I started on the Ping a little over a month ago and seemed to be having a lot of trouble with infusion sets. I use the 9mm straight set and tried the angled set, but I only had two samples and they didn’t seem any better (more exploring down the road).
I automatically started out using only my stomach, and rotating sites, because I know stomach has the best absorption. I used it also for MDIs, but only was on shots two years so really wasn’t worrying about scarring. But the set in my stomach annoyed me from the start. I always felt aware of the site, like it was in the way of my clothing and insecure when I bent over and wondered how people who do serious exercise managed not to dislodge. My cat thinks her cat bed is my stomach and walked over the set with typical feline unconcern.
So I decided this week to try my thigh. I’m not overweight but have always had heavy thighs, so I knew there was ample fat for the set. What a difference! I don’t know how much of this is psychological but I felt the site was so much less bothersome I would forget it was even there! The stomach site always made me feel like I was in the ICU (you know what I mean). I’m down to my last 30 units with no problems or need to change the set. My numbers have been very stable.
Anyone else find dramatically better results with one site over another, in terms of comfort, blood sugar and most important lack of problems with the site?
Love my thighs for sites I find the absorbtion is BETTER than with my stomach, but that’s after 10 years of D and my belly looks like a roadmap with all the stretchmarks from my pregnancies… I know that scarring definitely effects things.
I’ve been using my thighs/legs almost exclusively for the past 6 months or so, with no problems. I like using my upper arms too, but since that’s usually where I put my dexcom sensors, I don’t often get to use them for infusion sites.
since i started my pump i refused to but it in anything but my belly, but the PDSN’s have asked me to try new sites. i’ve tried my legs/thighs before and the sets simply do not stick there. when i’m in the shower, the water gets under the set so easily! so now, i’ve put it where a few friends put it, at the top of my bum, bottom of my back. i can’t really explain it. where this boy puts his http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSJz7vFSZ0Y, but slightly down and round a bit <3
I had the exact same experience as you. I dislike the abdomen sites because of comfort and finding it much more noticeable. I have a lot more meat on my thighs as well. So I rotate between thighs and love handles and occasionally force myself to add an abdomen site when I feel like I am overusing my favorite sites. When I started pumping, I used ONLY my upper butt for years. That was the most comfortable, but I developed scar tissue because of overuse and now I get bad absorption there. So ROTATE ROTATE ROTATE. The nice part about the thighs is that there is plenty of room to move around. I have three “sections” on each thigh that I rotate between.
You may want to try 6 mm cannula, as I find that I have more options of where to put them (can put them lower on the thigh without it hitting muscle).
i need to do a change today and was JUST thinking it might be time to try my thigh! im glad its really doable. i was worried it would be painful. but, i really want to be able to tuck my undershirt in…lol its really cold in maine and im sensitive to the cold and prefer to have an airtight under-layer. with the sire on my torso this has been difficult.
Good suggestion, Kristin on the cannula; I’ll do that when I run out of the original supplies that came with my pump.
Do those of you that use thighs use 43 inch tubing? It seems with more tubing there is less risk of it getting pulled on when your pump is on your waist.
The one mistake I did when I put it in is put it with the tubing going downwards instead of up (I’m so not good at spacial relations!) so it was pulling on it at times.
No, boedica, it didn’t seem painful at all, less so than my stomach actually.
If you want to use your belly in the future you may want to explore the 6mm sites. I for the 9mm in my original shipment and found they were too long for my belly and thigh sites. Went to 6 mm and never had an issue again. Also for the the 6 mm sites were perfect for my ARM sites as well.
I still use my stomach most of the time and the love handles. I have Mios, Quicksets, Sils and now I have ordered a box of Sure T’s so I could start using other parts of my body for sites. I plan to use the Sure T’s on my legs and the Mios on my behind. I will stop using the abdomen for a while so it can heal. I have only been pumping a year and was on MDI for about one year. Before that meds and Byetta shots.
Thanks, Jennifer. I’m starting to think I shouldn’t wait to order some 6mm cannulas. I’ve had a lot of trouble with sets and so am exploring different variables like type of set, site and it sounds like size of cannula is one I need to check out too. So far I’m a big fan of the leg site because it is the first time I was able to use the set the full three days until the insulin was low. The only down side for me was the tape did come up a bit. I’ve heard people talk about sticking problems and needing to use other things to stick it down. I was pleased I never had that problem (with my stomach) and didn’t need to buy yet another product! My legs are pretty dry, I think I will work on moisterizing them better!
Yes, I prefer 43 inch tubing in general (for the reason you mentioned. I also have the tubing closer to my body than my underwear (run it through the leg of the underwear). The idea is that when you pull your pants down, there should be no pulling on the tubing. I ripped a couple of sites out when I first switched to the thighs and hadn’t figured that out yet!
Thanks, Kristen. For both answers! When I ordered my original supplies I asked for both 43 inches and 23 inches, though the rep talked me out of the angled set. My pump trainer said the only person she’d known who needed 43 inches was a very tall man. But from the start I liked the 43 inches better because I can just lay the pump down on the bed while I get dressed while with the 23 it tugged or ended up dangling! They must be geared for guys though because they only come in grey!
I find that I can only use the 9mm cannulas successfully on my rear end where I have the most fat.
For sticking issues, IV3000 work great (and insurance may pay for them if you order them with your pump supplies). I find them too expensive. So I just bought medical tape for sensitive skin and use it for reinforcement when needed (I don’t use it all the time).
My trainer discouraged me from the 43 inch tube because I would get it caught on everything. I actually find that the longer tube prevents this because i used to let the 23 inch tube just hang. With the 43 inch tube, I’m much more disciplined about tucking it in. More is better
Glad you like your Ping! I had a Ping for over a year and then switched to MM and love their pumps sooooo much better! You might want to try your arm… I can’t use my thighs… too many years using them for injections. I use my abdomen, but I use the 6mm insets (when I was on the Ping). They work better as they don’t tend to push against muscle. As far as the arms, I use the “old lady” fat and then just thread the tubing through my sleeve and under my bra… I’m super short and I can do this with the 23" tubing but this might not be something you can do. One other thing you can do is call Animas and have them send you samples of the 6mm to see if you like them.
I love using my abdomen and pretty much don’t use anything else, but I rotate super super well! It takes time and who knows, the abdomen just might not be for you!
Nice to hear others have similar experiences I tried for 2 months with stomach. tried everything - new sets, different lengths of cannula etc. I now use stomach, thighs, bum and arms - i find any site which i use more than twice gets uncomfy and sore but by rotating I can use all of them with a minimum of discomfort. Glad its not just me who had issues with the pants pulling the set out issue!!!
I find the absorbtion is BETTER than with my stomach, but that’s after 10 years of D and my belly looks like a roadmap with all the stretchmarks from my pregnancies… I know that scarring definitely effects things.
<3