Advice please
Hi, I am Sue from Sydney. Have been on insulin for 50 years next
February and went onto a Minimed 507 last February. Had the usual
hassles with carbos. etc. but everything seems fine now. I had a
rather bad fall in June 1997 and lost 35% use of my right arm, so
couldn’t give injections in my backside so that is one of the reasons
I decided to go on pump. Everything has been fine till 5 weeks ago
when found I couldn’t move my right arm hardly at all - have just
been into hospital and had operation (it is harder to move than
before but I was told it would take time to get movment back) but as
I am right handed it is rather difficult changing infusion sets so
for the last 2 months have only been changing every 7 days. Have
found no problems, no swelling, redness, bleeding etc when I remove
infusion sets and was just wondering if it is OK to leave infusion
sets in for 7 days (Ican’t get in touch with my Endo as he is on
holidays till end of October and the hospitals here know nothing
about pumps). Thanks to anyone who takes the time to let me know if
I am doing the right thing - I think it is OK cause have no problems
but would appreciate advice.
Thanks again
Sue for Sydney
April 24th, 2005 at 9:33 am
Hi Sue: I know some of us leave the infusion set in for up to 8 or 9 days.
As long as you
April 24th, 2005 at 5:41 pm
Hi Sue: I know some of us leave the infusion set in for up to 8 or 9 days.
As long as you…sorry, hit the touchpad….
as long as you try to maintain aseptic technique….clean hands, don’t pet
the dog or cat while you are in the process of changing your site, etc. As
long as you do not develop redness or pain, or see your numbers start going
up, I don’t see any reason why you can’t leave the set in….however, you
have to remember that there is a greater risk of infection and tissue damage,
and you may lose use of that particular area for quite some time. Gail and
Jan can tell you some too.
I would suggest that you get the orthopedist to refer you to a good Sports
physical therapist. Good, meaning who would he go to if he had an
injury…tells you a lot.
You should have on-going physical therapy, and some help putting the left
hand as well as the right to more efficient use, which can be done, given
time. It will speed up healing and get you on your feet sooner. So, an
occupational therapist might be helpful in that respect —-for your hand.
Hope this helps….Joan
April 25th, 2005 at 8:00 am
Sue, It’s not recommended but I have had sets in as long as 12 days, but ya
gotta watch ‘em carefully, very carefully.
If they appear to be goin "sour" I yank ‘em out and put a dab of polysporin
right on the hole, that seems to stabilize things. I use comfort sets with
a "D" pump.
fp
April 26th, 2005 at 7:14 am
Hi Sue,
This is Gail from Illinois. I have been a DM for 44 yrs and pumping for
19yrs. Agree with everything Joan wrote. I personally have to change mine
every other night, but that is just me. I do not find absorbtion good after
48 hrs in one spot. If the BGs stay good that is a sign everything is
working ok. Do you have a soft serter or what type of infusion set do you use?
Gail
April 28th, 2005 at 4:52 pm
Thanks to everyone for the advice - it is much appreciated, Gail I
use the Sofsets as they are the only type available in Australia at
present - but my BSL’s have been good around 5-7 (that is 90-126) as
as long as I am below 7.5 I am happy. I have only ever been able to
put infusion sets into my tummy below the waist cause above the waist
the skin is so hard cause of years of injections - does anyone use
the top of the leg at the front (I have not much flesh there from
injections with the old glass needles when I was young the same with
the top of my arms) any suggestions (can’t use my backside cause cant
reach it because of the problem with my right arm.
Thanks and regards
Sue from Sydney
April 29th, 2005 at 3:01 am
Hi! New to the group, just wanted to tell Suzanne that I use the front of my
legs as sites-for some reason though, I can’t keep it in long without a lot
of pain and infection. I can leave it in for a day, sometimes two before it
really starts to hurt. I have problems finding sites too, as I have been on
the pump for awhile and don’t have many sites left in my stomach. Good luck
finding a place-I have heard of people using their arms, like where you give
injections, but I have never tried that.
April 29th, 2005 at 8:09 am
<< I have problems finding sites too, as I have been on
the pump for awhile and don’t have many sites left in my stomach >>
You mean after awhile you cant use your stomache anymore? Does anyone else
experience this? I’ve been on the pump around a year, I need to check for
the exact date cause I forget but so far my stomache does well. The only
thing I hate is I’ve got two lumps on either side. This happened to me
w/injections too. I hated it cause people would tell me I had big muscles
and I was very self concious about it. I swore I’d never use my stomache and
have it happen there. When I injected I used legs, arms, hips and eventually
stomache. I always had the same stupid lumps. But what can you do? I’ve
been diabetic 33yrs so after awhile you run out of places to stick. I just
try and wear clothes that dont accentuate the lumps. Anyone else care to
comment on this delemma? Chrissy
May 1st, 2005 at 2:31 am
You mean after awhile you cant use your stomache anymore?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Frank
May 2nd, 2005 at 4:29 am
There is an *obvious* problem for women who try that and men don’t consider:
boobs in the way. You have to be a contortionist to see around there or real
good at using a mirror. (~_^)
~author unknown~