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    • 3 hours, 43 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      It smells like insulin, thank goodness. If it didn't I wouldn't use it.
    • 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      On the rare occasion that I spill or break a bottle; I can smell it. It smells like insulin without comparison to anything else.
    • 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      It smells like insulin. I believe the smell comes from preservatives. It's smelled the same since NPH and Regular insulin.
    • 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      it just smells like insulin!
    • 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      Distinctive medicine smell — unique to insulin.
    • 3 hours, 45 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      It smells like insulin.
    • 3 hours, 45 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      Smells like insulin :)
    • 3 hours, 46 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      Agree with Robert. It smells like Insulin. My mother God rest her soul had a very sensitive nose and she first brought it to my attention. Then I noticed it, but only when I am changing cartridges on my pump.
    • 3 hours, 46 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you notice a certain smell associated with your insulin?
      Smells like insulin
    • 12 hours, 25 minutes ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      Where do you currently receive information about diabetes? (select all that apply.)
      Other T1Ds online in meetups and direct communication.
    • 13 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Bob Durstenfeld likes your comment at
      What was your most recent A1c?
      I went from 6.0 to 6.3. A little bummed but I will blame the holidays. My family gives me food for gifts sometimes and I eat it if it is in the house, but maybe only 1 cookie a day. I’ve found if I don’t time the bolus 15 minutes before I eat, I will go high and it is usually a stubborn high. The insulin on board is taking a longer time it seems to be totally absorbed (is that insulin resistance?). Anyway, almost 68 and I’m noticing some small changes like that. Hopefully, with the new year, I will get back on track with better diet and consistent exercise.
    • 14 hours, 3 minutes ago
      Fabio Gobeth likes your comment at
      Outside of CGM or insulin pumps, are there any other T1D related technologies that have helped you better monitor your T1D? Share in the comments what they are!
      Insulin is much better. Insulin is rarely mentioned as a diabetes tech. Still, all these people running around talking about free insulin for all do not understand that insulin today is 10,000 times more advanced than when it was discovered. Yes, I celebrate banting, but let's not kid ourselves, basting did not discover this insulin - this insulin is the product of millions of dollars of research efforts.
    • 15 hours, 31 minutes ago
      Meerkat likes your comment at
      What was your most recent A1c?
      I went from 6.0 to 6.3. A little bummed but I will blame the holidays. My family gives me food for gifts sometimes and I eat it if it is in the house, but maybe only 1 cookie a day. I’ve found if I don’t time the bolus 15 minutes before I eat, I will go high and it is usually a stubborn high. The insulin on board is taking a longer time it seems to be totally absorbed (is that insulin resistance?). Anyway, almost 68 and I’m noticing some small changes like that. Hopefully, with the new year, I will get back on track with better diet and consistent exercise.
    • 15 hours, 54 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      Cost no, insurance coverage yes. I had a UHC plan that restricted me to Medtronic pumps for a while. I really wanted a Tandem, but had to wait for insurance policy to switch for coverage.
    • 15 hours, 54 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      I have used the Medtronic pump since 1995. I therefore use their Guardian Sensors. My work insurance covered my supplies. When I turned 65, Medicare & my supplemental insurance covered my supplies. I am so blessed to have EVERYTHING eventually covered by insurance! A few difficult fights along the way— Type 1 for 70 years. I am 76! I also hate change. I am not techie. If it is not broken, I don’t fix it!
    • 15 hours, 56 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      Indirectly — I only use the devices that are covered. So far, it's only impacted my glucometer choice.
    • 16 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What was your most recent A1c?
      I was so bummed because the one six months before that was 5.6. But I have been using the guardian G4 sensors and in that six months the quality of those sensors has plummeted. They are so unreliable and don’t last seven days and my blood sugars were all over the place. I’ve called Medtronic and I’m keeping track of all my sensors and I would say that out of the last 20 sensors 75% of them fail after four days. Now I don’t trust them in my life is very stressful in that regard. Does anyone else on this site use the Guardian G4S and if so, have you noticed a diminishment in accuracy and longevity?
    • 19 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      I have used the Medtronic pump since 1995. I therefore use their Guardian Sensors. My work insurance covered my supplies. When I turned 65, Medicare & my supplemental insurance covered my supplies. I am so blessed to have EVERYTHING eventually covered by insurance! A few difficult fights along the way— Type 1 for 70 years. I am 76! I also hate change. I am not techie. If it is not broken, I don’t fix it!
    • 1 day, 6 hours ago
      Sarah Berry likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      If insurance covers it, it's an option. If not, then I need to find alternatives or go old school.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      I was more interested in integration of my pump and CGM than cost. And usually insurance covered the cost.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      I wanted tighter control and less 'daily disease management'.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      5 years ago my insurance changed. I went off my pump and did MDI. I just turned 65. I will be going back on the pump.
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Irene Blanchard likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      I wanted tighter control and less 'daily disease management'.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      AmyM likes your comment at
      Outside of CGM or insulin pumps, are there any other T1D related technologies that have helped you better monitor your T1D? Share in the comments what they are!
      A simple scale to weigh foods.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      Did cost have a factor in deciding which diabetes technology devices you use? Share more in the comments about this process for you.
      I was fortunate enough to get into a study about 6 years ago and was using medtronic pump and cgm for 6 months. Lots of issues with alerts, calibrations etc and I almost decided to continue with mdi. My endo convinced me to give tandem/dexcom a try and I did, its not perfect but my in range time stays consistently 93% or better and a1c is typically 6.1 or less. I've been type 1 for 28 years and as I age (I'm 68) more challenges creep into controlling glucose however Tandem and dexcom have helped considerably!
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    When your pump or CGM sites feel irritated or uncomfortable on your skin, do you change your site or wait for the session to be over?

