Has anyone out there had much trouble with reactions to their sites? I typically have to change my site every two days. I used to be able to go three days, but not anymore. I use alcohol swabs before changing my site, but I am not sure what else could help it. I just had two really bad reactions to sites that I left for about 2 and a half days each. They are still healing and it has been over a week for one of them. I know on the Cozmo pump you can change the duration that your bolus is given. I used to have it set at the fastest speed (1 minute). I changed it to two minutes a few days ago wondering if perhaps that would do anything by just having a bolus dispense at a slower rate. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions…I’d love to hear! Thanks! - Kim
Hi Kim, I use Skin Prep before I insert my sets. I’ve never had any skin reaction. It doesn’t seem like the duration of the bolus would make any difference to the site. Good Luck
Liz
Hi Liz - I haven’t tried the Skin Prep before. I will give that a try and see if it helps! Thanks!
Kim
My endo’s office told me to get some “hibiclens” http://www.drugstore.com/qxp16541_333181_sespider/hibiclens/antiseptic_antimicrobial_skin_cleanser_liquid.htm
its an anti-microbial, skin cleanser to help reduce the chance of getting a staph infection from the site reactions…which is not fun!
Hi, Kim, the same thing has been happening to me; that’s one reason why I joined tu diabetes…I used 17 infusion sets in March, and I’ve been trying to find/use some new sites, which helps a bit. I’m going to try that hibiclens too. I have a problem that my skin is dry and sensitive too. I use a lot of neosporin when I take the thing out. I also use this stuff called “Bag Balm” at night. It was created for cows’ udders, and a lot of quilter’s use it on their fingers when they’re quilting so much, their fingers get a lttle like hamburger. It comes in a green square can, and I got it at Harmon cosmetics.
I’ve been pumping for 19 years with Disetronic (accu-check spirit)
Marie
Do you put on the Hibiclens on the site before you put on the barrier wipe and infusion set? My daughter gets rashes everytime too. It gets very frustrating, her skin is so sensitive. Please let me know. Thanks.
Hi there. I’m not sure if this will help, but I have always inserted into my lower abdomen area. Recently, it had become very difficult to put it in anywhere in that area…the skin felt tough and it never seemed go to go in. As a result, it kept falling out or getting irritated or bleeding. My sugars were also running really high. I went to see my endo and she saw the area of my abdomen and told me that because I’ve been using that area for so long (many years!), it is now all scar tissue, and that’s why it was so hard to insert it or to keep it in. Also the scar tissue there was making it difficult to absorb the insulin, hence the high sugars.
Anyway, that’s just my experience. Good luck! 
oh, yeah, exactly the same thing happened to me, so I didn’t use the lower ab for at least a month. that was last summer. since then I have been rotating a lot better, but I still can’t go more than a day or if i’m lucky 2. I’ve had D for almost 41 years, and it doesn’t get any easier.
Thanks for your reply, Marie. So, where do you do it if not in the ab? My doctor now has me using the upper thighs, but those get a little sore and rub when I sleep (I toss and turn so I end up hitting it). I can’t imagine having lived 41 years with this- you are a veteran! (It’ll be 17 for me this summer).
Mara, have you tried the upper butt or love handles? I use the Inset 30s on my thighs and get really good results there. Some people use the arms, I haven’t tried them yet.
Hi Liz. Yeah, the “upper butt” area seems to fall out all the time for me…must be the angle I’m putting it in at. I had never thought of using the love handles (and I’ve got plenty to use!). I haven’t tried the arms either- I’ve heard that people use them, but I feel like I’ll end up getting all tangled somehow.
Thanks, Liz!
I’ve been doing the love handles,too, also the upper belly just under my rib cage. I try to get 2 kinds of pants - those that have a waistband at the waist, for when I wear it low, and lower waistband pants (we used to call them hiphuggers) for when I wear high. I can’t stand to have my pants rubbing the set. I have never done the arms
Hi Marie - Thanks! I have heard of that Bag Balm. Actually, that may be good to use on my fingers! I also like the idea of using neosporin after you take the site out. One thing my dad mentioned to me the other day is that he notices he is more prone to infections with his sites if has had any tugging or “trauma” as he put it. So, if he drops his pump accidently and it tugs at the site. Or, sometimes your waistband of your pants can kind rub on it. He seems to think that can lead to more irritated sites. I am going to try to watch that a bit more and see if there is any correlation. Thanks for the tips!!
Interesting…I haven’t tried in the upper thighs. I have done upper butt area and I can keep the site there much longer…however, when I wear jeans it hits it alot and there have been occasions where it falls out.
And…I agree…Marie is a veteran! I just turned my 10th year in January.
That is a good idea! Coordinate your wardrob with your site! Good thought! I haven’t done the arms either. I would agree with Mara’s comment in it would see like you would feel kind of tangled.
it’s fantastic on the fingertips! and it comes in the cutest green square tin. I never have the tugging thing, because I make a loop on the tubing, and then add a IV3000 adhesive. I use minimed quick release. this is how I was taught 19 years ago. I’m sure I don’t use all the latest stuff.
Hi Kim, just to let you know, my 44th anniversary will be on June 9th!
I work in a hospital microbiology lab, so I know a lot about bacteria, and what kills them! I use the preps they use before starting IV’s, in the lab we use them before drawing blood cultures to sterilize the site. They’re called ChoraPrep Sepp, they contain alcohol and Chlorhexidine Gluconate, which is what they recommend now to kill staph, in particular, MRSA (this is the bacteria that’s been in the news a lot lately. MRSA is a strain of Staph Aureus that is resistant to the common antibiotics, so isn’t easily killed.) I also leave it on for a few minutes before inserting the setting to make sure it’s had a chance to kill any bacteria that is there. This works very well for me - I can leave the set in for 3-4 days with no infection!
ok, this stuff is the same stuff in hibiclens/hibistat…do you actually leave the pad or wipe on the area for a few minutes or do you wipe and then let dry for a few minutes? and just wondering how many years have you been pumping? It’s really getting to me that I have to change so frequently. I’m only 5’2" 125 # there’s only so many places i can rotate, and I actually had been planning on pumping the rest of my life…i’ve used 17 sets already the month of april
I am having the same problem. I was previously using the Quick-sets (with no problems) with my Minimed 712, but I recently switched my pump to the Animas 2020 and am now using the Insets by Unimedical. Not everytime and mostly on my abdomen, I will have a red bump for a few days. My worst reaction, though, was when I tried a sample Cleo. When I removed it, there was an ugly bruise the entire circumference of the site and a bit outside of it. I loved the ease of insert of the Cleo and was ready to switch to them until this happened. I have been told that I have a Latex allergy but think really it is more of an adhesive sensitivity. It just doesn’t make sense that I could use the Quick-sets without problems and now am having sensitivity unless they use different adhesives with the different manufacturers. (By the way, I have just started using my upper arms and LOVE it!)