Changing Infusion Set w/Insulin Left or Vice Versa

[Cyborg]

What do you do when there is some inslulin left in the chamber and it's time for an infusion set change? You don't toss the cartridge with insulin in it still, so I assume you prime the new infusion set and continue.

Which will then lead to running out of insulin before it is time to change your new infusion set. So what do you do in that case?

I should have recorded the training session...

[JediSkipdogg]

What I do is just simply connect the needle from the new cartridge onto the old cartridge and shoot the insulin back into the bottle. Or you can somehow figure out how to get it into the new cartridge that way it's used first, but I've had no problem with mixing them.

[lelggren]

I do the same thing. I always just send all the un-used insulin back to the vial. Which, I wish someone would have told me when I first got my pump, that I could do that. I threw away a lot of good insulin because of that. But, I know now, and that's all that matters! :thumbsup:

[spike]

What do you do when there is some inslulin left in the chamber and it's time for an infusion set change? You don't toss the cartridge with insulin in it still, so I assume you prime the new infusion set and continue.

Which will then lead to running out of insulin before it is time to change your new infusion set. So what do you do in that case?

I should have recorded the training session...

When it's time for a new set the old reservoir and set go right in the trash.

[Dewey]

What I do is just simply connect the needle from the new cartridge onto the old cartridge and shoot the insulin back into the bottle. Or you can somehow figure out how to get it into the new cartridge that way it's used first, but I've had no problem with mixing them.
Like Jedi, I usually recycle insulin (in the same way he described). I sometimes use a recently emptied insulin bottle to put the remaining insulin in, then store it in the fridge if it's not being "re-used" right away (this is especially helpful if/when pressed for money). I've not had any problems doing these things, either. As the saying goes, Your mileage may vary, so what works for me or others may or may not be the case for you. Hope this helps. :)

[Cyborg]

Yeah! Just did my first infusion change. No gushing blood, just a spec. Took me awhile to figure everything out and I did forget to remove the safety cover from the infusion set inserter needle (which explains why it did not insert the first time :stupid: ).

In regards to reusing the remaining insuling, if I understand you right, you simply pump it back into an insulin vial and then draw it back out into a new cartridge? Sounds easy enough.

Once again, thanks for the tips...

[spike]

Yeah! Just did my first infusion change. No gushing blood, just a spec. Took me awhile to figure everything out and I did forget to remove the safety cover from the infusion set inserter needle (which explains why it did not insert the first time :stupid: ).

In regards to reusing the remaining insuling, if I understand you right, you simply pump it back into an insulin vial and then draw it back out into a new cartridge? Sounds easy enough.

Once again, thanks for the tips...

why do that if money isn't a huge issue for supplies?

[Cyborg]

This time I just threw away what I had left, which was only 17 units plus whatever was left in the tubing. And since insurance will cover an entire month's worth it really is no big deal. I can see a potential problem if the endo writes the script for the insulin based on the TDD reading from the meter and I'm throwing away unused insulin from the cartridges every time I do an infusion set change.

[JediSkipdogg]

why do that if money isn't a huge issue for supplies?

Because it does cost money in copayments and with people like me I'm being limited on my prescription till my doctor changes it. I need 2100 units in a month, however, my insurance won't cover 3000 units since they don't make 100 unit vials. So I need to save and get that extra 100 units each month until I see my doctor in April and get a new prescription. Plus why waste it? You figure some might be wasting 50 units every 3 days or more. So in a month that is half a vial on insulin. Plus stockpiling supplies is always nice because you never know when you might lose a job and paying for diabetic supplies is not cheap. I currently have about a 9 month supply of insulin pump supplies next to me. I'm not worried of losing my job on that basis.

[spike]

This time I just threw away what I had left, which was only 17 units plus whatever was left in the tubing. And since insurance will cover an entire month's worth it really is no big deal. I can see a potential problem if the endo writes the script for the insulin based on the TDD reading from the meter and I'm throwing away unused insulin from the cartridges every time I do an infusion set change.
I get 3 vials a month and I've never run short of insulin. My usual amount per day is around 35-45U.

