Sticks with the pump?

[Lisa971]

I don't know much about the pumps, but I have been seriously considering it, since my blood sugars are so much better when I take smaller doses more often and eat likewise. So with the insulin pump, does it require sticking yourself still everyday, like just each morning, or can one go for several days with only one poking? My arms thighs, buttocks, and belly are becoming so easily toughened and sore from such MDI.

Can someone explain briefly the basics of pumping? The needle(?) stays in under your skin all day, or all week, do you remove it to shower, swim, etc.?

Thanks in advance for anybody'd input!

Cheers,
Lisa

[spike]

The sets (needle) stay in typically for 2-3 days and are painless unless you are having a problem with them such as infection or the cannula or needle is up against muscle. You leave them in 24/7. The pump can be disconnected from the set for showering, etc. some pumps are water resistant so you can continue to wear your pump while swimming, but it's safe to leave your pump disconnected for up to 1 hour anyway, so it's no big deal to go swimming for a while with your pump secured on land. They can get stolen, so it's best to lock it up in a public area.

[amccrazgrl]

You still need to at least test before each meal.
Most test like 6times (I think), theres a poll on it somewhere.
I test 2-3 times, but its whatever works for you.

[spike]

I don't know much about the pumps, but I have been seriously considering it, since my blood sugars are so much better when I take smaller doses more often and eat likewise. So with the insulin pump, does it require sticking yourself still everyday, like just each morning, or can one go for several days with only one poking? My arms thighs, buttocks, and belly are becoming so easily toughened and sore from such MDI.

Can someone explain briefly the basics of pumping? The needle(?) stays in under your skin all day, or all week, do you remove it to shower, swim, etc.?

Thanks in advance for anybody'd input!

Cheers,
Lisa

Pumpers should be checking their bg's 6 times a day. I do triple that, but I'm in the minority, according to a recent poll taken here.

[Cyborg]

I will test up to 9 times a day. The testing isn't bad, but you may need to test more than 3 times/day. The real benefit for me, is not taking 50 shots a week in the abdomen. Changing the infusion set every 3 days is easy and painless.

[Lisa971]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I would so much rather test more often with the pump than to stay with the MDI! Now is only to get my doc to agree to let me try the pump; she has kept trying to change insulins, dosages, schedules, etc. first before putting me onthe pump and I wonder why -to stablize me so that I won't get so badly out of control in the beginning, or to try to "sell" me the new types of insulin? Hmm...The doc had told me before how the pump was just "so much responsibility..." which leads me to ask another question:

If it doesn't hurt to turn off the pump, or disconnect, for an hour or so, then why do they make such a big deal out of the possibility that air could get in the tube and not measure out the exact required dosage? Then a couple of units off would "really screw you up" when not receiving any for a short time would be "alright?"

[Cyborg]

For most people I don't think air bubbles are a big problem. For tiny ones or people with very high insulin sensitivity, they could be more problematic.

[rzrbks]

(1)If it doesn't hurt to turn off the pump, or disconnect, for an hour or so, then why do they make such a big deal out of the possibility that (2)air could get in the tube and not measure out the exact required dosage? Then a couple of units off would "really screw you up" when not receiving any for a short time would be "alright?"



1. you are aware of what you're doing and know to be a little more vigilant

2. you AREN'T aware and high #s sneak up an you and you get the HIGH recations----whatever yours are.

[GOM]

Hey Lisa971,
I got my pump in June '06. I began reading this site more and more as June got closer. But I had the exact questions you have posted today. So i feel like I should help....I hope this makes sense:

A needle doesn't stay stuck in you all the time. You insert the cannula (which is plastic...I think) with a needle but you pull the needle out. After you insert, you can't (or shouldn't) feel it. And it stays in a spot for 3 days. No shots for 3 days!!!!!!Now, in those 3 days you can take the cap of of your insertion spot and disconnect to shower, swim, exercise etc. The amount of insulin released in that time is so small you wouldn't believe it. And since the pump is still working while you are disconnected, air really doesn't have a way to get in.

[spike]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I would so much rather test more often with the pump than to stay with the MDI! Now is only to get my doc to agree to let me try the pump; she has kept trying to change insulins, dosages, schedules, etc. first before putting me onthe pump and I wonder why -to stablize me so that I won't get so badly out of control in the beginning, or to try to "sell" me the new types of insulin? Hmm...The doc had told me before how the pump was just "so much responsibility..." which leads me to ask another question:

If it doesn't hurt to turn off the pump, or disconnect, for an hour or so, then why do they make such a big deal out of the possibility that air could get in the tube and not measure out the exact required dosage? Then a couple of units off would "really screw you up" when not receiving any for a short time would be "alright?"

Air doesn't get into the tubing when you disconnect unless you thrash the tubing around! I learned long ago to never suspend my pump when it's disconnected--keeps it fully primed right out to the quick connect and I won't have an issue of forgetting to "resume" when I hook back up.

[Cyborg]

That was a good tip I learned from this forum when I started pumping. I do the same, I rarely suspend.

[nshack]

I learned that point the hard way... but it's true. It's better to keep it running. The only thing that is good about suspend is that it vibrates to remind you to put it back on. If it wasn't vibrating on the counter at home, I might forget to hook it up as soon as I normally do. Anyway, it's worse to put it back on and go to bed without resuming basal...

[Tim_Roy]

As I use Silhouettes, it disconnects at the infusion site end, no risk of any air getting in at all.

Though honestly, now that I've got a waterproof pump I tend not to disconnect at all.

[spike]

As I use Silhouettes, it disconnects at the infusion site end, no risk of any air getting in at all.

Though honestly, now that I've got a waterproof pump I tend not to disconnect at all.

Not sure I understand your comment, since all the sets disconnect at the set end rather than at the pump. <g>

[Lisa971]

What are the main disposable parts that are needed with the pump, like the ones that you need to purchase every so often, accessories, etc? Just trying to get an idea (as I plan to go to grad school and am considering the student health plan from a particular institution) of the different things needed. If the plan (I know different ones have different coverages) does not cover these things, then I would not be able to go to grad school if I start on the pump...then I'll be stuck working the type of job that I am currently doing.

[JediSkipdogg]

You have the pump, which is the initial $6000.

The for the montly supplies you have infusion sets that can range about $10-$15 a set and must be changed every 3 days.

Then you also have the insulin cartridges which are $3-$5 and hold 200-300 units of insulin (dependent on the pump you get) and those well, last however long you need it too. For me, I have the 200 units (well, 186 units) cartridge in my Animas 1200 and I use 60 units a day of insulin about. Therefore, I one cartridge lasts me 3 days, which is an infusion set change, and then on a change if I haven't reused the cartridge once, I simply just reuse it. So one cartridge for me lasts 6 days. Some on here use a cartridge once and get 10 days out of it, so if they reused it, they could get 20 days, which would save 50% of the costs on those.

Those are the two main items then you have extra supplies like alcohol wipes and IV prep tape (if you have skin that infusion sets don't stick to) and batteries. It's really hard to predict the cost of those supplies. I hope this helps some.