other medicines.
Use this guide to learn the skills you
need to take charge of your diabetes.
You can take this one step at a time.
Just START.
“This book helped me
get started.”
3

Eating right is the most important way
to control your blood sugar. Your
blood sugar is affected by what you
eat, when you eat, and how much you
eat.
The good news is that you don’t have
to go hungry, buy special foods, or
give up all your favorite foods.
Two things you must do:
1. Eat fewer carbohydrates.
2. Eat smaller portions.
What’s in it for you?
• Eating the right portion sizes may
help you lose weight.
• Most people with diabetes will feel
better if they lose even a few pounds.
• Losing weight will also help lower
your blood sugar.
Chapter 1: Eat Right
4

5
The Healthy Plate
Think of your plate as different sections. One half is for vegetables, and the other
half is for proteins and carbohydrates (carbs).
VegetablesVegetables
ProteinsProteins
CarbsCarbs

• Carbohydrates (which include sweets, starches, fruits and milk) make your blood
sugar go up more than most other foods. Pasta, potatoes, rice, beans, tortillas, and
desserts are high in carbs.
• The good news is that you don’t have to cut carbs out. Eating a smaller portion
size is what’s important. Here are examples of carbs that are the right size, and
carbs that are too much.
Carbohydrates (Carbs)
6
RIGHT SIZE TOO MUCH RIGHT SIZE TOO MUCH

7
RIGHT SIZE TOO MUCH RIGHT SIZE TOO MUCH
You Can Still Eat Carbs
Just make the portion sizes smaller

Desserts make your blood sugar go up
fast. If you eat dessert, make sure to eat it
right after your meal to keep your blood
sugar from going up too fast.
Fruits raise your blood sugar just like all
other carbs, but they are also good for
you.
These desserts are in the
right portion sizes:
• A sugar-free popsicle
• A snack size (mini) candy bar
• A small piece of cake
• A half of a banana
8
Desserts Have Lots Of Carbs
“When my sugar level is okay,
I can eat a small scoop of
ice cream.”
“I like to eat something sweet after
dinner. Now I eat a piece of fruit
instead of cookies or cake.”

Many drinks are high in carbs.
Juices, fruit drinks, sodas, and even
milk make your blood sugar go up.
What are the best drinks
for you?
• Water
• Low fat or skim milk
(no more than two glasses a day)
• Diet sodas or sugar-free drinks
• Tea or coffee
(with sugar substitutes if you want)
9
Drinks Have Carbs
Alcohol can make it hard for you to
control your blood sugar. If you drink
alcohol, don’t have more than 1 drink
a day. Talk to your doctor about how
to drink alcohol safely.

Proteins are good for your body. They don’t raise your blood sugar very much and
they keep you from getting hungry.
Proteins include meat, fish, chicken and tofu. Beans are a protein, but have a lot of
carbs too. Eating well means eating the right portions of proteins.
10
Proteins
“Once a week, I have
beans for dinner
instead of meat.”
Chicken Steak Fish Turkey
Beans Eggs Tofu Lentils

Most vegetables are low in carbs, so you can eat as much of them as you want.
Vegetables also fill you up. Try them fresh or frozen.
11
Vegetables
Broccoli Cabbage Spinach Green Salad
Peppers
TomatoesMushrooms
Green beans ZucchiniCarrots
JicamaCucumbers

One of the easiest ways to control
your blood sugar is to eat a little less
of the foods you normally eat.
Many people do not realize that the
portion sizes they eat are too big.
Watch Your Portion Sizes
Look at these pictures. The portions on the left are good.
The portions on the right are too much.
TOO MUCH
TOO MUCH
RIGHT SIZE
RIGHT SIZE
12

Helpful Tips About
Portion Sizes
Eat a piece of meat that is the size
of a deck of cards.
13
Eat a small potato the size of a
computer mouse.
Fill a teacup with cooked rice to
get the right portion size.

