- Messages
- 8,934
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Other
As I've said many times, I eat a low carb, higher protein diet such that I inject far more frequently than the three times daily bolus that MDI is supposed to be.
Having been MDI for many years, and amidst concerns that my injection sites may be starting to get less reliable, I did some research into injection ports following a link on the forum.
These are essentially sets, similar to those that pump users have, that you apply and inject through a septum.
There are two types available. Insuflon, which look a lot like an intravenous set and i-Port, which looks like the Inset (and is know made by medtronic).
The Insuflon sets go in at an angle and the i-Port goes in perpendicular to the skin.
After discussing with my DSN, she agreed to write a letter of approval to AMT who supply the kit and they sent me two 6mm i-Ports, two 9mm i-Ports and two Insuflon sets to trial so that I could decide which I might purchase. The Insuflon sets are a lot cheaper (less than half the price of the i-Ports) for a box of ten and neither are available on prescription.
I started with the 6mm i-Port which I am wearing for three days.
I imagine it feels a lot like a pump set does to wear and use.
The initial application wasn't difficult but I certainly felt it. The applicator makes it easy to use. I suspect that the 6mm is probably long enough for a perpendicular set as I don't have huge amounts of body fat (around 10%).
This one has been in for 24 hours and I don't think it makes any difference to the speed at which insulin is absorbed. It hasn't affected the amount I need. As the insulin passes from the port into my body, I do feel a slight burning sensation, although the site isn't tender.
What I note about the i-Port is that there is no way to see the point where the cannula enters the skin, so if it did look red and angry I wouldn't know.
It is effective at reducing the number of skin penetrations, although I continue to do my levemir into my bum.
I notice the head of the port sticking out on the side of the stomach and I have caught it a couple of times on obstacles. I'll give this three days and then switch to an Insuflon to make a comparison.
Having been MDI for many years, and amidst concerns that my injection sites may be starting to get less reliable, I did some research into injection ports following a link on the forum.
These are essentially sets, similar to those that pump users have, that you apply and inject through a septum.
There are two types available. Insuflon, which look a lot like an intravenous set and i-Port, which looks like the Inset (and is know made by medtronic).
The Insuflon sets go in at an angle and the i-Port goes in perpendicular to the skin.
After discussing with my DSN, she agreed to write a letter of approval to AMT who supply the kit and they sent me two 6mm i-Ports, two 9mm i-Ports and two Insuflon sets to trial so that I could decide which I might purchase. The Insuflon sets are a lot cheaper (less than half the price of the i-Ports) for a box of ten and neither are available on prescription.
I started with the 6mm i-Port which I am wearing for three days.
I imagine it feels a lot like a pump set does to wear and use.
The initial application wasn't difficult but I certainly felt it. The applicator makes it easy to use. I suspect that the 6mm is probably long enough for a perpendicular set as I don't have huge amounts of body fat (around 10%).
This one has been in for 24 hours and I don't think it makes any difference to the speed at which insulin is absorbed. It hasn't affected the amount I need. As the insulin passes from the port into my body, I do feel a slight burning sensation, although the site isn't tender.
What I note about the i-Port is that there is no way to see the point where the cannula enters the skin, so if it did look red and angry I wouldn't know.
It is effective at reducing the number of skin penetrations, although I continue to do my levemir into my bum.
I notice the head of the port sticking out on the side of the stomach and I have caught it a couple of times on obstacles. I'll give this three days and then switch to an Insuflon to make a comparison.