First, the adhesive area needs to either be bigger, or more sticky, or maybe both. Have you ever tried to stick a "Hi, My Name Is" tag onto your skin, after it's already been stuck to your clothing? It's like that, only a lot more expensive.
Tubing seems to curl up more with these than any other set. I have no scientific evidence to back up this claim, nor do I have a problem with curly things in general. Hair, ribbons, fries... they're all good. Tubing? Not so much. It gets everywhere, and doesn't stay where I put it.
While not impossible, I find it difficult to dislodge the key from the lock. The in from the out? The part that's attached to my tubing from the part that's attached to me. Yes, those things. It's probably a result of the "part that sticks to me" being sort of triangularly-shaped and smooth, which makes securing a good grip a challenging exercise in patience.
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| Most disappointing popsicles ever? image credit |
If you have tips for how to avoid the whole "how do I safely dislodge this thing" situation, especially, I'd gladly listen. I'm not sure which set I'll go back to - Spring or Comfort - but let it be known; the Inset is on my sheet list.
Interesting that the pad is too small. I've used primarily inset and only trialed Spring, but seemed like Inset's pad was both larger and stickier than Spring's.
ReplyDeleteAgree on being hard to take out though. Don't understand why that's so hard. The Medtronic sets also suffered from that, but not nearly as bad. You'd think it'd be a more obvious problem during testing.
Really? When I use the Spring ones, the serter is smaller than the edges of the set, so I find that way easier to insert. YDMV, I guess! :)
DeleteI don't find it hard to take out at all. You just kind of pull it out. I've only ever had one sticky pad not work correctly, and I've never had any issue with the removal.
ReplyDelete1. are you using an adhesive-ish wipe (skin prep, iv prep) beforehand?
ReplyDelete2. to remove the tubing part, I push down on the triangle part (lightly, with one finger, right on top of the cannula), with the other hand I squeeze the two tabs to release
hope this helps!-- t1gal
When I first began pumping, I did use IV Prep wipes. Then those were recalled a couple of summers back, and I discovered that, "Oh. I really don't need to use those things after all". Maybe I should give them another try!
DeleteI almost wouldn't get a medtronic pump because I loved the insets so much. I ended up finding a third party that made reservoirs that worked with the insets and the medtronic pump. I liked them because they hurt the least of any set I;ve used (and that's a lot) and wouldn't give that up for anything. However, though I've had problems getting sensors to stick, I've never had a problem with sets because I religiously use Skin Prep.
ReplyDeleteThat is seriously the best way to go.
I also once activating the insertion part (BLASTOFF!) I will hold the whole kit-and-kaboddle on there for at LEAST 5 slow seconds. This helps the adhesive stick to the skin prep/your skin before you try to pull it off.
Also, pull straight up and slowly. I find that's the best way and I also found out that I wasn't really pulling straight out until I started doing it in a mirror (that sounds funny but it worked). I put my sets in my butt so its a twisting/turning process.
It's the only one I've used. After shooting it in, I press around the edges to stick everything to me. To dislodge the spaceship, I slide two fingers in to hold the tape and then just pull the ship straight up and off.
ReplyDeleteI went without IV prep for awhile also but found it sticks better with it.
But, like you said, YDMV...
I have a bunch of these that I got as samples. I was thinking a little bit about trying them but mostly about giving them to you when you get here. So, no then? ;)
ReplyDeleteAfter insertion, I press down on the whole thing for a couple seconds to help it stick and then just pull straight up, while holding down the tubing a little bit, if that makes sense. I went through a phase a couple months ago where I had like 3 in a row come out on insertion, not fun! They've been sticking pretty good lately though, hopefully you can get them figured out! ... Although I'm in Canada and mine look a little bit different than the pic you've posted!
ReplyDeleteI've had the same problem with the Insets. I pay 30% for my supplies, so I'm not willing to waste even one because of a flawed design. I've gone back to QuickSets by Medtronic (despite having an Animas pump), and like them much better. Maybe Animas will see your post and make improvements! Are you listening Animas?
ReplyDeleteI've only ever used the spaceships. When the IV prep was recalled I switched to the skin prep. It is a little stickier than IV prep. I've never had a site dislodge while trying to pull the spaceship off (knock on wood), but I that fear has crossed my mind. I usually push on the back of the spaceship for a few seconds (5-8) before trying to remove to make sure the sticky stuck. On a side note, you'd commented about where they go for disposal. My laundry soap "spout thingy" pulls off, and they fit nicely through the hole then. When full I just put the "spout thingy" back on/in.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve lost a couple, but not many. After we insert, I just press down for a few seconds until it’s good and secure, then put a finger under the “spaceship” and firmly onto the adhesive while I pull it off at an angle. I do agree that the adhesive area is a bit too small, we’ve lost a few just due to pulling them off with clothes and such. She tried the Inset 30 awhile back and liked them because they seemed sturdier, but I haven’t switched our prescription.
ReplyDeleteMy Animas pump trainer told me to make sure to pull up after inserting an Inset by pinching only the inner white part in the center and not holding around the circular outside. She said if you hold around the outside it creates a sort of suction that makes it more difficult.
ReplyDeleteThere was one time when the whole site came off when I tried to pull the needle out, but otherwise I've been using Insets for about 1.5 years now and not had major problems. I also hold it down for a few seconds before I pull it out to give it some time to adhere (and time for the Skin Prep to dry, since I use that).