Re-use of infusion sets

[Oz Dude]

I have read that infusion sets should not be re-used, but am not convinced.

Has anyone re-used an infusion set?

I have a MM508. Darn supplies are expensive.

Sure appreciate feedback. Thanks.

[JediSkipdogg]

Depends on what infusion sets you are talking about. If you are using metal needle sets then you can reuse them without a problem. If you use the ones with a plastic canula there is no way you can reuse it as the body will bend the canula some and then reinserting it is impossible.

[Oz Dude]

No re-use even if the cannula is straightened by the insert needle? I use the plastic cannulas. Thanks for the reply. Good to hear from pump users.

[camjen1]

Reinserting the needle may cause the cannula to be punctured. Now if your talking about leaving it in longer then the recommended 3 days then I have seen people who do it but there are consequences for doing so.

[JediSkipdogg]

It's nightly not recommended and I doubt anyone on here has done it. The problem is during the first use the canula is packed tightly around the needle leaving no space. Once you insert it in the body you bend and expand the canula with your body heat and movement. Therefore when you insert the needle again, the canula and needle aren't as tight together. This could then make insertion more painful and may even make the canula more prone to bending and kinking. I hope that makes sense.

[Oz Dude]

Thanks. I will inspect new and old and play around a bit. If looks OK, I will try. If you are right and the fit isn't as tight, I will leave alone. Yeah, makes sense.

Wish me luck and no pain. Here goes....

[NoelD]

Dude, you're asking for trouble......

[flash]

I reused reservoirs but not infusion sets. There is no need to reuse an infusion set just leave it in longer than 3 days and reuse the reservoir. It makes no sense to take the infusion set out and then reinsert it ??????????????

Flash

[JediSkipdogg]

I reused reservoirs but not infusion sets. There is no need to reuse an infusion set just leave it in longer than 3 days and reuse the reservoir. It makes no sense to take the infusion set out and then reinsert it ??????????????

Flash

Actually it does, because longer than 3 days will make scar tissue start to form in that location which then over time can bite one in the butt and make them have no usable spots at all.

[flash]

I'll stick with what I said, it makes no sense to reuse an infusion set more than once. No medical sense or common sense ........

Flash

[Funnygrl]

I'll stick with what I said, it makes no sense to reuse an infusion set more than once. No medical sense or common sense ........

Flash
I agree with that, but it also makes no sense to leave it in more than 3 days, for the reasons Jedi said, plus you risk clogs and kinked cannulas.

[Cyborg]

I've reused reservoirs, but not infusion sets. I won't leave a set in more than 3 days. I'd like to remain a pumper for as long as possible...

[KAnderson]

I've reused reservoirs, but not infusion sets. I won't leave a set in more than 3 days. I'd like to remain a pumper for as long as possible...

I'm with Cyborg and FG - reusing anything but the reservoir is asking for trouble.

Ken

[am1977]

Oh, my~ I don't think I would risk reusing a set... just doesn't sound like a great idea to me :idea:. However, I guess you won't know until you try it.

keep us posted.

[Dewey]

Hi Oz Dude & welcome aboard.

I'm with the others on this. If you're using cannula sets, it's not wise to re-insert the needle into the cannula & re-use the set, unless in a "pinch." I've done it before, but there are no guarantees that the cannula won't be punctured or messed up in the process. If the cannula does get punctured, it can indeed cause high bgs or wrong amounts of insulin to be delivered.

If you were to re-use Any type of sets, it would be better to go with needle sets. I've re-used them, but even they can only work for so long before getting blocked or becoming harder for insulin to deliver through.

Whatever you do, just be safe about it. If you're in a pinch, my recommendation is to go with needle sets, as you'd be able to get better use (& a little longer) out of them.

[Funnygrl]

If you decide to reuse a needle set, make sure you prime them awhile before reuse to remove any possible crystalization.

[Blckflys]

so lemme pose another question that has been touched on in this thread...Slightly more than three days poses a very big risk? I admit that I am often guilty of stretching my infusion sets 3 1/2-4 days. Is this something that is likely to create problems for me later? has anyone had personal experience with stretching sets creating scarring issues?

I don't want to ever quit the pump, but I didn't really think that stretching an extra day on a somewhat regular basis would create that much of an issue. Is my reasoning here severely flawed?

[Funnygrl]

I wouldn't be worried about going 4 days or so once in awhile as long as there was no evidence the set wasn't bad.

[Cyborg]

Maybe it's because I'm using the Insets, but by the 3rd day (or sooner) I want the set out. :motz:

[Injecto]

Slightly more than three days poses a very big risk? I admit that I am often guilty of stretching my infusion sets 3 1/2-4 days. Is this something that is likely to create problems for me later? has anyone had personal experience with stretching sets creating scarring issues?

This is very individual. All people heal and therefore scar at different rates and to different levels (my wife has immense knowledge on scarring due to her profession). 3 days is the medical world's "standard" acceptance for subcutaneous devices. As always, some will require less time between changes and others can last more. It's really up to you to test and find what your body does. I myself vary between 3 to 4 days.

Just test yourself, observe, and watch your BGs. Perhaps on day 3 they start to go up everytime...could be an indication of your body needing a set change (due to scarring in the canula tip, bending, rejection etc...)...

Also, think about your number days above. You said 3.5 days, so if you change in the morning of Monday and then the morning of Thursday, you have used a full 3 days. So, what if you change Thursday at dinner? Some might say that anytime on Thursday is still ON day 3...it's all relative.

[Oz Dude]

Thanks to all for responses to my re-use of infusion sets question. Great input.

Being able to run questions by so many folks is sure helpful.

THANKS.

Oz

[grove.armada]

Three things quickly come to my mind that I would never reuse ; toilet paper, condoms and yes infusion sets.