I’ve been on the pump for 12 years, and have always used sites on my abdomen. Over the past 9 months, I’ve been having terrible problems with absorption. However, when I switch to other sites on my bod, it’s just as bad — if not worse. It seems like my belly fat is different than fat on my love handles, hips, legs… I use 9 mm cannula Paradigm infusion sets, am now trying 6 mm, still having problems. I have to change out infusion set almost daily. I got samples of Animus angled (inset 30) and straight sets, they completely tore me up (the spring action on the inserter is way too hard); brusing, blood in cannula, etc.etc.etc. I may have to go on shots and am absolutely freaked, since my control with injections was terrible. Anyone have advice? I don’t think I can do insertions by hand; I can barely get myself to use the softserter, even though it rarely hurts. I am at my wits end…
I may be completely wrong, but I had heard that massaging the area’s you normally insert into can help break up scar tissue. I have no idea where I heard this or if it is even true. I had also heard that belly fat seems to absorb better. Have you asked your Endo or Doctor, they may have suggestions for you. Sorry I couldn’t be any help.
Thanks for your reply! I’ve been working with a diabetic management consultant who knows much more than my very very good endo. She suggested massaging the area, and I have been trying that, but it doesn’t seem to be helping much. The consultant said that after a long time, the fat turns into a dried out sponge that won’t absorb. BUT when I was trying other sites (unsuccessfully) for several weeks, when I went back to inserting in my belly, it suddenly absorbed normally again. Then a couple of months later, I’m back to terrible absorption. I wondering if anyone alternates weeks or months of injections with pumping? Is that a crazy idea?
Hi LD. What I am doing will no doubt sound much crazier than alternating weeks or months on and off the pump–I now use the pump on weekends and injections during mid-week. I used the pump for about eight years when I stopped absorbing everywhere I had used pump sites, and so took a year off using injections to let all those areas heal. When I started pumping again (part-time), Sure-T sets were available; I use the Minimed 522. These have metal needles you insert yourself, but it’s very easy to do, no pain. The trick for having some success with injections for me was/is to mimic the results I had on the pump by paying a lot of attention to the basals. I get much better results when injecting with Levemir rather than Lantus, and I use half a bolus dose with Regular and half with Apidra for those times I would use Dual-Wave on the pump. Truth to tell, I wouldn’t recommend this schedule I’m on to anyone else, but resting your belly one way or another is most likely the best way to go.
Wow, it’s nice to hear someone with same problem. Do you have problems transitioning from the long-acting to pump when you switch? I am not familiar with those insulins, but will ask about them. This is still a better solution than going off pump completely. Thanks for info!
One of the reasons I prefer Levemir to Lantus is that I get no buildup at all with Levemir, whereas Lantus stays in my system for at least 24 hours. How long the Levemir stays with a person depends on the amount. Since I’m very sensitive to insullin, I need only small amounts, and Levemir requires a split dose as it is not likely to last longer than 12 hours. If you do go on injections, you will need to experiment a little to get it right, being very very careful to avoid lows. Michael Hitchens, who just went on a pump vacation, wrote quite graphically about a nasty low just a few days ago on his TuDiabetes website.
I’ve been pumping for 11 years and at times I’ve had that problem. Recently I’ve started using the top of my thigh. I use MM Silhouettes which requires a 45 degree angle for insertion. In fact I’ve use this infusion set from the beginning even when I was on the Disetronic H-Plus.
HI Betty, When you leave a site alone for a while, does it eventually repair itself so you can go back to that area? If so, how long do you need to stay away from it? thanks for writing…
Yes, the reason I asked is that I left my lower abdomen alone for about 3 weeks, then started using it and again and everything was fine for a couple of months. I thought it was a fluke, but it sounds like the body does repair itself if left alone. I
I set up an appointment with a local Minimed rep next week, she’s been on the pump herself for 11 years. Hopefully she can show me some tricks about insertion. Thanks for all this info; I love tudiabetes.com, only joined a month or so ago, and can’t believe I’ve never reached out to other diabetics in this way. I’ve pretty much operated in a vacuum my whole life, since I never knew any other Type 1 diabetics. Best to you all…
Hi LD. Oops–the name I meant to mention is Michael Hoskins here on TuDiabetes, who is taking a pump vacation because of absorption problems. (Also his website is The Diabetic’s Corner Booth.) Good luck with your Minimed rep appointment, and with dealing with this problem. Trudy
I too have had absorption problems in recent years. I use my abdomen almost exclusively. I used to use my leg and it always seemed to get sore and stayed that way for a long time – probably because I always have something in my pocket, which irritates the site. A few months ago, I went back to the leg just to see if it made a difference on absorption — it didn’t – so I’m back to the abdomen. I often wear a CGM along with the pump so I have 2 things stuck in me – thus reducing the landscape available.
BTW: if you’re having bleeding problems, I suggest rubbing ice on the site before insertion. This can reduce the bleeding as well as soreness. It was suggested to me by my Minimed rep. I have this problem more often with the CGM than the pump – probably because the needle is much larger.
Thanks Mike, I will absolutely use your tip on using ice! That makes perfect sense.
The Medtronic rep came Thursday, she had me switch to the Quickset infusion set. Since it works one-handed, I can reach around and insert into the top of my butt. I like this set MUCH better. And nock on wood, it seems to be working better. But I think it will be hit-and-miss; I"ll just have to check BG closely for the first few hours after I switch infusion sets. The rep wears her CGM on the outside of her upper arm, have you tried that? And isn’t it great Medtronic has a rep who is actually ON the pump? I love it.
ANYway, thanks everyone for all the feedback. I’ll keep you posted on how I do and anything I might find out along the way that’s useful.
I have problems with my abdomen, I get somebody to rub it, (quite hard), every day for about a week, during that time I put my cannula’s in the top of my leg, which I also have trouble with, but once I have got to the bottom of my scar tissue and broken it all up I haven’t had any problems since, and don’t for about 6-8 months. The week of worse control is worth it!
You may want to try a different infusion set… We are starting on the Sure T - it is a metal cannula. goes in at a 90 degree angle. We use the 6 mm length. My son is willing to place it in other areas other than his upper butt (which is the only place he would put the silhoutte.) His absorption is better as his upper buttocks were getting scarred. He is very active in all sorts of water and land sports and he seems to tolerate this infusion set quite well.
Thanks, Nancy, I haven’t tried the Sure T. However I’ve been on the Quickset for 2 weeks now, and it’s working great. It’s easier to insert and doesn’t hurt! Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I’ll check back in if I have more problems. I am massaging my abdomen to see if that site heals, but it’s nice to have the cannula “behind me”… hahahahahahaha
Well, as I have been saying how much my son likes the sure T - he informed me tonight he decided he doesn’t really like it. He is 15 so I guess that comes with the territory ! Maybe I liked it because his absorption seemed better and it was quick and easy to insert. Oh well, he may try it again. I need to get the one with the thinnest needle. We will have to try the quiksets. I have several boxes of them. Good Luck, Nancy
