Paradigm pump - which infusion set?

[mark_in_toronto]

I've only been pumping since Mar. 19/07 - and still can't get consistent results because of failed sets or sites. I've found success with 6mm Quick Sets in my upper legs, as Silhouettes didn't work (I haven't got more 6mm sets to try in my abdomen, so I don't know if they will work there also). I'm more muscular from cycling and physical work - what do others (physically active) find works the best? My pump trainer/nurse knows squat - I'm the one who read that the 6mm set is "for leaner bodies" on Minimed's website so I asked for samples (which all worked 3 days except for one which was a known problem site, my upper butt) - she gave me 9mm sets which were disastrous (hitting muscle apparently), then she gave me silhouettes without showing me how to insert properly. Very frustrating that I'm the one finding solutions to my problems.

Minmed's call centre also advised me to "don't pinch up your skin, and don't sit while inserting" - causing me a month of headaches and high sugars - I now pinch up my skin always. Is that nuts or what - to have your co. reps giving out erroneous information over the phone without seeing the patient? They insisted I have scar tissue, which I don't have (at least not visible or felt).

If you're using silhouettes, do you use a greater angle or less? Thx.

[xMenace]

I don't pinch and was never taught to. Haw long have you been injecting? I have a couple of sites I avoid.

[mark_in_toronto]

I don't pinch and was never taught to. Haw long have you been injecting? I have a couple of sites I avoid.
I've been diabetic 21 1/2 years now, diagnosed at age 15. I used syringes without any problems for just over 21 years of that time. Never had any problems with absorption, unexplainable highs or the like...until I starting using a pump.

When I injected, I always pinched up skin, but I'm leaner and that helped avoid any painful needles.

I really believe that my pump trainer/nurse specialist is too inexperienced (early 30's is my guess) and she should have recommended a shorter cannula (6mm which I have used with success) or silhouette at the very beginning, that would have saved me a lot of headaches (and wasted sleepless nights basal testing finding a sugar of 15 or so because of a crimped cannula).

So far the only sites which don't work are my upper behind....anywhere else is a shot in the dark right now as to whether it will work or not.

[lilituc]

Have you tried the Sure-Ts? I don't know how it is for you, but I can tell when I've hit muscle or a blood vessel because it hurts on insertion. With the Sure-Ts, I just pick it up and move it to a better spot. I've never tried sites in my legs, though.

[jillsp]

I use the sils and I go in at about a 45 degree angle. You might want to try the Sure T's as lilituc suggested....it is a very very tiny needle and can be moved if you hit a bad spot. YOu cannot leave it in for longer than 3 days though b/c of tissue build up.

Let us know what you think.

[whoami]

There's always the possibility that it's the insulin, so another option is to try the *other* fast acting insulin. I had been on humalog and kept gettting "NovoRapid is the same" speech. I insisted on trying it (since it's the same!!) and discovered that it just works better for me. It's the only thing I've changed out, and overall, i'm getting better control with it.

[mark_in_toronto]

Re: Sure-T's, I did try one and it was painful (was in abdomen, only area I have fat), and it did not work despite re-inserting, did not stay in. I am a huge insertion device supporter, so the Sure -T isn't high on my list. I just bought the 6mm Quick Sets, 3 of 4 samples worked (in legs to give my abdomen a rest) so hopefully these solve my difficulties, though I haven't tried these in my stomach area. The Sil hasn't proved reliable. Hopefully, the 6mm Quick Set is the answer for me.

Thx for your replies :cool:

Oh..whoami -->"There's always the possibility that it's the insulin, so another option is to try the *other* fast acting insulin."

The thought HAS crossed my mind as I've had problems in the past with frozen vials of insulin, but for my insulin NovoRapid, but when I inject the results are fast and I can definitely say the insulin works excellent (when I inject)...so no problem with the insulin.