Where do you wear your pump?

[alrock]

Hi,

I am new here and I just started using a pump (Animas Ping) today. Yay! I am just testing - no insulin yet but I do have it attached with saline in it to get used to it.

I can't decide where I want to wear it... It's bulkier than I expected so I don't really like it clipped to my pants as much as I thought I would. Does anyone have any good suggestions?
Does anyone use the bra band or the leg band? Do those work well?

Thanks!

[butterflykisses]

I have just stuck it in my bra...I have plenty of room. :) My favorite is having a pocket to drop it in. I have yet to try the specially made pockets, like the bra or thigh bands because I always thought it would be awkward to bolus. However, I just started using the Ping myself and having the meter/remote means I don't have to worry about getting to the pump for those basic things, like boluses or seeing how much IOB I have. So now I'm starting to rethink the whole thing. Of course I've gotten used to it being clipped to me. I don't know if you're using the leather holder, that is VERY bulky (but nice I guess). I would just use the clip on the pump itself, a lot less bulky.

It takes some getting used to, but I barely notice it anymore. Happy pumping!

[Dogen]

Funny, I just got my Ping yesterday. Congrats to everyone!

I'm still working out the whole "where does this go?" issue, too. The case it comes with is very bulky. I ordered a silicone shell from Animas that I'm hoping will let me use the basic belt clip without worrying about smashing the thing every time I try to wiggle through a tight space. Right now it lives in my pocket. At work I wear cargoes, so I'm thinking of modifying the cargo pockets so the cord can go up my pants leg and either attach at my thigh (with the 23s, but that seems awkward) or stomach (with the 43s). We'll see. I'd be interested to hear how other people wear them... being male I don't have the bra option. Any guys want to share their secret?

Anyway, good luck to you both... after being on this just shy of 24 hours I'm digging not taking injections anymore, especially remembering to take my basal insulin at 9am everyday.

[alrock]

Thanks for the feedback!
I do have it in the leather case - so maybe that is half my problem!!

[butterflykisses]

Thanks for the feedback!
I do have it in the leather case - so maybe that is half my problem!!

Yeah, that sucker is a monster, lol. But it is nice I guess. The pumps I've had before had more fitted cases. The clips were spring clips though, and although that made it easier to slip onto a waistband, it was also easier for them to fall off, not to mention it added some bulk and tended to dig in. The ping clips are harder to get on the waistband, but it stays put once I get it there and no poking. :D

I looked into the covers that Dogen is talking about...kind of like those neoprene cell phone covers...I guess if I decide I'm tired of my pink pump I could change it, lol. They also have the screen protectors now. I might grab some of those. I haven't removed the cover that it shipped with because of people saying it was easy to scratch!

[poodlebone]

I have a Minimed pump that has a slim plastic clip on it. I usually clip it to the inside of my jeans front pocket. When I started pumping I clipped it to the center of my bra, but then I lost weight and it was noticeable there and looked very odd! Pockets work for me. I don't like having it in any kind of case.

[MoCoke]

I've been pumping since July 2009 with my green Ping. I clip mind to the side of my bra cup closest to my arm (not between the boobage). I prefer to have my sets located on my upper abdomen so the 23" tubing works perfectly and there's not a lot, if any, hanging out under my shirt. That way I don't get hooked on door nobs or drawer handles. Most of my shirts are loose-fitting so the pump isn't too noticable, if at all. If I happen to wear a knit one, sometimes the whole pump shows through a bit, but it doesn't bother me, since i'm the one who is wearing it, i'm the one who needs to be comfortable. At least that's the way I look at it.

A couple of times I've hooked the clip to one of my belt loops, but I had a lot of problems with the tubing hanging out all over the place. I think i'll have to play around with that a bit more. I don't put the pump in my pants pocket because I don't want to get it all scratched up. I don't carry a purse so my keys go in one pocket and my wallet in the other. Basically, there's no more room for a pump in there.

While my son was home for his 2 week R & R from Iraq, he had this arm band thing that he used to keep his Ipod in while running. I think I might look into sewing myself something like that so it would give me more options, especially for sleeping. I had to start wearing a tank top at night so I could clip the pump somewhere. I tried the whole "floating" thing (where you just let the pump & tubing free-float around in the bed)and it didn't work for me and the hubby. I found that we're both a lot happier if I have it hook/clipped to me.

