advertisement

January 8th, 2009
Category:
Type 1Type 2Oral MedsInsulin & Pumps
ChildrenFoodHighs & LowsRelationships
ComplicationsEmotionsIn the NewsFitness
Women's IssuesMen's IssuesReal Life


There's a Band Aid on my tummy. A small, flexible-fabric Band Aid.

 

Underneath is neosporin, which is covering up my last pump site. I've never used neosporin -- or a Band Aid -- after pulling a site.

 

That site had been itchy for about a day. I knew it was (over)due for a change, but I had so little insulin in my pump that I didn't want to do two "site changes" back to back.

 

I primed my pump this morning and was preparing to quick-sert the set when I glanced at my soon-to-be-old site. It looked like my skin had been sucked up into the set. I usually leave the old set in for several hours, but this one I quickly ripped out.

 

There was blood. And insulin. No much blood, but more than the pin drop I've seen in the past. And the site was red and generally not looking very pretty. I wiped and wiped the blood away and it kept coming. And then it continued to itch.

 

Throughout the day I noticed that I was itching, rather unconsciously. I looked closely toward the end of the day and it didn't look much better than it had this morning. In fact, there was a tiny scab. And lots of redness. Oh crap, I hope I'm not getting an infection, I thought.

 

That's where the neosporin comes in. And the Band Aid.

 

This, friends, is what happens when you leave a site in for too long. I was stretching my supplies over the summer when I didn't have insurance and I got into a rather bad habit of leaving my sites in for five to seven days. My numbers remained good so why shouldn't I, right?

 

This is why. And scars. And scar tissue. I'm back to changing every three days no matter what.



Login to rate
Rating (0):
1
2
3
4
5
Email this Comments (3) :: Add a comment

I think i must have really sensitive skin, cause this same thing was happening over and over again to me before my 3 days were up. I was on the pump for 2 years, and off now for 4. I keep thinking that maybe I'd like to go back. I just hated the thing always in site. I am an A cup, so hidding it in my bra was too obvious something was there that didn't belong. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH What to do!!


I do this and even thogh im new at the pump thing i think that maybe puting it on your bra strap or the coaler of your shirt. maybe get a sweat band and like put it on Securly (AAAAHHH sorry im a bad speller.) well thats all i have right now


Hey im new at this pump thing so ya i think i can understand but have you ever had a site that you had in for 2 days and when you took it out it did what yours did?


Would you like to comment?

Join dlife for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

advertisement
Michelle Kowalski
Michelle Kowalski, a writer, editor and photography hobbiest living in Phoenix, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2005. In January 2008, as part of her quest to start on an insulin pump, Michelle learned that she actually has type 1 diabetes. (Read More)

Latest Posts: Just One Small Change | Sensors! | How To Find a New Endo: When You Can't Ask Enough Questions

Carey Potash
Carey is a full-time hater of diabetes. The benefits stink. His 6-year-old son, Charlie, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 22 months old. Carey's parenting humor has appeared in various websites and print magazines. He resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and three children. (Read More)

Latest Posts: Crazy Kenny's Test Strip Hut | One Pancreas On the Rocks | Rudolph the Diabetic

Our Other Bloggers: Nicole Purcell, Lindsey Guerin, George Simmons, Julia, Kim Doty, Andy Bell, Kerri Sparling, Scott Marvel, Rebecca Abma