Absorption Issues

Oradev · #1 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 05:23 AM

Hello All! So I've decided to get back on the pump after two years. My infusion set discomfort problems have pretty much disappeared, but I have run into some issues with absorption. I primary use my abdomen for my sets, but on occasion I use the side of my stomach or my love handles. When I use my love handles and sides of stomach my rate of absorption is far less than my abdomen. How does everyone resolve these issues? Do you have another basil profile with higher rates? Any help would be appreciated.

By the way, I am using the Inset 6mm.

Hello everyone! It’s good to see that a lot of you are still on the forums.

cheryl · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 05:41 AM

I don't know but I use silouettes, they are longer, I know your sets are like the quicksets that mm uses, now I hated the longer sils, the 17mm one's but the 13mm ones are lovely....and I can use them in my back and my abdomen, and have about the same absorbtion rate......

I didn't do well on 6mm quick sets if I didn't have a kink, I had all sorts of absorbtion issue's.....so it wasn't the set for me, why not try another set in the area that absorb not as well.....because I have to use sure t's for the right side of my abdomen, yea I know odd, and sils for the left side of my abdomen, and then sils in my back, or what have you....works out to be just fine for me, and I have loads of love marks from having four children LOL

cheryl

Oradev · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 04:17 PM

Well, again, I experienced absorption issues all day. It might be from the Inset 6mm, but I am not 100% sure.

Anyways, I decided to try out the Inset 30's for three days to see how my body reacts to them. I put my first one in tonight. So far, it is quite comfortable and it was a very painless process! I was expecting something quite painful. Hopefully I have a good experience with these. Wish me luck!

cheryl · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 06:42 PM

Good luck...The 30's I think are like the sils, yea, they are better for me....maybe the same will apply to you...

Cheryl

Oradev · #5 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 07:42 PM

Well I've tried a 30 and this is what I've come up with.

- They give me way more absorption. I don't know if this is from the angled set or maybe a little deeper insertion.
- But after around 12 hours, it started to feel very very uncomfortable. It was so uncomfortable I had to take the site out after a day and a half. Is there any magic way to insert these without the comfort issue?
- Also, when I insert the needle, the front of the infusion set sticky bunches up. I then have to put the actual infusion set out of my skin a bit in order to get the sticky thing flat on my stomach. Does anyone have any tricks to overcome this?

gettingby · #6 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oradev

Hello All! So I've decided to get back on the pump after two years. My infusion set discomfort problems have pretty much disappeared, but I have run into some issues with absorption. I primary use my abdomen for my sets, but on occasion I use the side of my stomach or my love handles. When I use my love handles and sides of stomach my rate of absorption is far less than my abdomen. How does everyone resolve these issues? Do you have another basil profile with higher rates? Any help would be appreciated.

By the way, I am using the Inset 6mm.

Hello everyone! It’s good to see that a lot of you are still on the forums.

Hi Adam. Glad to see you back. How is your better half doing? LOL
I don't know what to tell you about the absorption issues. I've only been pumping since October and I use the Cleo 90's. So far, no absorption problems.
Good Luck. I hope you find something that works for you.

poodlebone · #7 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oradev

Well I've tried a 30 and this is what I've come up with.

- They give me way more absorption. I don't know if this is from the angled set or maybe a little deeper insertion.
- But after around 12 hours, it started to feel very very uncomfortable. It was so uncomfortable I had to take the site out after a day and a half. Is there any magic way to insert these without the comfort issue?
- Also, when I insert the needle, the front of the infusion set sticky bunches up. I then have to put the actual infusion set out of my skin a bit in order to get the sticky thing flat on my stomach. Does anyone have any tricks to overcome this?

I have a Paradigm pump and use the 13mm Silhouettes. I insert manually, which gives greater control over the angle. I leave the paper on the adhesive until after the needle is in. I then peel off the front piece, stick it down and withdraw the needle.

I don't know if you can remove the Inset 30s from their inserter (those are the ones that come with a built in device, right?) but if you can insert manually, you might have better luck.

I used Minimed's Sil-Serter device in the beginning but too many of the sets went in too deep and hurt. I rarely have problems inserting manually. I've had only 2 or 3 sets in 2 1/2 years that hurt and needed to be removed. They didn't hurt at first, only later on (sometimes after a day) when I moved. It felt like the cannula was poking a nerve - very big ouch! Normally, no problems.

squidsdc · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oradev

Well I've tried a 30 and this is what I've come up with.

- They give me way more absorption. I don't know if this is from the angled set or maybe a little deeper insertion.
- But after around 12 hours, it started to feel very very uncomfortable. It was so uncomfortable I had to take the site out after a day and a half. Is there any magic way to insert these without the comfort issue?
- Also, when I insert the needle, the front of the infusion set sticky bunches up. I then have to put the actual infusion set out of my skin a bit in order to get the sticky thing flat on my stomach. Does anyone have any tricks to overcome this?

I tried the inset 30's as well, and had a similar experience. I also normally use the inset 6mm. Due to scar tissue, I was having some absorption issues in my abdomen, but am limited on space! When I try to use my sides, it's very uncomfortable. When I first tried the 30's I was also surprised that they go in painlessly, but they also only last a day and a half at most, for me. I surmised that since the canula is closer to the surface of the skin, the insulin will tend to pool sooner, making it very uncomfortable and then starting the mis-absorption cycle again.

I did not have the same issue with the sticky, though. I can't quite picture why it would do what you are explaining so unfortunately can't offer any suggestions, except to play around a bit with the actual angle you are holding the device before squeezing to insert.

As far as the absorption issues in your abdomen, I have some spots that are better than others, due to scar tissue. I've found that using the areas a bit closer to my navel have been better at absorbing, and I'll change the inset sooner than usual if I hit a spot that gives me trouble. In the meantime, my basal rates seem ok, but I'll usually do a combo bolus with meals so I can extend the insulin over a longer period of time.

Hope that is somewhat helpful...