[JasonSmithMT]

I never reuse the insulin left in the reservoir. The extra time involved and increased chance of contaminating the insulin albeit probably small isn't worth it for me. I do make an effort to only fill the reservoir with only the amount of insulin I need. I almost have it down to a science now.

Jason

[Cyborg]

Now that's clever. But I suppose you have to know exactly what you are going to be eating...

[kgm0612]

Like Jason, I do not fill my reservoir all the way. I use less than 25 units a day. I fill the reservoir to between 100-110 units and then prime. By the time the priming is finished and I connect to the new infusion site, I have about 85-90 units left.

Karen

[JasonSmithMT]

Now that's clever. But I suppose you have to know exactly what you are going to be eating...

I usually just put an extra days worth based on my averages to be on the safe side. This give me some flexibility without wasting too much insulin.

Jason

[Cyborg]

So this way you end up changing the infusion set and the reservoir at the same time and waste minimal insulin while tossing whatever is remaining.

So if you are far from home and without your supplies, and running low on insulin, you're eating low carb! ;) Not being sarcastic, I like your idea...

[spike]

So this way you end up changing the infusion set and the reservoir at the same time and waste minimal insulin while tossing whatever is remaining.

So if you are far from home and without your supplies, and running low on insulin, you're eating low carb! ;) Not being sarcastic, I like your idea...

Being far from home and low on insulin is NOT something you want to be contending with. I used to work 28 miles from home; one morning at work, I found my reservoir was nearly empty. I had to make the 56 mile round trip because I'd broken the rule of carrying extra supplies with me. I was mentally kicking myself in the posterior the whole home and back to work. I'm sure Chevron was happy with me that day. :)

when I go on vacation I take extra supplies in case I'm delayed returning home. Extra sets, reservoirs, and insulin. Batteries and insulin are not such as big deal as reservoirs CAN be reused, and batteries can be bought in just about any store (well, maybe not a shoe store...)

I've also taken an extra pump with me if I'm gone for a week or more.

It's not a bad idea to carry a couple of syringes and a bottle of insulin, or an insulin pen if you can keep it cool enough. I'm not one to worry excessively about refrigerating my current bottle of insulin--it's left at room temperature for a few weeks. In a pinch, I've used insulin that I've had knocking around in my fanny pack for ages, and it works, but others will freak out at the thought. I find if something WORKS, it's silly for someone else to claim that it CAN'T.

[Cyborg]

On MDI I would always bring extra supplies with me and leave them in places I frequent, such as work, friends houses, etc. I'll probably do the same now that I'm on the pump.

My trainer told me that the insulin stays good until the expiration date on the box, whether it's in the fridge or not as long as you keep in within the temp range on the box. That sounded kinda strange to me. I was also told that once you open it, you've got about 30 days, then it's no good. Hmmm?

[amccrazgrl]

i always let my insulin cartridge go down to 1.0 or less insulin in it and chuck it in the trash. i would fill a new cartridge when it beeps at the 20 unit low and then have it w/ me waiting for the cartidge to empty so i don't waste any. i even went to sleep with 12 units left and woke up when it beeped that i was empty and changed it no problems.

[Cyborg]

Can you change the reservoir without changing the infusion set?

[spike]

Can you change the reservoir without changing the infusion set?
Yes. BUT DON'T DO IT WITH THE INFUSION SET TUBING ATTACHED TO THE INFUSION SET THAT YOU ARE WEARING! You'll most likely have an air bubble form between the reservoir and the tubing. to clear it, you have to purge the tubing. DON'T DO THAT WITH IT HOOKED UP TO YOU!

[Cyborg]

Ok, my trainer shoulda taught me that... :vollkomme

[Cyborg]

i always let my insulin cartridge go down to 1.0 or less insulin in it and chuck it in the trash. i would fill a new cartridge when it beeps at the 20 unit low and then have it w/ me waiting for the cartidge to empty so i don't waste any. i even went to sleep with 12 units left and woke up when it beeped that i was empty and changed it no problems.


