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How many sites do you rotate?

MushyPeaBrain

Well-Known Member
Messages
647
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I can only use my stomach and hips for pumping and I rotate my sites carefully. I end up with about 12-14 sites before I get back to the same area. I am hoping this is enough to avoid the dreaded pump fatigue later on!

How many sites do other people manage?
 
Hi mushy

I generally use my stomach. Im a bit nervous about using other places but i think i might try another site on my next change. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Josie
 
Both cheeks of bum and both legs only. Stomach kills me with pain.

From these areas I must be getting at least 60 different places to put sets, and by the time I get back round, to using the same cheek again, I doubt very much whether I would be hitting exactly the same spot as previously used. Not large sized, bottom half is now a size 8-10 depending where clothes are bought from.
 
Liklejojo pump fatigue is when your sites stop absorbing insulin as well due to overuse and scarring. It's preventable to a point by not using sets longer than the recommended time, good skin care and good rotation etc.

I am petite and have moles in areas that would otherwise be ideal so I'm worried about getting this long term. That's why I was wondering how many sites other people got before returning to the same area.

DonnellysDogs 60 sites!!!! :shock: I don't think you'll have to worry at all!! lol Of course with your set you can put each new set closer to the last than I can. Not sure what I'll do if I can't use the stomach/hips. Being partially sighted makes other areas tricky, I can't pinch even a cm on my legs and arms and would never be able to do my bottom. Hubby would have to do that if needed
 
Oh wow I didn't realise all this! I use 4 different areas, both sides of my bellybutton, and two patches on my lower back (just above the bum). I tried using my bum but the absorption was awful so haven't tried that anymore afterwards. I do try and use different spots on those areas all the time but there isn't that much room to play with really, especially on my stomach.

I will definitely be trying to be a bit more creative when it comes to sites in the future!
 
I think because I always use my legs and bum then I am used to the absorption rates, and basals and bolus are set to cope with these areas on a long term basis.......because I wear pump on arm...I have the longest tubing and always stick to this as well, which enables me to go really low down on my legs, and because they are rapid d's the sets they do not catch in my leggings or jeans at all. The only thing with using so much of my legs, is that I do hit blood more-but I know it as soon as the rapid d starts to go oin, so I just move the set over a little bit....
 
Never heard of fatigue think.

I spoke to pump nurse this morning and when she asked how long do I go before I change the site I said 5 days. She nearly had a fit! Not allowed to do that anymore.

I just forget because I dont get any pain and they heal quickly. Just change them when the insulin runs out.

Better start changing them every 3 days.
 
Must admit I have also gone up to 4 days on steel rapid d's recently before I remembered to change the set.....ooops....and that was after having them all written in my log book for days in advance to remind me to do them!!!! Fortunately no problems from soing so, but I have no idea what is going to remind me, if writing it in my log book doesn't.......think I am going to have to device note to leave on the fridge door or bedside cabinet.....but then i won't remember to write the note!!!!!! **** having a useless brain sometimes!!!! It isn't laziness-just forgetfulness........
 
I use the fronts & sides of my thighs. I start at the top on the first change of a month & work my way across & down. I change every 2 days as I used to get lumps after 3 days & the scars would take weeks to go. I change legs each month. Therefore I use 30 areas every 2 months, but of course, I doubt I hit exactly the same place twice very often.

I keep post it notes in my log book to remind me to change, I have a terrible memory for routine stuff.

I hate using my tummy, the set would always catch on my waistband & was uncomfortable, plus I don't have much flesh on my tummy which made site numbers limited.

I have found a great way of dealing with cannula marks/scars though. I'd heard that lavender oil was great for burns & gave it a try. It's fantastic on cannula marks too. I just rub a bit each night into both thighs & the marks are gone in a day or so. (essential oil bottles will always say not to apply undiluted to the skin, so you make your own risk assessment, but there's plenty of available evidence that lavender oil is safe)
 

You can set up a reminder on the Combo meter ....

Menu
Settings
Reminders
Date Reminders
Infusion Set Change

Mine is set to remind me every 2 days so when I switch the meter on the reminder comes up. I can either press Dismiss (meter then thinks youve changed the set) or press Snooze (meter will then carry on reminding you again.


I tend to use my tummy, thigh area of backside, and upper legs. The Rapid Ds don't really mark that much.
 
Thanks mushypeabrain, I had no idea, I rotate as much as I can but now I'll be making extra sure I do.

I've done the same donnelly - Done 4-5 days and thought eek - I usually stay away from it for a while, I end up counting days to remember, post-its don't help because I end up piling them all on top of each other lol
 
Hi,

DonnellysDogs - How the hell can you attach the cannula in your bum? I was advised to do it in my arm due to problems in my stomach area but I need 2 hands at all times. Do you have very long arms or a good partner?! Always had pain injecting in my thighs so stick to stomach. I now use silhouette cannulas for Medtronic Veo pump and been OK with those. I am overweight so should have been OK with normal ones but had a number of failed insertions.
 
Really easy.....I can do it pretty much round to the crack of my bum on each side......with rapid d's I can put them in blind without looking at them.....there are no inserters to use, needle is pre-primed prior to going in skin and so small to handle-just push in and way I go!!!! No problems at all putting in......

Still try to do it standing up, but if I am having a bad day then it is really easy to do sitting down....(I don't actually put in on the sitting area of my bum)....LOL :lol:

Taking out is a bit humorous at times...and sometimes have to rely upon lift spray to help with lifting the set off as it is stuck down so firmly....

Doing in my legs, it is easier to do if I have got cold legs, as the blood vessels on my legs are more easy to see to avoid them than if my legs are straight out of bed and really warm.......
 
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