Sites
Hi all
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?
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?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
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.
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Permalink Reply by Holly on -
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
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Permalink Reply by Ernie on -
I started a week ago and I have found the side of my stomach is good thus far.
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on -
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).
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Permalink Reply by Zoe on -
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.
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on
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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!
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Permalink Reply by boedica on -
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.
so, i'll try it and get back to you!
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on -
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.
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Permalink Reply by Zoe on
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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!
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on
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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).
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