Hooked up!!!!

[Cinnabon]

Ok everyone....
I am hooked up to my 715 :eek:

She finally decided to show up. She set my basal rate (1.0 hr.) and my bolus @ 10:1 to start at 12 am. I will have to cover myself from 9 pm to 12am due to the gap where my magnificent NPH ends. She told me for showering I just needed to take out the reservoir w/out the pump. When I asked about sleeping in she just said I didn't have to do a thing because the pump would be constantly running. I'm gonna have a lot of questions, please have patience with me (LOL). I have a feeling this RN is not the best. She will be back tomm after I am done with my eye surgery.

[duck]

Ok everyone....
I am hooked up to my 715 :eek:

She finally decided to show up. She set my basal rate (1.0 hr.) and my bolus @ 10:1 to start at 12 am. I will have to cover myself from 9 pm to 12am due to the gap where my magnificent NPH ends. She told me for showering I just needed to take out the reservoir w/out the pump. When I asked about sleeping in she just said I didn't have to do a thing because the pump would be constantly running. I'm gonna have a lot of questions, please have patience with me (LOL). I have a feeling this RN is not the best. She will be back tomm after I am done with my eye surgery.


Listen--Don't sleep in yet...make sure you have your basals dialed-in before you do that. You can STILL go low on a pump, but those are correctable if they are because your basals are too high, but we need to determine if your basals are high (or low) FIRST.

Whaddya mean remove the reservoir for showering?

[Cinnabon]

Oh I probably wont sleep in for a while, but thanks. I will probably be feeling edgy about this for quite some time. What she meant was the reservoir snaps out from the pump, but still hooked up to the tubing (little plastic bottle).

[Clint]

I would not do that! Are you using the quick sets? if so, just unhook it from the site on your body and you are good to go. If you take the resivour out, it can really mess things up.

[Cinnabon]

good you told me that. You suggest I just take the needle out w/ the taping, shower and just reinsert it? ( I know my question probably sound real idiotic, but this will be my very 1st time :1eye: )

[duck]

good you told me that. You suggest I just take the needle out w/ the taping, shower and just reinsert it? ( I know my question probably sound real idiotic, but this will be my very 1st time :1eye: )


No no no...Stand by, let me try and find a pic...

(your infusion tubing should disconnect from the 'canula' or needle, that's what we're talking about).

[Clint]

ya, it should be a 'twist lock' at the site. If I had my camera I would take a pic of mine to show you. I would really, really advise you not to take the resivour out unless you are refilling it.

[duck]

Okay, from another post here (and I know your set does not look like this, but they are all similar in design):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/educk/diabetesforums/pump1.jpg

Note the circle below, that's your "quick disconnect". It should either twist or pull apart:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/educk/diabetesforums/pump1a.jpg

What kind of infusion set are you using?

[middnite03]

no, if you are using the quick sets, they disconnect at the site, just a quarter turn, if your using the soft sets, then they have a disconnect 4 inches from the infusion site.

look at this page...

http://www.minimed.com/patientfam/pf_ipt_pumpinfusion_quickset.shtml

the pump trainer should have showed you how to disconnect while she was there.. if not, look at the box of infusion sets, get the name of the set, and post it here, and we will tell you the best way to disconnect to take a shower. if you remove the Reservoir from the pump and forget to suspend the pump, when you re insert the Reservoir then you can get a big does of insulin, which can lead to problems.

also another hint... the Reservoir can actually double for a bottle of insulin, if your out somewhere and you get high readings, and you have to take a shot of insulin, you dont have to carry a bottle of insulin, just disconnect the tubing from the Reservoir and draw the insulin out of that...

end of book :nerd:

[middnite03]

nevermind duck beat me to it with the pictures LOL :whistling

[duck]

no, if you are using the quick sets, they disconnect at the site, just a quarter turn, if your using the soft sets, then they have a disconnect 4 inches from the infusion site.

look at this page...

