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If you use an insulin pump, what are your preferred pump site locations? Select all that apply!
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Just curiosity, has anyone had success utilizing their upper arm? I could utilize it the it it worked well. I place the insert on my waist because, always have…
I have success with the upper arm (more toward the back of the arm just below the shoulder. My insulin is absorbed well there but I occasionally will have pain there if I lie on my side. I usually don’t side sleep so it is not too big of a problem for me.
I use my arm (back of arm) as much as possible. best absorption for me. it’s a bit tricky to insert, but not more really than taking shots there, which I did for many years. I use my knee or side to “pinch” up the skin a bit…
I alternate between abdomen, legs, and belly above navel.
I don’t use one anymore, so I said N/A. When I did, I put it on my stomach, back, and buttocks. Tried my leg once, but it hurt too much, and my arm once, but the catheter came out after one day.
Just curious. What do you use now?
Anywhere but abdomen
I use my abdomen and legs. I don’t use my buttocks because that is where I use my CGM. I can’t use the CGM on my abdomen because I get bad rashes. I tried my upper arm, but I can’t reach there to get the cannula in, and it doesn’t stay in there. I can’t imagine where in the lower back I would put a cannula.
I interpreted lower back to mean upper hip area (above buttocks). I use that area and your buttocks because I have more padding there and find that because it doesn’t bend, I don’t have problems with cannulas kinking/failing like I do in the abdomen.
Pods can pretty much be placed anywhere there is a little meat. I find anywhere on my chest gives great absorption. Right now my pod is on my upper back in the shoulder area.
I am surprised the pod doesn’t bother you when you sleep on your back, if in fact you do.
Buttocks and sides
Sides include love handles and tissue under arm adjacent to breast.
Lower and upper abdomen. CGM on upper arms. Legs hurt, and i sleeo on my back so buttocks don’t work.
Chest.
Me too! I was very skeptical and nervous about putting an Omnipod on my chest (mid-pec area), but I’ve found that the absorption is excellent and I don’t feel any pain or discomfort (I don’t even know it’s there most of the time).
Oh, wow… I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this location being used! =:o
I also don’t know if I have the guts to try the location, but it would help with my skin issues.
My physician’s assistant for my diabetes said many women use their breasts for their CGMs also. I am not brave enough to try an infusion set or CGM there however.
I actually loved this area for both my CGM and pump, not in the pec area but the breast, but my OB said that many women with diabetes have “dense breast tissue” so it’s best to avoid additional scar tissue there. Of course consult with your doctor(s,) but just a heads up!
I said “other”, though I could have said abdomen some of the time. I am mostly using the area around my hips, sometimes in the abdomen and sometimes just outside the hip near the the buttock. Every once in a while I try the area above my waist. I don’t want to use the abdomen much because I got scarring there after 25 years pumping. I took a pump vacation for two years but am still wary of the abdomen for the most part. I can use it for my Dexcom though, without any problems.
I use the soft tissue area between my hips and abdomen too.
This question is obviously for Omnipod users, while I am using a Medtronic pump. So my answer relates to placement of the infusion set, which I have always put on my abdomen (right side, infusion, left side, Dexcom). I tried putting the infusion set on my upper leg (more for cosmetic reasons like when I go to the beach), but I had a lot of pain and sometimes infections that way.
Love handles are the best for me.
Sides
Lower abdomen below the belt line and fleshy part of hips.
I wish I could use an arm as a site for my CGM, but the undertaping/overtaping is difficult enough when I can see it (belly or thigh). No way could I do the elaborate taping required without the use of both hands. Plus, intermittent shoulder pain means I sometimes lose flexibility. The infusion set application is simpler, but hurt too much for my arms.
Abdomen only. Tried my legs recently and it hurt fiercely, didn’t get better over time. I have had neuropathy for nearly 40 years so it may well have spread into my thighs.
I wish I could use arms for infusion sites, but disconnecting/connecting would be difficult. I do have different pump settings based on placement, been pumping so long that my settings are for higher doses in the abdomen area, and lower dose ratios on my legs. I also use the chest area.
Where do you place it on your chest exactly? I’m searching for some new areas.
I use legs and arms. I have the Omnipod, so arms are doable. (I was never able to figure out how to put a tubed pump on my arm.) I can’t use my abdomen anymore because of skin/fat issues (lipoatrophy). I have tried the lower back and upper buttocks but found those sites to be super uncomfortable and difficult for me.
I’m still pretty new to a pump, although I’ve been t1 d for 61 years. Still not sure I like it. I always did pretty well with mdi but thought I’d see if the pump is easier. Jury is still out. Anyway I put my tandem on my stomach area ( high , low, side, mid) legs (upper front) and upper arms. All seem to work okay and not be too annoying.
My abdomen is where I usually like to where my infusion set as I seem to get the most consistency in insulin absorption there. I find my lower back is comfortable but sometimes I seem to get high blood sugars there. My hips also seem to give me high glucose numbers. My arms seem to work well but sometimes the infusion set can be uncomfortable there. My fat has been eaten away when I have put the infusion set in my upper thighs so I don’t like that area.
I hate abdomen for canulas, I’m surprised 43% preferred it.
same!
Im a side sleeper, turn during the night from one side to the other, so that leaves me with my abdomen only.
It works the best just below the waist line. The lower or upper abdomen works well sometimes but not always.
Have tried my upper thighs and is kind of an annoyance with the tubing and the underwear when going to the bathroom.
i can’t think of how to use my arms without pulling the cannula when exercising.
Some people mentioned the love handles. I’m going to try that and see how it works.
I’m a podder and love using legs. Arms and upper buttocks sometimes. Never abdomen.
My preferred location is on the abdomen, but it is becoming so scarred (internally) that I really need to find a suitable alternative – that won’t cause more problems (pressure from pants on site when I sit, or in a position that will get aggravated when laying down to sleep, etc.). I find, when trying alternate sites, other than the abdomen, that they are not as insulin efficient, and don’t work for the same length of time.
I use my Tandem insulin pump where I have enough fat: my outside upper buttocks and my outside upper thighs. My right abdomen and inner upper arms are used for my Dexcom sensor. Sites may change if I change to an Omnipod with their new release.
That is where I was originally instructed to put it. I didn’t know there were others.
I use my abdomen for both pump (left) and Dexcom (right). I have never had one pull out because it is protected by my pants and underwear. I would think it would be more vulnerable to being pulled out if it were above my waistline.
I am a podder and I use my abdomen (one side for CGM, the other for the pod). I have tried my thighs and upper arms. I will soon have to try other areas because my abdomen has a lot of scarring.
I place my pump site almost anywhere – a new place I tried is my lats and its worked great!