Everytime we have placed the pod on my son's stomach, it has occluded with a bent cannula. Does anyone successfully wear the pod on their stomach just above the waist line and below the ribs?
The first time Insulet said that we really should stand to apply on the stomach because it hit muscle and occluded right after application. The others just did not seem as stable when stretching, playing baseball or doing yardwork or swimming they seem to move. Only one really tore away from the backing; the rest just seemed to move enough to bend the cannula.
But, this only leaves us with four rotations of arms and upper hips which work well.
We were told by our CDE not to use the thighs but we might just try it. We might also try under the waistline instead of above. I would really like him to have six spots (more of a rest for those areas) since he got that nasty infection.
Thanks for eveyone's help. We don't know what we would do without you all!
The only occlusions that I’ve had have happened when I’m wearing the pod on my stomach. I have no problems when I wear it closer to side in front; but anything toward the center that’s more involved in bending over—bad luck. Now, it doesn’t happen all the time. However, I do steer away from certain areas in front because of this. So far, I have not had any occlusions anywhere else
My daughter wears the pod on her stomach most of the time, and it’s always below the natural waistline, but above where low cut jeans sit. She always stands when putting the pod on, and we were told to avoid at least a one inch diameter all around the belly button when putting a pod on the stomach. She rarely has problems with occlusions. She’s worn them on the front of her thigh also, but they tend to get knocked off there more often.
I never wear the pod on my stomach…occlustions, bent canulas, bleeding infusion sited and just plain bad adhesion have convinced me it’s just not the spot for me. I usually wear the pods on the small of my back, my butt, my thighs or my hips. My favorite spot was my arms, but Lipodysdtophy has made that a no-no for me anymore…
The only occlusions I’ve had have been when it’s on my stomach. It seems like if I laid sideways, the thing started screeching. Because of this, I avoided it for a while, but recently had success on both sides, but I couldn’t get comfortable like I wanted because I was afraid of an occlusion.
I only use my abdomen and have only had a few occlusions (maybe 5 in 10 month). I always wear my pod above my waist band. I tried it below once, and ripped the pod off when I undressed (caught on my elastic waistband). I sit when I apply and start a pod. That way there is plenty of fat for the canula to enter. ;^)
Might be a problem for you because of your son’s build? Is he lean? Some areas of the abdomen are more fatty than others. Try to find a layer of fat, if you can. Also, do you pinch up during insertion? This might help prevent bent cannulas.
My son is fairly lean because he lost 40 pounds in the two months before he was diagnosed. Luckily he had some fat to lose. He was really trying hard to get in great shape before hockey season last year and we just thought he was overdoing the exercise. He was never hungry but always thirsty and just exhausted.
Lately, since going on the pump he has gained back 15 pounds so he has a little belly fat now.
heck-to-the-NO i do not wear it on my stomach. the one time i tried it, it hurt, bruised, and was just in the way (stomach sleeping and just sitting down it didn’t ‘lay’ nice on my belly)
i don’t think there is anything wrong with thigh placement. i actually really like it… especially in the summer when i am wearing shorts (not too tight)
My daughter now wears it exclusively on her stomach. She is an active tennis player and when she would have it on her arm, the cannula came out during her match. Since April, we have had one or two pod failures but the vast majority of the time it is problem free
