Quote:
Originally Posted by MacDogg  I remember that I was not told of problems with infusion sites when I first got my pump.
Specifically, there were times when I removed the infusion set and blood would leak out like a faucet. I was always afraid to stick my finger over it so I would run the the bathroom with my hand cupped under the hole and try to catch the blood before I jumped in the shower or used TP to dry it up. The infusion sites will occasionally bleed.
Also, I have had times when I disconnected to shower I see blood backing up into the tube, going the opposite way of insulin flow. You would need to change sites and be ready for some bleeding when you removed.
Sometimes you will get bruising, red bumps or scabs under the skin if you leave the infusion set in for too long. Make sure you find out how long is too long be looking for infection/red, irritated infusion sites.
If my infusion area starts to get really itchy, I know something is wrong and change the site as soon as possible.
And for the record, I have never used IV preps. I usually change my site after a shower so I am pretty clean at that point.
Hope that helps. |
So far, in over 3 1/2 years, I have had only one gusher. I was never told about them either but after a couple of years I saw discussions about them so I began removing my old sets in the shower. The one time I had a gusher (just this year) it didn't matter because I pulled off the old set (Silhouette) when I wa sin the shower. There was a lot of blood but it just got washed down the drain - no cleanup!
I have had blood in the cannula a few times but it never caused a problem. Only one time recently I inserted a Silhouette and as soon as I removed the needle the cannula filled with blood. I removed the set and inserted a new one.
So far I've never had an infection. I've had a few sites that were sore/red or a little bruised but it cleared up within a day or two. The red bumps are common and shouldn't cause worry unless they're
really raised, hard, very sore or discharging pus.
I use an IV Prep wipe on my skin before inserting a set and that's usually it. In the summer I sometimes have to tape over a set because it starts to peel up. Parts of my body are more sensitive than others so I do sometimes end up with a red mark in the shape of the set adhesive. Like the bumps, it goes away within a day or two and may or may not be itchy.
