I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience: I like using my hips for my infusion sets. They’re out of the way and convenient. Normally I’m able to use a site for the full 3 days and if I have insulin left over I even go into the 4th without any problem. But for the last week I haven’t been able to keep a site for more than two days, sometimes only one. I noticed a spot of blood or red spot at the insertion site and then one of a several different problems would happen within one to two days: I would have continuing discomfort, more blood would appear through the window of the inset 30 I use, I could see the canula was bent or just my numbers were too high. When I removed the set I had a gusher once and bruising a couple times. I looked at my hips and they looked a little battered so I tried my alternate site of my thigh and bingo, no problems, no little blood spot and I kept it fine for four days.
Hips have less space than other areas, so have others found that after awhile you need to give them (or whatever your favorite spot is) a break? Does it happen like I described? What is that little red or blood spot and does it always mean the site is going to fail?
Hey Zoe, it’s REALLY important to rotate your areas. I know we all have our favorite sections to place our infusion sets, but we must give time for those areas to heal. I always used to wear my Dexcom sensor on the upper part of my stomach, because I always got better numbers, and it appeared more comfortable there. Well, after about 4-6 months, it started hurt really bad each time I inserted a sensor. Until I realized that even though I rotated all around my upper stomach, It was not enough healing time, then I waited an extra month or so before I put another one on, and it did not hurt at all.
Talk to you pump trainer to see if the straight through infusion set will work for you on your back. I’ve basically used the straight through infusion set thighs, front legs, upper butt, lower & upper stomach, back, and arms; and they all were comfortable for me. The secret is how you place the infusion set (the tube should always be faced downward to avoid snagging).
Also, i’ve had gotten a box that for what ever reason, just would not stick to my skin. It would be a good idea to have a box of SkinTac, or if your insurance will pay for it, get a box of IV3000.
I never had a gusher yet, but occasionally, I may get a lot of blood when I remove a infusion set. However, this usually happens when I put it in an area that has a lot of muscle. Also, if you put it in an area with a lot of muscle, it WILL at times hurt more. Especially if you do it on the sides of your legs, and you walk or do a lot of leg exercise.
Thanks for the response, Yogi. It does sound likely that my week’s experience was, as I suspected, due to needing to use new sites. I’ve tried both the straight and the angled set and do prefer the angled (in part because of the visibility!), but I have a smaller amount of straight ones too. I’m pretty picky about sites. I started using stomach because that’s what I used on shots and I know it has the best absorption but I ended up hating it - it always felt in the way if I just bent over or something and it was exactly where my cat loves to park herself! I had a lot more problems with sets in my stomach! I couldn’t imagine using my butt or back! I could see trying arms when the weather gets cooler and we’re wearing long sleeves. My lower legs don’t have enough fat to use, but my thighs definitely do, so I think I’ll just rotate between hips and thighs. In 8 months this is actually the first time I noticed a problem, and I was just curious if my theory that the problems were caused by a need to rotate from my hips! (Sounds like a dance move…rotate your hips…cha, cha, cha.
Wow, if I had a cat, I would be terrified to have it lay on the same place were my infusion set is!! Don’t get me wrong, I love cats, but even the most lovable cats still use their claws LOL…
I always try and keep my sites in a steady line, so there is no confusion as to were I inserted last. I know this may sound weird, but I always insert the new first, before I remove the last. The reason for this, is so that I can gauge the distance between wounds. this actually helps me to gain more real-estate. The trick is, not to use too much Uni-Solve, other wise you can remove the new by accident.
Hmm…I responded to this and it disappeared…one more time…
Lula is actually pretty good with her claws, it’s just all the moving around over the infusion site…she walks on from one direction and then needs to orient her feng shui to always face right…typical cat quirks. I also was just too conscious of my site when it was in my stomach.
I keep the old site before I put in the new one, but I do it in case it doesn’t work right so I don’t waste another set. I don’t worry about lining things up because I always alternate sides. (a little clearer with hips and thighs than with stomachs!). What is Uni-Solve? Some kind of sticking stuff? I don’t use any of that as I never have sticking problems even after a bath. One less thing to buy!
Zoe, I really like my almost-inner thighs, just above (if you’re sitting) where the seam of your jeans sits. I haven’t had one fail there yet and absorption is good for me.
I’ve only been back on an insulin pump for about a month, but I like using my hips too… I make myself alternate between left front, right front, left back, right back every time and try to place it in a ‘different’ spot so that each area can fully heal. I have one right now pretty much right on the front of my stomach a couple inches from my belly button (which I hate) but you gotta do it. I think I’m going to start trying my thighs, but I’m worried about it snagging on my pants… Any suggestions?
Uni-Solve is an adhesive remover. Sometimes my infusion sets stick so well, that they are hard to come off; so I would put a little bit on, and the infusion set slips right off. great for tuff band-aids too.
I’ve actually never pulled a set out, amby, and I feel even less pulling on my thighs than when I pull it over my hips. I pretty much forget about it in both places, which is why I like them!
i just started using the pump about 3 weeks ago. the second time i took out a thing (im so new i dont know the word!) infusion set? i had a gusher and i couldnt believe it. i havent had one again but i do always have a rather large dot of blood under my skin. i have only used my lower stomach and i think i will start using my hip. i cant imagine using my upper stomach or calves or back since i never gave myself shots there and i dont know how i would physically put it on my back without assistance. i still feel new at this. i still have not even gone to my educator except for the initial time when they started me with saline. i never was able to go back when the nurse was supposed to put me on the insulin because due to many hospitalizations i just couldnt get there so i started the insulin myself. i can never coordinate an appt and there is no availability until NOVEMBER. so i am sort of winging it until then. guessing my basal. i am doing well with the carb counting so that is a good thing. but overall i really only know the basics!
Two things might help, renka: One is your Ping Manual which has all the info you need about settings. The other is the book Pumping Insulin by John Walsh which I consider an indispensable reference for pumping. After getting an initial suggested basal from my trainer I have done all my own settings and tweakings.
I’m trying to get the guts up to try some alternate sites. I’m on my 4th pump, and have always used my stomach with no problem… but now I have a Dexcom… and need to branch out. I have never inserted above the waist. Can anyone give me some tips?
I never really liked my stomach, Carolyn, as it always felt in the way. Now my favorite is my hips, they feel nice and out of the way. When I have to rotate I use my thighs. I think it’s just getting used to new areas.