We eat a lot more food than people used to eat. Even our plates are bigger.
Both of these plates show the right portion size. The plate on the left is a
regular size plate (9 inches across). You probably ate from this size plate when
you were young.
You may eat from a plate like the one on the right today. This is an extra large plate
(10-12 inches across).
One of the best ways to eat less without feeling hungry is to eat from a smaller plate.
Try A Smaller Plate
9-inch plate 12-inch plate
Same Amount Of Food On Different-Sized Plates
14

• Eat more vegetables. Vegetables
won’t increase your blood sugar.
• Eat slowly. It takes a while for your
body to feel full. Wait a few minutes
before getting a second helping. You
may find you no longer want it.
• Drink more water - a glass before
you eat, and a sip between each bite.
• Take a short walk.
Still Hungry?
15

16
• Eating breakfast will help fill you up
and give you energy.
• Breakfast will also keep your blood
sugar from getting too low in the
morning and too high later in the day.
• Eating protein in the morning will
keep you from getting so hungry later
on. Try eggs or egg substitute, yogurt,
or low-fat cottage cheese.
• Only have bacon or sausage once in
a while. When you do, try turkey
bacon or sausage.
Wake Up To A Good Breakfast
“When I’m busy, I eat
a piece of toast with
some peanut butter.”

17
“When I eat out, I box up half
my meal. It’s like I get two
meals for the price of one.”
“I stopped buying the combo
meal. I order the small size
now with a diet drink.”
“If I make my lunch at home,
it is much easier to stick to
the right portion size.”
Let’s Do Lunch

18
No matter where you eat dinner,
remember vegetables should take up
half of your plate.
“If I’m still hungry, I
eat more vegetables.”
“If I go to a buffet,
I only fill my plate
once. If I want more,
I go for salad with a
little dressing.”
Dinner Is Served

19
“If I want something
sweet, I eat a
sugar-free popsicle or
chew sugar-free gum.”
“I keep a little bag of
nuts at work. I snack
on them in the
afternoon.”
Snack Attack!
Keep these foods handy in case you feel hungry between meals:
Stay away from foods that are high in carbs, like chips, crackers, candy bars, or
pretzels.
Veggie sticks Graham crackers Snack size bag
of popcorn
1 Hard boiled egg

Shake Off The Salt
Canned soups Canned vegetables Cold cuts and
hot dogs
Frozen dinners
Soy sauce
Bread and muffinsFast food
Noodle and
rice mixes
French friesPizza
PicklesPretzels and chips
Most people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. If you have high blood
pressure, it is important to eat less salt (sodium) because salt makes your blood
pressure higher. If you eat less salt your blood pressure will go down.
Look for labels that say: low sodium, reduced sodium, sodium free, low salt, or
no salt added. A lot of the salt we eat is “hidden” in foods that come in a box, can,
or package.
All of these foods have a lot of salt:
20

“We use lemon juice,
garlic, herbs, and spices
now instead of salt.”
“My blood pressure
went down when I cut
out the instant
noodles.”
“I don’t keep the salt
shaker on the table
anymore.”
“It took me a couple
of weeks, but then I
didn’t want so much
salt.”
21
Tips About Salt

Choose one of these easy ideas or write down 1 or 2 things you will do for the next
few weeks. Remember, little changes in your eating can make a big difference in
your blood sugar.
J I will switch from juice or soda to diet soda.
J I will eat breakfast every morning.
J I won’t eat seconds at dinner.
J I will order the small size instead of the super size at fast-food restaurants.
J I will pack a lunch sometimes instead of eating out.
J I will keep healthy snacks on hand, like cottage cheese, carrot sticks,
hard boiled eggs, unbuttered popcorn, or sugar-free popsicles.
J _______________________________________________________________
J _______________________________________________________________
J _______________________________________________________________
You Can Do It
22
“It was hard to stop
drinking regular soda,
but I’ve learned to like
the taste of diet soda.”

