Still having set problems

Funnygrl · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 10:23 PM

I don't get what's going on with me. Suddenly getting my sites to heal or last 3 days is like impossible. I had one site that totally abscessed and was very sore and inflamed- infected, basically. All of my sets are lasting 2 days before they're too sore to go on with. They all are getting red and puffy.

The current one has a solid inch of swelling around where I took it out. It stung like mad to bolus on, and it was less than 2 days old!

I'm using Silhouettes, and they're the sets that work best for me.

I've tried sure-ts (aka contact detach, aka rapid d). Those tend to fall out and I find them uncomfortable to wear.

Quick-sets and Cleos had too many delivery problems.

Insets I couldn't get to stick to save myself and I got hives from the adhesive requiring me to layer on the IV 3000.

Soft-sets hurt like a mofo one of the times I tried them, and were find the other time I tried them.

I've also tried a few lesser known ones that I can't even remember the name of, but they're not made anymore.

Overall I'm wondering if I'm even meant to be a pumper.

condensr · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 10:52 PM

Perhaps you just need a 'pump vacation' to give your body a rest for a little while? Considering doing that myself; maybe for a month or so..

Jan B · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 11:06 PM

Those kind of problems can definitely make you go back to MDI (I would if I were you; whether right or wrong!). With all the trouble I did have with the quicksets a couple months ago, I am back to them again with no trouble at all. I'm using IV3000 with them and having zero bruising. I tried the silhouettes, but had a little pain and swelling. When I was pumping 4 years ago, I quit because of all the bruising more than for any other reason (never did use the IV3000 then).

I wish I knew why you seem to be rejecting all the sets.

Subby · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 04:45 AM

Sticking with the sils if they are best for you, all I can think is to try some different ways to keep them even more firmly in place. I heartily recommend the Tegarderm "HP" patches, they are a good step above the normal tegaderm (which are already pretty good). With these babies making sure that cannula doesn't chaff in the hole, it makes all the difference for the soreness, redness, absorption etc, for me.

As for is pumping for you... well, I suppose only you can judge if the attendant problems outweigh the benefit. I'd be hopeful that with some more specific experimenting with attaching the sils, and a few weeks of better sites (if you find anything to help), you may be feeling more positive about it. Good luck.

xMenace · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Sticking with the sils if they are best for you, all I can think is to try some different ways to keep them even more firmly in place. I heartily recommend the Tegarderm "HP" patches, they are a good step above the normal tegaderm (which are already pretty good). With these babies making sure that cannula doesn't chaff in the hole, it makes all the difference for the soreness, redness, absorption etc, for me.

My bad sets in the last months seem to have all been due coming loose or external irritations.

I now lay down an IV3000 for a tighter grip, and today I dabbed the set with Friar's balsam in hopes it will stick tighter.

RLK · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 05:45 AM

Funnygrl, are you inserting through Tegaderm or the like? Might want to try it if you haven't already. It seems to stabilize everything a little more, causing less irritation.

Bummer about the set problems- sending "happy set" vibes your way.

Funnygrl · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 06:31 AM

The thing is, the irritation and readness really isn't where the adhesive was. It's where the cannula was under my skin. I'm wondering if I'm allergic to the insulin or the cannula material itself.

RLK · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

The thing is, the irritation and readness really isn't where the adhesive was. It's where the cannula was under my skin. I'm wondering if I'm allergic to the insulin or the cannula material itself.

I understand. My irritation problems were where the cannula enters the skin. At someone's (Notme? XMenace? I can't remember!) suggestion, I started putting Tegaderm down first. It works! Somehow, the teg "holds" the skin so that it moves with the cannula, rather than chafing against it. Hard to explain.... Short Sils rather than regular ones helped me too.

Are you getting these reactions with quicksets? They're made from the same cannula material.

notme · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 08:34 AM

I had problems with my sets also funnygrl. My skin would suck up in the area around the cannula. (a small donut like area around the cannula). If I don't put down IV3000 or some other tape first and inject the cannula needle through it, I get the same irritation you have now. I really can't tell you why the IV3000 helps, but it does and I have no irritation now at all. I tried a couple of times to insert the cannula without it, and I always got a sore spot when I removed my set. Just try it and see if it helps.

I am sorry you are having problems with your sets. It can definitely make pumping a pain. I would consider giving your stomach a break and go back to MDI for awhile.