http://www.minimed.com/patientfam/pf_ipt_pumpinfusion_quickset.shtml

the pump trainer should have showed you how to disconnect while she was there.. if not, look at the box of infusion sets, get the name of the set, and post it here, and we will tell you the best way to disconnect to take a shower. if you remove the Reservoir from the pump and forget to suspend the pump, when you re insert the Reservoir then you can get a big does of insulin, which can lead to problems.

also another hint... the Reservoir can actually double for a bottle of insulin, if your out somewhere and you get high readings, and you have to take a shot of insulin, you dont have to carry a bottle of insulin, just disconnect the tubing from the Reservoir and draw the insulin out of that...

end of book :nerd:


Yeah, what he said--Post the name of the set here and we can help.

I've always been afraid to use a reservoir as an insulin repository--strange, I know.

[Cinnabon]

I am using the Paradigm Quicksets

[YouthIncJr]

The quicksets twist at the site. The Cotton tape area there should be a blue arrow and Blue line. There is a place to "pinch" the circle where the tubing comes in. If you pinch and twist to the Blue arrow, the tubing should disconnect, leaving the cathater in your skin. THere should have been a cap/cover to place on for showering/swimming. When done just line up the line with the arrow and twist back. Listen for the "click" to make sure your connected.

[Clint]

the at your site, you should see an arrow, squeeze the sides and turn counter clockwise and it will come off. This is how you 'disconnect' for showers and whatnot

[duck]

I am using the Paradigm Quicksets

Like this one?

http://www.hamotdiabetes.com/5107.html

If so, your "quick disconnect" is at the insertion set...Get another Quickset and at the insertion set you should be able to squeeze the base of it and disconnect your tubing while leaving the insertion set in...

There has to be pictures of this somewhere...(scampers off)...

Or what Clint says... :thumbsup:

[duck]

Aha! Good ol' CWD!

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/pumps/sets-quickset.htm

[Cielo]

Congratulations Cinnabon!!!! Ask any question you have...even if you think it's stupid. None of us will think they're stupid...getting on the pump can be kind of confusing so ask away! And most importantly, BE PATIENT. You can expect to have a long hard first couple of weeks where you may be getting little sleep and little food. But it's necessary in order to set your basals so as long as you expect that, you won't get totally frustrated! GOOD LUCK and we're all here for you!

[YouthIncJr]

I think people like sharring what they know. Espically Duck. :D Does anyone else think he has too much time on his hands? :nerd: all the pictures and web sites? and look how many posts there are and the time he posts.

anyway keep asking the questions. I have found everyone here knows or has encountered it before.

[Cinnabon]

Thank you so much everyone, Im not done just yet,,,,

I think Duck has Been OUTRAGEOUS!!!!


Thank you Thanks you.. there is more where that came from!

[Cinnabon]

Now, here is my worry for right now:
I had to take these shots for today:

AM- 8R & 15 N That will most likely where off at about 9-10 pm
after lunch I am looking at 1-1.5 Humalog
Dinner : 8 R

**My pump is programmed to start delivering insulin at about 12 am midnight. I will not be taking my bedtime dose of N (12.5) due to this start of the pump. What can I be looking at happening (lows.. highs, all of the above? suggestions please... LOL

I have Laser surgery scheduled for 7 am tomm 6/23)

So many prcedures, so little time!!!

[middnite03]

well untill you get your basil rates just right, which can take some time, you can expect hows and lows. now it will be a matter of alot of testing, and tweaking the basil rate to be perfect for you, by any chance did the pump trainer help you set up the bolus wizzard??

[Cielo]

I don't know what your trainer has told you to do but you should check your blood every night at 12am, 3am and again at around 7am in order to get your basals down for the overnight. Recording these numbers will be crucial, especially in the beginning, to make the adjustments necessary to avoid highs and lows.

[nantomsuethom]

Yea!!! Your an official pumper now! :D
It does take time to get basals worked out. 1u/hour seems a lot, but then again I am used to kids basals.
Good luck, enjoy your freedom!! :thumbsup:

Good luck tomorrow with your procedure, too.