• Being more active is one of the best things you can do to control your blood sugar.
• Moving more can help you lose weight, have more energy, and feel more upbeat.
• No matter how old you are, being active is good for you.
A lot of people say that walking is the easiest exercise for them. Many people walk
with a friend. Walking is free, easy, and fun.
If you are not exercising, start with 10 minutes a day. It can be as simple as walking
5 minutes from your door and turning around and walking back.
23
Chapter 2: Be Active

Tips For Getting Started
24
Gardening Using barbells Parking farther away Going to a gym
Walking a dogUsing bands YogaDancing
Here are some easy ways to be active every day.
You might be surprised that some of the things you do every day are exercise.
Activities like housework and gardening keep you moving and can make you feel
better.
Vacuuming Using stairs Mowing Mall walking

25
Tips If You Have
Trouble Walking
• You can stretch and lift weights while sitting in a chair. Ask if you can go to
physical therapy to get some advice on how to start. Look for videos or books at
your library.
• Stretch bands and wrist or ankle cuffs with weights can help build muscle
strength. You can buy them at sports or discount stores.
• Community pools often have special water exercise classes. Call your local parks
and recreation department.
“I wheel myself around
sometimes, instead of having
someone push me.”
“I can still sit in my chair
and lift weights. I just use
soup cans.”

Your body needs time to get used to being more active. Be patient. It takes a few
months for a new activity to become a habit.
Steps for doing more:
• Begin by doing an activity for 10 minutes, two times per week.
• After a couple of weeks, add 2-5 minutes a day.
• When you feel comfortable doing more, add another day.
• You want to work up to 30 minutes of exercise at least 3-4 times a week.
26
Exercise Will Get Easier
“I found an exercise
place just for women.
I feel good there.”
“I wear a pedometer that counts
the steps I take. I started at 1000
steps a day.”

• Ask someone to exercise with you.
• Start slowly. Stop if you feel any
pain or have trouble catching your
breath.
• Carry some “emergency sugar” in
your pocket in case your blood sugar
drops too low. A few packets of sugar
or honey, three peppermints, a mini
box of raisins, or some glucose tablets
work well.
• Drink a lot of water. If you can’t
have water when you exercise, drink a
glass before you begin and a glass
when you are finished.
• Carry something that says you have
diabetes. Your pharmacist can help
you order a bracelet.
27
Be Safe

28
You Can Do It
Pick things YOU like to do. Try one of these suggestions, or write down 1 or 2
things you enjoy that make your body move.
J I will take a short walk every day.
J I will park farther away in a parking lot.
J I will dance for 20 minutes at home.
J I will get up and do small chores during TV commercials.
J I will take the stairs instead of the elevator.
J I will stretch for ten minutes when I wake up each day.
J _______________________________________________________________
J _______________________________________________________________
“I feel better when I
turn off the TV and go
shoot some hoops.”

Your body turns the food you eat into
blood sugar. Blood sugar (or blood
glucose) is what gives your body
energy.
If your blood sugar is too low, your
body does not have the energy it
needs. It is very important to get your
blood sugar back to normal quickly.
If your blood sugar is high for too
long, it can damage your eyes,
kidneys, heart and feet.
• If you know your blood sugar is too
low or too high, then you can take
action to fix it. This will help keep
your blood sugar normal.
• If your blood sugar is normal, you
will feel better.
29
Chapter 3: Check Your
Blood Sugar
“Once I check my blood sugar in
the morning, I know what to do
for the rest of the day.
It gives me peace of mind.”

What do you need to
know about your blood
sugar machine?
Your blood sugar machine (also called
a meter or monitor) gives you a
number that tells you what your blood
sugar is.
There are many types of machines and
all of them work differently.
Talk with your doctor, diabetes nurse
or pharmacist to learn exactly how to
use your machine.
30
When should you check
your blood sugar?
Most people need to check their blood
sugar before they eat breakfast. You
may also need to check it at other
times.
You and your doctor can decide what
is best for you.
Check your blood sugar if you:
• feel it is too high or too low
• feel sick
“I thought I could tell my blood
sugar from the way I felt, but the
only way to know for sure is to
check it.”

