Taking advantage of the real estate

3 weeks ago I was doing some research on different places I can place my site on my body for my insulin pump. I normally use my abdomen but I was struggling with unpredictable blood sugar readings due to too much scar tissue and my insulin not absorbing.

First test: upper love handles. I tried to put the site as far on my back as possible, this location I wouldn’t recommend. I mistakenly put it on the side I sleep on and during the night I was waking up with my side sore and for a week I was restricted to sleeping on my belly; drooling like a crazy person too. I normally keep my site on as long as it will stay but 3 days in, I woke up with blood on my sheets and my site halfway on while I was rolling around sleeping one night. On a good note I saw an awesome change in my insulin absorption but the placement was just uncomfortable.

Second test: upper right shoulder. Although I do need my faithful assistant to squeeze my arm while I insert the needle, this location was the best so far. Numbers were better than my back location and sleeping was not compromised. I did find myself explaining what it was to a few co-workers and I did get a few people in the grocery store staring, but overall it wasn’t too bad.

After those two test and getting such a positive response I didn’t need anymore convincing. I’m hooked on taking advantage of all of the real estate that I have, all 6 feet of it, and giving my belly a break!