I’ve just returned from five glorious, sun-soaked days in Hahei (ahhhh, this country is so beautiful – overseas readers it’s really time you visited!).
Since going down to one income in the household, I’ve re-assessed all the expenses in my life, and one of them is insulin pump insertion sets. I used to use more ‘luxurious’ ones (if you can describe something you have to inject yourself with every three days as luxurious) but they came at a hefty price tag of $19 each. $19 every three days does not a budget make. I’ve now gone for some more rudimentary, budget ones which are $11 a piece. These ones are bare bones only – steel needle, no insertion device, and a pretty bulky un-fasten function about 10cm along from the site itself, so when you unclip them for a swim you are left with a ‘tail’ hanging off your stomach.
As mentioned last summer, I’ve now moved to the tankini option in order to cover up insertion sets and marks left behind by them, so at least I was able to hide the ‘tail’ of my tubing somewhat. However I did find that after a couple of swims in the ocean, plus having towels and sarongs slung around my waist, the tail was likely to be a bit of a hazard (and indeed the needle started to come out, probably as a result).
Thus, I’ve decided it’s going to be best from here on in to have my ‘everyday’ insertion sets (i.e. the cheap ones which aren’t as comfortable or streamlined) as well as a bit of a stash of the more upmarket ones for times when you are going to be throwing yourself about a bit more, or on holiday.
What insertion sets do you all use? Interested to hear what you’re using, and why. (Price? Comfort? Ease of use?)
Posted in Insulin Pumps, Slice of Life, Travel
Tagged as insertion set
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10 comments have been made on this post
Sianne wrote
I’m using Cleos. They are expensive $180 for 10.
They are really easy to insert though with an all in one inserter. I also like the fact that you can clip and unclip at 360 degrees. They hurt like hell going in though.
Aaron wrote
I also use Cleo and especially in summer because they are nice and discreet but agree that they hurt like hell to insert. The stickability isn’t that flash either so I have to get Skin-tac-wipes to make sure they last the distance and don’t fall out.
That said, I’m about to switch to Unomedical Inset II because I scored a deal and got loads of them at a discounted rate. I’d rather not have the more visibly obvious sets but money matters…
Saffy wrote
Nic, what are you using? We’re in the same 1 income boat. I started back on my pump yesterday with the Contact D’s.
Does anyone import theirs from overseas? Any good, cheap (relatively anyway) supplier to speak of?
Nic wrote
Saffy, I’m currently still shopping about for a budget-conscious insertion set. I’m not good at the angled insertion sets (which is not to say they don’t work for other people as I know people who happily use them). I’m currently using the Ace Gold 90 cannula from insulinpumps.co.nz but am thinking I might next try out the Rapid D links from Roche. When I wasn’t watching the dollars so much I was using the Unomedical Inset IIs which Aaron references above. I liked the fact they had a built-in inserter and you could just whack the whole thing in your bag and it had tubing etc. I also liked the Flexlink from Roche and the Quick Sets from Medica Pacifica, but again these are out of reach for me on a budget.
Angeline wrote
Hi Nic- I was in the same boat last year and went from Cleos to the Ace-Gold which are the cheapies. It was a nice change at the beginning because the Cleos as you probably know are pretty sore it places you insert them. It’s much easier only having to find $220 every 2 months instead of $180 every month so I will carry on with them for a little bit longer but my skin is looking quite marked from where they have been.
alicia wrote
i can only reply as a mother of a 3 year old on a pump. We are trying to find the most comfortable and easy to insert as the whole process is still really traumatic for her.
Initially we were using a comfort short from unomedical. The fiddlyness of these means she lies still while the insertion occurs, needle is withdrawn, cannula filled and taped. She hates it.
Today we have tried the rapid d link roche product, the insertion of which was the simplest process EVER and the less distressing for her, but it has the “tail” when disconnected, some preschool will probably call it a “weapon”.
At approx $150 per box of 10 (5 site, 5 lines) with unomedical these are not the cheapest and the offer of an automatic insertor from them was helpful, but the insertion hurt my husband (who was guinea pig), so insertion may be easier, but it actually creates more pain.
We obviously have a lifetime of pumping ahead of us so am pretty keen to find an insertion set which is 1) simple and non fiddly 2) affordable 3) doesn’t hurt any more than it really should hurt.
Jane wrote
We use Rapid D sets from Roche – love that they can’t kink and the ‘tail’ for us has been great. They are just like a pushpin to insert and it means that school staff could help Rachel disconnect for swimming without getting too ‘personal’. We have never had good luck with teflon cannulas.
Jolene wrote
We are currently using Cleo for our daughter (she is the BIG 5 in two weeks !!!), have been for about 3 months now. We love the quick and hassle free insertion. I do find the sticky area a bit small, especially over summer with swimming,etc. The other thing is when disconnected it can catch on clothes (her site is on her bottom) as it sticks out a bit. But overall we are happy (although very costly). If I have time I use Emla cream for her, but when we have to do a site without delay, she does not complain too much.
Alison wrote
I use the Animas comfort insertion. Thats just what was recommended when I bought my Animas pump. Before this pump I had a Disetronic one and used the Rapid D insertion. I didn’t have any problems with them but preferred the Comfort immediately. If the Rapid D needle landed up anywhere near a belt or anything that rubbed it got uncomfortable immediately. I think I have a bit more space with the comfort but maybe I’m used to avoiding areas now.
We are on one salary now and I need to look into what else I can use. I am down to 4 insertion sets and waiting for my husbands next pay before I buy more. I like to have a few in my drawer in case they’re not available immediately.
We don’t have much spare cash so definitely want to find out the cheapest insertion sets.
Nic wrote
I’ve got a friend who uses the Comfort sets and she’s more than happy with them…. I’m just a bit hopeless at getting the angle right so prefer a 90 degree set.
To all of you who’ve commented on this post – have you written a letter yet for Ruth’s campaign to the MoH to get subsidy for consumables? Please do. You’ll find instructions here: http://www.beingdiabetic.co.nz/2010-02-04/free-insulin-pumps-and-consumables/. It doesn’t need to be a long letter!