Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ipecac on May 25, 2011 at 5:34pm

I've been pumping for about 6 weeks. I was in injectable Novolog, Lantus for a few years. I don't have the CGM, yet. Inserting the infusion set isn't that bad and you only do it once very 3 days. I HATED injecting 4 or more times a day. Pumping ROCKS.

Permalink Reply by Darren on May 25, 2011 at 5:36pm

Congrats on getting started on a pump!

I know what it's like to be a needle wimp - 30+ years of MDI and I still couldn't watch someone else get a shot. I don't use a CGM so I can't help you on that, but my first couple months with my pump have been pretty fantastic. I've had 2-3 sights that I would describe as "sore" while the infusion set was in place and even for a couple days after that. As with injections, I'm finding that certain sites are less tender than others.

FYI, I'm using the Quick-set with 9mm Cannula and Quick-serter.

Permalink Reply by Laura on May 25, 2011 at 5:38pm

Hi! I am curious to see the responses - I am in the same boat; I received both the pump and the CGMS - they had me start on the pump 2 weeks ago and I have to tell you it is PAINLESS for me, and I absolutely love it. My sugars have improved already so that was a great decision for me. As to the CGMS, although I have it physically, they wanted me to get used to the pump first so I have not yet been trained on it and I have been anxiously reading all these blogs from those far more experienced than me, and I am getting a little freaked out about the blood and pain referenced in the CGMS insertion process reported by many. I keep hearing Dexcom is better and hurts less but I want a linked system which is why I went with Metronics. Any input would be great... and THANKS!

Permalink Reply by Smithy on May 25, 2011 at 5:41pm

Hi Mag,

I could give you the 'soft' answer and tell you that it will never be painful but the truth is that it's the same as inserting any type of needle into your body - Some hurt and some just don't. Over time you will understand where one your body and where you will get less pain and you'll be drawn to that general area without over using it - exactly the same as most insertion sites right? The other pieces of advice I would give you to follow are these ...

1. When you calibrate your sensor for the first time (you do this each time you insert a new one after it has been in for about 2 hours) make sure that your sugars are stable. By that I mean not when you insulin is most active or when you are exercising. This is the most critical thing for the sensor being accurate over the life of it's use. Belive me ... this one is extremely important.

2. Some sites are more accurate than others. Take note of where they are, don't over use them but make good use of them.

3. In terms of where to insert - Keep away from your belt/waist line. If you insert when wearing PJs or shorts it's easy to get close to where a belt will sit when you sit down so be thoughtful about where it goes. I find my belly best but where you have a little more fat apposed to muscle I believe is best. I'm quite fit and am not overwieght but I just search and feel for where I am 'less lean'.

4. The needle looks big and it is but it only happens once every 7 days or so, so just take a deep breath and go for it. My experience is that it really doesn't hurt as the needles are quite good quality and therefore provide very little resistance.

5. Be patient as it take a little while to get used to the whole thing. I've been using CGM now for 7 months and it really is great but I went through a lot of frustration but remember this .. it is worth it in the end! My control has improved greatly but even better I understand exactly what my levels do at certain points of the day and in relation to certain events. It's the understanding factor that is best in the end and that comes with experience and history.

Hope this helps champ. Enjoy.

Matt.

Permalink Reply by David Wheeler on May 25, 2011 at 6:17pm

In MOST instances the discomfort is minimal. That's been my experience over the past 9 months using the inserter.

The REAL: difficulty for me is removing the transmitter and taped insert. I don't know whether it is the difficulty of pulling them off or something I don't have down correctly, but I dread doing it. It reminds me of being a kid he apprehension of removing a band-aid. Is the pain as bad as I imagined or less than I feared. Either way, I was pretty anxious - even after it DIDN'T hurt.

Doesn't really help much. Sorry.

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 25, 2011 at 6:50pm

Hi,
I have been using the CGM for a year now. You know, there is no way around the "pain" but its really not so bad. I have found the angle you insert and the thickness of the area (ie. extra fat) tend to help avoid the pain. The tradeoff is constant knowledge of where you stand, which for me is worth the 1x a week pain...its manageable ! I use the area around the front of my abdomen right above the belt line. Experiment each time and switch sides so you can heal. Its a great solution. I have heard through a Medtronic rep that they are coming out with a less invasive CGM, which also has a smaller needle, so we will all benefit from less pain soon hopefully !
Chris

Permalink Reply by Korrie on May 25, 2011 at 7:46pm

I still pump with my MM 722, have tried a whole bunch of their infusion sets and keep going back to the quickset (although this last box has been troublesome again). (MM usually will send you a sample of whichever infusion set you want to try, just not a inserter if that is a seperate piece). And most of the infusion sets are no worse than any injection. The CGMS, it usually is a bit of a bigger stick. I would take a piece of ice and just ice the area before insertion, then clean, allow to dry and go for it. I found that tended to help with both the pain and the bleeding. Just note, depending on how "cold" you get the area, it is best to wait a bit before beginning the sensor to allow your body temp to return to normal at that site.

Permalink Reply by Magnifmeggers on May 26, 2011 at 1:08pm

Thanks for the replies everyone! I know a lot of people on here have said they've forgotten how to be good diabetics without the pump so I hope that's the case for me too. :)

Permalink Reply by Courtney on May 26, 2011 at 2:08pm

I don't use the CGM, but I've noticed that if the pump ever does really hurt for more than a couple seconds, then it's probably kinked. I've tried other infusion sets too and keep going back to the quick sets. However, whenever I try inserting them without the quickserter, they don't work! They kink! So make sure you get the blue quickserter if you're using those infusion sets! Just my suggestion. :)

Permalink Reply by Gary Harrison on May 27, 2011 at 3:15pm

I use the 723 and CGM
I use the serter for my Sensors and experience very little pain when inserting.
However I usually insert my CGM almost a straight in
My Quik sets and Sure T's all by hand.

Gary