Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hismouse on February 25, 2011 at 8:24pm

Hi Alisa:) what a pretty name:) Its a good idea to talk and show your doctor. Have you been injecting in your tummy? I am guessing yes. Some times the tissue can get infected, is the spot warm or red. And if your feeling sick, its a real good idea to get it checked.

My Stomach hurts really bad when I inject there. I have only been able to use one side of it. I used to get bad bruises there. And so I move around alot for injecting now. I think there is alot of scar tissue buit up there, so I should stay away.

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Permalink Reply by alisasecaida on February 26, 2011 at 12:23pm

Hi and thank you. I think it is closer to what Terrie suggested. I have gotten the warm, red and itchy reaction from an infusion site before. I am pretty good at cleaning those up and avoiding that area for a bit. This new thing that I have is just weird looking. It looks like a section of my stomach caved in. Since I am still new to the game somewhat I am still lucky to find some new areas I haven't ventured to just yet with a needle, but I have begun to develop scar tissue. Once that shot goes in one of those areas the pain can be excruciating and I tend to draw a little blood and bruising as a result. Those are not fun.

Thanks for you advice :-)

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Permalink Reply by Terrie on February 25, 2011 at 10:35pm

Hi There: :)

What you probably have is Lipoatrophy. There are different types and different reasons. In the Medical Journals the Researchers claim that it is rare. I've met many People on line with these dents, so I will agree to disagree with them. Some claim it was from animal Insulins, some say it is from certain Human Insulins, some say it is an auto-immune disorder, some say from not rotating injections/insets, and so on.

I had the dents on both of my arms and both sides of my lower tummy, since those were my favourite injection sites. I stopped injected in those areas and the dents went away except on my right lower tummy.. I injected there mostly since I'm right handed.

Here is a link. Right photo. http://www.google.ca/search?q=lipoatrophy+diabetes+photo&rls=co...

Ask your Endo regarding your particular case. I would stop injecting/pumping in those areas for now, if I was you.

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Permalink Reply by alisasecaida on February 26, 2011 at 12:11pm

Thanks everyone for responding! And yes Terrie that picture of the mans belly is exactly what mine looks like. I have been working out and I have lost 7 lbs and I thought it was from that, but it appears to be something else. I see my endo on Wednesday and I will ask her what it is and if it could possibly be Lipoatrophy. My stomach has been my favorite spot for injection sites in the winter, but maybe I did over do it in that area. I am not sure I just know it looks really weird.

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Permalink Reply by Niki on November 20, 2011 at 12:30am

Hi there! I have one of these dents...it is right below my belly button but I have never injected insulin directly in this spot although I have injected in the area. My pump infusion site has been on either side of my belly button and I have also given shots in this area. I brought this to the attention of my primary care physician who mentioned that he had seen it in people who have used injectable steriods but not insulin. I asked my endo and he was pretty clueless about it--shocking as he has been pretty spot on about everything else. I even went to see a dermatology nurse practitioner( I couldn't get in to see my regular dermatologist for a month.) She was no help at all and she told me you use self tanner to disguise the spot. Yeah not interested in disguising the spot, I'm interested in knowing what it is....This is causing me a great deal of anxiety. Please help!!! Thanks so much!

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Permalink Reply by gambo on May 4, 2011 at 1:22pm

Hi, first off thanks for starting this topic i have been pretty concerned about the same issue.

There does not seem to be alot of information on this and will still check with doctor however it does seems like i can put my mind at rest.

Does anyone know if these continue to get worse if you dont inject into them also are they going to improve?

Many thanks. ps well done losing the 7lbs
D.

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Permalink Reply by alisasecaida on May 25, 2011 at 8:44pm

Thanks. It has not gone away yet unfortunately and I have not injected anywhere on my stomach since January. Other than the indent I am fine and definitely less worried about it, Let me know if you come across any other info.

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Permalink Reply by bsc on May 26, 2011 at 12:26pm

I don't know if it really bothers you, but here is a paper showing good results using a glucocorticoid in the treatment of a case of severe lipoatropyhy in a young girl. You should only take this sort of action under the care of your doctor.

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Permalink Reply by Gerry on May 26, 2011 at 9:22am

Here is a link to a blog posting I found today that relates to bumps and depressions. I hope you find it informative.

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Permalink Reply by alisasecaida on May 31, 2011 at 5:51pm

Thank you Gerry and bsc. Both of these articles were really informative! I will bring them to my Endo's attention the next time I see her.

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