Question about CGM sensor size

[hawkeyegirl]

I've heard quite a few of you say that you use EMLA creme for the CGM insertion, but not for pump sites. How big is the CGM insertion needle? (If you could compare it to the Silhouette infusion sets, that would give me a reference point - we use the 13 mm ones.) Is it the gauge of the needle that's bigger or the length?

Oh, and I'm specifically asking about the Medtronic CGMS.

[miss_behave]

Here is a photo I found of the needle after being removed from the site. It is quite intimidating.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/suga_junkie/needle.jpg

[hawkeyegirl]

Hmmm. It's hard to tell, but the length of the needle looks about the same as the silhouettes, after you've inserted them. The gauge looks thicker, but again, it's hard to tell.

[WestinsMom]

I don't have a sihouette anymore to compare it to but the guage is definitely intimidating compared to the silhouette.

[Caydens_Mommy]

Here is a photo I found of the needle after being removed from the site. It is quite intimidating.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/suga_junkie/needle.jpg

O lord, that thing looks huge... That's my main concern with a pump, not sure if I could stick my child with those huge needles, the syringes are hard enough to deal with.

[miss_behave]

O lord, that thing looks huge... That's my main concern with a pump, not sure if I could stick my child with those huge needles, the syringes are hard enough to deal with.

The pump infusion set needles are much, much smaller than a CGMS needle. e.g a Quickset comes in 6mm. Its tiny really, about the same as a syringe.

http://home.earthlink.net/~tom_mcshane/syringeandcannula.jpg

[hawkeyegirl]

O lord, that thing looks huge... That's my main concern with a pump, not sure if I could stick my child with those huge needles, the syringes are hard enough to deal with.

Ah, that's why the numbing creme is key for little ones. My son fought shots tooth and nail, but stands still calmly for site changes, even though the needle is much longer (13mm vs. 8mm syringes). We do them on his butt cheeks, so he never even sees the needle (and I'm not sure if he even realizes that there is a needle involved - the numbing creme works that well).

[Caydens_Mommy]

The pump infusion set needles are much, much smaller than a CGMS needle. e.g a Quickset comes in 6mm. Its tiny really, about the same as a syringe.

http://home.earthlink.net/~tom_mcshane/syringeandcannula.jpg

Your right those are smaller, but still a lot bigger than the needles on the syringe.. How often do you change the CGMS?

[hawkeyegirl]

Your right those are smaller, but still a lot bigger than the needles on the syringe.. How often do you change the CGMS?

Actually, the standard syringe needles are longer than the quickset needles (8mm for the syringe and 6mm for the quickset). You can see in Miss Behave's picture that the syringe needle is a hair longer than the site needle.

I think people vary in how often they change the CGMS. I've read anywhere from 3 days to 10 days on here, and maybe even longer.

[Caydens_Mommy]

Actually, the standard syringe needles are longer than the quickset needles (8mm for the syringe and 6mm for the quickset). You can see in Miss Behave's picture that the syringe needle is a hair longer than the site needle.

I think people vary in how often they change the CGMS. I've read anywhere from 3 days to 10 days on here, and maybe even longer.

Cayden's needles are a lot smaller then that, and shorter too.. I'm not sure the exact one that he uses, but they are smaller then the ones here.

[hawkeyegirl]

Cayden's needles are a lot smaller then that, and shorter too.. I'm not sure the exact one that he uses, but they are smaller then the ones here.

I think the perspective may be throwing you off. The shortest needles I've ever see are the 6mm pen needles, and those are the same size as the quicksets. I'd be very surprised if you're using anything smaller than that. (The box should tell you.) The picture makes both the syringe and the site needle look bigger than they are. Get out a ruler and look at 6 mm and 8mm. They're both really small. Look at the picture again, and compare the needles to the tip of her finger. The quickset is about the same length as her fingertip is from top to bottom, maybe even a bit shorter. The 8mm syringe is probably closer to her fingertip size.

ETA: The gauge on the pump infusion site needles may be a tad larger than syringes, but not much.