another question from newcomer
Can anybody tell me how long to leave the needle in a site? Back when I
was doing the pump 15 years ago the site was supposed to change every
two days…but I’m hearing things on here that make me wonder if that
could be longer now. How long does anybody go between switching sites?
Laurie, who’s printing out tons of messages to keep reviewing — thanks!
February 11th, 2004 at 6:36 pm
Hi Laurie:
Depends on a lot of things. …what kind of infusion set, where it’s located,
how you respond to the set. Some of us leave it in quite some time, others
can’t. some sites will last for days, others only hours. Aseptic technique
is important…clean hands, don’t let the cat or the dog visit while you’re
inserting or handling the pump to reload or putting in a set. Making sure
your skin is clean - using a prep - I prefer the smith & nephew site
prep…little sticky, but it helps the set to attach a bit better, and
luckily with experimentation, it doesn’t cause me an allergic reaction. The
rest of us will tell you our stories as we go along. As a nurse, I’ll tell
you to use your common sense. Just keep it clean. Your CDE may stress other
things because they have to, if they’re diabetic and on pump…they”ll drop
you tips on what works for them, just like we do…. when are you getting
your pump? Joan:)
February 12th, 2004 at 12:49 pm
Hello Laurie, not all the sets have needles today.. instead they have a soft
plastic Catherer that stays in and the intruder needle is pulled out after
insertion. The best rule of dumb is try not to keep it in longer then 3 days
but a lot depends on the person. Some people scar easier then other and have
to pull it out after 2 days other can keep them in a little longer.
February 12th, 2004 at 2:26 pm
Laurie,
Many do leave it much longer and they will have to tell you about it. I,
now change everyother day. When I started longer, but I take quite a bit of
insulin daily and I just find for better absorbsion and better BGs I need
to change more often. Remember I have been pumping for over 18 yrs. So I
think it is a personal thing on how long. You will have to experiment.
Gail
February 13th, 2004 at 12:21 am
Gail, how many units of insulin are you taking per day?
fp
<<SNIP>>
When I started longer, but I take quite a bit of
> insulin daily and I just find for better absorbsion and better BGs I need
> to change more often.
February 14th, 2004 at 7:04 am
fp,
I was up to around 70 per day, but this winter have been able to get it
around 50-60 units per day.
Gail
February 15th, 2004 at 5:05 am
alisha takes that much humalog a day too usually between 40-59 units per day
and she is only 10 yrs old.
kathy
February 20th, 2004 at 11:10 am
GAIL,
I’m currently at approx. 80 - 85 units per day since late Dec.when my body
changed. Lately in just the last 3 - 4 days I seem to be changing again and
going down again. Must be a moon phase or something .. Can’t figure.
fp
February 24th, 2004 at 11:36 pm
fp:
how did the body change? take a look in any changes in your activity..might
be an idea to do serial bgs for a while to see if there is a new
pattern….Joan:)
February 26th, 2004 at 5:20 am
Nope, no new changes lately, same old boring stuff…..
fp
February 26th, 2004 at 1:28 pm
Serial bg’s??
February 28th, 2004 at 12:45 am
serial b.g.s - meaning fasting, before each meal and snack and 1-2 hours
after each so that you see if you basal levels need some fine tuning….Joan:)
February 28th, 2004 at 6:06 am
OIC, thanks, Joan
fp
> serial b.g.s - meaning fasting, before each meal and snack and 1-2 hours
> after each so that you see if you basal levels need some fine
tuning….Joan:)
>
February 28th, 2004 at 5:00 pm
Hi Frank:
Not all pumpers are on carbohydrate counting…..you have children, teens,
those others that require distributed calories throughout the day….you know
yourself that there are some foods that take a long time to metabolize, and
those other goodies that shoot that bg off the charts pretty fast. So doing a
set of serial bgs helps the diabetic to learn about the things that have to
be addressed a bit more aggressively than others….right? Joan:)