New soon to be pumper, advice?

[Kat]

Hi! I'm Kat, I was diagnosed with Type 1 about 2 and a half months ago in February 25th. What a BIG and challenging road I've traveled since then. Getting diagnosed has in some ways been a good thing in my life, giving me a different way of looking at myself and how now I believe that I am strong and have strength to deal with what life throws at me if I have to.
Well anyways,
I was thrilled to get the news today that I was approved for the pump and will be getting it on friday and then soon after learning how to use it. I know alot about it becuase i wrote a research paper on it for college and it was perfect timing for that paper!

The point of me writing this is I don't really know many ppl with Diabetes that I can talk to and be friends with and ask questions to. So joining this forum is great =)


I am wondering if anyone has any advice for me starting the pump =) Like at night when i cuddle with my boyfriend or toss and turn where do I put it? How does it not get in the way. What about wearing a swim suites...stuff like that and whatever else you all think might help this excited new to be user!!

I also am wondering if anyone has anything to say about weight gain. Since I got diagnosed I have gained back the weight I lost and then some, and i can't seem to loose it, I eat and excersize better than I did before but have more of a belly and can't get it off!!! ????
Thanks to everyone and I greatly appreciate all your input!
Kat
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[palefacegirl03]

Get the Pumping Insulin book by John Walsh , Think like a Pancreas is also another good book.

I sleep most of the time with my pump clipped to the waist of my pj's or in my pocket. If I am doing more that cuddling with my husband, I usually just disconnect my pump, then put it back on later.

Weight gain, is an issue for some. I put on 20 pounds since I started pumping last year, so I am now doing weight watchers and slowly loosing the weight and also lowering the amount of insulin that I am using.

Good luck with your pump and ask away with the questions, there is always someone around that will try and help.

[Gordonm]

I always clip my pump to the front of my shorts or whatever I am wearing to bed. Right in the center works for me and I never even notice it is there.

I have been on the pump for 1 1/2 years now with no weight gain. A slight loss when I first started due to basal testing and eating strict carb diet. I have loosened up slightly on the diet as everyone said I was to skinny 5'7" and 140 lbs.

As far as romance with my wife I will disconnect it. She is used to it by now so anything else just does not bother her or me.

Definitly get the book Pumping insulin, it really explains a lot and is helpful to go back and reread sometimes. Good luck and you will love it once all the basals and ratios are in order.

[xMenace]

Welcome Kat.

Learn about basal testing. It's the foundation of good control. IMO weight gain with MDI is due to gaps in basal coverage that require food to cover and spirals spawned by Lantus-lows. Match your basal rates closely to your basal needs, and you can stop feeding the disease. The drawback weight-wise is that it's too easy to graze. You don't have to shoot up to nibble, just press a few buttons. Too easy.

As far as intimacy goes, don't worry about it. The young man won't even know it's there if you don't make a big deal about it..

[notme]

I am wondering if anyone has any advice for me starting the pump =) Like at night when i cuddle with my boyfriend or toss and turn where do I put it? How does it not get in the way. What about wearing a swim suites...stuff like that and whatever else you all think might help this excited new to be user!!

I wear mine attached to my waistband also at night or just take it off for those more "free" moments. ;) As far as swim suits go, just wear it proudly and don't worry about it. Clip it wherever it will stay put. I recently went to Mexico on vacation and there were three people on pumps by the pool one day. All three of us wore them until we went swimming and then it was put in a bag to wait for our return. Make sure if you swim that your pump is not in a place were it could get stolen. Either have someone watch your stuff or put it in a locker until you return. Just bolus for the time away from your pump.


I also am wondering if anyone has anything to say about weight gain. Since I got diagnosed I have gained back the weight I lost and then some, and i can't seem to loose it, I eat and excersize better than I did before but have more of a belly and can't get it off!!! ????
Thanks to everyone and I greatly appreciate all your input!
Kat
Reply With Quote

Weight gain has been an issue for me also. I gained approximately 25 pounds more than when I got diabetes (not counting the weigh loss before diagnosis). I have talked to my doctor on numerous occassions and he assures me that I am doing fine and my BMI is close to target range. I am still unhappy and struggle with keeping my weight in a healthy range. Others here have no problem at all.



