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Lipohypertrophy

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neryscm

Active Member
Messages
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Hi all,
I've been on the Minimed 640g since last November, so just over a year now. After doing some reading I believe that I have lipohypertrophy in my right thigh (no delivery, can't feel the needle being inserted when changing sets, bent cannulas etc). I stopped using my thigh a very long time ago because of this. The issue I have now is that I'm worried that my left thigh will develop lipohypertrophy, leaving me with nowhere to put my sets. I don't use my abdomen as it's quite painful and leaves awful marks.
I've read that liposuction is a cure for severe lipohypertrophy but that's extreme, so has anyone got any tips for how to get rid of it or even manage it better, other than leaving it alone?
Worried that I'll end up running out of site locations and will be back on MDI... :(
Thank you.
 
I'm afraid I have no experience with lipohypertrophy but I do find I have better absorption in different areas. I find the thighs not good which is odd as it's been (and remains for occasional injections) my main injecting site for the majority of 33 years. What I have found (if you look at some of my threads) is that often switching to different types of canulas can be the answer.

I never used my stomach to inject after I tried it once and found it incredibly painful and got a string of bruises from one needle. However, I find sets work very well there and aren't painful. Again it's a case of finding the right one. I've also found that once I got over the psychological block of putting sets where I can't see them, the bottom is pretty good too.

Do you know what the cause of the lipohypertrophy is? Was it connected to the type of insulin you were using or the rotation? Have you discussed it with your hospital team and do they have any suggestions?

Good luck with finding a solution.
 
Have you tried your bum @neryscm ? That's a good area to use and it'll give your thigh a rest. I can't use my tummy either as I get very poor absorption there.
 
Hi @neryscm - it's quite difficult to say for sure if this really is lipohypertrophy without a diagnosis from your doctor which is where I would start if I were you, get yourself booked in as soon as possible and see what your GP says first before worrying about this ? I am also on the 640g and have had an issue with sites on my tummy so have to be careful where I site my sets, however I haven't tried anywhere else as yet so unsure how effective thighs would be, I am thinking about trying other sites but prefer my tummy simply for cannula sets - I also use sure t with mine and find these are much better than mios, steel cannula set and easier insertion :)
 
Thank you so much for your repsonses @Juicyj @azure and @tigger . Granted the lipohypertrophy is self-diagnosed so I should go see someone about it, but all of the signs are there so I'm almost certain that's what it is.
I injected constanly in my tummy for around 15 years, I get regular bent cannulas from my tummy so think I may have slight issues with (suspected) lipohypertrophy there too, but I'm not too concerned as having the set in my tummy is awkward and uncomfortable for me.
What cannulas do you all use? I'm on the quicksets and they're ok but I waste so many due to them getting bent. Heard the steel ones are good but I'm a baby when it comes to pain and I don't like the thought of them being so rigid!
Thanks again for your help x
 
neryscm said:
Thank you so much for your repsonses @Juicyj @azure and @tigger . Granted the lipohypertrophy is self-diagnosed so I should go see someone about it, but all of the signs are there so I'm almost certain that's what it is.
I injected constanly in my tummy for around 15 years, I get regular bent cannulas from my tummy so think I may have slight issues with (suspected) lipohypertrophy there too, but I'm not too concerned as having the set in my tummy is awkward and uncomfortable for me.
What cannulas do you all use? I'm on the quicksets and they're ok but I waste so many due to them getting bent. Heard the steel ones are good but I'm a baby when it comes to pain and I don't like the thought of them being so rigid!
Thanks again for your help x
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Definitely try the sure-t's they are much easier to insert, although they sound scary as they are steel they really are not at all, I didn't like the sound of them, but I was getting an allergic reaction to the Mios and I didn't like quick sets, the sure-t's are just so easy in comparison, I don't waste any and I know they are all inserted correctly, they don't hurt to insert either, I would rather use these as otherwise I would of had to of gone back to MDI and I didn't want to, trust me you won't look back once you start using them.

Please get this diagnosed at your GP's i'd rather have a medical diagnosis than self diagnosis, once you are seen medically then a plan of action can be put in place and you know exactly where you stand ;)
 
Definitely try other sets. I got loads of bent canulas with quick sets to the extent that I was going to give up and that was on my stomach which was virgin territory. I find sillhouettes and mios much better.
 
have you tried putting it on your sides?? I don't use my tummy at all or my thighs just all the areas on my side and a far back as I can reach. I use Mio sets, had to stop using Quick sets are they were always bending and kinking
 
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