changing sites

[Roxanne]

I got a little problem, and im happy i found this spot to ask this Q of peoplle who know... I have been using the pump now for 9 yrs. i have a C Section scar right down the center of my belly and am running out of healthy spots to put needles. My Dr. suggested using my thigh? Does any body use thier legs for sites? This scares me more than the belly did... doesn't it hurt too much?:mad: :( :eek:

[David]

Hi Roxanne, and welcome :) Anywhere you use for injections, you can use for infusion sites. My thighs are in my site rotation, along with my belly, arms and butt (am I allowed to say that?). :whistling
I always keep the set between my outer seam and a line down the middle of the front. It hurts me no more than my belly. I learned to inject on my thighs and it took me a long time to muster up the courage to try my belly cuz I thought It would hurt too much. Which set you use may make a difference too. A shallow set like a 6mm Quickset or a Sil may work best. I use the 6mm Quickset because I found that the 9mm hits my muscle or something and kinks.
David

[nantomsuethom]

Hi Roxanne

Welcome to the forums.

My son uses his thighs. This is actually a better site for him than his stomach. The site seems to last longer and he said it doen't hurt at all.
Now if I can talk him into using his butt that would be great. He said in order to use his butt I would have to use Emla cream to numb it first! I know he would never let me use his arms!

Nancy
son, Thomas, T1 since Sept. 2003

[notme]

I use (very) upper thighs only and it doesn't hurt. I also use my butt and very low stomach and have used the breast a few times also.

Nancy

[buzzborne]

I'm not on a pump, but I do use Insuflons for injections... and after a while my stomach ''needs a rest'' so I use my thighs, tho its usually at the top of them. Haven't tried the butt as I personally would feel that would be too uncomfortable.
Let us know what you decide to do.

Sarah

[Roxanne]

thankyou all ! I will try it, soon .... thanks for the welcome!:p

[Shalyndria]

Hi Roxanne :)

The thigh, in my experience, doesn't hurt at all. Like Nancy (notme) I use my very upper thighs, on the side. I have little fat on my thighs and find the higher the better.

I also use my arms, which are a great place. Breasts, hips, buttocks, (and a few others) all are in my regular rotation. There's a lot of great places to insert, so don't be afraid to try.

Shy

[rzrbks]

:topic:

Nope. I'm just gonna walk away. Let that one stay there untouched.:rolleyes:



BTW, welcome to The Family, Roxanne.

[Alaska]

Hmmmm,
Nope, not gonna use my breast!

[Roxanne]

nope not goin to the breast area with any needle either!!! My leg ok but not the breast!

[smwest8680]

I have never heard of using your thigh or breast as a site. I have only had the pump a year and have not had the courage to put it anywhere other than my stomach. The only place the nurses at my doctors office said to use was the stomach or lower back but if your doctor said it was ok then try it!

[Belinda]

I only use my stomach and rotate lower and upper...maybe I will use my butt or thigh someday.....but not the breast!!!

[buzzborne]

Originally posted by smwest8680
The only place the nurses at my doctors office said to use was the stomach or lower back but if your doctor said it was ok then try it!

I've never heard of using your lower back... wouldn't that be painful?? :confused:

[Tony]

Originally posted by buzzborne
I've never heard of using your lower back... wouldn't that be painful?? :confused: I use the sides of my lower back mostly. Never hurts for me and is out of the way.

[buzzborne]

I'm not on the pump, but wanting to be! lol.. but could you still use your lower back if you are injecting? I'm trying to find somewhere other than my thighs and I can't stand my stomach or arms!

[Tony]

I never used my lower back when I was on injection. I'm not sure if you can. How about your legs.

[buzzborne]

I use my thighs at the moment... mostly the upper, though also sometimes the lower, and only use the middle and outer part of the leg as the inner part I found too uncomfortable.

I havent been told that the lower part of the back can be used for injections, will ask that question on tuesday whan I go for my clinic!

