Absorption
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 9:24AM My insulin needs have been increasing like mad lately. I know that the added weight I have put on does not help. Insulin resistance occurs at times when one is over weight and let me tell you, I am up and over!
As far as my diet goes, not much has changed but honestly, the other day I went through a full reservoir in less than two days. And still I was high.
So on Monday I needed to do a site change and decided to move my set to the outside of my thigh wondering if I was having an issue with absorption.
Turns out I was right.
After the switch I started having constant lows that I had not seen in a while. It is an awful feeling when you are actually happy you have a low. But to be in good control is to be closer to the edge of a low. The key of course is to stay steady enough not to drop into a low. Let me know if you have figured that feat out.
Ever since I started with the CGMS I have kept my pump sites on my thighs and left the CGMS my stomach to destroy. I typically start low on my thigh and move across and up in a zig zag until I reach the top of my thigh then switch to the other leg. I thought this was good enough but apparently not. I am going to stick to the outside of my thighs for a while longer and let the front of my thighs have a break.
I have never tried an infusion set on my arm. I have tried the lower back which was great once and awful the next couple of times I tried. If you have any suggestions please let me know.
Reader Comments (8)
Have you tried the upper part of your ass cheek? Right below where the waist band of your pants are? I only feel that when I'm driving. Finding new & useful landscape is rough!!
I'm glad to hear that you figured out something that worked. At Jessie's last appointment I mentioned to the endo that I knew sometimes the insulin might not absorb properly and she went on to tell me a list of things that could affect the absorption such as the weather. It just makes you shake your head and want to punch the people that look you straight in the eye and say, "Oh, at least your 7 year old daughter has a 'controllable' disease." Many hugs to you and lots of luck figuring it out.
George, a while back I tried to use my thigh for the first time. The results were awful and can be found in this post:
Long story short, My thighs are low in fat for whatever reason or as compared to my waist. Simply put, it was painful to use my leg. It could have just been a fluke, but I'm seriously afraid to try after the first go-round.
My stomach is starting to look like a pin cushion and it would be nice to have some relief for a while. The back area is tough for the simple fact that I'm not too flexible for insertion and removal.
I also have never tried my arm. I don't think that would go over too well. I guess I'll just stick to my abs and hips.
I use the CGM on my thighs and the insulin in the stomach, and recently had absorption issues too. For a few months I tried arm sites around the biceps and they worked great, absorption-wise. Not so great, otherwise. I'm a side-sleeper and rolling onto the site often bent the cannula. For a while I was having some luck using the pasty-white underside of my arm, between elbow and armpit, but I found I still bent cannulas unless I got it in just the perfect spot. So I'm back to belly sites and a slightly higher TDD. Sigh.
Still, YMMV - I would definitely try it, but avoid putting site anywhere that gets pressed into your mattress. As a guy you should have more arm real-estate than I do ; )
You can try the side of your butt/topside of your leg/hip (hip area along the outside pants seam). I've put my pod there before and it looks like I have something in the side of my pocket. It's not too bad there. Right now, my pods are on my back, just higher than the "love handle" area. Maybe you didn't have your back sites in a good position last time. I used to hate putting my pods on my back, but now I love it since I figured out what area works best. Give it another try too.
Hope your sugars go down and your insulin intake goes down. I go through a full reservoir in about 1.5 days, so I know how you feel about the overweight and using a lot of insulin.
I would try your booty! I know I love it for my pod. I wish I could offer more advice but im bad when it comes to traditional pumps.
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