Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DaveH on December 21, 2012 at 8:55am

Permalink Reply by DaveH on December 21, 2012 at 8:58am

Desi,
I've only had my Medtronic CGM for a few months. But, in truth, I've been surprised how painless it is, especially compared to how painful the infusion set sites can be.

Are you inserting it at the proper angles, i.e., somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees? And I guess the other question would be, are you taking the inserter needle out after putting the sensor in??

Dave

Permalink Reply by DeeJay on December 21, 2012 at 9:34am

I insert my sensors at a 45 degree angel. However your second question has me a little puzzled, don't you have to remove the inserter needle? Because yes I am removing it. I believe I'm doing everything right. Its just so painful for me! I wonder if maybe I'm using areas with muscle and not enough fatty tissue...

Permalink Reply by David C Weisberg on December 21, 2012 at 10:23am

Yes, you probably are placing it in muscle tissue. If you don't have a fatty site, try pinching up the skin when you insert the sensor. The needle should not go into muscle. If it does, it is likely to cause bleeding which renders the sensor ineffective. It can also cause discomfort.

Permalink Reply by DeeJay on December 21, 2012 at 9:42pm

I will try pinching up my skin next time. I haven't tried this and hopefully this solves my problem. Thank you David :-)

Permalink Reply by DeeJay on December 26, 2012 at 1:30pm

Hi David! I just wanted to let you know that today I changed my sensor and used your idea of pinching up the skin, I was shocked to learn that it actually worked! for the first time ever I didn't feel pain at all during insertion. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! LOL :-D also, I used to have bleeding every-time I inserted the sensor and I noticed I had none this time. Thank you again!

Permalink Reply by David C Weisberg on December 26, 2012 at 9:18pm

You are quite welcome. Always make sure that sensor and infusion set cannulas are placed under the skin and never in muscle.

Permalink Reply by DaveH on December 21, 2012 at 10:39am

Yes, Desi, you do take the needle out. I was just making sure that was the case. I think, but am not sure, you're better off going for a shallower vs. deeper site. It can't be too shallow, but if you think "shallower" when inserting maybe it will be a less painful experience.

Permalink Reply by DeeJay on December 21, 2012 at 9:45pm

Yeah Dave, I also thought of changing the angel a little more, perhaps 45 degrees isn't the best for me.

Permalink Reply by john on December 21, 2012 at 5:21pm

I also have this problem, especially in my abdomen. Often, the inserter gadget doesn't drive the darned thing in all the way, then I have to push it down, before sliding the inserter off and removing the needle. It hurts when I do this, but I've tried all the tips, and had Medtronic replace the inserter, twice.
The whole thing is a bit of a Rube Goldberg, but it is what it is. The new inserter and sensor has been out for several years, outside the US, but, as usual, the FDA is dragging its feet.

Permalink Reply by DeeJay on December 21, 2012 at 9:40pm

John! I'm so glad you mentioned this because I have the same problem where the needle does not go in all the way! there have been times where I tried to get the same sensor into my body at least 8 times but it wouldn't go all the way in. I feel that medtronic needs to fix this if several of us have the same problem. I absolutely hate pushing it in manually. I love medtronics insulin pump but the sensor is giving me hell.

Permalink Reply by Hope on December 22, 2012 at 9:17am

I also have trouble with pain and the CGM. Not every time, but often. I have no trouble at all with the infusion sites, they are pretty painless for me. I have tried the numbing cream, without finding it that useful. I think the amount of pain you have depends a lot of body type (at least this is what my endo says). I also have no idea how kids do it. I am looking forward to Enlite. Sadly, it has gotten to the point where I am not using them as much as I should. But once in, I find them helpful.

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