Congratulations on your new pump and WELCOME to Diabetes Forums.

[mortis505]

Some pumps are waterproof and dont require a disconnect, but ask your pump trainer about that. If you are in doubt, disconnect and bolus for missed basal upon reconnect.

Depending on tube length you can place the pump under a pillow at night or just clip to your clothes while sleeping. For intimate moments, just disconnect for a while and remember to test.

Remember, you are starting a whole new ball game so dont expect perfection from the beginning. It takes time, just remember to keep extra supplies handy (glucose tabs, juice, hard candy and or extra sets/insulin in case of emergency) and test, test, test.

[Kat]

Thank you all for the advice. I already have Think Like a Pancreas and will get Pumping Insulin for sure. I wasn't specificly reffering to intimacy but rather just lying on my side or turning over in bed, but I'm sure i'll figure out a system. Well I'll keep everyone posted and ask questions since I'm sure I'll have tons!
Thank you all again and have a great thursday!

[JadeMonkey]

Hey Kat,

Welcome to the forums!

I went through what sounds like a similar situation to yours a few months ago. I have also found my Dx to be a good thing in a number of ways; I certainly focus more on my overall health than I used to and appreciate the things I do have.

It's great to hear that you already know a bit about the pump. That seems to be a stumbling point for a lot of people.
I was in the same boat as you with regards to being the only one with Type 1 that I know but luckily we both found this forum. It is a great source of information and support, that's for sure.

Personally I don't use the belt clip at night. Sometimes I put it in the pocket of my PJ pants but most often I just let it "float" in the bed. I just set it next to me and if I move I'll move it as necessary. After a couple of nights I just automatically grab it if I roll over most of the time. If I don't it's no big deal. Occasionally it gets a little twisted or hung up on something but it has never caused a problem. The longer 43" tubing works better for me than the shorter stuff does, just gives me more places to put the pump and less chance that it'll pull out if it does get caught.

As for the weight gain I'd say to give yourself a little time. If you're coming from DKA (which had probably been slowing creeping up on you for awhile) to good control your body is going through a lot of chemical changes and readjustments. Remember that insulin is a hormone and when you start changing hormone levels in your body a lot of other systems can be affected as well. I had some water/bloating issues (which brought some extra weight) for awhile but they all cleared up by themselves once my body chemistry leveled out again.

After that point just keep up with your exercise (don't be afraid to build a little muscle in addition to cardio, it helps with both weight loss and glucose control) and eat right, try to keep the carbs moderate and fairly low glycemic index for the most part. I'd say the more even you can keep your glucose levels the better off you will be. There is a ton of information, speculation, and discussion about this topic on the forums so I'm sure you'll get lots of other ideas/opinions. You'll find out what works for you and what doesn't.

I'd also recommend getting a CGMS if you can. I love mine but opinions on this are extremely polarized.

Let us know of anything you need, that's what we're all here for. Best of luck to you.

-Jade

[Kat]

Hey Jademonkey!

Thanks for all the info. I didn't come from DKA, though I did have ketones, thankfully I cought the signs before it got too bad, no hospital needed thank goodness.
That helps though, I don't think I would want to wear a hard clip when I sleep, and most of the time I don't wear pj bottoms so that wouldn't work anyway. heh.

At the moment I do muscle training 2-3 times a week and cardio the other days, it's been tough with my classes but now they are over and I can really make working out a priority.
I also try to eat as low carbs as I can, I know there is a lot of discrepincy about this but I'm trying low carb, for the most part.
My pump has the option to get the CGM but I've heard that they are annoying and go off all the time, especially since my controll is not the best yet. Also it seems that it would be irritating to wear an extra little thing, but I don't know.
Well i have to go take my niece out birthday shopping so enjoy the day =)

[palefacegirl03]

Thank you all for the advice. I already have Think Like a Pancreas and will get Pumping Insulin for sure. I wasn't specificly reffering to intimacy but rather just lying on my side or turning over in bed, but I'm sure i'll figure out a system. Well I'll keep everyone posted and ask questions since I'm sure I'll have tons!
Thank you all again and have a great thursday!


