soreness at the infusion site

[tetrisfan]

Has anyone experienced soreness at your infusion site.

I have been using infusion sets for several years. Since I switched to a Paradigm. My infusion sets seem to be causing soreness on the second day.

I know that I am not allergic to the cannula. I suspect that the cannula is lined with a product called "PE". I may be experiencing a reaction to the chemical, PE.

Am I the only one?

You can contact me at thomas.wieberg@dolir.mo.gov or tetrisfan@embarqmail.com .

[John Walsh, PA, CDE]

Has anyone experienced soreness at your infusion site.

I have been using infusion sets for several years. Since I switched to a Paradigm. My infusion sets seem to be causing soreness on the second day.

I know that I am not allergic to the cannula. I suspect that the cannula is lined with a product called "PE". I may be experiencing a reaction to the chemical, PE.

Am I the only one?

No, you are not alone. A lot of the irritation found at infusion sites comes from motion of the line attached to the set when moving about, changing clothes, etc. When the line moves, the Teflon under the skin can rock and irritate the skin. Unfortunately, this also often causes some leakage of insulin out to the skin and erratic loss of control. If your glucose rises along with the irritation, this is the cause.

Simply taping the infusion set line down on the skin with 1 inch tape (Micropore, Durapore, Hypafix, Blenderm, etc.) stops the irritation and many unexplained highs. I recommend this for everyone using an infusion set.

On the other hand, if your skin is reacting to a surfactant on the Teflon line, you will need to switch to a different set. The Silhouette set (same as Comfort) tends to have fewer problems and failures than the QuikSet, but it depends on which you are using.

PE is probably polyethylene, a plastic found in most infusion set lines. Most lines are made up of two different plastics and this is unlikely to be causing your problem.

Best,
John

[tetrisfan]

Thank you for your insite in the cause for soreness around the site.

You mentioned the Silhouette...I have used the Silhouette in the past and found the cannula to be too small. I had consistantly experienced kinks. (i.e. the Silhouette may be a 27 guage or too thin a wall if it is larger.)

I have given up on that product.

[tetrisfan]

A lot of the irritation found at infusion sites comes from motion of the line attached to the set when moving about, changing clothes, etc. When the line moves, the Teflon under the skin can rock and irritate the skin. Unfortunately, this also often causes some leakage of insulin out to the skin and erratic loss of control. If your glucose rises along with the irritation, this is the cause.

Simply taping the infusion set line down on the skin with 1 inch tape (Micropore, Durapore, Hypafix, Blenderm, etc.) stops the irritation and many unexplained highs. I recommend this for everyone using an infusion set.

Best,
John

John, pardon the delay. Your answer explains about 20% of the problem that I had with MM sets. 80% of all the described problems are happening in a hurry and the affected area is as large as the infususion pad.

Here is how I solved the problems. 1) I put a tape barrier on my skin prior to insertion. 2) I placed an order for the Luer tip replacement cartride (for MM Paradigm) from fifty50.com. 3) I found an infusion set with a luer tip.

MM is my secondary supplier (only the supplies that I have to buy from them).

MM has gotten too big, too fast. With their market share, they have become complacent and are willing to give excuses instead of solving the problems.