I have had various jerks on my tubing, the most common happens when I get out of bed sleepily and have had it laying beside me. Are many of you in the habit of taping down some slack in the tubing when you start a new infusion site? What kind of tape do you recommend and where do you find it? Or should I just focus on being more careful? Yanking out my infusion site is pretty high on my list of pumping horrors.
Opsite FlexFix is the best tape I've encountered, really strong stuff. After some of my long summer runs (> 10 miles when it's 80 degrees out, even starting @ 6:30AM!), I pop it with a lancet to let the sweat out of the tape holding my (apparently waterproof?) CGM sensor down.
It's also handy as it is on a roll so you trim what you need off of it.
http://www.medonthego.com/Opsite-Flexfix-Drsg4x11yd--Box_p_123960.html
I use a product called IV3000. I use on both CGM and inset. Keeps out water when I shower. Sometimes, when I get very active I'll tape down a loop of tubing just below the inset. I think your insurance will cover it, but about $40.00US for 100. Each about 2 X 3 inches.
The Opsite stuff is stronger. I had just gotten my CGM about a week before the first 1/2 marathon I ran and the IV3000 fell off about 3 miles into it. I had a few ripouts with the Opsite too but usually by day 6 on the sensor it's getting a bit loose. I also like the opsite better for pump tubing because you can cut off a little strip instead of the sheets with the IV3000?
I will say that the Opsite will exfoliate the hell out of your abdomen. Junior said "it's like waxing!"
Actually I use the 43 inch tubing rather than the 23 inch tubing. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it totally prevents me feeling (and being!)tethered, and having my site yanked. I can lay the pump on the bed or dresser and get dressed with no problem. No, I don't tape tubing; I just tuck it in. I actually don't have the pump laying beside me. That is what my trainer suggested and the first night me and my cat were both tangled in tubing. In winter I wear thermals to bed and hook the pump on the waist. (on the back, because I sleep on my stomach or side). In summer I wear sleeping shorts.
A simple and inexpensive answer is cloth tape. That's really very good and adequate, but I go one step further and cover it all with Rite-Aid latex-free bandages
+1 for Opsite.
I agree with Trudy that you can probably find something else adequate and more readily available, but Opsite is probably going to be able to handle anything you can throw at it, barring a tug-o-war with your tubing.
I ordered the 4" x 11 yd roll for something like $30 usd and do not regret the investment. I can cut it to any size needed, a couple of strips works for most applications, and I probably have a 5 year supply based on how much I use.
I use a Band-Aid, I stick it over the tubing about 1/2 inch from the infusion set, this holds the tubing against my body so it is less likely to be snagged on something, & if the pump falls out of my pocket the tubing pulls against the band aid not the infusion set. My Animas trainer showed me this method, she also uses a pump & always does this So far in 5 years I have never pulled out an infusion set.
Nope, I don't tape. I am generally pretty careful with my pump and even when I sleep with it beside me, I usually remember to grab it when I get up to go to the bathroom. The couple of times I haven't, the infusion site has stayed stuck to me. I use SkinTac, IV3000, and Opsite. The combination of these things means that my pump could weigh at least 20 pounds and the site would not come out if I dropped the pump :-)
I dont tape my infusion site but I do use the Opsite FlexFix and it works really good. I like the rolls to because you can cut them down to size. But nothing is going anywhere with the Opsite FlexFix tape. And yes it REALLY does exfoliate you when you remove it. Haha question for the guys, do you all just shave where you use it at, I cannot imagine how painful that would be ripping that stuff lose with body hair. YIKES.
What a lot of info for me to consider. Thanks to you all for educating me! Now I'm googling and watching utubes and figuring out what I'm gonna do. Great information and lots of tips. The good products are expensive. I'm not running in hot weather and sweating up a storm, tho. The simple band-aid over a loop of the tubing an inch from the site sounds like the most cost effective... if it will hold.
Confession time - if Zoe's cat caused a tangle, my Vizsla cuddle-mate might cause an actual yank. Yes, we do let him noodle his way in on cold nights! Thanks, ya'll. :=>
The flex fix may see pricey but the roll lasts me like a year and, if you are using less, it might last 2 or 3, compared w/ band-aids for $3.99/ box that may not last that long? Just a thought! Good luck with your sticking!
When I was first taught how to use the pump almost 13 years ago, we were carefully taught to tape down a safety loop. Hard to remember that far back, but I think the sets weren't as secure then. Anyway, I stopped doing it after awhile. What I do now is use IV3000 which is available with a hole cut out of the center for the detachable part of the QuickSet, and that holds sufficiently for me. Of course, I'm a woman, and don't SWEAT like men (AR) do! :-)
But I've never had it pull out, either, when I get out of bed and forget to pick it up -- it just bounces a few times on the floor. I use the 43" tubing like Zoe does, and the tubing is always tucked in, and it's just never been a problem.
Hah!
Nope, Asian genes FTW. =)
Well, I'll repeat myself. Simple cloth tape can work wonders, including taping down a loop near the set, and my favorite, little strips around the adhesive.
Mines a 32 inch tubing, and lol the other day I forgot to grab my pump stood up and yeah it bounced a time or two, but site was secure. Maybe a longer tubing if you are using the shorter tube lengths might help as well.