[duck]

Now, here is my worry for right now:
I had to take these shots for today:

AM- 8R & 15 N That will most likely where off at about 9-10 pm
after lunch I am looking at 1-1.5 Humalog
Dinner : 8 R

**My pump is programmed to start delivering insulin at about 12 am midnight. I will not be taking my bedtime dose of N (12.5) due to this start of the pump. What can I be looking at happening (lows.. highs, all of the above? suggestions please... LOL

I have Laser surgery scheduled for 7 am tomm 6/23)

So many prcedures, so little time!!!


Your N should be "worn off" by then, at least in its peak functionality...Rumor has it that it can take 24 hours to clear, but I wonder just how potent 19-hour old N is anyway? Still, the best advice has been given--test test test. The times Cielo gave were the times I was told to test as well when I started pumping--it's a pain, but at least it is a means to an end.

I think people like sharring what they know. Espically Duck. :D Does anyone else think he has too much time on his hands? :nerd: all the pictures and web sites? and look how many posts there are and the time he posts.

anyway keep asking the questions. I have found everyone here knows or has encountered it before.

...I don't feel like I have too much time on my hands? Have you been talking to my wife? She accuses me of living here... :hypocrite

[ang]

is it just me or does this pump start sound a little bit sketchy to anybody else? i don't know how good of an idea it is to start pumping for the first time in the middle of the night. when you're sleeping. wouldn't it be more adviseable to start in the morning when its alot easier to test and you're able to feel quicker whether you're going high or low. without having to disrupt your sleep, test, and maybe make a poor decision because you're half awake. i know its easier, and you should get your night time basals under control before you daytime ones, but i don't think you should start pumping for the first time at night. just my opinion, but it doesn't seem the safest to me.

[Cinnabon]

I have taken every single bit of advise you guys have given me and it really does look like this trainer is sending me down the disaster path. I'm fearing the worst having that N still in my body, starting the pump at night, and going through that procedure tomm, too. :confused:

[duck]

I started mine at night as well, due to my works schedule. Part of me said that I had to burn that bridge at some point, and the other said to be cautious.

Cinnabon, you can always put it off...One more day/week won't hurt you, you've lived with your current therapy this long. Don't feel peer pressure to start now, it's not like the pump will turn into a pumpkin. :)

[ang]

hope i didn't totally freak you out with my other post but i was a bit concerned. and plus if you are having eye surgery (don't know what kind) but if your vision is affected it might be adviseable to wait. i would. but then again, i was totally impatient and started myself without any training! you have to do what you're comfortable with. i started mine in the morning and my last NPH was taken the night before. i'm pretty sure that i still had some NPH in my system from the night before (based on the rate i started with versus what i use now) but it'll all sort itself out in a couple of hours. it is tricky in the beginning but its not rocket science! don't stress yourself out too much (don't what that to cause havoc with your sugars) and just test, test, test. good luck.

[Cinnabon]

I will tell you that eye procedures ten to make my BS drop. I think what is most likely is to simply not start tonight, that trainer will hopefully be back tomm, and Ill just leave the needle w/ tape (good or bad?). I just have this eeery feeling sitting in that chair, going through laser treatment, and going LOW.

[camjen1]

Did you figure out how to disconnect dirsctly from the site and not just by pulling the reservoir out???? Idiot nurse and to think she has a license.

[Cinnabon]

Yes I did...
but I made a choice, due to my eye procedure tomm, to leave in the needle part of it, but not to hook up the pump as I was supposed to at midnight. I react to real low bs during eye surgery or anything they do. Would you know if that insulin (Novolog) they put in my reservoir would go bad?

[duck]

Yes I did...
but I made a choice, due to my eye procedure tomm, to leave in the needle part of it, but not to hook up the pump as I was supposed to at midnight. I react to real low bs during eye surgery or anything they do. Would you know if that insulin (Novolog) they put in my reservoir would go bad?

