My 12-year-old son just got his first insulin pump. We just got back from our pump start session. Everything went very smoothly - he even put his first site in by himself (with guidance). But after we left he started complaining that the site is painful. He says it's aching and uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced this? If so does it go away once you get used to it? Or does it indicate something might to be right?
I would appreciate any insights, this is new to us!
We started about 3 weeks ago and experienced the same thing...seems to always hurt iniitally...i told my daughter to sleep on it overnight before we did something about it...seemed ok the next day...however, it always seems to hurt somewhat to push on it. also tummy seems to hurt more than hip or leg...also, in the training they told us to insert at a 45 degree angle...then when i followed up with our diabetic support person about it hurting, she said to insert at 30 degrees so it wasnt so deep as our daughter (age 10) is pretty skinny. So, while there might be some problem, i suspect it is more just needing to get used to it. We are 3 weeks in and it is way better now.
Is your son developing any welts at the site or redness right where the cannula goes in? My friend’s son was allergic to the cannula and had to get another kind. My son has been pumping for 2 years. Every once in a while he will complain that it hurts a bit the first day but by the next day it’s fine. Good luck! Thinking of you!
Kind of off topic but since you mentioned it...when she uses the back of arm, where does she hold the pump? We tried it on the back of the arm once but the tubing seemed to get in the way all the time since you couldnt tuck it in anywhere since it had to connect to the pump on her pants waistband...does your daughter wear a pump belt around the waist so it can go through the armhole? Just curious how you do it.
My daughter was like that. We just ordered different insertions. My daughter is very thin and when there is not enough fat in the area it will hurt them. It probably is painful on where it location is. First try to change the location. If that doesn’t work than order a different insertion. What pump does he use? Than you might gave to call the pump company.
I agree change the site. My son got his pump in January at 3 yrs old and when we got home the first day he started crying more and more each time we bolused. We changed the site and it was fine. I think sometimes the canula hits a nerve. First day is stressful for sure.
Wow, I'm so impressed with all of the advice. I've rarely posted before (though I've been lurking for some time, and learning a lot). It's really helpful to hear others' experiences. Thank you so much!
My daughter has the Omnipod. She’s 7 and has had it since she was 6. It hurts her always at insertion but after a few minutes it is much better. On her arms and abdomen are best, but on her upper butt it hurts her the whole time, so we avoid that spot. Don’t give up–try different spots. He could have also just had a bad insertion like the others said. Good luck!
How is it going? I came back on to see if you'd posted. I'm a guilty "lurker" too! I've been thinking of you and your son. I'm hoping he's feeling better.
Joanne
My 7 year old objects to certain locations, saying they are uncomfortable. He is happiest with sites in the butt or hip, doesn't like abdomen sites, won't even try arms. It could just be that those particular locations are just not comfortable, so try a different place (choose a spot with plenty of "padding").
What type of infusion set is it? We've tried Silhouettes and Mios with varying degrees of success. Silhouettes seem to work better at times when Eric is very active (which is most of the time!) so we've stuck with those, but Mios appear to be more comfortable.
Not sure what set you are using. We were told silhouettes were the least painful on a child with little body fat. And, yes, definitely insert at 30 degree angle, not 45 degrees. You do not have to push the site in too deep; it will kind of stop of it's own accord.... you will get a feel for it. We always inserted manually, did not even want to try the sil serter. We used the tush area for many years. It has the most fat. We used EMLA cream for the first eight months or so. Put on size of a half dollar and leave on a good hour, covered with IV dressing to numb the site. I'm not surprised the abdomen could be painful if your child has no body fat there. Thighs could be painful as well for the same reason. Try the tush. If the site is aching and uncomfortable after the first half hour, something is wrong and you should remove the set. Put in a new one. It's so hard in the beginning. I used to dread putting in a new set. I remember how it is. Don't worry, you will be an expert in no time at all, since you will be changing sites every three days. Use the EMLA. Do everything you can to be make it as easy on him as possible. Because a pump is very necessary for a child during the pre-teen and teen years. Puberty and teenage years are a challenge.
I have a son 6 years old using pump for the past 3 years.The different reasons for pain could be in my experience,
and the possible solutions we have tried,
Thanks for asking! The discomfort seemed to go away by the next morning, so we left it. He's since changed the site. He said it hurt again right after he inserted the new one, but now it's ok. So maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it.
We are using quickset. I'd heard silhouettes were less painful too, but our diabetes educator pushed us toward quickset because she said they are easy to insert. I have a few samples of silhouettes, if he continues to experience discomfort after inserting his site we may give them a try and see if they work better for him.
Oh good. Hopefully that’s all it is and things will improve.