Thursday, January 20, 2011

Hard Core

For the almost three years I’ve been a pumper, I’ve always used the same style of insertion set.  The Minimed Quick-set.  I’ve never had any real problems with it and I like that it has three options of tubing length.  In addition, I always use my Quick-Serter to insert my site and usually that all goes well too.

SiteOnce in a while, though, the Quick-Serter gives me a bit of a problem.  Like last week, when the sticky stuff somehow got stuck to the walls of the Quick-Serter.  Instead of hearing a happy SHWOOP when I pressed the Quick-Serter button, I heard an odd FWOP as the needle went partially into me and the tape adhered to both me and the Serter.  I peeled everything off as best I could, reloaded it back into the Serter and tried again.  Of course, it seems that particular site had a mad crush on the Serter, because once again to clung to it for dear life.

So now I had a decision to make.  I could waste the site and start over with a new one.  Or I could try, for the first time ever, to insert in manually.  I decided to be very cheap brave and give manual insertion a go.  I took a deep breath and SMACK I popped the site right in.  It wasn’t all that bad.  It did cross my mind that three insertion attempts might have done some damage to the cannula, but that wasn’t the case and the site worked just fine.

When it came time for my next site change, I thought about the manual insertion I had done last time.  And I thought about how it might be nice to know I don’t have to depend on the Quick-Serter.  So once again, I did a manual insertion.  It went well, but it definitely hurt more than when I use my Serter.  But you know what?  I think I’m going to keep inserting my sites manually from now on.  Because in some lame way, it makes me feel kind of Bad-Ass.  And who wouldn’t want to feel a little more Bad-Ass?

18 comments:

  1. That is pretty bad-ass. I've been on the MM infusion sets for almost 5 years and have yet to manually insert. I actually have about 3 Quick-Seters just in case one or two break. I found that if I take some alcohol swabs and wipe the insides of the setter, the infusion sets don't really get stuck when inserting. The thought of manually inserting seriously scares me. I'm a wuss though.

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  2. You might need to nominate yourself over at my blog (http://beyondyourperipheralvision.blogspot.com/2011/01/badassery-in-2011.html)!

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  3. Seriously bad ass! You just stab it in there?? Not sure I could handle that.

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  4. I went on the pump 15 years and without any inserting devices, I was taught to do it manually...and have done it that way every since.

    I have an inserter, but I just can't bring myself to try it. It scares me for some reason...which is funny because I'd NEVER manually poke myself with a lancet or manually insert my CGM sensor.

    Of course I put my needle in SUPER slow and am shoked that each time the cannula is not ruined.

    I need to branch out to new real-estate and switch up where I insert the needle and I'm afraid I may be forced to use the inserter to properly get everything in.

    Any suggestions on getting over my fear, or is it a matter of just sucking it up and trying it?!?!?

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  5. You know, I just did this in reverse about a year ago. I had always used the silhouette without an inserter until my dietician suggested using the inserter...I don't think I can go back now...definitely badass for not being a needle-weeny like me!!

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  6. Manual inserters are all I've ever know! (I use the Uno Medical Comfort sets.) But I'm proud of you for trying something new. :) Way to go!

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  7. Totally bad-ass! I use quick-sets too, and I hate it when the serter seems to eat them. I have done manual insertion from time to time (like when I travel and forget the serter) but I don like doing it on a regular basis. You go, girl!

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  8. I love the "bad add-ness" that you exude Karen! I am not sure about all this stuff you are talking about b/c Joe uses the Animas stuff...but it sounds "complicated".

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  9. You are totally bad-ass, my friend.

    I've been a freakin' R.N. for 16 years...who gave the first shot in the hospital? The hubs. Who did all the finger pokes for the first week because I was too chicken? The hubs. Who inserts all the Dex sensors? Yup. Him. As in NOT ME.

    While I can whisk through a site change with the Animas Inset, I have never been able to do a manual insertion. EVer.

    You rock :)

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  10. I love that you were brave enough to do it. I've often wondered if I would be able to do it if I need to. :)

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  11. Nope, I'm sure I couldn't do it. I'm glad you didn't challenge us to try!

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  12. Every now and then we get a batch of Quick Sets that aren't the same circumference as the inserter. I routinely trim them a bit so we don't get the drag and fwop (that's just what it sounds like!). I've been dying to insert the Quick Set manually for a few years (my daughter's coming up on 8 years with both pump and infusion set), but she's just not game yet. I'll tell her you've had great success.

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  13. When I wore that infusion set I tried manually inserting and it wasn't fun. I now wear the Animas Inset and you never have to worry about having the inserter on you because it is a part of the infusion set. It is a great set that you can insert with one hand (for when you use your bum!!)

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  14. None of the damn quick sets work for me (love the freedom to swear!). I have to use the silhouette and was always told the inserter is scarier, not helpul and plain worse, I've never tried it. Curious to hear more about what people with it think cause I can't stand manual insertion!

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  15. You know what's SUPER bad ass? When you put the infusion set on the ground -- needle-side up -- and do a belly flop onto it.

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  16. @Jacquie - that's exactly how I inserted it!! Doesn't everybody do it that way??

    (Loved your comment - thanks for the laugh!!)

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  17. You go girl! I use the silhouettes with my pump and have been doing them manually because I'm actually scared of using the inserter. LOL!

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