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If you use an insulin pump, does your T1D healthcare provider typically examine your pump sites during your appointments?
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They only time she has examined my site’s is when I had a question about one. She does ask if I have any issues with them.
Misunderstood the question. I’m already on a more frequent change from bleeding and hematomas so unless I say something it’s understood that I’ll have marks.
I answered no. As a health care provider I must say that I seldom check patients infusion sites. I believe subcutaneous infusion of insulin is one of the most problematic issues with insulin delivery. Tissue damage, site placement, movement, circulation……all effect insulin absorption. If insulin could be delivered in a highly consistent manor tighter BG control could be achieved far more easily!
I answered “yes” but it isn’t a very thorough look. But she’ll check a site more closely if I raise a possible issue.
Always, before telehealth visits began.
I remember this happening once. It seemed rather awkward.
I answered sometimes. Sites are examined only if there’s a problem, like redness and swelling. Had a couple of infected ones. No biggie, it happens very seldom.
I last physically visited with my Diabetes Nurse 3 years ago before I had a pump. We do have phone visits about once a year and she checks my Tandem uploaded data.
Never. He only looks at the lab reports and downloads of Dexcom. I suppose if I asked him to look at my sites, he would, but he does not initiate it.
My endocrinologist always palpitated my stomach. I know he was checking for a few things, but scar tissue was one of them. Sadly he has moved and I am getting ready to move out of country for a couple years, so I’m not sure what my healthcare journey is going to look like.
Name the country you’re going to. Many of us have experience and advice for a slew of countries.
Never. I know how to apply my pump and rotate sites. I have favorite sites and know what happens if overused or left in too long. Tissue changes and delivery problems. This is just one of the facets to my self- care. There are plenty of places that are stumbling blocks to managing T1, but I can see
Oops sent before finish sentence. Oh well.
Extremely rarely. It’s not like when I was on multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) and I developed lypohypertrophy in different areas of my body where I used to inject.
My diabetes doctors and PAs never check the sites, but my diabetes educator did when I mentioned that I get dents in my skin (wasting away of fat) sometimes from the infusion sites. He said that is extremely rare as most people get lumps of fat where the infusion sites are. In the early 1970’s when I was first diagnosed and put on pork insulin, I would get the wasting away of fat but have never had wasting away of fat with multiple daily injections when put on regular and nph or when put on humalog and lantus years later. Only when put on a pump did the wasting away of fat occur again. Luckily it doesn’t happen often.
I’m sure he would if I asked or complained about them.
No. If I have any concerns about infusion sites I contact the Diabetes Educator.
My precious Endo did. But the one that came after doesn’t. Anyway I’ve been having tele health for the last two years. So no way to check that through the computer screen. 😆. But I pretty much know the areas where the infusion cannula doesn’t work.
My previous endo (retired) checked then when I had issues with them. My new endo checked when I had my first appointment.
Not necessary to check – If there is a problem (and, to date, there hasn’t been any issue with the ‘pump sites’) I’d bring it to their attention.
No, but I think he should. I will start recommending it. It seems as though the longer we are with the same physician, and if we are usually in good control, the less thorough they are and they rely more on us to inform them of issues and questions.
Don’t know as I haven’t had a face to face appointment since starting on the pump.
No. The only time pump sites are checked are when I ask them to be. This has been by multiple Endos I have seen in 21 years, maybe around 6.
I’m not sure if I clearly understood this question. I interpreted it as, does my Endo check my pump, not my cannula sites. I answered “Yes, always” because my Endo downloads data from my pump and reviews the date with me.
“data” not “date.”
I put “yes, sometimes” but very rare.
Naah. I’ve been seeing my Endo for 25 years. She ASKS me if my sites are okay, and WARNS me about leaving a site in for too long. But she never examines them. She knows me, and knows that if I were having an issue I would stop using that specific site. Problem solved.