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If you experience pain as a result of your diabetes, what have you found to be the best way to alleviate it?

May 27th, 2012
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A few months ago, I decided to start using my thighs for my infusion sets. I wasn't getting good absorption from my bottom and the adhesive gives my stomach a rash. Within a few days, I loved that I could use my thighs.

 

The set would catch less on my jeans. It was easier to place my pump on my belt or in my sock. There was less pain than my stomach. Overall, my thighs proved to be very effective (and not as scary as I thought).

 

Over the past months, I've rotated my infusion sets from my right to left thigh and back. I've also rotated the area ranging from the upper portion of my thigh to a lower portion. I generally know where the previous infusion sets have been because the needles cause a lingering red spot. So it was easy to avoid using the same exact spot.

 

Sadly, I noticed a few weeks ago that my thighs weren't working out. My numbers were okay (although I did have those few days of weird highs). The thing that wasn't working was the insulin's effect on my body. There are bulges on my thighs now. Fat pads, actually.

 

When I was on MDI's, I usually used my left arm. It was the easiest and least painful reach. For larger injections, I would use my bottom. But 90% of the injections went into my arm. After years of this, I noticed that my muscle was much more defined than my right arm. I switched locations more often and the problem lessened.

 

But now, it isn't a matter of having better muscle definition. It's a matter of strange bulges of fat. I've completely stopped using my thighs now (back to my bottom), but I'm disappointed. First, I have no idea if these will go away once I get back into my work out routine. Secondly, can I never use my thighs again without this occurrence?

 

Has anyone out there had this issue? If so, what did you do? What are some new locations that I could use (and some tricky ideas to hide the pump and the tubing)?




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Carey Potash
Carey PotashCarey is a full-time hater of diabetes. The benefits stink. His 7-year-old son, Charlie, has been giving he and his wife the finger since November of 2003. 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)
Michelle Kowalski
Michelle KowalskiMichelle 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)
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