Hmmm, I don't really find infusion sites to be painful like ever. I've never had one go south like that one but I always keep an eye on them, just in case.
I don't think my chest, while a bit fattier than Kris Freeman's, is all that much more sensitive than my abdomen. I've been shopping for other areas as I'd used my abdomen since 2008 w/ no problems but I've started using my back for a couple of weeks before big races, to give my abdomen a break to make sure it's "clean" for showtime, and also tried my legs a couple of times, which was pretty successful. I'm doing yoga a couple of times/ week at lunch and having sites that are not by my waistband would be useful too so maybe I'll try my test. It appears that tomorrow will be site change time so I'll let you guys know how it goes!
Like you, I've never had a site go south (knock on wood). I am basically healthy - except for D of course. Breasts are made up of a lot of fat tissue so can be a good place (for me at least). I use the metal infusions, they are very very short. I couldn't try the angled set just because the guide needle is so long.
OK, I'll let you know how this goes. It's been a weird day and we're going to dinner, likely heavy, and a play so I figured I'd better put a new set in to see how it works!
I actually started out in my breast...Talked to training nurse, then endo..Neither saw a problem...And I didn't have one, until...The Cannulas started to cause more scar tissue there more quickly...by day three it was over...so since I am a seven day gal for several reasons if my allergic body can handle it...I left the pups alone...Damn ...great hiding place for the thing
Actually, insulin at injection and infusion sites is super-hyper-concentrated. Remember, exceedingly tiny amounts of liquid are deposited in the tissue at the site, which is then diluted in the entire blood volume over a period of time.
The human body contains 4.5-5 liters of blood. Standard insulin is diluted to 100U/ml. This means that each unit of insulin you inject/infuse gets diluted by a factor of 4500-5000x -- that is, the stuff just after it goes under your skin is 5000x more concentrated sitting in that tissue than any insulin that would ever arrive there naturally from the pancreas.
So the quantities are quite large -- as a matter of concentration/potentcy, which is what matters (absolute volume doesn't mean anything in a situation like this).
For the time being, I still am ighly insulion sensitiver, small body mass and very little insulin taken as a meal bolus as well. My TDD is about 20-25 units basal and bolus so I will keep that in mind should my insulin needs increase.
Yeah, as I mentioned way back there's a ton more blood flow in breast and limb tissues, including surface tissues (fat and skin). The belly, on the other hand, is not that well perfused.
This is because of the functional nature of these parts: Breasts, because they are infused with milk glands, which need a lot of blood flow. Limbs because large muscle creates a lot of heat when working, so there's a lot blood flow near the surface to aid in sweating and cooling.
So, the theory is tissues with better circulation will get the insulin into the blood faster, working faster, and clear it faster from the site.
I didn't have as much success, unfortunately, with my thigh siting for the G4, that's worked so well for you, Clare. Two sensors there over about 3 weeks, terrible results the entire time. Not enough sub-q fat in my situation, I think. And, in both places I was getting occasionally poked in my thigh muscle with the end of the wire -- quite painful!
That picture of Kris is interesting, and has me thinking I might give it a whirl with my next pod. I'm due for a change tonight, and since I'm a two-dayer, not as big a deal if it doesn't work out.
I'm generally pretty reticent to try new sites at least as far as the pod goes. But I am really happy I tried this as it is a great place to stash a pod for a few days. I like to go a full 80 hours if I had to change it every 2 days, I would probably go back to pens.
I'm sorry the thigh doesn't work for the dexcom. I currently have the dex on my arm and in fact the last 40 days 26 and 14 the sensor has been on my right or left arm. I had to restart it today so we'll see how long this one lasts.
So has anyone tried the girls for their Dex G4? Should be enough of a fat pad for good numbers, and depending on placement and sleep habits would not be laying on it overnight.
I may try the inner thigh in the warmer weather when I wear summer dresses. My pants are too fitted to not rub either a CGM sensor or the pump infusion set off. I have had luck with the back of my upper arm for the sensors though. I'd have to use real long tubing for my pump to use my arm, and it's hard enough to use up so much insulin in the tube. Especially when it is change day. The insulin still in the tube from the empty cartridge is wasted.
I'm starting a new sensor tonight. Maybe I'll go for the girl-spot. The process hurts a little, but is so quick I think I can "suck it up and deal with it"
WOW! You got 26 days out of a sensor? I have had luck for two weeks max. I do the "fake-out" stop and start the sensor, and use Skin Tac to keep it in place. Anything I can do to get more time out of the sensor since I pay out of pocket for my Dexcom.
I do know pup used her inner thigh and also her breast for dexcom sites and she swore by them. The only thing I have ever done with the sensor is from day 1 use opsite flexifix. I have a template and use a 4 inch wide sheet with a hole cut out for the transmitter. Eventually it looks a bit ragged but it stays put.
Not so much a reply, as a follow up. Well my Dex sensor is happily resting on the outside (say at 10:00) my right girl. Insertion was easy peasy, and so far no problems. I flip and flop all night (I sleep with three pugs, and am constantly fighting for space on the bed) and no discomfort. I placed skin tac on the sensor before inserting and it has a nice "stick".
I use pods and my best site is on the boob or just under it, well hidden and comfortable and get my best readings there, although I would not want to try it with my CGM that stings more going in so don't want to try it there but the pods, best place for me is there.