Tips About Checking
Your Blood Sugar
31
“My doctor told me that everyone
has trouble using their blood sugar
machine at first.”
“I couldn’t afford the test strips.
But when I told the doctor, she
found a way to help me.”
“The nurse taught me to prick
my finger on the side instead of
the middle so it wouldn’t hurt
as much.”

Blood Sugar Lows
How low is “too low”?
Blood sugar less than 70 is too low for
everybody. For some people, blood
sugar less than 80 or 90 may be too
low. Talk with your doctor to decide
what is too low for you.
If your blood sugar is too
low, you may feel:
• Shaky or nervous
• Sweaty or clammy
• Dizzy or confused
• Tired or hungry
32
Watch out!
People have different feelings when
their blood sugar is too low. If you are
not feeling right, check your blood
sugar.
If your blood sugar is too
low, ask yourself:
• Did I skip a meal or eat my meal
later than usual?
• Did I eat less than usual?
• Did I eat fewer carbs than usual?
• Did I exercise more than usual?
• Did I take too much medicine?
• Did my doctor just change my
medicines?
All of these things can make your
blood sugar go down.
Talk to your doctor about
your low blood sugar at
every visit.

What should you do if you
feel like your blood sugar
is too low?
Check your blood sugar right away.
If your blood sugar is below 70, you
need to do these things immediately:
1. Get sugar into your body quickly.
Drink half a glass of juice or regular
soda, or chew some candy with sugar
(chew it, don’t suck it!).
2. Then, eat a small snack with
protein, such as half of a sandwich or
cheese and crackers.
3. Check your blood sugar again in 15
minutes to see if it has gone up.
4. If it is still too low, drink more
juice or eat another piece of candy.
Then call your doctor.
33
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you feel
too sick to get a snack, or if after 30 minutes your
blood sugar is not above 80.
If your blood sugar is too low, it is very important to do something about it,
even if you do not feel bad. If it continues to fall, you could pass out.

34
Blood Sugar Highs
How high is “too high”?
For most people, blood sugar more
than 140 or 150 is too high. Blood
sugar more than 200 is too high for
everybody. Talk with your doctor to
decide what your blood sugar should be.
If your blood sugar gets
too high you may:
• Feel very thirsty
• Start peeing more than usual
• Feel weak or tired
• Get blurry vision
• Feel just like you usually do
Ask yourself these questions:
• Have I been sick?
• Did I eat more carbs than usual?
• Did I skip any of my medicines?
• Did I get less exercise than usual?
• Have I been under a lot of stress?
All of these things can make your
blood sugar go up.
What should you do if your
blood sugar is too high?
• Drink lots of water, even if it feels
like you are peeing too much.
• Cut down on carbs until
your blood sugar comes down.
• Call your doctor.

Putting It All Together
1. Always write down your blood sugar numbers in a log.
Show it to your doctor at every appointment.
2. Know your numbers.
For most people blood sugar should be:
80 - 120 first thing in the morning
and before meals
100 - 140 at bedtime
Ask your doctor to tell you what your blood sugar should be:
______ first thing in the morning
and before meals
______ at bedtime
3. Talk to your doctor.
If your blood sugar is too high or too low more than once a week, call your doctor.
Ask your doctor to tell you what blood sugar is too high or too low for you:
______ too high
______ too low
35

36
You Can Do It
Remember that you are the most important person to manage your diabetes.
Choose one of these ideas or write down 1 or 2 ways to help you take control of
your blood sugar.
J I will check my blood sugar every morning, or as my doctor tells me to.
J I will write down my blood sugar numbers in my blood sugar log and take it
to all my doctor visits.
J I will keep candy with me in case of an emergency.
J _______________________________________________________________
J _______________________________________________________________
“Keeping my blood sugar in control can be
tricky. But when I know what it is, I can do
something to fix it!”
One other thing to think about:
The A1c test
This is a blood test you get at the doctor’s office or at the lab. It gives your doctor
an idea of what your blood sugars have been over the last three months. Ask your
doctor what your A1c should be: __________