[Gordonm]

I use the slim plastic clip on my belt. No problems there at all. Yes it is in sight most of the time but who cares. It is quite small. Most people are carrying cell phones now and just think it is a type of phone. When they see my phone and pump they sometimes ask what is it. I explain. never had a problem carrying it. I bump it often but it is tough. You get used to it very quickly. Won't go back to shots. I have had mine for close to 3 years now after 32 years of shots.

[arteral157]

this may sounds silly but i use a medtroic and have the really long tubing and i wear cowboy boots a lot dont ask me why just comfortable .. and i clip mine on the inside lip of my boots i cant feel it it dosent get in the way and its easy to use at a table with out drawing a lot of attention

[telizas]

Just got hooked up today... I haven't really even noticed it in my bra, haven't had to take it out. I did try it in my pocket for about an hour and then that became problematic when I had to use the toilet. I might make a little cotton pouch so it doesn't stick to my skin in my bra and get all covered in sweat, but its pretty comfy there. :)

[networkguy]

All these ideas of putting them in your bra brings up some funny thoughts...that I will keep to myself :T

[keeranx]

bra strap? leg strap? oh my god and i thought tucking it in the side of my underwear when i had no pockets was raunchy lol i need to see these straps haha

[MoCoke]

Just got hooked up today... I haven't really even noticed it in my bra, haven't had to take it out. I did try it in my pocket for about an hour and then that became problematic when I had to use the toilet. I might make a little cotton pouch so it doesn't stick to my skin in my bra and get all covered in sweat, but its pretty comfy there. :)

I clip mine to the "outside" of my bra. Hmmm... maybe THAT'S why it sticks out more. I suppose I could clip it to the underside when wearing a knit top. That would probably make it less noticable...hmmm... the good ideas ya learn on here!!

[poodlebone]

bra strap? leg strap? oh my god and i thought tucking it in the side of my underwear when i had no pockets was raunchy lol i need to see these straps haha

Okay, I stick mine in my underwear (the side) a lot! Usually at night in the summer when I want to wear as little as possible to bed. My pump has been living in my underwear a lot this summer! Not during the day, of course, as that would be really awkward trying to pull it out!

[AngelKitty]

Okay, I stick mine in my underwear (the side) a lot! Usually at night in the summer when I want to wear as little as possible to bed. My pump has been living in my underwear a lot this summer! Not during the day, of course, as that would be really awkward trying to pull it out!

You guys make me laugh!

I started off wearing my pump clipped to the waistband of my jeans but it got in the way all the time, so I've pretty much been wearing it clipped to the front of my bra and found it to be the most comfortable place so far.

I have tried wearing it clipped to my undies but there isn't a whole lot of support to these flimsy garments so it kinda doesn't stay there! :eek: :T ;)

[SCC]

Most of the time now I use the SPI belt Spibelt | Running Belts | Fitness & Travel Belt | Passport & Phone Holders | Waist-Hip-Pouch-Money-Insulin (http://www.spibelt.com) and if you say "pump", you get 10% off. I take the clip off the pump and it's really thin. Stays up when going to the bathroom (pump up/pants down) so that's a nice feeling. The leg bands are great for the (for me rare) times I wear anything like a dress with no pockets. Haven't tried the side of the bra, though...fun to see.

I notice none of the guys seem to have an alternative to our bra solution though :D

[DCaplinger]

I am a cop. On days I wear my bullet-proof vest, I have my Ping hidden and attached to one of the sidestraps of the vest underneath my shirt. On days I don't wear the vest, I wear it on my belt for all to see. It's been scratched several times when exposed back when we were moving, but otherwise, I've had no issues wearing it that way.

Enjoy your Ping!

Regards,

D

[RNjen]

I think most people end up wearing it like a cel phone, holstered at the belt area somehow. My son puts his in his pocket. I have made some pump cases for older kids and adults that allow you to wear them on your arm, upper or lower, and leg, and at the belt area. If you want to look at them, send me a message at missmaryjennifer@gmail.com and I will send you pics or a link.

That is one of the funner things about pumps.... getting to find cool ways to wear them.

In fact, the Crocs company makes a cel phone holster that fits most pumps (not the cosmo sorry) and they donated a lot of them to campers at Diabetes camp here in Iowa.

Pretty cool.