Has anyone experienced this problem from over use of a site from an insulin pump?? I've been using an insulin pump for 8 years now and have been having this problem within the last 1 year and a half. I've now been using my legs for my sites and have notice another area that looks like a dimple. I have had spots that have gone away over time but the warm weather is here and it can be embarrasing when wearing a bathing suit. Does any one have any suggestions?? I've heard that If I use a site near the area it will help it come back. I'm not sure if this is true and I'm scared that if i do that it will become a larger area and will look worse. Please share your opinions.
I could be wrong, but I think that by moving your sites on a regular basis , either when using a pump or needles that this may help from avoiding one getting Lipoatrophy …I am blessed with a bod of NO loss of fat tissue , living with D for almost 30 years.
I’ve used only the abdomen for the first 3-4 years of my insulin pump life. Maybe for its practical location. But I began to experience lipodystrophia also in these area so I began to use the legs also. I make a rotation of my sites. Left abdomen, left leg, right abdomen, right leg. You can use all sites that you used when you were on MDI. I scan for you an image from my “Pumping insulin for dummies” that I received when I had my formation at the beginning.
You can also make a rotation on each site so when you came back on the site, you won't put the canula on the same place.
Ya I rotate my sites all the time. But unfortunately some areas are less painful than others and that’s why I favour them. I do move sides all the time (left leg then right leg or abdomen etc) but for some strange reason it keeps on happening. I’m starting to think it may be a reaction from the insulin???
I found that inserting the canula right after I sterilised the skin is more painful than waiting a few minutes. So the first step for me is the alcohol swab, after I fill the reservoir, rewind the piston, put the reservoir on the pump and at the end only, I insert the canula in the skin. Did you let the skin to dry before inserting the canula ?
Or maybe the use of EMLA will help you to use more the “painfull” sites.
I don’t know what my problem is…how long have you been using an insulin pump??? I’ve been on a pump for 8yrs and this just started happening within the last couple of years. I’ve never had this problem before…it’s frustrating But I must admit… sometimes I keep my infusion set longer than 3 days… my bad I know…I’ve spoken with my nurse and she doesn’t have really much to say. I also have spoke with my dermatologist and he had suggested filling in the site (like lipo)… not sure if I wanna go down that path just yet…
I’m on an insulin pump for 6 years. My endo told me that it is more important to rotate site on a pump than on MDI because the pump canula make more damage under the skin than shots. The first years, I didn’t pay attention to that detail but now, I must be aware because sometimes, these “damage” sites didn’t absorb the insulin correctly. My BG are higher when I use them.
Maybe I’ll start to use the side of the hips. At the buttock level where there is more fat. Someone told me that this site is not painfull and absorbs insulin well.
My endo suggested me to not use the damage sites for 3-4 months. It will let them healing. Maybe you should find some other sites.
Yes, speaking from my own experiences… my sugar levels have become elevated when I left a site too long because the tissue starts to harden and the insulin doesn’t get absorbed as easily. I’ve also tried using the side of my hips but I found that the canula was kinking and it was painful when I driving my car cause it would be pushing on the seat. I haven’t tried the buttocks and the reason for that is because I have had painful experiences with the sides of my hips and couldn’t imagine that area being pushed on (and literally being a pain in my ass!!) LOL
Ah, ha …kinking canulas and pain !!!..Have you tried the Medtronic Sure-T’s infusion sets …a no painful insertion of a 6 mm " needle " without kinking !! …the Sure-T Paradigm will I think go with your 511 pump ? ; MM suggests to change every 2 days …I can keep them at times a bit longer .And I do not experience any discomfort
Their number on the box is MMT-864 .
I’m using the quik-set with a 9mm canula. I don’t think I experienced a kinking canula. How do you know it has kink ? Is the canula folded a lot when you remove it ?
I’ve switched back to the quick - set which I believe is similar to the Sure-T. I was using the Silhoutte infusion prior to this problem. That’s why I swithced; at one point I thought it had to do with the type of infusion set I was using. I’m using the 6mm because I found that the 9mm (on my body) was kinking. I guess the 6mm has maybe less of a chance since it’s smaller???
Yes - it’s completely bent over when I remove it and my sugar levels are like in the early 20’s :S
Quick- sets have a canula ; Sure-T’s have a needle , which stays in the body ; goes straight in at a 90 degree angle …Sure-T’s are recommended for kids by MM , however I am NOT at 70 year of age.
A big misconception about discomfort, ask me …I recall some postings on TuD about the Sure-T’s …wonder if someone can help locating OR maybe you can locate ??
PS I will get in touch with MM Canada again …several suggestions : 1 ) longer tubing, so I can use my legs as well 2 ) supply box with 10 only short part with needle …( I don’t know the correct name of this part ) ; my observation : a lot of waste with packaging
I never tried the Sure-T. I’m also like Stef, I’m not sure about a needle that stays in place. I’m using the 9mm because my endo said that the 6mm is for athletic people with very low fat under their skin. Like if I’m using the 6 mm, it won’t go enough deep under the skin. But I think like you said, the 9mm is more likely to bend .
But I must admit… sometimes I keep my infusion set longer than 3 days… my bad I know…I’ve spoken with my nurse and she doesn’t have really much to say. I also have spoke with my dermatologist and he had suggested filling in the site (like lipo)… not sure if I wanna go down that path just yet…