Now that I know you can change reservoirs without changing infusion sets, I definately like your idea the best! :thumbsup:

[spike]

Ok, my trainer shoulda taught me that... :vollkomme
:) I think all the literature that comes with a pump and the infusion sets has warnings about removing the tubing while you are messing around with the reservoir. In other words don't have the set attached to the tubing while the reservoir is out of the pump. and don't prime the pump with the set attached.

I almost did myself in with the older MM pump. In a moment of stupidity, I had removed the reservoir and was handling it when I realized it was still hooked up to me and those old reservoirs were made such that if you squeezed the plunger, you'd be pushing insulin. The new MM pumps use a reservoir that has an internal plunger (once you remove the handle) that will prevent an accidental infusion when handled (but that's only valid without the handle attached, such as when you remove it from the pump.

[amccrazgrl]

Now that I know you can change reservoirs without changing infusion sets, I definately like your idea the best! :thumbsup:

Ya why waste any insulin. The most I've wasted was less than 5 units in the reservoir.

[GoodJB]

I have an Animas 1250 and it only holds 200 units witch after priming and everything usually is about 170 to 180 units and i normally use about 80-100 units a day, so i just change everything at one time. i am lucky to have good insurance.

[Cinnabon]

Like Jason, I do not fill my reservoir all the way. I use less than 25 units a day. I fill the reservoir to between 100-110 units and then prime. By the time the priming is finished and I connect to the new infusion site, I have about 85-90 units left.

Karen
Same applies here. I do not like the idea of using warm insulin thats left over.

[spike]

Same applies here. I do not like the idea of using warm insulin thats left over.

I KNEW there was more than one reason why I consider the habit a bad one! :) Pound wise and penny foolish?

[Carwy]

Same applies here. I do not like the idea of using warm insulin thats left over.
But isn't the insulin in your pump room temp.:questionm :hmmmm: or do you have a new pump that keeps it cold:questionm :hmmmm:
If you have one that keeps it cold please let me know who makes it so I can read up on it. New tech. fascinates me.

[Dewey]

Please remember that not everyone has good insurance, jobs, or as much money as others. Also remember: What may work for one, may or may not work for others....just because a few people disagree with a certain practice/habit, it doesn't make it a "bad" one.

[spike]

Please remember that not everyone has good insurance, jobs, or as much money as others. Also remember: What may work for one, may or may not work for others....just because a few people disagree with a certain practice/habit, it doesn't make it a "bad" one.

but, but, I clearly said it was my "opinion". :) It's hard to argue with opinion, as opposed to someone recounting a procedure and getting the facts wrong. That's like saying I have no right to say that I think brussel sprouts are gross. I already know others (my wife included) eat them and love 'em. I'm certainly not trying to twist anyone's arm to doing things my way. I'd never expect that.

[JediSkipdogg]

but, but, I clearly said it was my "opinion". :) It's hard to argue with opinion, as opposed to someone recounting a procedure and getting the facts wrong. That's like saying I have no right to say that I think brussel sprouts are gross. I already know others (my wife included) eat them and love 'em. I'm certainly not trying to twist anyone's arm to doing things my way. I'd never expect that.


The problem is you added "Pound wise and penny foolish?" to the end of your comment. Basically inferring anyone that reuses insulin is penny foolish.

[spike]

The problem is you added "Pound wise and penny foolish?" to the end of your comment. Basically inferring anyone that reuses insulin is penny foolish.

it's a well know phrase that aptly applies to MY OPINION on the subject. I didn't claim that anyone is "foolish". That's an inaccurate inference.

And I believe you meant that I was "implying" something. The reader does the "inferring". :)

[JediSkipdogg]

it's a well know phrase that aptly applies to MY OPINION on the subject. I didn't claim that anyone is "foolish". That's an inaccurate inference.

And I believe you meant that I was "implying" something. The reader does the "inferring". :)

And every reader that reads that and saves insulin is going to infer you are dissing them. So don't say something if you don't want it inferred at all. Learn what to say and what not to say.

[Harold]

Just be carefull how you say something. We can not see body language.

I am closing this thread.