[sleepy_hound]

I've been pumping for one month and have been using the Insets. No problems with cannulas bending or anything but my skin is very sensitive to the adhesive! When I remove the set, I have a little spot where the cannula was, and then two little red spots that are from the indentation where the plastic piece stays on the adhesive (does that make sense?) After a few hours, the area itches, and those red spots are now red bumps...whole area stays red/itchy for about a week.

[someone]

Originally Posted by sleepy_hound

I've been pumping for one month and have been using the Insets. No problems with cannulas bending or anything but my skin is very sensitive to the adhesive! When I remove the set, I have a little spot where the cannula was, and then two little red spots that are from the indentation where the plastic piece stays on the adhesive (does that make sense?) After a few hours, the area itches, and those red spots are now red bumps...whole area stays red/itchy for about a week.

This is what happened when I used the regular Tegaderm dressings on my stomach, except the spots were much bigger since the tegaderm has a much larger area. As for the insets, I use them for my pump and personally have never had this problem, but I know there are others here that have. You are probably allergic to the adhesive... you can try using something like Bard or you can try putting an IV3000/Tegaderm HP (for allergies) over it. I use the Tegaderm over my glucose sensors, and it is much better than IV3000.

[sleepy_hound]

Tegaderm and IV3000 leave my skin bright red, too. I'm just a poster child for sensitive skin, I suppose. But I'll put up with it to get the results I've been getting on the pump!! I'm no abs/thigh supermodel, anyway.

[bizonia]

I am very satisfied with the quick sets.I have never encountered such problems as it was mentioned.I have been pumping since january,2007.

[someone]

Originally Posted by sleepy_hound

Tegaderm and IV3000 leave my skin bright red, too. I'm just a poster child for sensitive skin, I suppose. But I'll put up with it to get the results I've been getting on the pump!! I'm no abs/thigh supermodel, anyway.

Did you try Tegaderm HP? Specifically for those allergic to the regular Tegaderm? Might be worth a try if you haven't.

[jenet]

Originally Posted by sleepy_hound

Tegaderm and IV3000 leave my skin bright red, too. I'm just a poster child for sensitive skin, I suppose. But I'll put up with it to get the results I've been getting on the pump!! I'm no abs/thigh supermodel, anyway.

Originally Posted by someone

Did you try Tegaderm HP? Specifically for those allergic to the regular Tegaderm? Might be worth a try if you haven't.

Someone, is the Tegaderm HP really good for sensitive skin? I read a comment elsewhere about Tegaderm HP providing extra Holding Power - which I do not need at all. I have a sample of Tegaderm HP, but was afraid to try it.

I got red rashes from IV 3000, blisters from Tegaderm, and flat out lost layers of skin to Opsite Flexifix. The only thing I have found so far to hold down my MiniLink sensors (that doesn't do serious damage) is the Nexus Micropore paper tape.

cheers,
j

[someone]

Originally Posted by jenet

Someone, is the Tegaderm HP really good for sensitive skin? I read a comment elsewhere about Tegaderm HP providing extra Holding Power - which I do not need at all. I have a sample of Tegaderm HP, but was afraid to try it.

I just checked the 3m website, I could have sworn I saw somewhere that it was for sensitive skin, but it turns out I had it backwards. Regardless, for me, the regular causes a rash whereas the HP doesn't. I have been using the HP for quite some time now. Every once and a while I will use the regular and I get that same old rash... perhaps they have different adhesives?

Sorry for the bad info.

[jenet]

Originally Posted by someone

I just checked the 3m website, I could have sworn I saw somewhere that it was for sensitive skin, but it turns out I had it backwards. Regardless, for me, the regular causes a rash whereas the HP doesn't. I have been using the HP for quite some time now. Every once and a while I will use the regular and I get that same old rash... perhaps they have different adhesives?

Sorry for the bad info.

No problem. I may give it a try anyway, after my skin heals up a little more.
Thanks much,
j

[sleepy_hound]

Every adhesive gives me raised welts or peeling skin, including the adhesive on the set. I've tried Tegaderms, Opsites, and IV3000. I work in the OR and have tried to brainstorm with surgeons and other nurses. What we usually use for adhesive sensitive patients is paper tape. It's neither sterile nor at all sticky like real adhesives....Oh, and I also found out I'm allergic (read: blisters) to Mastisol and Steri-strips.

[lilituc]

Originally Posted by sleepy_hound

Every adhesive gives me raised welts or peeling skin, including the adhesive on the set. I've tried Tegaderms, Opsites, and IV3000. I work in the OR and have tried to brainstorm with surgeons and other nurses. What we usually use for adhesive sensitive patients is paper tape. It's neither sterile nor at all sticky like real adhesives....Oh, and I also found out I'm allergic (read: blisters) to Mastisol and Steri-strips.

I recently found out I've become allergic to the paper tape. I don't understand it. I'm also allergic to several kinds of bandaids and Teflon. I bet they'd love me in the OR.

