I’ve been asking questions everywhere on sets. After 15 years on Silhouettes/comfort shorts, I just seem to be having issues left and right. I am very thin, and the general consensus is that only angled sets really work for thin people. I don’t know, that is what I have been told too. I was pondering steel, but read about some recall where the needle was breaking off in people’s skin. That makes me a bit apprehensive. Roche said theirs were not recalled, but ?
Tandem said theirs were (on a voluntary basis.) I’m open to suggestions…The Comforts keep going bad on me, and I have had two infected bumps, after only three days. Numerous apparent occlusions, but my basal is so tiny that the pump wont catch it. I need to be careful in choosing, as I only have a few samples of different products, and a whopping 50 percent DME…
I’ve used metal sets since 2011 (from Animas) and don’t remember any recall about the needle breaking off. I’ve had the needle get bent at times (which usually has not affected insulin delivery) but never break off. I have major problems with allergic reactions to the plastic sets (Comforts and Insets) and find that the metal ones work much better for me.
Thanks for the reply. This may be my only option, now to try to get some samples…I have about three, which may be enough but asked my Tandem trainer if she has any. Their web page is where the recall is mentioned (and Medtronic also for their comparable product.) They are the cheapest sets so…worth a look. Can I ask how many days you get out of them? three???
I’m a firm believer in changing sites after 36 hours max in order to avoid developing lipoatrophy/lipodystrophy.
I get 1-2 days, which is what the information that comes with the set recommends. But the nice thing about the sets is that if you’re in a spot that’s getting irritated or failing, it’s possible to move the set to a different spot without needing a new one (all you need is some extra tape).
Is there a disconnect on that patch part? I dont want to have to refill cartridges every three days. I cant tell exactly what this all looks like because the Roche samples dont have any extra patch…
I think all of them have a disconnect. I think I’ve used the Roche ones, and it has a little bit of tubing that remains attached at the site (but no extra patch, it just sort of hangs there).
I use contact detach steel sets and have not used any other types. I’ve not had any problems with them. They are comfortable, I don’t notice them unless I hit a bad spot (which has happened twice in 7 months, one was on my outer thigh and the other above my belly button). I can usually get at least 4 days, sometimes longer (I do not condone this behavior, do it at your own risk). Twice I was at work and ripped my site out, it’s wonderful to be able to push it back in and tape it down. I’m also very thin, with little body fat.
Before I got them I was hesitant about having the anchor, mostly from a vanity stand point, but it doesn’t bother me at all now, and it adds protection when something happens that makes my pump a swinging pendulum of death.
Yes, I just looked at my samples. I guess the trainer from roche (I gave that pump back) had everything in the box and I got confused by the pieces…
Thank you Miss Margie. Getting more brave about this now…
Trainer sending me samples. Yay!
I used comfort short as my preferred set for almost 2 years. Finaly tried the contact detach and am kicking myself for waiting so long. Much easier to insert, and rarely feel it going in. And can get good absorption for well past then"recommended" two days. Not saying you should go there.
Never feel them when they are there, even when I’m laying on it. Needle size is so much smaller, so size of the hole after/healing time is smaller/shorter.
Lots of people love the steel sets. I hated them. They hurt and wouldn’t stay on without additional tape.
But you should try them and I hope they work for you.
I currently use Comfort Shorts and still have good results with them.
Good luck and let us know if the steel sets work for you.
This sounds like exactly what I want. Tired of not getting the angle right on the Comforts (after 15 yrs of getting it pretty good…)
Thankfully I am getting samples!
I think the only reason I have to change them after 1-2 days is that I’m allergic to nickel, which I think the sets have a bit of, so mine get quite irritated and don’t work well if I try to push it. I also do feel them—they are slightly painful if pressed on—but again, may just be my body reacting. I definitely have fewer problems with them allergy-wise than I do with the plastic sets.
I have been using steel sets for the past 10 years, only with good results. i can let them in for 3 days, however i am not so prone to scar tissue development, so if you are, you might wanna change them more often. i had ONE kinked set in 10 years (but not broken off inside the body, just slightly kinked). i am also very lean but really, those sets have never posed a problem for me, they just worked, which is awesome.
i am on medtronic so i used their sure-t. so i dont have any experience with the animas or tandem ones.
I am also very thin and had lots of problems with the angled sets. The steel sets have been great for me. My levels have been more consistent also. I use the contac detach 6mm sets. Hardly notice them.
I am very thin and the endo suggested a steel set as my first. I was pleasantly surprised to find I could stretch, bend, climb, run, and most importantly sleep just as I always did before the pump. Most cycles I don’t even notice where it is. Medtronic Sure-T. I can get 3 days easily but typically load up for 2.
OK, I’m glad the trainer is sending me samples and I’m excited to try these!!