Finally started my pump today

[dkev]

I'm pretty happy about it. I don't have to do a carb count right now because I'm still in my honeymoon period, so they have my on a base. Pretty much the same thing when I was taking injections, except now no injections. My endo wants to keep my target at 140 but I think thats high. I target around 100. He just likes to go a little high to avoid any lows. My trainer insisted on using the bolis wizard
which I think is pointless right now, but oh well. I am ticked though. I switched from the BD meter to the Flash. Well my insurance considers them a third tier manufacture so my co pay for my strips are $50! :stupid:

[Cyborg]

:congrats: Congratulations. Once you get your pump fine tuned, you'll be able to lower your target. I also started at 140. 9 months later, it's 82 +/- 3. Good luck and enjoy your new best friend...

[am1977]

Congratulations on your pump.... think you will be very happy :)

[kgm0612]

Congratulations...............and Welcome to the "Pumper's Club"!

Karen

[dkev]

Actually, I find that I can't hit 140 because of my base. Not sure if my Dr will bring my base down or not. But I made a pretty big mistake already. I did not realize you had to manually set the strip code on the Flash meter, so it had the wrong code giving me false highs. So I did a 4 unit correction bolus, which I did not need, so it dropped my glucose to about 45. I was able to correct it quick enough, but I have never been that low. I was shaking pretty bad. I gotta tell ya, that sucks. A mistake I wont make twice. But other then that, I really like it so far.

[Funnygrl]

So you just let the pump run it's basal and don't cover meals at all? Or you take a set amount to cover meals?

[dkev]

So you just let the pump run it's basal and don't cover meals at all? Or you take a set amount to cover meals?

Well I'm on a 30/100 slide. So I take 4u for brkfst, 9u for lunch, and 10u for dinner. But if my Glucose is, say, 98ml then I take one unit less or 1 additional unit for every 30ml I'm over 130ml which is pretty rare.

[duck]

Well I'm on a 30/100 slide. So I take 4u for brkfst, 9u for lunch, and 10u for dinner. But if my Glucose is, say, 98ml then I take one unit less or 1 additional unit for every 30ml I'm over 130ml which is pretty rare.

You NEED to get off that sliding scale and get on carb-counting; This is just an opinion, not medical advice, but man-oh-mighty "*-scale" and "pump" scare the **** out of me.

[notme]

Congratulation on starting your new pump. I agree with others here though......you need to consider carb counting. eeeek....

[dkev]

Eventually I will have to start carb counting, but right now my Endo doesn't think its an issue because I already have pretty good control. I generally run between 90ml and 120ml. So even though he wants me around 140, theres no way I can get that high on current base line. I do have an appointment with a dietitian on all ins and outs of carb counting though, and I track every thing I eat on a spread sheet. It really opens your eyes when you break your eating habits down by calories, fat, and carbs.

[Funnygrl]

Well I'm on a 30/100 slide. So I take 4u for brkfst, 9u for lunch, and 10u for dinner. But if my Glucose is, say, 98ml then I take one unit less or 1 additional unit for every 30ml I'm over 130ml which is pretty rare.
Wow...just wow. A prereq to getting a pump with my practice is actively using carb counting on MDI. You truely won't get the full benefit of a pump if you do that.

[Cyborg]

Have you done your basal testing yet?

[spike]

Eventually I will have to start carb counting, but right now my Endo doesn't think its an issue because I already have pretty good control. I generally run between 90ml and 120ml. So even though he wants me around 140, theres no way I can get that high on current base line. I do have an appointment with a dietitian on all ins and outs of carb counting though, and I track every thing I eat on a spread sheet. It really opens your eyes when you break your eating habits down by calories, fat, and carbs.

I agree with Funnygrl 1000%. You should be counting carbs! No if, ands, or buts. Seriously, man, your endo is not doing you any favors to have your pump just be an expensive and glorified syringe. You should be reading Pumping Insulin by John Walsh and you should also be learning what your insulin/carb ratio is so that when you DO count your carbs, you take the correct bolus.

Somebody restrain me from smacking the OP's endo!!!!!

LOL .

Rant off.

I'm fine now... really...

[Cyborg]

I agree, I would take control and start the testing and fine tuning. It doesn't sound like your endo is in much of a hurry and once you realize how easy it is, there's no reason why you can't proceed yourself.

[spike]

The reason Cyborg asked about basal testing is that has to come before nailing down your insulin/carb ratios. You will need to find a few hours where your bg's are stable, skip the next meal, and record your bg's frequently. Read up on how to set your basals...

[melissata]

I agree that everyone that is on a pump should be carb counting. I hated using sliding scales when my kids were on MDIs. I don't see that it is much different though than the pumpers that aren't using all of the pump features available, such as the Wizard. I know that there are a couple of people posting here that either don't use it or don't think that they will use it once they get a new pump. To each his own I guess.

[dkev]

My endo is still adjusting my basle. He has me faxing my numbers in ever day along with the carb count for each meal. So I imagine he is just getting me dialed in.