[wandrr]

I tested two samples of the Smiths Medical Cleo 90 Infusion Set (Cleo) from 2007-06-07 to 2007-06-15. I compared them to the Unomedical Comfort Infusion Set (Comfort) which is the only other set I have ever used. Details of the Cleo can be found at Cleo 90 Infusion Sets from Smiths Medical and of the Comfort at Unomedical comfort . A comparison of both sets (along with quite a few others) is at Infusion set information, pump compatibility and manufacturer links . Both sets have Teflon cannulas, have a Luer lock connection, can disconnect at site, and have 23 or 24 inch tubing. In summary, I found the Cleo to be very acceptable, but somewhat less desirable for me. I compared several parameters, namely infusion performance, insertion ease, wearing ease, site health, and price. My conclusion is that the Cleo merits a longer trial (for me), primarily because of the better BG control. I intend to purchase a box of 10 Cleo sets and conduct a 40 day trial.

Infusion Performance. Over the period that I used the Cleo, I tested my Blood Glucose (BG) four times daily. In general, my BG control was generally satisfactory. In fact, it was slightly better than when I used the Comfort. The numbers (in mmol/L for 33 readings) are:
Cleo Comfort
Average 7.3 7.7
Std Dev 3.2 4.0
Max 16.7 15.6
Min 3.0 2.8
However, my BG usually ranges quite widely, so this finding may be simply a part of my normal variability.

Insertion Ease. The Cleo includes an all-in-one “automatic” inserter built-in to the device. Basically, the user simply presses the device inwards until it clicks and then holds it for five seconds. That action introduces the cannula and removes the needle. Lifting off the device leaves behind the actual infusion site ready for connection to the tubing. This process is shown very clearly at Cleo 90 Demo . I found the process to be quite simple. For me, though, the process was actually uncomfortable. I have no problem giving myself injections and doing the manual insertion of the Comfort infusion set. Using the Cleo automatic process seemed to me to be “uncontrolled” in that I was not in charge of what was happening. Essentially, I was at the mercy of the Cleo device and spring. This feeling was really psychological rather than physical. Others might have a totally different opinion.

Wearing Ease. The Cleo adhesive was good and adhered well even in the shower. That is an improvement over the Comfort which comes off fairly easily when wet. The Cleo site is slightly higher and less streamlined than the Comfort. Accordingly, it caught on various things like the edge of a table when I was seated. I felt as though the site could have been ripped off quite easily – it seemed vulnerable. Both sites disconnect at site, though the Comfort was slightly easier to disconnect. The Comfort comes with a plug for the disconnected site whereas the Cleo opening is uncovered. The Cleo can attach at eight angles so the tubing can be led away easily. The tubing with the Cleo seems to be more flexible – it is likely a different plastic. Removal of both sets was about the same. Overall, the two sets are about equal in wearing ease considering all the variables. However, in my opinion, the slightly greater vulnerability of the Cleo makes it slightly less desirable for me.

Site Health. Both manufacturers recommend changing the set after 48 – 72 hours. However, I have been in the habit of wearing the Comfort for 96 hours (four days) without problems so I wore the Cleo for four days as well. I found that the insertion point was slightly reddened, but not at all sensitive to the touch. Basically, it was about the same as the Comfort, perhaps slightly better because the Cleo covers the area completely whereas the Comfort has an opening right at the insertion point. The two sets were about the same for site health.

Price. I obtained both sets from Auto-Control Medical, the Smiths Medical distributors in Canada. The Cleo is more expensive. Based on price comparisons at a US wholesaler (Diabetic Supplies Online - Diabetes Testing Supplies - American Diabetes Wholesale ), the Cleo is about 7% more costly. The difference is greater from Auto-Control. When you consider insurance coverage, the added cost of the Cleo is small but not negligible.

Conclusion. Both sets are quite acceptable. The Cleo may be desirable for those who have problems with manual site insertion. For me, I conclude that the Cleo merits a longer trial particularly because of the slightly better BG control.

For the record, I have been Type 1 diabetic for over five years and have been pumping with a Cozmo for three years. My latest HbA1c (before this comparison) was 7.1

[iDream]

For anyone who uses the Medtronic (Minimed) pumps:

Which set do you use/prefer?

Diabetic friends suggest the quick set over the silhoutte and sure T.

[Alnan]

My wife is now using the 715. Her third MM pump, used the sof-set until several months ago. Switched to the silhouette.

The reason, running into too many bad sites with the sof-set after several years use.The silhouette has helped that situation quite a bit - it's not perfect, but a much better average.

I'm sure some of this could also be due to personal characteristics. And from what we understand, most endo's begin MM users on the sof-set, its easier to manage at first.

So it eventually comes down to personal needs and preferences. What works best, at any particular time.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by Alnan

So it eventually comes down to personal needs and preferences. What works best, at any particular time.

I agree. I give the Silhouette sets a lot of "flack," but used one just a couple of weeks ago & it worked fine. It didn't hurt (for a change) & my BGs stayed in a decent range.

[Alnan]

It's like chasing the bouncing ball, Dewey. Nancy's well into her third decade as a type 1, but you learn never to become complacent.

You also learn to really, really keep your eyes open for the slightest change. You have to monitor the basal settings, etc. Not the same winter and summer as a rule.

But the results are worth the effort. Nancy's overall health is good otherwise. She had a hip replacement in mid April, did very well. Thats just the years taking their toll.

She achieved the 4 goals they set during out patient therapy in half the alloted time. But keeping the basal settings current as she went from almost zero activity to normal activity was a constant challenge.