painful cannula

symer001 said:

Hi, I'm on an accu chek spirit pump and I'm having trouble finding a infusion set I'm happy with.

I started on the flexlink and found these very painful even when using the link assist so I tried the flex link plus. I found these quite painful as well, but I'm not sure how much of it is in my head as I've developed a bit of a fear of the link assists.
So today I have trialed the tender link. I had difficulty putting it in/taking it out but once its in, I'm happy and can't feel a thing. But I would like some feedback on other people using this cannula as I don't know if I'm inserting it properly, and the needle gets stuck at the start of the plastic tube, so it is quite painful to force it in past that point.

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Hi Symer 001,
I've only ever used TENDERLINK 17/110 s they look medieval but I've always found them fine as I've got some spare muscle around my waist (fat) so it's very comfortable for me it's sometimes a bit uncomfortable for me, I first tried the Rapids but reminded me of a drawing pin to much (physiological) mor than anything, I know donnellydogs uses the Rapids as she's lean and muscular ( in a feminine way sorry dd) I'm going into the Insight soon and I want to try the Rapids again to see if it gives me more scope of places to insert cannula.

Hi. I've just started using the tenderlink cannulas. I was using the rapid D steel ones which are easier to insert but I found I had few places where they wouldn't be uncomfortable. The tenderlink IS scary (I still take a while to muster the courage ) but I just plunge them in pretty quickly and can honestly say it has never been painful despite the length and thickness of the cannula. (It always surprises me!)The only thing is, I seem to have a red scar/mark for quite a while where the cannulas have been. I do like the fact that I can have them (almost) anywhere and not get pain when pressing or lying on them. Also they seem very reliable (I had a lot of kinking problems when I tried flex link , though that was a few years ago and they may be better now).
I'll be going into an Insight pump soon, not sure which cannulas it uses, will have to wait and see.

Tea tree oil was recommended a while ago by a pumper to heal the hole msrk left when pulling out a 30 degree cannula. Savlon cream is good and vitamin E from a pierced gel. When using a Tenderlink, i numbed the skin off a tiny bit with a pack of frozen peas before inserting

I started on the tender link, but found them very scary ( slight needle/ cannula phobia) so tried the pin like ones but couldn't use the inserter so went back to the tender link, tried the inserter for that but my brain wouldn't let me push the darn button!!! I developed a process that seems to work for me/ comfort and my brain, bath, hot water bottle on the area I'm putting it in for 20 mins then I do it. The only time this doesn't work is when I have to change it in a rush ( I have a habit of pulling them out)

Good luck, routine helps the physiological aspect of it