Kat,

I felt the pump when I rolled over on it the first night, I think because I so consious of it being there. Now I sleep like I always do, back , sides, stomach , what ever and have no problems. If I fill it when rolling over , I just move it a little and no problems. I have it on vibrate because I can not hear the alarms, so my husband feels the bed vibrate from it and wakes me up when it does that.

[Kat]

So I do have a question.
I'm meeting with a pump trainer on tuesday and I am wondering if that is when I will start pumping or ...what goes on from there. Just the whole process, I'm nervous but excited! I got the pump in the mail on thursday and learned all about it and did all the online and book stuff and cd that night. So I'm all set. Scared, anxious, excited, happy...you know.

[mortis505]

Generally yes, you should start pumping at the meeting. By the time I had my meeting I was ready to start. Had read the book all the way through and had played with everything as well. Literally surprised my trainer.

[duck]

Hey Kat,

You'll find sleeping on the insertion set, doing "intimate" things, working out, etc will for the most part not be anything to worry about, it will become second nature. Every now and then, though, it sort of gets in the way. But not enough to really freak out about. In seven years of pumping, I can think of only a handful of times where an insertion set really bugged me.

Oh. In seven years, I've only managed to pull two out before I meant to (and both times were just weird, doing things I have done a million times)...and there are DOZENS of times where I caught the set real good on something, and they didn't come out. It's all a part of pumping, but the best advice is to have an extra insertion set around for "emergencies".

[Kat]

Hello again all!
So I started the pump on tuesday and have loved every minute of it!
I was wondering if anyone follows a pattern of site changes? I have mine on my hip right now and was wondering if I should just use up different areas on my hip and then move and use another site area or if i shoould rotate different areas(different hips and sides on my bum, stomach, arms...) I'm not sure if this question makes sense.
Like when using injections they tell you to kind of make a 'W' which i didn't really do but that's what I mean.
Sleeping with the pump hasn't been a problem at all! I've just had it next to me "floating" and no problem.
So thank you all for the advice =)

[Chappo]

Kat,
Fantastic news! I'm currently posting from hospital (ha!) as i started the pump yesterday and part of the insurance requirements are that i'm admitted overnight.

I currently have mine halfway between my hip and my bum fat. I can't really explain the area anymore accurately!

I've been told to switch sides, and perhaps choose 4 sites (2 on each side) if i'm changing sets every 3 days as recommended. Any longer and they recommend more sites as it takes much longer to heal.

I found sleeping last night fine as well :) It was actually my main concern, but i followed Gary_W's tip and clipped it on the front of my shorts and couldn't feel it at all. I slept like a baby!

Great to hear you're doing well!

[Gary_W]

Kat,
Fantastic news! I'm currently posting from hospital (ha!) as i started the pump yesterday and part of the insurance requirements are that i'm admitted overnight.

I currently have mine halfway between my hip and my bum fat. I can't really explain the area anymore accurately!

I've been told to switch sides, and perhaps choose 4 sites (2 on each side) if i'm changing sets every 3 days as recommended. Any longer and they recommend more sites as it takes much longer to heal.

I found sleeping last night fine as well :) It was actually my main concern, but i followed Gary_W's tip and clipped it on the front of my shorts and couldn't feel it at all. I slept like a baby!

Great to hear you're doing well!

Regarding the boxers, I stole that idea from Sgt Shoutmore (Dennis). I always take underware advice from fine upstanding men in uniform :D

[Gary_W]

Oh, and regarding the 'sex and the pump' issue. It really isn't one. I find the blank covers are good for the insets because the plasticy bits are a little pointy in places and I may get subjected to the wrong kind of moans if they end up in the wrong places.

You're fine disconnected for an hour. If you're going to be longer than that,

a) Congratulations
b) Look at your basal rate at the time of day you happen to be 'at it' and give yourself that amount prior to disconnecting. When you re-connect, give the rest of the basal you missed. Unless you've been swinging from the table lamp in which case ignore the basal and eat a snack instead to fend off the impending hypo
c) Remember to reconnect the pump before breaking wind and falling asleep

Probably a little bit of a chap's perspective but there we go ;)

[Chappo]

You're fine disconnected for an hour. If you're going to be longer than that,

a) Congratulations

You just made me laugh this wing of the hospital down :eek: Hahahaha