Most people with diabetes need to take
one or more medicines to keep their
blood sugar normal.
You may also need medicines for other
health problems, like high cholesterol or
high blood pressure.
It can be hard to keep track of so many
medicines. This guide will help you.
Talk with your doctor about what
medicines are right for you and your
diabetes.
Remember, it is OK to ask your family
or friends for help.
37
Chapter4:TakeYourMedicines

Taking your medicine
safely will help you feel
better.
• Take your medicines at the same
time every day. This helps keep your
blood sugar from getting too high or
too low.
• Don’t skip meals or your blood sugar
may go too low.
38
Safety First
• Don’t stop taking your medicines
unless your doctor tells you to.
Call your doctor if your medicines:
• don’t have refills
• make you feel sick
• are too expensive
• make your blood sugar too low
• Take your medicines to every
doctor’s visit. That way you and your
doctor can keep better track of your
medicines.

39
Tips For Keeping
Track Of Your Medicines
“I have a pill box to remind
me if I have taken my
medicines each day.”
“My son and I made a
calendar of all the
medicines I take.”
“I bring a list of the
medicines I am taking to
my doctor.”

40
Remember, taking your medicines safely can make a big difference in your blood
sugar. Choose one of these easy ideas or write down 1 or 2 ways of keeping track
of your medicines.
J I will take my medicines to my next doctor’s appointment.
J I will use a pill box to help me keep track of my pills.
J I will ask my family to help me keep up with my medicines.
J I will ask my pharmacist for a list of all my medicines and what they are for.
J I will make a list of my medicines and keep it in my wallet.
J _______________________________________________________________
J _______________________________________________________________
You Can Do It
“I stopped taking my medicine
because it gave me diarrhea, but I
didn’t want to tell my doctor.
When I told him, he just changed my
medicine.”
“I was worried I couldn’t pay for my
medicines. When I told my doctor, she
helped me find a way.”

Taking good care of your feet is one of
the most important things you need to
do if you have diabetes.
If you take good care of your feet, you
can avoid cuts that won’t heal and
infections. These cuts and infections
can lead to amputations.
Chapter 5:
Keeping Your Feet Healthy
Use a mirror to see the bottom of your
feet every day.
Look for cuts, sores, or blisters.
If your skin is dry or cracked, put
lotion on the top and bottom, but not
between your toes.
41

Wash your feet in the bath or shower.
Use your fingers to make sure the
water is not too hot. You may not be
able to tell if it is too hot with your
toes.
Don’t soak your feet. Soaking causes
dry skin and small cuts or cracks that
can get infected.
Use something soft to clean or dry
your feet.
Never use a stone, a razor blade, or
anything hard or sharp on your feet.
Be sure to dry between your toes.
Cut your nails once a week after your
bath or shower. Cut straight across
with nail clippers.
If you have trouble, ask your doctor
to help you find a foot doctor
(podiatrist).
42
Cleaning And Trimming

Wear comfortable shoes and clean
cotton socks. Your shoes should
cover your toes and give them
plenty of room.
Change your socks if they get wet.
Feel inside your shoes before you
put them on. Take out anything
sharp or hard, like a pebble.
If you like to take your shoes off
inside, wear slippers so you don’t
get cuts on your feet. Don’t go
barefoot.
Shoes And Socks
43

If the nerves in your feet
are damaged, your feet
may:
• Tingle or burn
• Feel like electricity or have a sharp,
shooting pain
• Feel like they are falling asleep
• Feel numb.
Talk to your doctor if your feet feel
this way.
Call your doctor right
away if you have:
• Cuts, cracks, blisters, or sores
• Red, swollen, or hot feet or toes
• Pus or fluid
• Itchy feet.
Talk To Your Doctor
“I ask my doctor to check
my feet each visit.”
44

