Comments on: well, drat — this is hard

By: kristan_180

kristan_180 — Wed, 28 Jul 2004 23:12:32 +0000

Laurie,

For what it is worth, I have used the bent needle for 8 years, and it feels
just like inserting a regular hypo, virtually no pain. And, I don’t ever
(hardly ever) feel the thing for the entire time it is installed.

Also, they are cheaper, easier to insert, and you can recover from a goof
without loosing the set.

By: antoinette_5

antoinette_5 — Wed, 28 Jul 2004 17:01:42 +0000

You can also try Emla Cream it will numb the area prior to insertion.

By: edgardo1000

edgardo1000 — Wed, 28 Jul 2004 08:08:51 +0000

Laurie,
if you absolutely hate the pain and don’t want to do the insertions, try the
rapids they don’t hurt and you can’t feel them once they are in and nothing
to remove after insertion
use it just like an injection
my daughter loves them and reuses to use the others as they hurt. and the big
needles coming out scares her.

Kathy
mom to
Maria 21 graduating college this year
Jonathan 15 adhd and bipolar
Veronica 14 my helping hand
Alisha 10 add dx 2-2-98 pumping since 1-6-00
and grandma to

Paige 2 1/2 my little sunshine

By: gerry_1400

gerry_1400 — Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:02:35 +0000

Laurie-

You can’t possibly have been good at everything the very first time you tried
it! I admit, I WANT to be, and tend to not want to do things that I have to
start out as a rookie at, but you have to give yourself a chance! I, too,
was surprised at how much the first insertion of the infusion set hurt–but
since when has a little pain been a big deal? I test 6-10 times a day and
the little prick of the finger used to seem like it hurt a long time ago–I
don’t even feel it anymore. Anything good is worth working for, and the
control and freedom you can get from a pump is way beyond good. Give it a
little time and suck it up–it didn’t hurt THAT much! Really–relax and cope
with being new to the game and you’ll be a pro in no time. I feel like
pumping is just as natural and simple as shots were and I’ve been at it for
about a year and a half now. My only regret is that I didn’t switch to
pumping sooner–give yourself a chance to feel that way too. Best of luck

and keep your chin up!!

Janet

By: carmen15

carmen15 — Mon, 26 Jul 2004 22:25:44 +0000

for anyone interested, Bayer makes a nice finger-pricker - The Microlet.
Gentle, and very little kick…comes with the Bayer Glucometer Elite, Elite
XL, and Dex meters. I have been giving sample meters to my patients in the
family practice where I teach and do diabetes education and management. Not
pushing one particular product, just like the idea of giving up less blood
each time. Doing 6-10 bgs per day when the glucose is up. Laurie, if you’re
interested, give it a try…I’m always into anything that’s less pain!!!
Joan :)))

By: carmen15

carmen15 — Mon, 26 Jul 2004 06:10:23 +0000

DEAR Laurie:
Please be patient!!! like any new skill to learn, things take time.
Yes, until you get the hang of using the infusion sets, finding the yes and
no spots that are good sites on your body, it’s all experimenting.
I would suggest trimming the nails a bit until you get the a handle on using
the infusion sets and handling the pump. Which one did you get?? the Minimed
or the Disetronic???
Each has its good and bad points…..give yourself a month….YES, a month.
Once I started , i only used saline for a day. Then just jumped into the
default menu on my Disetronic and started from there. It really isn’t any
worse than getting a dull needle out of the pack once in a while…..If you
give us more specificis in terms of your problems with the pump, we’ll all
load you up with advice, so dig in….patience will be greatly
rewarded…..Joan

By: rodney_800

rodney_800 — Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:28:55 +0000

Hi Chrissy,
I am 48 and have been on the pump for almost 19 yrs. and have had diabetes
for almost 44 yrs.
I love the pump and would not dream of going back on injections. Matter of
fact that is my worst nightmare.
Yes I have used the waterproof container, not alot but a few times. You
have to be careful putting it on, so as to keep the pump water proof. I
have had my new 508 for one week. Love it, especially the remote control
and the vibrating signals. I am legally blind and with the vibrations I can
pump in anytime. I have had four differnet pumps over my 19 yrs.
Gail

By: castro1900

castro1900 — Sun, 25 Jul 2004 13:53:14 +0000

Chrissy,
I’m new too and to the pump as well. Micro infusion sets are used with
Sofserter and are smatter I thin than the Ultimate, which I started on. They
are less uncomfortable for me. The Sofserter is the blue thing that came with
the pump. Well mine is blue and has white button that you press to insert.
Sofserter freaked me out at first since I hate those machines that prick
finger for bg testing. Anyway… I really like it and doesn’t hurt the most
of the time. I had thought I would probably want to use silouettes but
haven’t so far wanted to change.

21 years for me w/ diabetes and pumping w/ MiniMed since Feb. 2000.
Married and mom to active toddler 18 mo.

By: carmelo6

carmelo6 — Sat, 24 Jul 2004 21:43:38 +0000

<< The micros (miniMed) >>
Hi my name is Chrissy and Ive been on this list for awhile but havent
responded to anything. Im type I for 32yrs. Im on the MM508C. I
highlighted the micro thing you were talking about. What are they? I use a
siloutte and I like it but if there is a smaller needle that would be great.
I’ve been on the pump approx one year and I love it. Has anyone used the
waterproof thing yet when you swim? I like it but its kind of a pain to put
it on. BTW I’m 45yrs old, married 21yrs w/two adopted boys who are 10 and 5.

By: alexis_9

alexis_9 — Sat, 24 Jul 2004 04:27:15 +0000

It does get _so_ much better. It really does.

When I first started pumping I would have to budget an hour and a half to change
a site - never mind the time to psych my self up for the "event". I would go to
an empty room in the house, make sure the dog and neither cat were in there with
me and make sure my partner knew not to look for me until I came out.

Now my best time is seven minutes for a complete change. I’ve done site changes
on the couch in the living room with two other people in the room, a couple of
cats terrorizing eachother, my 110lb. dog at my feet and while watching the best
show on television (the Practice). I’ve even done site changes in hotel rooms
and the board room at my company.

Its still not my favorite time of the week, that’s for sure. But I’d still be
pumping even if it continued to require the 90 anxiety filled minutes it did

just a few short months ago. While its not brain surgury one is performing on
one’s self, changing a site simply is not a simple procedure. You _can_ do it.
Just give yourself a little time and credit.

-John