Insulin Pump Lumps

[BeFit4Free]

Hey guys,
Do any of you use a MiniMed Insulin Pump to treat your diabetes? I've used a MiniMed insulin pump for quite a few years, but I always seem to end up getting insulin pump lumps where the injection site is.

I always clean the area with IV prep. pads, and make sure that everything is clean and working properly, but when I remove the needle, I have a sore lump where the insulin pump needle was.

It looks like a fatty deposit, and it seems like it's just insulin that didn't absorb. What do you do when you get lumps from your insulin pump or "insulin pump lumps"?

[Simplyme]

I've never had this happen but I did run across an article on it that gives some tips and advice:

change the site to a different location, and be sure always to do careful cleaning and site preparation. Where do the infection-causing bacteria come from? Typical sources include your hands, the skin at the insertion site, and your own breath. Other organisms can make contact with insertion set equipment from countertops and any other surface areas.

Got Pump Bumps? - Diabetes Health

[BeFit4Free]

I don't think the insulin pump lumps are from an unclean injection site, it's more like it just doesn't absorb into the skin.
I am pretty lean (bodybuilder), and maybe that's why?
Thank you sooo much for researching this for me!

[Simplyme]

You know I did not even think about that but yeah I do remember hearing that it is tough if you don't have those extra inches to pinch when you are using the pumps.

[BeFit4Free]

You know I did not even think about that but yeah I do remember hearing that it is tough if you don't have those extra inches to pinch when you are using the pumps.

Any idea how to get insulin to absorb if I'm too lean?

[zzzjoy]

Befit4free,
I couldn't find a site that talked about it specifically but I do know that different infusion sets work better for leaner people usually.
If I were you I'd contact your pump trainer and ask them about it. They would have the best information about the bumps and whether or not it is because you aren't absorbing because you are so lean.
It is possible you just need a different infusion set or sometimes it is you need a different insulin, like from novalog to humalog.

[BeFit4Free]

It is possible you just need a different infusion set or sometimes it is you need a different insulin, like from novalog to humalog.

i never thought of that! Using a different insulin may help with absorption!