Remember, you are the most important person to protect your feet. Choose one of
these ideas or write down one or two ways to take better care of your feet.
J I will wear slippers instead of going barefoot in the house.
J I will find a mirror to help see the bottom of my feet.
J I will ask my doctor whether I have the right kind of shoes.
J I will look at my feet for cuts, sores and blisters every day.
J _______________________________________________________________
“Once I found a rock that I hadn’t
felt with my foot. Now I check
every day.”
45
You Can Do It

Before you had diabetes, your body
made enough insulin to keep your
blood sugar normal. Now that you
have diabetes, you may need to take
extra insulin to help control your
blood sugar.
46
Chapter 6: Learn About Insulin
• Some types of insulin work fast and
help control your blood sugar after
you eat.
• Other insulin works slowly and gives
you a steady amount of insulin that
lasts all day.
• Some have a mixture of both fast and
slow insulin that can be taken in one
shot.
NOTE:
If your insulin is cloudy, it needs to
be mixed gently before you use it.
Roll it between your fingers for
15 seconds.

Feeling like you failed?
Some people feel like they have failed
if they can’t control their blood sugar
with pills. This is not true. For many
people, insulin shots are the only way
to keep blood sugar levels normal.
You are not a failure if you have to use
insulin.
Feeling worried about bad
things happening?
Insulin will NOT cause bad things to
happen to your kidneys, eyes or feet.
Taking insulin safely helps prevent
these problems.
47
Feeling scared about
shots?
Many people are afraid of giving
themselves shots. They think it will
hurt. But most people who take insulin
say giving themselves shots is very
easy and usually does not hurt.
“At first I was scared of the shot, but
now it’s something I do every day.
The needle is tiny...not like getting a
shot in the doctor’s office.”
“When I started taking insulin, I
thought I had done something wrong.
When my doctor told me that many
people have to use insulin at some
point, I felt better.”

48
Get everything ready.
1. Wash your hands with soap and
water.
2. If you take more than one kind of
insulin, check the label to make sure
you have the right type ready.
3. Take the top off the pen. If the
insulin is cloudy, gently roll it between
your fingers for 15 seconds.
4. Use an alcohol pad to clean the end
of the pen where the needle will go.
5. Take the needle out of the package
and screw the tip onto the end of the
insulin pen.
6. Take the top off of the needle.
Using An Insulin Pen

49
7. To get the pen ready, turn the
dial to 2.
8. Tap the insulin softly to push any
air up to the top. Hold the needle in
the air and push the button at the
bottom of the pen.
You should see a drop of insulin at the
tip of the needle. If you don’t see a drop,
turn the dial to 2 again, and start over.
Give yourself the insulin.
1. Choose a place on your body that
has some fat like:
• your stomach (not too near the
belly button)
• the back of your upper arm
• the outsides of your thighs or hips.
2. Clean the area with an alcohol pad
or warm soapy water.

50
3. Turn the dial to the number of units
of insulin your doctor told you to
inject.
4. Pinch a bit of skin and stick the
needle straight in all the way.
If you don’t have a lot of fat, put the
needle in at an angle.
5. Push the button in all the way and
hold it there while you count to 6.
6. Pull the needle out.
7. Push on the area lightly with some
cotton or tissue if it is bleeding, but do
not rub it.
Clean it up.
1. Put the top back on the needle and
unscrew it from the pen.
2. Put the used needle in a plastic
container, not in the trash. Your
pharmacist can give you a container.

