Last 50 units in Reservoir

[Russell A.]

Anyone else notice when you get down to the last 30-50 units in a reservoir your sugars tend to run high? Maybe the little “Champagne” bubbles join together or insulin starts breaking down getting close to 6 days old.

Just something I keep wondering about!

Russell

[poodlebone]

I run my reservoirs until they're empty, much longer than 3 days. I've never noticed a difference from the time I first fill & start one until the time my pump screen shows I have --.-- units left! I have my reminder to go off when the pump thinks it has 5 units left but there's actually at least another 10 units or so that can be used. I do try to change it when the alarm goes off but depending on what I'm doing I might wait awhile.

I have to say that I'm lucky with insulin. I've used a vial past 30 days, unrefrigerated. I went through a period where I'd leave the almost empty vial on my table instead of throwing it away. I ended up with 4 of 5 of these with just a small amount left. I used them for syringe injections and they worked, even months old out of the fridge. I've used insulin that was nearly 2 years expired, but the unopened vials had been stored in the fridge.

[yannah]

hi russel!!!!!!!!

[SueM]

Must admit I have never had a problem with high numbers coming towards the last 50 units.
My cartridge lasts about 12 days. I do use natural insulin though and that is a lot more stable than the synthetic insulins/analogues.

[Subby]

I've never seen that Russell. A mystery indeed for you. I find insulin action is usually tied up with the set, it can start conking out at 3 days or more. I don't refill my cartridge with my set.

Unless it's really really hot, I would never worry about insulin going off within 2 weeks at the least, with any of the insulins I've tried. I do think I've come across Novorapid losing potency after 35c+ days for a couple of weeks, but cannot be sure.

[Nifr]

Good question, Russell, one that I've wondered about myself. I sometimes feel that my last 20 units or so are less effective. Looks like the general consensus so far is that it depends!

[Gordonm]

No. I run mine down until it is empty. Right at 5 days and never had a problem with high BG even at the very end. There is a slight reserve also. I have run mine an hour or two past it saying there is 0 units left and my BG is fine. Not recomended but there is a reserve. I take it out after and can always squirt a little more out of it when it reads zero.

[yanki01]

my BG are normal going down to the last couple of units. i try to change the cartridge and start a new one when i have about 5-7 units left. those seem to be where the bubbles start happening.

[GeishaGirl]

I have to replace my reservoir every 2.5-3.5 days, and I usually notice a slight difference by the end. I think some of it may have to do with heat -- I wear mine very close to the skin -- it'll occasionally get hot enough to fog up the screen!

[Russell A.]

Thanks for your responses.

Nifr: I am glad I am not the only one to notice this trend. BTW- I use Novalog and sure it depends on the insulin.

GeishaGirl, Well, I am just going to bite my tongue and not comment about your hot, steamy pump, lol!:D

Russell

[GeishaGirl]

GeishaGirl, Well, I am just going to bite my tongue and not comment about your hot, steamy pump, lol!:D

Russell

LOL! I realized it sounded bad not long after I posted :) I ALWAYS tend to run hot -- I'm always warm inside, and my body doesn't tolerate clothes well. Add into that the fact that I tend to wear pantyhose, a shaper, plus a skirt and a top over the pump and you have WAY too much inner body heat!!

And yet my standard body temp is 97.2-97.6 and my skin that is constantly exposed (arms, hands, etc) is always cool.

[rak1978]

H-I- R-U-S-S-E-L (don't have the energy to type the whole post that way)...

I find that my blood sugars run high on the third day of a set. Not sure if it's due to the insulin loosing potency or the set site being irritated. I have the 522, so my resevoir only lasts 3 days anyways.

bye. :)