MM classes?

[JanTx]

I'm signed up for an Advanced Pumping Skills class for next Saturday. Anyone been to that one? Any idea what will be covered? It starts at 8:30 and is about an hour away from me so I'm hoping it's worth the trip.

I was disappointed in the introduction to pumping class I attended. The presenter was excellent. There was supposed to be a carb class at 9:30 and the intro class at 10:30. The presenter just taught it all as one class and when I arrived at 10;15 or so they were just about finished with everything. They also did not have pumps there for you to play with - which is the main reason I had gone. There were several people there with pumps - from those who were staying for pump starts after the classes were done to one who was in a clinical trial with the continuous glucose monitor. Those people handled a lot of questions from those seeking basic pump info. The presenter had worn a pump for many years and had great advice - it just wasn't as organized as I had expected and ... was almost over by the time I arrived.

I'm hoping for info on square and dual boluses and adjusting basal rates. I have the Walsh book and have gained enough information on this forum to probably tackle these myself, but I just set that day as the time to start adding those. It will be my 3 week pump anniversary. :marchmell

[Funnygrl]

I went. They talked about the square wave and dual wave stuff, and how to test your settings, and handle sick days and dka.

[JanTx]

Right now I have everything set up the same - one basal, no patterns. I did set up a pattern for the 6 days I was taking prednisone, but other than that I've just let things ride until this class. Hadn't thought about sick days either. So thanks for the info! Guess I'll go....

[JediSkipdogg]

I never went to any classes when I started pumping. Personally, a class can only teach you so much and what happens in the class may not really help you or work for you.

For example, the combo bolus, for everyone, is different. Some need a 50/50 split, some need a 70/30 split. Some when they eat pizza need it on 2 hours, others don't need it at all. It's all a trial and error thing that personally, I think one can find out.

Sick days? That's simple, handle just like shots.

DKA? That's easy to. If you run high for an unknown reason, give a correction bolus, then test in 30 minutes. If you are still going high, do a set change. That should prevent DKA.

Basal tests? That's all in the pumping insulin book by John Walsh or I also have an easy to use pamplet that I could scan.

There you go, there's your class.

[kgm0612]

I attended this class in the Spring after being on the pump about 6 months. The MM rep spent most of the time talking about the CGMS. I was very disappointed with the class. I hope your class is much more informative.

Karen

[Funnygrl]

If someone was on N and R before pumping, they aren't gonna handle sick days just like shots.

[poodlebone]

I attended this class in the Spring after being on the pump about 6 months. The MM rep spent most of the time talking about the CGMS. I was very disappointed with the class. I hope your class is much more informative.

Karen

I went to the advanced skills class twice, and all they talked about was the Guardian system. The first time, I think a lot of people were interested in it so it wasn't bad, but most of us showed up the next time the class was offered again, and just heard the same things again. One guy was complaining very loudly about it and the women in charge seemed a little shocked that people actually wanted to hear about the scheduled topic, not the Guardian system (which wasn't even available in NY anyway).

[JediSkipdogg]

If someone was on N and R before pumping, they aren't gonna handle sick days just like shots.

I did. Just test more often and adjust as necessary. Or maybe online I did that. :hmmmm2: