Does Dexcom require you to use the automatic inserter? Or has anyone ever found a way to insert the sensor manually?
I prefer the slower, calmer process myself…
The transmitter set is built into the inserter, so without disassembling the inserter I see no way of doing it manually. You can push the plunger as slow as you want (if you choose), but fast is painless.
its all one unit. Easy and painless going fast or slow.
From my perspective it is manual - at least compared to the automatic insertion of the Omnipod. Is there a more manual way?
The insert process for the dexcom is semi-automatic… you really cant manually insert a sensor… Its a bit different than an infusion set… (in how it goes in)… Least with the dexcom theres no spring loading to the inserter… you can go pretty slow… after you stick it down and unlock it (meaning removal of the plastic key that keeps the plunger from going down)i tend to try to pinch the site up slightly… can push the plunger in as slow as you want really… but it should be a smooth motion…(as in… a constant rate… then you can pull up the collar which will retract the needle and leave the sensor… least i found it doesnt need to be fast, just smooth and at a steady rate…
Heck there is a more manual way… ever see someone insert an angled infusion set teflon without an inserter… its a bit tricky…(though iv used a metal i90o nfusion set and it really is relatively simple but your supposed to prime and fill before you insert it…)
Id call infusion set inserters mostly semi-automatic… Only one I think is closest to being fully automatic would be a Cleo 90… prep area, uncap, slight pinch up, and just push down on it till it springs…
No I haven’t - that’s why I was asking! We have only ever done the Omnipod - the insertion of the Animas was enough to send my son into tears and my husband to nearly pass out. : )
I don’t think it would be possibly to do it entirely manually. You do have complete control over the speed of the process, but I have found with the dexcom, that the slower I insert it, the more painful it is. But, that is just my experience, yours may be different.
Which set did you use… One of the advantages of the Animas is you have such a wide choice of sets (it uses a luer lock connector) … unless your clinic is one of these… This is the set you MUST use with this pump… The Orbit sets are nice but hard to get… If you were trying an Inset were you sitting down and did you pinch up a bit… I wish the omnipod would come in different cannula lengths… and be covered… Im still very curious as to which set you tried with the Animas… and how much of it is needle phobia… and where you were inserting…
I have no idea. We were at a conference and my son didn’t want a pump at all but he had said he would try them. So we signed up to try Animas and they put it on him and he walked around with it for about 15 minutes, the whole time crying and saying “take it out, I don’t want a pump, take it out, take it out.” We then had to cancel our Omnipod appointment because he was so traumatized. But we kind of snuck him in to the Omnipod place later and she put it on without him even really realizing it. He was sold, and we let him make the decision since he had to wear it and we could see good and bad with pretty much every system.
Hey, thanks you guys! Great to wake up to all your comments. 
I had a trial with my endo’s unit a month or two ago. When she inserted it, it was super-fast and painful. So I actually did not realize that I had control over pressing down the plunger. (Just got my first unit and haven’t inserted it yet.) That makes me feel a lot better.
Am currently reading through some of the literature, and will begin using it this weekend. And Eric, I’ll try to use your tips when I do.
Thanks, everyone!
Jan