[Subby]

Got some sils to try out... exciting. I've been on the quick sets 3 months now and I suspect 1 in 3 has not performed well for me, as far as absorption goes. Dunno if the sils will be better but worth trying hey?

Stuck my first sil in 3 hours ago, no pain, needle was intimidating but I told myself don't be silly, you've injected yourself up in the teens of thousands, this is nothing, and I was right. So far, comfortable.

I guessed the angle... visually got a fix on 90 degrees then tried for halfway. (In fatty areas, for the moment). Is this an ok approach? How much added absorption variation might I be getting myself into due to insertion angle discrepancies doing it by hand?

I just pulled out the last quick-set that I put in 10 hours ago, that just hasn't seemed to perform. Stupidly it's the first time I've looked in detail at the canula post-useage. I notice the end looks a bit chewed and mangled. Could this be the issue that's been going on? Is this a "crimping" of the canula? Or do I expect this look, regardless?

[Funnygrl]

A variable angle is ok. As long as it's in the subq tissue you should have similar absorption.

[Subby]

One other thing, the sillhouettes seem to have a much bigger range of motion, being more a "flap". I've been used to the much firmer grip that the quick sets have on the skin as far as not worrying about little tugs and pressures on the set etc, which seem occur quite frequently for me one way or another!

Should I look into anchoring the set down more securely to the skin to avoid canula movement in bed etc?

[Funnygrl]

I've never had to use anything but the included adhesive.

[Subby]

OK thanks Funnygrl.

[shabbie]

subby,
i had a problem with the angled sets making me a bit sore because they seem more mobile than the others. i insert it through Tegaderm/IV3000 now and it does the trick

[RLK]

what Sharon said. Inserting through Tegaderm or similar works great for me!

[Mich]

I use the 17mm and I use only the adhesive that comes with the set. No problem with cannula movement that I've noticed. I do notice it gets a bit sore if I get hit (dog being friendly, etc) directly on the site.

[Subby]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm been on my first sil 3 days, here is my impression:

Definitely noticed more stability. Felt better and blood sugars bear this out. Today was excellent - things (boluses, basals) actually worked pretty much how they are supposed to! Much reduced spikes after meals and good returns! Wow!

It's always possible this was not the sil contributing (I tend to get mild sicknesses for example) but suffice it to say I lean towards thinking it helped. Appeared to start working much faster than the quick set (which would take up to 6 hours to start being effective)

Now to the negative... whether it's the extra flexibility of the canulla or another reason, this first one only lasted 2 days before I felt it was looking sore enough to pull it. It's quite a bit worse than my quickset wounds. I think I need to work out a way to anchor it better.

I also found it a bit fiddlier to deal with. The low profile is good but the flappy nature worries me. The connector click is good but it's harder to get on.

However, all these negatives are minor compared to the insulin delivery. I'm onto my next and trying out my first upper rump site. Yay

[Subby]

Sharon, do you mean to say you put the tegaderm on your skin then put the set over it (hole for the cannula I assume?)

Do you cut the tegaderm down or leave it whole?

I'm hoping tegaderm isn't the one I come up with a rash with.

I understand this will help adhesion... but does this help the problem of actual cannula movement? I am thinking I need something to hold the top of the set more steady to prevent the cannula "grinding" in it's hole. Sorry if I'm being thick here and not seeing something...

[shabbie]

the best way i can describe how it works...

my skin is very sensitive to anything rubbing and causing soreness anywear...new shoes for instance!

the cannula seemed to be able to wriggle around causing the actual hole at the skins surface to appear red and swollen whilst not infected.

i place a patch of tegaderm on the clean skin then insert my set right there through the tape.

2 things are better for me here....the tape seems to anchor the cannula in one place so no more wrigglers and no more soreness then much quicker healing time. also....the tape was making me sore after removal so the tegaderm puts a neat barrier under the set to reduce that too.
i dont cut it down. just use the size 6x7 and your set will fit nicely even if your shooting isnt too straight when you insert the new set

trust me this really works (i had doubts until i tried it) thanks to notme ~ nancy!

[RLK]

Just put the set directly through the Tegaderm (or similar). The insertion needle will pierce a hole in the tape with no problems, and the Teg will stabilize your skin so the cannula doesn't "chafe", causing soreness.

I was a bit dubious about this when Sharon and Nancy were discussing it here on DF, but it has removed almost all of my set irritation issues.

[Jan B]

I use IV3000 on clean skin, insert the set, then I put another IV3000 on top (but with a hole cut in it) to anchor, for extra security. Works great . . . I haven't had even a little bruise.

[Subby]

gotcha. I will try this.

[fgummett]

Haven't tried these myself but wondered if they might be used instead of the top layer of IV3000... more of fashion statement I guess

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