[overclock]

I have used my stomach maybe 4 times since being on the pump for 2 years. 2 times the canula bent and whacked my sugars up. Now I use my love handles and buttocks. (said in a Forest Gump tone.) I tried my thigh one time and got nothing but blood. Been chicken to go thigh ever since but I might have to try it.

[Dewey]

I have used my stomach maybe 4 times since being on the pump for 2 years. 2 times the canula bent and whacked my sugars up. Now I use my love handles and buttocks. (said in a Forest Gump tone.) I tried my thigh one time and got nothing but blood. Been chicken to go thigh ever since but I might have to try it. (LMAO on the <Forest Gump> "But-tocks" line)! :D I have had issues with my thigh, too. It worked for a very short period of time and then bled. Like you, I haven't used it since.. :( I do use my stomach, hips, rear-end (very rarely), arms (occasionally) and breasts (LOL, thanks Shy! ;) ).

[Eri's mom]

Wow...the back? Wonder how Eri would feel about that...
As for the other area's mentioned...doubt she will use the rear, I know she'll use the thighs, arms, stomach, of course...and I can guarantee nowhere else...lol.

[KrisinNM]

hey everybody, be aware that insulin absorbtion is different for each site. The fastest is the stomach, followed by arms and thighs are slowest. When I was on MDI the Ultralente (long acting) always went in my thigh and the fast acting went in arms or stomach.

[Shalyndria]

YMMV, Krisin. :)
As with many others, absorption rates are stats based on the average and there are many of us who just don't conform to the standards ;)

My absorption is worse in my lower ab than my upper (the abs are the worst for absorption in my case - I rarely put sets there), and I get better and more predictable absorption than I do on my stomach, when my site's in my arms, thighs, hips, and particularily my breasts.
I've also found that absorption is significantly different on the Pump (for me) than it was when I was on MDI's. The only way to find out which site absorbs best is to try 'em all!!! ;)

Shy

[KrisinNM]

Shy, just got the nerve to try my hip for infusion site and it worked ok.
Question: if you have the set on your arm where do you wear the pump? I usually wear mine in my bra (upside down so those darn bubbles don't get in the line) so I guess that would work,huh? And how on earth can you do your breasts? OUCH

[Shalyndria]

Shy, just got the nerve to try my hip for infusion site and it worked ok.

That's great, Krisin :thumbsup: :D

Question: if you have the set on your arm where do you wear the pump? I usually wear mine in my bra (upside down so those darn bubbles don't get in the line) so I guess that would work,huh? And how on earth can you do your breasts? OUCH
I clip it on the waistband of my pants. I use the 42 length tubing, and just put my bra on after hooking up, so that the tubing is tucked underneath and the excess isn't hanging out. Wouldn't suggest wearing the shorter tubing with an arm site, though. You'd have to disconnect just to go to the ladies room ;) If you keep your pump in your bra however, wearing arm sites shouldn't be a problem at all.

I'll admit that when I'm first inserting a site in my breasts, I feel it. Just a quick bit of pain though, and then it's gone. Highly nervous area ;) I blame Nancy (notme) for my pilgrimage into that area; we were chatting about sites on here one time and talking about breast sites. She said she was going to try it, which means I had to try it (I try everything lol) because it was tantamount to a dare! :D Of course it's turned out to be one of the best places, so I guess I owe her thanks! :p

Shy

[Dewey]

Question: if you have the set on your arm where do you wear the pump? I usually wear mine in my bra (upside down so those darn bubbles don't get in the line) so I guess that would work,huh? And how on earth can you do your breasts? OUCH Usually, if I put a set in my breast or arm, I wear it (or clip it) on my shirt (upper part) or bra strap. This keeps it level with the site (not below it), and it seems to work well. Like Shy said, the breast does hurt a little when you first poke it, but once the set is inserted (unless ya hit a bad spot), the ouch goes away. :)