Any advice for manually inserting Quick-sets?

RLK · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 05:50 AM

I recently switched from Silhouettes to Quick-Sets. I love the inserter (a big part of why I switched) and the short sets are the perfect length- no more pain every time I bump the set. However, I recognize that I'm dependent on that inserter device, but know that sooner or later I will need to do a manual insertion. What if I leave the inserter at home or it breaks?
I manually inserted Sils for years, but I've read lots of horror stories about kinked Quick-sets. So, what advice can you give me for manually inserting a Quick-Set successfully?

On a related note, I've emailed Minimed to see if they plan to offer a set similar to the Unomedical Inset (with the disposable inserter) and emailed Unomedical to see if they plan to offer a Paradigm-compatible Inset. No word from either yet. Anyone else know anything?

Thanks for your help!

Becky
T1 since 1998
Pumping since 1999

kgm0612 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 06:49 AM

Becky...........I am dependent on the inserter also and carry a "back-up" inserter in my tote bag for those "just-in-case days".

I went on the pump last December and was never taught by the pump trainer how to manually insert an infusion set. I've been told by friends on the different boards that I belong to that you just "slap it on", but I've yet to try it. You would think Mini Med would have a video section on their website showing how to manually insert.........I've looked but couldn't find anything.

Karen

camjen1 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 07:05 AM

Hi Becky,

I insert my Quick Sets manually and rarely have had a kinked cannula. I accidentally threw my serter away and had to manually insert for 3 years now.

What I do is put the tip of the needle in and then I actually twist it side to side until I feel a slight pop and then it slides right in. I also sometimes get the tip of the needle in and I tap the top of it with my finger as if I were hammering a nail in a wall. Both of these methods work for me but might not work for others.

spike · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLK

I manually inserted Sils for years, but I've read lots of horror stories about kinked Quick-sets. So, what advice can you give me for manually inserting a Quick-Set successfully?

Thanks for your help!

Becky
T1 since 1998
Pumping since 1999

Pinch your skin just a bit, and insert QUICKLY.

RLK · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:30 AM

Thanks for your helpful suggestions everyone!
I guess I just need to bite the bullet and try it, though I admit to being nervous about the "quickly" part. I was definitely one of those "slow-and-steady" types when I was inserting Sils manually.

spike · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLK

Thanks for your helpful suggestions everyone!
I guess I just need to bite the bullet and try it, though I admit to being nervous about the "quickly" part. I was definitely one of those "slow-and-steady" types when I was inserting Sils manually.

When you insert slowly, the skin can deform around the needle, causing the potential for the cannula to not fully seat.

poodlebone · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:22 AM

I used the Serter for the first 6 months or so. I started having problems with kinked cannulas and decided to try inserting manually. I stood up, pinched up some skin and just slapped it in. It was like giving an injection with my old Humalog pen, straight in, very quick. I still had problems with the kinked cannulas and inserting manually or with the Serter made no difference. I was using the 9mm Quick-Sets, got some samples of the 6mm and still had problems.

I switched to Sils in January and used that Serter for the first couple of months, then started to do it manually. I insert them manually all the time now, both the original 17mm cannulas and the newer, shorter 13mm ones.

spike · #8 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poodlebone

. I insert them manually all the time now, both the original 17mm cannulas and the newer, shorter 13mm ones.

<g> Liz, you are one tough cookie!!

RLK · #9 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poodlebone

I switched to Sils in January and used that Serter for the first couple of months, then started to do it manually. I insert them manually all the time now, both the original 17mm cannulas and the newer, shorter 13mm ones.

I think that the Sil-serter is evil! I could never seem to hold it steady and was terrified of it wiggling while I was inserting or try to disconnect it from the set. I never really used it more than a handful of times. At least the Quick-serter is nice and stable against my skin.

How do you like the short Sils? I read somewhere that only the cannula is shorter, but the insertion needle is still 17mm long, and that it contributed to kinking problems.

poper77 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:33 PM

I am having similar problems inserting with the quick sets. I currently use the Silhouettes with insertion device, so minimed sent me samples and for some reason when trying to manually insert the quickset it didn't want to go in...I am one of those slow insertion people, even when I was on the multiple injections regime I always gave my shots slowly. When the nurse set me up, we did a manual insertion of the silhouette and it was horribly painful (and too close to muscle) and I had a mini-anxiety attack afterwards

. I have ordered the insertion tool for the quick sets and more samples to see if they hurt less... but I too am screwed if I have to do it manually

spike · #11 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poper77

I have ordered the insertion tool for the quick sets and more samples to see if they hurt less... but I too am screwed if I have to do it manually

Have you considered trying the Sure-T's? They are much easier to insert than a cannula and I find them very comfortable (I can't tolerate the Sils). I used to use the QS until they kept kinking up on me this year.

poper77 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:52 PM

I was also sent sure-t's as a sample, but haven't mustered up the confidence to try inserting them....I am a chicken!

spike · #13 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poper77

I was also sent sure-t's as a sample, but haven't mustered up the confidence to try inserting them....I am a chicken!

Trust me, the reality is BETTER than the anticipation. They are SO easy to insert. They were made primarily for children, actually. That's why there is no long tubing option.

butterflykisses · #14 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 03:42 PM

I threw away my inserter too!!! Of course I realized it was gone, it was time to change out the set. So...I just looked at the instructions that come in the box. I actually rather do it manually. I hate the way one side of the serter relaeases, but not the other, and sometimes it just doesn't want to release. Anyway, I insert them manually all the time now, and actually prefer it. The one thing you need to watch, whether inserting it slow or fast, is that it actually goes all the way in. Sometimes the skin will indent with the needle instead of actually penetrating all the way. If you remove the needle with the cannula not fully inserted, it will kink. I pinch up the skin and can usually see that the needle is completely in. Then I give it an extra push to make sure the adhesive around the cannula is fixed to the skin, smooth the adhesive down and then remove the needle. I can't say that I haven't had problems with the sets kinking, but I had problems with inserting even WITH the serter.

poodlebone · #15 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLK

I think that the Sil-serter is evil! I could never seem to hold it steady and was terrified of it wiggling while I was inserting or try to disconnect it from the set. I never really used it more than a handful of times. At least the Quick-serter is nice and stable against my skin.

How do you like the short Sils? I read somewhere that only the cannula is shorter, but the insertion needle is still 17mm long, and that it contributed to kinking problems.

I was scared to death of the Sil-Serter when I first saw it but the thought of manual insertion scared me even more. That device definitely looks like it was made by aliens to use for probing the humans they kidnap. I started manual insertion because the Serter really only works well on less flabby areas, so I couldn't use it on my lower abdomen.

I think that you've got the shorter Sil info backwards. The cannula is actually the same length but more of it is in the hub, not going under your skin. The needle is shorter. I have not had a Sil (long or short) kink yet. I have had to remove a couple when I picked a bad spot for insertion and hit something I shouldn't have but that's user error.