Location, location, location. If you’ve been on an insulin pump for a long time, you have probably tried a bunch of different sites for the infusion sets. I guess the same applies to the CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems). I’ve been on the pump for about three years and typically rotate between four site locations with three days max on each location. I rotate, clockwise, between my outer abs and hips just below my pant line.
About 18 months ago, I wanted to try a new location to give the others a “break”. Logically, I wanted to use a location that I could easily reach and didn’t involve a crease in my skin when sitting. Some areas around my abs tend to crease when I sit; so the set will become irritated or lose its stickiness. Where did I end up? The top of my thigh.
[source] – not an actual representation
I am not really overweight, but could lose maybe 10 pounds. I was always playing soccer, lifting weights or running growing up and developed very strong leg and quad muscles. But I thought, what the heck, why not try a new location. What’s the worse that could happen? Famous last words, right?
I used the quick set tool to set the location on the top of my thigh. What came next was intense pain. I’ve never, ever, had a site go this terribly wrong. I couldn’t move my leg without the pain shooting up my body. So I very calmly started FREAKING out. Another tid bit of information is I don’t typically shave my legs (hey, it was winter), which contain a bit of hair. In hindsight, there wasn’t a whole lot of logic or thought put into the removal part.
I hate to scare people because some insulin pumpers may use their thighs all the time with no problems. It really just depends on the person and their body type. I basically had to rip the infusion set out, which started the river of red down my leg. I applied pressure until the blood stopped and said to myself, that was a bad f’n idea. After that day I have never ventured below my hips for an infusion set, ever.
Maybe I’ll try my upper chest next time. At least the infusion set will look like an electrode for an EKG machine. That might be a good summer look and chalk up a few weird looks…
Canadian Pharmacy
I have only used the thigh sites once or twice because I have found them irritating – especially for someone (how can I put this delicately) that has to move clothing up and down to use the restroom.
However, I heard that the best way to get a good placement for a thigh site was to put your hand in your pockets and spread out your fingers slightly. Where your pinky is touching your leg is the best place for the set. Makes sense if you think about it, that seems to be where more of the fat is.
I don’t know that I would try it with a Quick-set though because of the high chance of kinking – that’s why I switched to Sure-Ts.