You literally have weeks at room temperature before the stuff goes bad.

[am1977]

Hey Cinnabun :)

I just want to wish you the best with your new pump :) I hope it is everything you hope it to be and I hope it gives you the control you want :thumbsup:

As for the procedure...I know that you just want it to be over with. I think sometimes anticipation can be the worst or the best thing depending on the situation. When it comes to planning a vacation or preparing for a holiday...sometime the anticipation is better than the actual event. But when it comes to something like what you are going through tomorrow, it can be not such a good thing. We always imagine things to be worse than they actually are. Anyway, hang in there...before you know it, it will be over and you will be in recovery.

All the best ;)

[Amanda_Jo22]

Congratulations Cinnabon on your hookup! I'm glad you are finally all ready to go w/your new pump. I would do what you feel most comfortable doing for your eye surgery. I just had cataract surgery and they were very careful monitoring my sugar and it stayed great with the pump. Do what's best for you!

[Cinnabon]

Listen to this....
I got a call this morning from the nursing coordinator!?. She asks me how my training is going??? HAHAHAHA, ummm.. What training?????? :stupid:
I elaborated at my disgusted experience one of their nurses, much alike a with a near death experience she almost put me through. This lady sounded like she was listening and sympathized w/ me as she had many diabetic family members. She sounded as if she was in shock to hear my story. I didn't buy it, but I listened. She was filing a legitimate complaint with the company and apologized SEVERELY! Moments later I got a call from the infamous nurse, better known as,Dr. KEVORKIAN. She was calling to confirm her visit tonight @ 10pm :eek:. She was really playing stupid and wannted to know what was going on? I guess someone was pulling her ears from higher grounds. Only thing I said was "Are you the same nurse that came to my house and wanted to leave me hooked up to a pump that I had no idea how to work and then couldn't make it back because her son missed his bus to a field trip?" To make it short, a MM rep contacted me and told me to be at her office this coming Thursday and that my Endo NEVER sent her my paperwork to get my training. Duck was more than right, I could have been typing this to you, dead!!!! LOL All jokes aside, this %!!^$!& nurse could have killed me. Its really scary to know there are so many people like her, with a license to kill.

[camjen1]

Are you serious 10 pm?

[duck]

I just had my training today, Cinnabon, and I'll admit I thought about you a million times--This nurse was on the ball! I kept thinking "how can I get you down to Miami?"

BTW, she trains for MM pumps as well, and she showed me an example of the insertion set you are using (Quick Set?) and she has me convinced that's how I need to go in the future...

[Cinnabon]

Duck that is awesome, I am so glad you got your training. U R 2 sweet, and if you can FedEx him/her, 10:30 am is fine for me!(LOL) :thumbsup:

[middnite03]

so basically MM is going to give you training??? if so, thats great....

my appt with my trainer was at least 3 hours, and I know alot more then she did with the pump. she was a trainer on all insulin pumps that contracts to MM. but the best was yesterday when I walked into my endos office, she took the pump, sat there with her laptop and the bd meter(which she said to never, ever use...) and programed the pump from scrath, she just trashed all the settings the CDE and I put on there, read the last months blood sugar trends, and programed the pump to respond to different levels at different times of the day. when I left I got a new set of instructions, basically I have to down load the readings from the pump and all bs levels, email them to her, and she will send back a mew programed basil profile to use. I thought I was done after being hooked up.

so before my rambling up top, the lesson I learned, after getting hooked up, your endo will probably change all settings to suit you..

sorry about the book....

[daddyo]

Cinnabon sorry I hav'nt been on for awhile, I hope your getting your pump situation straightened out. It takes time. If your still having problems let me know I have a direct # to a very good person at Minimed. Asfar as the nurse that came to your house I would not let her anywere near you or your pump. Also I have found that Novolog works faster, and peaks sooner, that Humalog. But your YMMV, and your total daily intake of insulin will probaly be about 20% less than you took before. Please let us know how your doing And the name of that nurse so we can file charges against her for being an IDIOT ha ha, but realy not a funny matter hope your OK.