    Home > LC Polls > When your pump or CGM sites feel irritated or uncomfortable on your skin, do you change your site or wait for the session to be over?
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    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    19 Comments

    1. Ernie Richmann

      I change the site if my readings or BG does not seem right.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Megan L

      If it’s my pump site, I’ll go ahead and change it if it’s actually bothering me because that’s rare. If it’s my sensor, I’ll try to hold off until it’s time to change it.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. connie ker

      Since I have been wearing a transparent medical tape over the sensor, some time the irritation is from the tape. So I just cut that piece of tape off the irritation and put cortizone cream on the irritation. So far, so good.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Annie Wall

      When I was on the pump, I’d change my site right away. On Dexcom I’ve only once had the problem and I did change the sensor once it was obvious that the pain wasn’t going away. When I removedf it, there was a lot of blood so I called Dexcom and, after explaining the situation, they sent me a replacement.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Mike S

      Only if the pump/cgm seems to be malfunctioning. Otherwise I do my best to wait it out.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Grey Gray

      Tapes don’t bother my skin the only discomfort I have ever felt was the sure t site needle hitting muscle. I will usually change to avoid an unexpected blockage

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Dennis Dacey

      OTHET. Each instance of “iteration ” poses unique characteristics and need a reason. After analysis, i decide best option

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Kristine Warmecke

      I try to wait it out on my CGM, I have had Medtronic ones fall out because of my allergy to the actual sensor. For a pump site I change it out as soon as I can.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. cynthia jaworski

      I use the libre, and it seems to have fewer problems. I have never had any discomfort.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. casey shane

      Hello hope everybody is well. Ive used a medtronic mini med paradigm 720 since 2010, new one in 2015 never had an issue with the adhesive or site with pump site changes. Just got a sexy dexy g6, first three sensors no problem, the last 2 from the same lot# burned the skin on my arms. (Looks like i have a million red dots in the shape of a dexcom, itches, burns, is sore it actually hurts to be honest from the glue/adhesive) will start using all kare skin barrier too see if that helps. Also just received my new tandem tslim (eligible for a new pump every 5 years) and have had no site issues.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Glenda Schuessler

      I currently use the Dexcom G5; I’ve used it 2 – 3 years. I usually re-start the sensor at the end of session and wear it 2 – 3 weeks (7 day sensor session with G5), I have not experienced skin irritations from the CGM sites. Occasionally I have an irritation with infusion sites, I use the Medtronic silhouette infusion sets with an Accu-Chek Spirit combo pump. I am very thankful that I have not had skin irritations with either!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. KarenM6

      As my sites (CGM and pump) are almost always uncomfortable, I wait it out (unless the pump and site are malfunctioning). The itchiness and/or pain (like a bruise being constantly pushed on and more) have to be endured… my insurance would never pay for the replacement devices… and, I would soon lose more real estate on my body for places to place the devices.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Becky Hertz

      My skin has never gotten irritated, my sites yes, but not the skin. Assuming your talking more of an adhesive issue here.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. pioneir

      I do my best to wait it out.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Leona Hanson

      Never had a skin problem with meditronic infusion sets but I have had a couple of them hurt because I put them in the wrong spot and they hurt I try too wait it out but usually change them out

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Donna Condi

      I have only had irritation one time wearing an Omnipod on my upper hip. It was 95 degrees in Minnesota and walking around outside all day while on vacation. We left are friends and drove a while until I couldn’t take the pain and asked husband to pull over so I could take a look. It looked bad enough that I removed it and put a new one on my stomach. When we got home I did research and began using a barrier wipe before attaching anything to my body. No problems since!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Maria T

      I am in the same position as KarenM6- my insurance does not allow me any freedom to get 1 extra sensor or POD, so I just bite my lip and endure. The Dexcom adhesive used to be great, but in the past year has become more irritating.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Sally Numrich

      I use metal infusion sets, so once in awhile it hurts a little.I usually just ride it out. It usually settles in after awhile. A few times, it hurts a lot and I just change it out. Sometimes I can just pull it out and put it in somewhere else. The joys of metal infusion sets.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Cheryl Seibert

      I wait it out unless it gets more painful. Many times, the site irritation is because of clothing or large boluses with meals. A change of clothes or getting up and walking/exercising seems to make the irritation go away the majority of the time.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    When your pump or CGM sites feel irritated or uncomfortable on your skin, do you change your site or wait for the session to be over? Cancel reply

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