Blogging Diabetes

My new motto is, "when in doubt, change it out" when it comes to my infusion site. Just recently, I was getting a lot of high glucose levels (200-300) and it was driving me nuts because I seemed to be taking the right amount of insulin compared to my carbohydrate intake. As I write this post, my site is becoming irritated after just 24 hours since I changed it.

I hate to waste insulin, an infusion set and the go through the annoyance of changing my site after just a day. But that’s exactly what I’m going to do tonight, change it. I can almost guarantee that when I remove the Quick-Set there will be a red lifesaver type ring around the site along with some blood. It happens, especially when I hit a capillary. Lately, it seems to be happening more frequently. I hope it is simply a run of bad luck with my site location, which is currently my outer abdominal area.

Having high glucose levels when I am doing everything right can seriously drive me bananas. It’s worth the small cost for the supplies wasted if my glucose levels return to normal and the irritation stops.

FYI – I use the Quick-Set infusion sets and always use IV Prep pads on my site prior to insertion.

Has anyone else experience the same thing especially when the irritation occurs?

7 Comments

Kelly O'Connell, RD Said,

December 4th, 2008 @10:03 am

I feel your pain on this frustration. I too am type 1 diabetic and have this happen every now and then. I must ask — are your stressed right now? Sometimes when these occurrences happen it is during time of stress by which your capillaries are more restricted. I suggest – be calm always when you change your site, drink plety of water and knnow that changing your site will get better and make you feel better. It’s very annoying but i would guess you have the strength to get past this and that in the end these happenings only make you a stronger person with all the challenges that we can be faced with in having diabetes. I hate doing the insertion in my abdomen so I always put my pump in my upper hip on my backside. feel free to contact me.

Tony Said,

December 4th, 2008 @9:48 pm

Thanks Kelly for the comment!

With a 3 year old and a baby on the way, there is definitely stress. However, I think that I manage my stress pretty well. Lately, it has been worse. I also notice that my glucose levels are erratic when I am very stressed out. I’m not sure if there is a medical reason or not (may warrant more research).

That’s an interesting point that I had never heard about the capillaries being restricted. I will be the first to admin that I don’t drink that much water at all. After I changed my site, I did feel relieved and went back to my routine.

I am worried about insertion in my backside because of sitting on it. Or, just more irritation due to the constant flexing and movement from getting up and down. I have a horrible story about using my leg, which I will share here soon. I stick to my outer abs and just under my waistline on the lower/outer abs.

Thanks again!

December 5th, 2008 @10:00 am

Tony – great to hear I could be of some help. I am also a dietitian and I know first and second hand that water is a diabetic’s best friend. I always try to keep a bottled water at-hand and keep a glass of water/tea at my desk to stay hydrated. I will continue to watch your informative blog and I have just started one myself. I plan to write-up all sorts of info from diabetes, nutrition, healthy lifestyles and happiness. http://www.kellyoconnellrd.com

December 5th, 2008 @10:20 am

Thanks Kelly. I will check out your blog as you get it up and running. As someone who has been blogging for 2+years on my other blog http://www.supportanalytics.com/blog and here for a few months, I can give you some pointers if you’re interested. By doing some small things up front, it will help the long-term success of the blog.

I seriously feel that I am addicted to caffeine. Admitting my problem…check. I drink all diet soda and have an energy drink each morning. On a good day I might drink 8oz. of water, which I know is bad. Part of my New Year’s resolution is to cut back (slowly) on caffeine and drink more water. Action plan…check.

Tony

Michelle Said,

April 8th, 2009 @12:40 pm

where do you get iv prep pads? I’ve been looking with no luck. I had one come with my pump but haven’t been able to find them through a medical supplier. I’ve been using alcohol pads instead. I also have a box of idodine, but I don’t like that because of the staining. What are comon signs of irritation? I’m completely new to this.

April 8th, 2009 @12:49 pm

Thank you for visiting Blogging Diabetes. I know if can be overwhelming at first and if your experience is anything like mine, you have to figure it all out on your own.

I use Liberty Medical, which supplies my infusion sets, reservoirs, IV Prep pads and pretty much anything else related. The IV prep pads are really good, but I’ve heard some people are allergic to them.

Their phone number is 800-467-8546.
Liberty Medical

Scott Carolan Said,

September 27th, 2009 @9:58 pm

I wear my pump (for the past 14 years) on my backside in the upper-backside areas. There has never been an issue with sitting down or sleeping. Insulin may be absorbed slower than in a less-fatty area, but you can adjust for that.

Irritation has occurred with me three time in the past decade plus and this is associated with my errors in not changing within 3 to 4 days. Sometimes I can get lazy and simply add insulin to an existing pump tubing and that’s a no-no. This will require me to take oral antibiotics to clear the redness. The first time I had to have it cut and drained by a doctor. This was a pain in the ass (literally)

You insurance company (HMOs) should cover the pump supplies via the Durable Medical Equipment fund (DME). Many plans (through the workplace) cover up to $2,000 annually and there should be no out-of-pocket expense. A note from the doctor will help.