[Mich]

Do you use a dressing or tape over your infusion set when you take a shower? How about when you swim? My supplier sends IV3000 stretchy tape IV dressings, but I am not sure when to use them.

I can see that my detachable fitting on my set has a seal like the top of an insulin vial, meaning it is waterproof. My set itself sticks VERY well after using an IV Prep with the slightly sticky alcohol and never gets loose unless I accidentally scrape it.

When do I use the IV covers?

Mich

PS: Progress report on my 3 month old Cozmo: Wow! A1c counts are down to 6.5, a 2.5 point difference. I am finally getting used to being tethered. A longer tube helped, I can put it down while I get dressed. Inserting the infusion set is now as routine as lots of "little sticks" used to be.

It seems to be working well for me after MANY years of MDIs.

[JediSkipdogg]

I never use the IV covers. I find that the set itself sticks on it's own well enough to not worry about it. I think it's experimental for each person. If you happen to run 5 miles every day, you may need to use one. But that applies to each person individually.

Glad you like the pump and glad it lowered your A1C. I think I heard once that each 1% in A1C is a 10% drop in any complications. And that is a huge bonus and help in living longer. Good job.

[camjen1]

SOmetimes I use them under a infusion set. I just cut a lil hole in it and apply it first. Then I wipe the area with IV prep and then insert an infusion set. I somtimes also cut a bigger hole in another one and put it uver the infusion set. I tend to snag my line alot so I like to take extra precaution.

[lelggren]

Originally Posted by camjen1

SOmetimes I use them under a infusion set. I just cut a lil hole in it and apply it first. Then I wipe the area with IV prep and then insert an infusion set. I somtimes also cut a bigger hole in another one and put it uver the infusion set. I tend to snag my line alot so I like to take extra precaution.

I just started putting tegaderm under the set before I insert it, and it works so great! What I do is I put IV Prep on first and let it dry. Then, put the tegaderm over that, and then just insert the infusion set right through the tegaderm. I was worried at first because I didn't want to have it snag the cannula or anything like that. But, my dr is on a pump too, and that is what he does. He recommended it to me. It is really a great way to do it

[camjen1]

Is the Tegaderm the same thing as the IV3000? On the IV3000 it shows a needle going right through it and I was always afraid to do it that way thinking it would block the cannula.

[lelggren]

Originally Posted by camjen1

Is the Tegaderm the same thing as the IV3000? On the IV3000 it shows a needle going right through it and I was always afraid to do it that way thinking it would block the cannula.

It is the same basic thing except they say that a lot less people are allergic to tegaderm than they are IV 3000. Don't be afraid It works really well. I even made sure to put it in a spot where the set's adhesive always comes off, and it still is sticking. And my bg's are fine, with the exception of the new symlin, making me jump a little.

[spike]

Originally Posted by Mich

Do you use a dressing or tape over your infusion set when you take a shower? How about when you swim? My supplier sends IV3000 stretchy tape IV dressings, but I am not sure when to use them.

I can see that my detachable fitting on my set has a seal like the top of an insulin vial, meaning it is waterproof. My set itself sticks VERY well after using an IV Prep with the slightly sticky alcohol and never gets loose unless I accidentally scrape it.

When do I use the IV covers?

Mich

PS: Progress report on my 3 month old Cozmo: Wow! A1c counts are down to 6.5, a 2.5 point difference. I am finally getting used to being tethered. A longer tube helped, I can put it down while I get dressed. Inserting the infusion set is now as routine as lots of "little sticks" used to be.

It seems to be working well for me after MANY years of MDIs.

You didn't tell us what set you are using.

[Cyborg]

I use the Unomedical Insets and I've never taped mine down for any reason. I have not gone swimming yet though.

[spike]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

I use the Unomedical Insets and I've never taped mine down for any reason. I have not gone swimming yet though.

Quick Sets work fine while swimming and you can't put a dressing over the top to waterproof it unless you don't want to disconnect from the pump. the new Sure-T's I got can be taped over because the quick disconnect is located abt 4" away from the set. My old Soft sets would hardly stay on just from working up a sweat.

[poodlebone]

I've taped down sets if they started to peel up. That sometimes happens in the summer, with humid weather and two showers a day (sometimes). I cut a hole in the Tegaderm or IV3000 and tape it over the set, after disconnecting first. I wish I could get some that come with holes precut, like you get with Minimed's Sof-Sets.

I tried using it under the set a couple of times, inserting right through the Tegaderm, and it did bend the cannulas (Quick-Sets). I decided to put them over the set after that.

[camjen1]

Originally Posted by poodlebone

I've taped down sets if they started to peel up. That sometimes happens in the summer, with humid weather and two showers a day (sometimes). I cut a hole in the Tegaderm or IV3000 and tape it over the set, after disconnecting first. I wish I could get some that come with holes precut, like you get with Minimed's Sof-Sets.

I tried using it under the set a couple of times, inserting right through the Tegaderm, and it did bend the cannulas (Quick-Sets). I decided to put them over the set after that.

I agree, they need to make precut one's for Quicksets. It's a pain in the rump to have to guess how much to cut then try it only to have it not fit. You cut some more then you find out that you cut to much and the adhesive part is now coming through the hole you just cut.

[spike]

Originally Posted by camjen1

I agree, they need to make precut one's for Quicksets. It's a pain in the rump to have to guess how much to cut then try it only to have it not fit. You cut some more then you find out that you cut to much and the adhesive part is now coming through the hole you just cut.

The Quick Sets stick so well to me, I've not needed any additional tape, even when swimming, sweating, etc for 3 day wear period.

[camjen1]

I'm in the lake all the time during the summer and just after a day of a new set being in the edges start to come up. I find the edges come up more often when the set is more on my sides towards my rear end.

[spike]

Originally Posted by camjen1

I'm in the lake all the time during the summer and just after a day of a new set being in the edges start to come up. I find the edges come up more often when the set is more on my sides towards my rear end.

Funny how we react differently to the same product. My wife can wear Soft Sets with no additional dressing. I HAVE to apply Skin Prep, wait until it's almost dry, apply the Soft Set, and cover it with an IV3000. Doing all that still doesn't assure it will remain in place for 3 summer days, even without swimming.

The Quick Sets, OTOH, stick tenaciously with no lifted edges ever, no matter what I've done. Granted, I don't spend hours and hours in the water at any one time, but I sweat heavily for hours during outdoor activities and take long hot showers. So far, the Sure T's have stuck well, but they haven't been put to the final test yet.

[parrotletzoo]

the only time I use tape or anything to cover the set is when it starts to peel off before I'm ready to change it. It doesn't happen often. With iv prep they stick well endough that I need goo gone to get the glue off my skin afterwards.