Get everything ready.
1. Wash your hands with soap and
water.
2. If you take more than one kind of
insulin, check the label to make sure
you have the right type ready. If the
insulin is cloudy, gently roll it between
your fingers for 15 seconds.
3. The first time you use the bottle,
take off the plastic cap.
4. Wipe the rubber top with alcohol.
51
Using An Insulin Syringe

52
Give yourself the insulin.
1. Choose a place on your body that
has some fat like:
• your stomach (not too near the
belly button)
• the back of your upper arm
• the outsides of your thighs or hips
2. Clean the area with an alcohol pad
or warm soapy water.
3. Take the top off the needle. Pull the
plunger back until it is lined up with
the number of units of insulin you
need.
4. Put the needle through the rubber
top of the bottle. Push in the plunger.
This will make it easier to pull the
insulin out.
5. While the needle is still inside the
bottle, turn the bottle upside down.
Keep the tip of the needle in the
liquid. Pull the plunger back until it is
lined up with the number of units of
insulin you need.
6. If you get an air bubble in your
syringe, push the insulin back into the
bottle and start over.

7. Pinch a bit of skin and stick the
needle in all the way. If you don’t
have a lot of fat, put the needle in at
an angle.
8. Push the plunger in all the way.
9. Pull the needle out.
10. Push on the area lightly with some
cotton or tissue if it is bleeding, but do
not rub it.
Clean it up.
When you are finished, place the used
needles in a plastic container, not in
the trash. Your pharmacist can give
you a container.
53

Storing your insulin
• Keep your insulin in the refrigerator, not in the freezer or on the counter.
Some types of insulin can be stored outside the refrigerator after they are opened.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if you can leave your insulin outside
of the refrigerator.
• Never leave your insulin someplace where it could get too hot, like in a parked
car. Ask your doctor or nurse how to keep insulin cool if you carry it with you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how long you can keep your insulin
bottle open. It may help to write on the bottle the date you opened it.
Traveling with insulin
• If you travel outside of the USA, take
your insulin and needles with you.
• If you have to buy insulin or syringes
outside of the country, get help from a
pharmacist so you get the right dose.
Using needles safely
• Never share your needles with anyone.
• Keep new and used needles in a safe
place away from children.
Other Things To Think About
54

Remember, taking your insulin correctly makes a big difference in your blood
sugar. Use these easy ideas, or write down your own ideas to help you feel more
comfortable about taking insulin.
J I will talk with other people who use insulin.
J I will ask a friend or family member to stay with me the first few times I give
myself a shot.
J I will practice giving shots to an orange.
J I will check my blood sugar before giving myself my insulin shot everyday.
J I will watch short videos about insulin at www.acpfoundation.org/videos.htm.
J _______________________________________________________________
You Can Do It
55
“At first, I didn’t want to take shots, but I
didn’t realize how much better I could feel.
It made a big difference to me.”

56
Remember, you are not alone. Like all of the people in this book, you can take
charge of your life and live successfully with diabetes.
Live Well With Diabetes
“I have taken charge of
my life, and
I am proud of what I
have accomplished.”
“I am exercising and
have more energy.
I feel better about
myself!”
“If I can do it, you can
do it too.”
“Having diabetes has
opened my eyes to
new things.”

The development of the Living with Diabetes: An Everyday Guide for You and Your Family was funded by a
grant from Novo Nordisk.
Living with Diabetes: An Everyday Guide for You and Your Family was developed with the help of people
with diabetes, their family members and health care providers under the direction of the following health care
providers:
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport team:
Terry Davis, PhD, Connie Arnold, PhD, Kathryn Davis, BA, Mary Bocchini BS and Daci Platt, BA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill team:
Darren DeWalt, MD, MPH, Betsy Bryant Shilliday, PharmD, CDE, CPP, Andrea Wallace, RN, ND, PhD
University of California, San Francisco General Hospital team:
Hilary Seligman, MD, MAS, Dean Schillinger, MD, Nikki Bengal, BA, Adriana Delgadillo, BS,
Jorge Palacios, MSP, Neda Ratanawongsa, MD and Andrea López, BS
Acknowledgements
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January 2014

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