Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gerry on October 4, 2011 at 5:21am

How are you inserting - tool or manually? Have you tried the Quick-sets or Mio's? I use the Quick Set (6 mm) with the inserter tool and am pleased. I rarely bleed or get "no delivery" alarms.

As far as sites, I use my stomach, sides (love handles), thighs, lower back, and upper buttocks.

Permalink Reply by Scott E on October 4, 2011 at 6:52am

I've discussed this a few times on Tu and can relate. I pretty much only use my stomach/abdomen area. Occasionally my hip/upper-butt area (particularly if I need to hide the site under a bathing suit), but those areas get irritated after sitting up in bed or in an "ergonomically contoured" seat like that in a car. Adding a CGM a couple of months ago has made it even harder.

The key may not be to find new sites, but to be more methodical in site rotation. Try drawing a "W" (not literally!) on you abdomen, centered on your belly button. The points of the "W" (except for the center) are the infusion sites -- you have two sites on the left, then two sites on the right (use both sites one side before crossing over). After four infusion sites are used, draw an "M" and follow that in hte same way. Now you've got a total of eight sites, and you've given one side of your abdomen a full two infusion-periods (6 days) to heal before returning to that side, and a full 6 infusion periods (18 days) before reusing the site. This assumes three days per infusion site.

The CGM is tricker, and I still haven't mastered it yet. But you'd be surprised in how being methodical can help.

Permalink Reply by Trudy on October 4, 2011 at 6:57am

Hi. It's hard to give up good sites that work. If you want to use your thighs, try taping everything down with cloth tape. It works well, holds the site securely, and is removed easily. If you want to be even more safe from tearing it out, use the cloth tape, then put one of the larger bandaids over it all.

I used to recommend Tegaderm -- it does work well -- but a month ago I developed an allergy to it, and that was one miserable rash, a combination of a burn and poison ivy. Coth tape is absolutely safe.

If you're considering a new infusion set, ask for a sample of Sure-T's. It's a metal needle (doesn't hurt even a little bit), which can actually be moved. Therefore, if it were pulled out, you can replace it nearby (cover with cloth tape in the new spot).

Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on October 4, 2011 at 8:08am

I used my lower abdomen for 8 straight years before a new CDE recommended alternate sites. What we discovered is that I have so much scar tissue in my abdomen that my numbers will run higher when I go back to the abdomen, so I've left it alone for 3 years now.

Permalink Reply by Scott A. Barnhill on October 4, 2011 at 9:15am

I use the inside of my thighs and don't have the tear out problem. I also use the small of my back just at the butt line.

Permalink Reply by something_exotic on October 4, 2011 at 9:24pm

Clarifications, I've tried both pinching up fat and not pinching up fat before inserting without any significant difference in sensitivity or bleeding.

@Gerry I use the tool aka the Sil-serter because I'm a little bit of a pansy putting things in by hand without going super slow to the point that it would hurt more.

@Scott A Arnhill I used the inside of my thighs once or twice a few years ago but don't remember why I stopped. I think it had something to do with the way pants are designed for chicks i.e. really tight on the inseams. That may be another good alternative. Do tops of thighs work decently?

@Scott E As far as planned rotations, what do you do about bad sites that have to be moved early? I always prescribed to the using opposite sides of my stomachs and then 2/3 fingers from the scars in a grid fashion.

@Trudy I haven't tried any other kind of sets in about... 6 or 7 years, I think. I suppose it's an option I haven't really explored. Tape is pretty good for me but a little hard with the silhoutte sets because I like being able to take most of the cord off and there isn't lots of extra gauze to tape out on the bottom (which is where it usually comes off from).

Permalink Reply by gabby on October 10, 2011 at 8:22pm

I will have my minimed 523 revel tomorrow. I wanted to try all the sites because I wanted to be sure I got the least painful one. So I have been using a 512 with saline plus wearing an omnipod )which is a piece of crap the FDA should never have approved) (my actual pump) quick set, sihouette, mio- every set Medtronic has. For me the silhouette was the scariest and most painful although it was nice to be able to check the canula! The sure-t I liked because it has an extra sticky pad so it is very difficult to get ripped out it was a steel needle (29 gauge) which is only manual insertion. but it takes up a lot of space. It was NOT that painful to stick in! But it has to be changed every 2 days unlike the other sets which are every 3! the quikset was nice because it is a straight set which is very nice. But there is no way to see the canula. The insertion with the inserter was not that painful! BUT THE BEST BY FAR (for me and many!) is the MIO. The mio is a self contain set with a built in inserter and all. It is the newest set Metronic has released and is literally not painful at all. I was a little hesitant at first but it really did not hurt at all! Also there is a canula viewing window so you can check the site! Plus it comes in colours! I highly recommend you call up Medtronic (1-800-646-4633) and ask for a sample for sure-t and mio because they seem to work for most people! Depending on if you have an allergy to tape or not the sure-t would be better. the adhesive on the mio is the same as the silhouette though!

anyway hope this helps!
Gabriella

Permalink Reply by Kristen Marie on October 11, 2011 at 9:19am

Have you ever tried the QuickSet instead of the Silhouette? I find it so much easier. I never bleed with it. I am having issues with sites also. I was just using my stomach and scared to move it anywhere else. The tube that is supposed to go in my skin would bend because of scar tissue. I am also super lean, so i get that there are not as many places to put them where you would feel comfortable. Let me know if you ever want to talk

Kristen Marie