I don’t know if I am allowed to post this question, but after 2 failed sites in the past 12 hours I need some advice.
I am wondering if everyone who is interested can post his/her best site locations (ex: right arm 1/2 inch from armpit, underside of arm) the position utilized (completely horizontal/vertical or slightly askew), and any extra steps taken (ex:bolus extra 1 unit, set temp. Basal at 50% for 2 hours, change before/after meals, etc.) when changing pods.
Also, do you avoid sites that have poor absorption/higher numbers or do you set up a new higher basal so you can still use the site (a suggestion my pod rep gave me)? And, if the new basal doesn’t work and your numbers are stuck in the 200s, at what point do you consider it a failed site (12, 18, 24, etc. hours later)? Has anyone ever left a site on that was producing numbers in the 200s for the basal and given shots for boluses?
I know everyone is different but I think if we could all share what works for us someone is bound to learn something new! Sorry for all the questions and can we be kind and respectful of what works for others when responding? Thank you!!!
Numbers off doesn't mean you have a failed site, though that can be one possibility. One thing I've noticed with pumping since I've started on the pod is that other small issues can sometimes be magnified more than on MDI. I verified this with a friend on a different pump style. Small changes in diet, exercise and especially illness can be magnified to more than what you may have seen if you were taking injections. I think the reason is that on MDI you take different types of insulin that guard against sudden changes. Not that being on a pump is bad due to this, as you are able to force changes to your situation faster than on MDI in most cases.
Do you have a diabetes educator on call? If not, talk to your doctor about this and see if there are signs of other possible problems.
Personally I think the best solution will come after Insulet gets it's devices working in tandem with a constant blood glucose monitoring system. I think they said they are on track to doing this by the end of this year. Got my fingers crossed...
And, keep the questions coming! Anything is open for question here.
Thanks Scott! A great reminder that illness, hormones, etc. all have an impact!
I try to use all the differnt sites indicated, I do prefer the legs and my back.
I do a correction bolus with the pod I am about to remove, and if I don`t need a correction I try to give 1-.05 units. then do the change check my blood sugar a few times within the next 3 hours to check any highs that are coming on.
I use all the sites recommend for MDI, and my back. As advised, I position in the direction of the bones on limbs & like a belt on the torso. I double my sites by flipping pods 180 degrees on the same sites. I moved from MDI to pods. If you used other pumps, you may have scar tissue you need to avoid.
My blood sugars increase if I need to change my pod & the existing one lifts. I change & correct. After that, normal service resumes.
Insulet is hoping for a prototype of a combined pump/CGM by the end of the year. A working/FDA-approved model is a few years off at best.
Caleb rotates around his abdomen and back in a clockwise manner. When we come back around, we position the Pod in a different direction so that the insertion is somewhere different. He changes his Pods every two days to help with absorption. He's tried his arms, but finds that uncomfortable, plus he uses his arms for DexCom sensors. I've heard that limbs can be better absorbers of insulin bc they are more active. I think bc we stick to the torso, we're able to get consistent results. I've also found that since changing his sites every two days (rather than three) his sites heal much more quickly.
so sorry you are having a bad stretch, my son's fav spots are on his belly pretty horizontal about the pant line, each 'love handle' he doest have much! also he has been pretty lucky with the back of his arm, the fleshy part about an inch or two under the arm pit. we always have him do .5 with the old pod, test post change and bolus 1.5 -4 units depending on his blood sugar. we really seem to have gotten past the post pod change high problem, he can run a bit high on day three if it is a frequently used site, but not consistently. as a general rule we will do two corrections and if he is not coming down we will change him out as we suspect a partial occlusion. so many variables, the diabetes gods need to smile down on you and play nice you deserve a break! wishing you well! amy
Thank you all so much! I know this disease (and the pod) impacts us all differently. But it is really nice to read what works for others. I can’t wait to try your suggestions!
