Some time ago my endo told me that I would be eligeble for a Continuous Glucose meter. I have T1 for nearly 30 years now (next month!), so I am well aware of the benefit it would bring. However, the problem is that I am very afraid of wearing an infusion set, and of course that is necessary for the pump and cgm. The strange thing is that I have injected myself for the past decades, and I have no problems with that.
Since I am very motivated to get the pump and cgm, I have tried wearing an infusion set without a pump to get used to it. The infusion set did not cause a lot of pain, but my stress levels were so high that it turned into headaches etc..
Of course I am looking for help to get over this, so is there anybody that recognises this type of fear for infusion sets? Does anybody have any tips to overcome this?
Hi TJ, I've had Type 1 for almost 25 years and share your fear of the infusion sets. Because of that fear, I've been on MDI all that time. Now due to pre-menopausal hormones causing big swings in bg, I began using a cgm in September. I use a Dexcom and love it. Initially the inserter contraption thing scared me to death but I really have no pain and don't feel it as I'm wearing it.
Since I liked the Dexcom so much, I decided to do a trial wearing the OmniPod. Much to my surprise, I didn't feel that either. Insertion was quick and painless. So I bit the bullet and am waiting for my OmniPod to ship and should start within the next couple of weeks. I'm both excited and scared at the same time. I'll be glad to get rid of the long acting insulin that has been causing me problems as my levels swing.
My advice would be to try out various products on a trial basis to try to get as true a picture of what it's like to live with it. Fear of the unknown is typically the worst so try it. If you don't like it, it's not a permanent decision. Even if you decide to go on a pump, if it doesn't work for you, you can always go back to injections. Best of luck to you! Take care.
there are different pumps and different infusion sets. i have an angled infusion set and it took me a long time to get used to it and be able to insert w/o hurting myself. of course, i could have changed to a 90 degree set very easily. i would encourage you to look at the different options for infusion sets and find the one that works for you.
The best recommendation that I can make is to just continue to wear one until you get used to it being there. I can definitely say that eventually you don't even notice that they are there in the first place, and it just becomes second nature.
I very well know that fear. I just started with the pump in December. I was terrified about the infusion sets. My daughter first started helping me get if attached. I am now doing them myself and each time it gets easier and less stressful. Hang in there and good luck!!
I would recommend trying different ones to see which infusion set causes you the least amount of fear. I haven't personally had this issue, but I do remember a lot of folks couldn't handle the old infusion sets where you had to insert them manually. You may find that manual insertion is less anxiety-producing than having something spring-loaded. I can say that once you get used to it, inserting the infusion sets becomes as second-nature as giving yourself shots via MDI (as in, "I can do this with my eyes closed and both hands tied behind my back!")
If pain is a concern, ask your doctor for some EMLA cream, which you can apply to the site beforehand to numb the skin.
Is it the fear of the pain when it is actually inserted? If so, I've only felt my Omnipod insertion once. It's virtually painless. And the pod isn't nearly as scary looking as the Dex inserter which looks scary but again, is pretty much painless. Not even as bad as a rubberband snap but most of the time I don't even feel it. Or is it the fact of having something inserted all the time? If that's the case then the suggestion of wearing one would be the way to get over this fear. The longer you do it the more comfortable you'll be. Give it a try, soulds like the motivation is there and that's half the battle, I'm sure you can conquer your fear!
Thanks everybody for your kind words and advice! I wasn`t aware that there were different types of infusion sets, I have tried the Medtronic Minimed Mio. I had it inserted for a few days, hoping that the tension would lessen, instead it worsened and even my colleagues noticed that something was going on.
Next week I`ll give it another go with a nurse by my side, and I want to be prepared. Hopefully the anxieties will lessen . I am still very curious how others have overcome their anxieties for injections or infusions.
Any other tips are much apreciated. Thanks everybody!
Agreed. Omnipod insertion is automatic, pretty much painless, and you never see the needle. At worst it feels like someone snatched a rubberband - lightly - on your skin.
I use an angled set, freehand. I dont mind because I like the control. A CDe taught me how to use the set, by practicing on fake skin. I havent waivered off that set for the full 11 years on a pump. I still dont ever really get used to it, but like an injection it only stings once in awhile but never bothers me wearing it. Some people love the automatic inserters and swear by them. I dont think anyone really complains about any kind of pain while wearing the sets. I would say it's not so bad, and not a reason to avoid using some technology. One word on the Omnipod though, not every insurance company pays for them in the same way. My HMO wont pay for them really at all. So dont settle on just that idea, just in case........
Hi TJ. I don't have any problems with using my pump, sets, CGMS. I do agree with all who suggest trying different infusion sets - I have continued to use the Quick Set, did not like the Mio; prefer to insert with the quick set inserter, but can insert manually if I choose to do so. I am active, and have learned to tape the tubing down in a couple of spots near the set which has prevented an unexpected pull on the tubing pulling out the site. You do get use to packing all the extra hardware with you, it's a part of me and I just don't think about it anymore. Re the CGMS - I began with Medtronic, have switched to the DexCom. Night and day difference, I had to use ice prior to inserting the MM sensor as I would always bleed (not to mention it was more painful). I still use ice prior to the Dex, but I have to say that insertion hurts less than a finger stick! So I would recommend the Dex if you want to minimize pain in my opinion!
Good luck. I do hope you are able to cross the bridge and begin pumping. It has made such a difference for me.