[Cinnabon]

Hey there Daddy O...
Yes it was a very scary situation. Just to think there are people like her out there. I would really appreciate that number, just in case. I will keep everyone posted so this will NEVER happen to them.


Thanks!

[duck]

Hey there Daddy O...
Yes it was a very scary situation. Just to think there are people like her out there. I would really appreciate that number, just in case. I will keep everyone posted so this will NEVER happen to them.


Thanks!

Hey! Did you ever figure out the "quick disconnect" feature?

[Dewey]

Hey Cinnabon,

Just wanted to say Congrats to you on getting hooked up!
http://www.bgreetings.com/ecards/everyday_cards/congratulations/16.gif
Sorry about the bad nurse experience. :( Hopefully, something will soon be done to fix all that (& her! :mad: ).

[Cinnabon]

Ok..
They sent me another nurse today form a completely different company. He hooked me up. He expects to be back many times more, that was a plus. I should start tonight at midnight. I must say he made me feel a bit more at ease, but still feeling anxious. I just can't seem to get used to thinking I wont depend on actual shots, much less thinking " NO shot tonight". Calculating at 1 unit per HR., I will total 24 units in 24 hrs. I was on 45 of the R & N regimen. That is a huge difference in total of units. Will the corrections/Bolus make up for this difference as I go? He mentioned that some doctors sometimes keep their pateints on N, even with the pump. I have no orders for this to happen. I will have a lot of silly questions.... LOL

Luv u guys!!!!!

[Clint]

I had some of the same concerns as you, but I dont anymore. It was weird at first not taking a shot, but I got used to that real quick as I hated my shots.

The correction bolus' and your food time bolus's will help keep you level. Also, you will need to test more often(depending on how much you test now)... I went from testing 3-4 times pre-pump to 6+ post pump.

I have the same rate as you, although I have 5 basal rates now as I have figured out my needs at different times of the day.

Ask all the question you need to, thats what we are here for :)

[Amanda_Jo22]

Cinnabon, I'm glad they sent you another trainer! Hope this one goes smoothly for you! I was only on shots for about a year before I started pumping, so it wasn't as big as a transition for me. It must be strange to be finally liberated from your shots! Your basal should be about 50%, more or less, of your daily intake, so your basal rate sounds good (although it will take testing to get it perfect). Good luck!

[daddyo]

Yeah Cinnabon my basil is at 47% of my daily intake. The docs say anywere from 40 to 60 % is good it will flucuate.

[duck]

Ok..
They sent me another nurse today form a completely different company. He hooked me up. He expects to be back many times more, that was a plus. I should start tonight at midnight. I must say he made me feel a bit more at ease, but still feeling anxious. I just can't seem to get used to thinking I wont depend on actual shots, much less thinking " NO shot tonight". Calculating at 1 unit per HR., I will total 24 units in 24 hrs. I was on 45 of the R & N regimen. That is a huge difference in total of units. Will the corrections/Bolus make up for this difference as I go? He mentioned that some doctors sometimes keep their pateints on N, even with the pump. I have no orders for this to happen. I will have a lot of silly questions.... LOL

Luv u guys!!!!!

I can't believe anyone would prescribe N anymore...

It sounds weird when you think about all the N you are on, but 1 unit an hour basal is pretty standard...As time goes on, you'll probably be less than 24 units an hour as you tweak your basals.

I still don't get why anyone would worry about TDD as a dependent mechanism on their basal--To me, that's "MDI mentality" (no offense to those on MDI). Does a normal person worry about their basal rate when they want to eat cheesecake and say "Hmmmm...If I eat that cheesecake, I'll exceed my normal TDD..." I'm not saying to go out and scarf down cheesecake, but the whole TDD mentality escapes me to this day (I'm open to being enlightened).