Inset infusion sets

[kedecker]

Hello everyone, I have enjoyed reading your posts on this forum. I particularily like the straightforward comments regarding the various pumping options. It is refreshing to hear opinions from users instead of dialogue from pump company reps.

I have taken shots for years, but now I am considering getting a pump...probably the Cozmo. I like the large insulin reservoir, waterproof, AAA batteries, and wide variety of usable infusion sets thanks to the luer lock connection.

From the posts that I have read, there seems to be a preference for Animas "inset" infusion sets. Since I am very thin, I was particularily interested in the inset 30. However even though the cannula is inserted at an angle, it is longer than the regular 90 degree inset cannula (13mm vs. 6/9mm respectively). Consequently the depth of insertion is about the same. So this doesn't seem to help. I imagine that the angled infusion set is more secure than one that is inserted perpendicular to the skin. Other than that, I don't see any advantage with the inset 30 over the inset II. Does anyone have experience with angled and straight-on insertions?

Thanks,
Karl

[kgm0612]

Hi Karl & Welcome to the forum.

I can't offer any advice in regards to the inset infusion sets because I'm a Mini Med pumper using Quick-sets.

Karen

[Cyborg]

I use the 90 degree Insets and I love them. I have not had any problems with them staying attached. They are actually made by Unomedical, but pushed by Animas.

[thomasb]

im thin too and the angled ones work better. They follow my bodys movements better and feel less intrusive. they are trickier to insert though, as you can adjust the angle yourself. If your thin i'd recommend the inset 30s.

[Glucoweb]

I have definitely found the angled ones to work better for me. The 90° sets always hurt when I had them in.

[HollyB]

My son uses both -- inset on his hips where he has a bit of padding, and inset 30 or comfort short on his stomach where he doesn't. Remember that with the angled sets the whole length of the needle does not go in -- a good part of it stays above your skin. The actual cannula is pretty short, and because it doesn't go straight in is more likely to stay in the fat layer. With angled sets you insert by hand, you can actually go a bit shallower or a bit deeper depending on how much fat you have in a particular spot.

We are finding the Inset 30 has a bit of a learning curve to get it in just right, whereas the Inset is pretty foolproof. You might want to ask for samples of both to try and see what you like/what works best. Maybe have your trainer coach you through your first Inset 30 insertion.

[FatCatAnna]

Hi Holly and all,

I have finally found that the Inset 30 doesn't work for me in "cushy areas" after a few weeks of trying them out (wish I'd asked for samples rather then a box of 10 @ $195 (ouch - why we pay more then in the US despite our dollar value now is beyond my comprehension). I had posted on another thread about probs with the Inset 30 - and just found this one - so glad to read now what I had figured out yesterday after removing an irritating Inset 30. In fleshier areas - I will use the manual 45 degree (Comfort / Sil) - therefore no pain/irritation with infusing. I'll probably use the rest of the Inset 30's on more "firmer" portions of my body - e.g. upper thighs/upper buttock. I basically wanted the Inset 30 to use in areas that were difficult to reach by myself - may one day teach my hubby how to insert the infusion set - but having done my own MDI / infusion set from age of 8 - it's hard to let someone else do it for me (even nurses - with shaky hands <lol>).

[HollyB]

I hear you! Aaron actually prefers to have me or my husband "pull the trigger" on the Inset II -- but I think he'd have to be really incapacitated to let me put in an angled set by hand.

[gettingby]

Hi Karl and Welcome.
I use the Cleo 90's with my Cozmo pump and absolutely love them !!:)

[Chappo]

Hey! And Welcome :)

I am doing exactly the same as yourself. I'm on pens at the moment, and moving to an Animas 2020 in the next 2-3 weeks.

I chose the Animas for the same reasons you chose the Cozmo - waterproof mainly, and the luerlock connection is fantastic. I just prefered the aesthetics of the Animas 2020.

I tried out a few of the InsetII infusion sets when i was checking out the Animas 2020. I was told the 9mm may be better for thinner people, and i usually use a 30guage x 6mm pen needle, so i was a little hesitant to try the 9mm 27guage. However, i couldn't feel it at all and was VERY comfortable. I took one home with me and tried it on a 'skinnier' spot of my body, but it irritated it a smidge - i'm not sure whether that is a function of me being paranoid or not.

I'm going to go back with the 6mm 90 degree inset infusion sets. It was fantastic and held quiet well (i was hesitant to pull & tug on it but when i tried i gave it a good yanking and it didn't move).

Here's to the pumping life!! I'm really looking forward it it :)

Best of luck,
Alex

[Subby]

I use different sets but here's my general comments. My experience with 90 degree sets (quicksets) were that they were easier to insert and very secure and quite comfortable. This may be partly why they were presented as the "default" choice in my pump orientation.

My experience with the sillhouettes (an angled set similar to the inset 30 design at a glance) is that they can be more fiddly to insert, (although fine once experienced), are not as securely attached, and are more likely to pull or chaff in the hole they make. I think this is partly because the cannula is not held centrally like the 90 degree sets.

However, with experimentation I've found that a layer of tegaderm HP underneath and another layer over the top (with hole cut for body of the set) gives them almost as much stability and comfort as the straight set.

One main issue is that different sets give different absorption rates, which have to be one of if not the most important attribute of a set. For me the quicksets failed miserably. The angled sillhouettes have much better absorption. Why? We can all theorise away but no one seems to have a definitive answer. Perhaps the depth, perhaps the angled opening across the layers of fat helps, perhaps it's something else...

I think your best bet is to just pick one and try the other down the track a little, to see what works best for you. You need a baseline to compare with first of course, so I'd recommend sticking to one for at least a few weeks to avoid confusion. There is no other way to find out which is best for you, except by actually trying them.