Blogging Diabetes

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…


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Welcome to Blogging Diabetes – A blog that helps people learn more about real-living with diabetes.

11 Comments

Scott K. Johnson Said,

March 17th, 2009 @10:36 am

Oh man – sorry to hear that! Do you think you hit your muscle, or was it just a sensitive spot (which happens from time to time right?)?

And I have to say that I cracked up at the “very calmly started FREAKING out” bit!

Sara Said,

March 17th, 2009 @9:51 am

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.

Karen Said,

March 17th, 2009 @10:39 am

Ouch, that didn’t sound like a fun adventure. I’m just coming up on a year of pumping (wow!! that went fast). So far, I’ve just used my abs, hips and upper butt. My CDE said thighs have a greater chance of infection, but I’m not sure I believe it. But I’m also not sure I want to try my thighs unless I felt I had no other choice.

Tony Said,

March 17th, 2009 @11:45 am

@Sara – Yeah, it seems like it could get irritated from putting cloths on and taking them off. That’s a pretty good tip about finding the right spot in your thigh. I don’t have much extra skin/fat in my thighs no matter where I look.

@Scott – I’m fairly certain that I hit the muscle. It was crazy pain that I tried to walk off, but it just hurt worse. I’ve hit the sensitive spots in my abs and this was much, much worse. I really did freak out… there was no embellishment in that comment.

@Karen – Congrats on the year anniversary. It does go by fast. I’ve never heard that the thigh is infection prone. Since that episode, I have just moved around in my current rotation by about 6-8 inches so the same exact spot isn’t immediately reused. I would use more of my rear, but I can’t really reach it to insert or remove the set.

Thank you all for the comments. Are there any other spots that you use with pretty good success?

Kelly O'Connell, RD Said,

March 18th, 2009 @9:07 am

I have a very similar story. It is indeed a terrible feeling striking the needle into your thigh muscle. Right now, I use the top of my backside and find it the best place of all. I have used my abs only 2x or so. It hurt both times and I got blood in the site.

Sara – thanks for the hands in the pocket tip! I will try that.

Michelle Said,

April 8th, 2009 @12:16 pm

I just started my pump recently, but we’re tyring to get pregnant. I’m wondering where I can place my infusion set when I get big. Luckily or not luckily I’m almost 200 lbs and five foot four inches. So fat isn’t a problem. Any ideas?

April 8th, 2009 @12:26 pm

@Michelle – very interesting question. My wife is 37-38 weeks prego right now, so it’s something I can definitely visualize.

My suggestion would be outer hips (below belt line) and upper butt (not where you would sit). I would definitely stay way clear of the stomach.

Also, many people use their thighs with great success. Mine are just not very cooperative. It will probably be a trial and error process.
Good luck on your pump!

tralea Said,

April 8th, 2009 @1:03 pm

I put my infusions in my belly, but the skin does get very tight there so of course it’s a good idea to rotate sites. I also used my luv handles and the top of my butt.

william Said,

June 13th, 2009 @9:00 am

Hello, I Just Started Using An Insulin Pump a few weeks ago.. Im having all kinds of problems with my insets.. I’m not sure where to try next on my body for the inset..Tryed my butt that don’t work.
I Have Been using the insets on my stomach..Sometimes they work there.And sometimes it does not work..My Problem is that i put a new inset in and sometimes it does nothing to my blood sugar..I’m not to sure where to put the inset ????? Im a little guy not much fat to pinch..HELP…

June 16th, 2009 @12:41 pm

Hi William – The hard part is finding the right spot that has enough tissue to inject the infusion set into that also doesn’t tend to gush that much. I rotate from my obliques (outer abs) to outer hips (just below belt line) at 3 days a piece. I rotate clockwise. As you’ve probably read, I didn’t have much luck with my thighs.

You may want to work with a Pump technician who can review your body composition and recommend sites for you specifically. What works for me may not work for you. I haven’t used my butt that much simply because it’s hard for me to insert and remove without being a contortionist.

Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!

Kelly Said,

September 6th, 2009 @12:43 pm

I have had 3 children since being on my pump and I am a fairly small female that had no problems putting in a quck set in my tummy while pregnant. I was never HUGE while carrying any of my children and had no problems. If anything, putting it in your rear is more challenging while pregnant because of the belly in front. The only thing that it does, over time, from putting it in your tummy is create scar tissue. This makes it more difficult to penetrate while having an ultrasound. They can still see everything…they just have to push a bit harder to view. I used the quick set 6 mm as I don’t have a lot of fat on my belly before or during my pregnancies.