I've been diabetic for... oh sheesh, almost 20 years now, and on a pump for the last 11 of that. I've been through the super long 45 degree cannulas, the 90s, the inserters, and everything in between and never had any issues beyond the "normal" ones (bleeders, kinked cannulas, etc.). About 4 years ago, my endo had me switch insertion areas due to scar tissue, and I started using my hips, upper butt/back, and occasionally thighs. Last November, I had a few things coincide- changes in a medication, a new pump, different sites, and got engaged! However, since then, sites have been really touchy. Inserting them stings, but isn't unbearable, but trying to get insulin through is a nightmare! I've had several sites in a row where I can feel the basals going in, and bolusing more than a unit at a time has me curling up in the fetal position. I talked with the endo and the pump trainer in the area, and they had me try a few different sites (I'm on the Animas, so the different angles, putting it in by hand v. with the inserters, and what not). Nothing helped. In the last month I've switched back to my abdomen, but every site was bloody. I read on here about people trying the inch or two below their ribs, and it seems to help a little, but I'm on the skinny/petite side of life, so there's not much space there.
Has anyone else had issues with majorly painful sites for months in a row? Did you find something that helped? I found that putting them in my back and/or butt didn't hurt AS much, but that I got really poor absorption. At this point, the just under the ribs thing is working, but I've got about 4-6 rotations tops there before I need a new area.