Sore lumps at cannula site

[megan]

I have been rotating my cannula sites on my legs to give my tummy a rest. I'm on tandem t slim and g7.
My control has recently been erratic and I've made small slow adjustments to try to control it. Then on the build up to my monthly my insulin requirements go up then suddenly drop off and I get hypos and have to adjust. But this time it's erratic with lots of lows after lots of highs. I am very careful to make tiny adjustments. Aside from that my legs are sore. I change the cannula every 3 days but it's more sore on the 3rd day. It rarely runs smoothly but it was better than this months ago.

 

[searley]

I can have pain issues on day 3.. I find it site specific so some areas work others can be painful

I also find it insulin specific no pain with humalog and pain with Lymjev

 

[Hopeful34]

I have been rotating my cannula sites on my legs to give my tummy a rest. I'm on tandem t slim and g7.
My control has recently been erratic and I've made small slow adjustments to try to control it. Then on the build up to my monthly my insulin requirements go up then suddenly drop off and I get hypos and have to adjust. But this time it's erratic with lots of lows after lots of highs. I am very careful to make tiny adjustments. Aside from that my legs are sore. I change the cannula every 3 days but it's more sore on the 3rd day. It rarely runs smoothly but it was better than this months ago.

Have you tried using different cannulas at all @megan

 

[Juicyj]

I have been rotating my cannula sites on my legs to give my tummy a rest. I'm on tandem t slim and g7.
My control has recently been erratic and I've made small slow adjustments to try to control it. Then on the build up to my monthly my insulin requirements go up then suddenly drop off and I get hypos and have to adjust. But this time it's erratic with lots of lows after lots of highs. I am very careful to make tiny adjustments. Aside from that my legs are sore. I change the cannula every 3 days but it's more sore on the 3rd day. It rarely runs smoothly but it was better than this months ago.

Hi - what cannula sets are you using ?

 

[megan]

I'm using autosoft 90. Some of the lumps are particularly sore and large

 

[Hopeful34]

Have you tried the True Steel, as I used to get the sore lumps with the autosoft 90, and don't with the True Steel.

 

[megan]

Have you tried the True Steel, as I used to get the sore lumps with the autosoft 90, and don't with the True Steel.

I've not but I'll ask to try them thanks.... I also need to try some longer cannulas as my pump and Dexcom don't like to be too far apart to communicate and the cannula tubing actually got pulled out in my sleep this week! First time that's happened

 

[Hopeful34]

Ouch, that can be painful. They do 32 inch tubing, which is the longer one. I wasn't with it today when ordering them, and accidentally said 32 inch needle instead of tubing!! Realised straight away, and had a good chuckle!!

 

[Juicyj]

I've not but I'll ask to try them thanks.... I also need to try some longer cannulas as my pump and Dexcom don't like to be too far apart to communicate and the cannula tubing actually got pulled out in my sleep this week! First time that's happened

Yes agree try switching to tru steel, my painful sites disappeared once I started using steel sets, I was reacting quite badly to plastic which affected absorption and ultimately left me fighting high bg levels.

 

[megan]

Thank you

 

[megan]

I have been using the tru steel now. I am still getting the lumps but they are now the width of the plaster. They are sore and unpleasant. The others were too but deeper than these. Don't know what to do now. Any ideas?

 

[Hopeful34]

Ouch it's horrible when that happens. What advice has your hospital team given you? You could try a different insulin, if you haven't already, or a different length cannula.

Edited to add - The other thing I found helpful is to give bolus doses over 15 minutes.

 

[megan]

Thanks for reply. I'm now trying longer cannulas as I'm using my legs not tummy. I some time do space out the insulin doses.... the only thing the team questioned was why all the doses and not one. I'm waiting to hear back from them on this problem. I've not been given the option of a different insulin but I could try asking. Suggestions again please, I get terrible brain fog

 

[Hopeful34]

Sorry I didn't explain the last point very well. I meant I give one bolus, but only give for example 10% immediately and the rest extended over about 15 minutes. It depends what you're eating and what suits you. ( The multiple doses you're giving would have a similar effect though).

What insulin are you using?

 

[megan]

Sorry I didn't explain the last point very well. I meant I give one bolus, but only give for example 10% immediately and the rest extended over about 15 minutes. It depends what you're eating and what suits you. ( The multiple doses you're giving would have a similar effect though).

What insulin are you using?

I sometimes do that if I have a bigger dose to give. I'm on novorapid, have been for years

 

[EllieM]

Were you having issues with the novorapid before you were on pump therapy?
I think the lengths are 60cm, 90cm and 120cm for the trusteel (I moved from 60cm to 90cm because I put the pump in my bra if I don't have trousers with pockets and it's then not long enough if the cannula is on my legs.)

I am still getting the lumps but they are now the width of the plaster.

Is that the width of the plaster you stick over the cannula or the actual cannula plaster. ?

These are the infusion sets available in New Zealand.

Infusion Sets​

An infusion set is a complete tubing system, changed every 2-3 days, which delivers insulin from the insulin pump to your body. Finding the right infusion set is an important part of successful insulin pump therapy, which is why we offer different options.

VariSoft: Variable angle soft cannula

TruSteel: 90-degree stainless steel needle

AutoSoft 90: 90-degree soft cannula

AutoSoft 30: 30-degree soft cannula

 

[megan]

The insulin would sometimes sting going in before I was on the pump.
Thank you for all the info on the cannulas.
The sore lump with tru steel is the size of the cannula plaster, I don't stick any more over the top

 

[EllieM]

The sore lump with tru steel is the size of the cannula plaster, I don't stick any more over the top

Just wondering if you could be allergic to the plaster rather than the insulin????

 

[megan]

Just wondering if you could be allergic to the plaster rather than the insulin????

I did wonder with this one but my lump reaction to the other cannula isn't based round the adhesive tape. Still waiting to hear from diabetes nurses

 

[megan]

The nurse has got back to me and suggested I go to the pharmacist for advice for a topical cream or maybe a different size cannula. I'm not very impressed with this response to be honest .... any thoughts gratefully recieved