needles for the insulin pump

[Lady J]

Is the needles about the same size using a insulin syringe and/or an insulin pump. The syringes that i use now are 5/16" (8mm) length and they are 31 gauge needles. Still trying to make up my mind whether or not to go on an insulin pump. How much pain are we talking about on insertion? Thank you for your help in advance.

[JediSkipdogg]

The gauge is alot more. That is because you are not only pushing a needly in but also a plastic canula (assuming you use those sets.) I do not know the total gauge. As for the length, they vary from a straight in 90 degree set of 6 mm to one at an angle that is about 17 mm in length.

As for more pain? I think it all depends on which set you use and how fast you insert it.

[AMBlass]

The pain with insertions varies for me. I use a silhouette, the smaller size I guess, and sometimes it really hurts (in which case I stop, and pull the needle out and move it somewhere else) or I hardly feel it. I don't think it hurts anymore than an insulin injection hurts for the most part. Those hurt sometimes, sometimes they don't.

[Funnygrl]

The needle for a pump is generally thicker and longer. I never got pain with injections, but do with pump sites.

[VinceF]

I use a inset infusion set. It comes with a inserter that makes insertion painless for me. After the insertion I remove the needle and leave a flexible teflon cannula (sp?) left in place. I sometimes forget where it is because I can't feel it. In my opinion it's less painful than injections.

[RLK]

IMO, it's not more or less painful than injections, but a different kind of pain and it's not always painful. Sometimes a set will hurt during insertion, and other times I don't even know that it's gone in. Sometimes a set will itch or hurt the whole time it's in and others may not bother me at all. Sometimes a bolus will sting a little and other times I can't feel it at all.
There are so many different options for infusion sets that you should be able to find something that works. You might want to talk to your diabetes educator or a pump trainer and see if they can let you wear some samples of different sets, just to see what they feel like. Heck, you may be able to "test drive" a pump before you order one. Never hurts to ask...

[notme]

I have never had much of a problem with injections. The needle for the pump looks a lot more intimidating that it really is. Some days I never feel the insertion and other times it stings a bit. Pretty much like injections.

I don't think that you should give to much thought to the size of the needle with the pump as it really has so little to do with the entire process. If you think that a pump will help you with your quality of life or better numbers, I say just go for it.

[lilituc]

I think it depends on the set, etc. Injections were often painful for me, but I use the Sure-Ts now and they almost never hurt.

[Jan2306]

I was nervous about the needle size too since I'm need phobic. Must say with the smallest Animas inset, it really does not hurt and has not been an issue at all. I tried the Cozmo Cleo and that did hurt me since you're the one pushing it in - first time too slow, second time too hard. But with the inset, the inserter is a fast automatic speed and not in the least painful. Less painful than some of my pen injections and definitey less painful than my finger pricks. So don't let that stop you from pumping.

[June91]

Personally, I have had numerous issues with Quicksets, but pain is definitely not one of them.

[sleepy_hound]

The needle is a bit larger than the needles for injections, but it's not the needle that concerned me. It was the loud click the Inset inserter makes! I'm sound-phobic, I guess. I still cringe sometimes with the sound my SoftClix Lancing device makes when I check my BGs. The Inset makes that same loud click! Sometimes my insertion site will sting a little when first inserted, but with a cold pack, it goes away after half hour. I've only had to change a site once from having pain that didn't go away after a day...