My pump is on the way!

[condensr]

Animas called yesterday to set up a delivery date for my new pump! I'm so excited.. I can't wait! Hopefully I can get an appt for a pump startup with the pump nurses at my endo's office within a reasonable time. Having it sitting around while I jab myself with needles is going to suck.. but oh well.

Oh, its a blue Animas IR1250. :thumbsup:

I chose the inset 6mm infusion sets, though I've not tried them yet. They say I can return them if they don't work out for me. I DID try the comfort/sil set with saline, and NO THANK YOU to that one.

I can't wait .....

[JediSkipdogg]

You have picked a great pump and a nice infusion set. I love the Inset 6mm and made the switch from the comforts of 3.5 years.

Congrats and welcome to the Animas world.

[SheriLynn]

Congrats...Our pump just arrived today. The blue one also. Our training is set up for Tuesday followed by a week of saline, then off to the hospital for our transfer over to pumping insulin. WE ARE SO EXCITED!! I truly hope this helps the roller coastering we have been dealing with.

[Tatermom]

Having it sitting around while I jab myself with needles is going to suck..

Sure does..we had Taylor's pump for almost 6 months before she finally got on it. The diabetes ed. nurse wanted her b.s. levels to be as close as possible to 150 b/f she would ok it. Wasn't that the point of the pump?!?

Our endo finally agreed to let us deal w/the company pump trainer which was awesome. Got the training knocked out in one (loooong) session. Come to find out we are not the only people to have issues with the nurse and people are actually switching endo's to get away from her!! Nice to know we aren't crazy.

[am1977]

Now you are one of us...a :cool: pumper...hee hee hee :laugh:

Best of LUCK :top:

[Cinnabon]

GREAT news...
ICECREAM !!!

[Dresdentut]

I have had my Animas IR1250 for a little over five weeks now and am thrilled with the new capabilities. I switched from a Disetronic HTRONplus, which was a great pump, but pretty basic in comparison to the new models. I've been pumping for 9 years, so the conversion was a breeze. I am excited for your new "experience" and trust that things go well. Keep us posted!
Jeff

[kgm0612]

Good luck.........hope you're able to have your pump training soon.

Karen

[jenet]

How exciting! As a new pumper myself, I found it helps to take it out of the box and play with it before training. Good luck on your new adventure.
cheers,
j

[condensr]

Correction, it has arrived!

Now I have to wait till the 22nd for a startup appt/training. I've read the manual, taken it out of the box, etc etc. but not put a battery in it.

[jocojo]

Gonna meet with my endo wensday ive got minimed 715 kinda nervous what to expect but im not scared because ive been a professional diabetic for 28 years but was just wondering if i could get some first few days advice?

[Cyborg]

Yeah! Another Animas user!!!!

:thumbsup:

[spike]

Gonna meet with my endo wensday ive got minimed 715 kinda nervous what to expect but im not scared because ive been a professional diabetic for 28 years but was just wondering if i could get some first few days advice?


Someone PAYS you to be diabetic?? :)

[Cyborg]

Gonna meet with my endo wensday ive got minimed 715 kinda nervous what to expect but im not scared because ive been a professional diabetic for 28 years but was just wondering if i could get some first few days advice?

I was put on my pump by my trainer that works for the pump company, not by my endo. I think that's how it generally works. If your used to MDI, the infusion set is a breeze if you use an inserter (which I do). Not sure how good the MM inserter is, perhaps other MM users could fill you in. When you start on the pump, they may start you on saline, maybe insulin, depends on your level of current control and your trainer. I went live personally. Anyhow, good luck. I've been on it for a month and I'm hooked. Pun Intended. :laugh:

[Tokyo Cate]

:party: Hurray. Now instead of shooting up :nurse: , you can pump up the jam!

I hope the transition goes well and you enjoy better control on the pump.

Good luck!

[jenet]

Now I have to wait till the 22nd for a startup appt/training. I've read the manual, taken it out of the box, etc etc. but not put a battery in it.
What are you waiting for? :) Put a battery in, and play with the buttons. Get comfortable with the menus and options. Carry it around in your pocket every day and push buttons to pretend you're pumping insulin for your meals and BG corrections (while continuing your current routine). The practice makes startup so much easier.

Have fun!
j

[condensr]

Well, I'm now pumping insulin. Hooray!

Let me tell you- the inset 6mm is SOOO much better than the comfort/sil I tried while on saline. It didnt hurt going in at all.

They want me to be pretty un-agressive right now while getting started, so the target bgs and basal are a little on the safe side, but in a few weeks we'll get a little more aggressive on keeping the numbers down.

Say, where do most of you wear your pumps? Mines just in my pocket. I decided against the belt clip cause I already have enough things on my belt usually, like work ID, leatherman, sometimes phone..

[spike]

Well, I'm now pumping insulin. Hooray!

Let me tell you- the inset 6mm is SOOO much better than the comfort/sil I tried while on saline. It didnt hurt going in at all.

They want me to be pretty un-agressive right now while getting started, so the target bgs and basal are a little on the safe side, but in a few weeks we'll get a little more aggressive on keeping the numbers down.

Say, where do most of you wear your pumps? Mines just in my pocket. I decided against the belt clip cause I already have enough things on my belt usually, like work ID, leatherman, sometimes phone..

On my waistband or belt, if I'm wearing one. In bed, it lays beside me.

[Cyborg]

I usually wear mine in a waist-in (for privacy), or pinned to the top of my shirt (tacky, I know). I found that pinned (in a little pouch) at the top of my shirt I have the easiest access, no chance of snagging anything ever, and if the pump goes haywire and I pass out, people will see the thing... I'm trying to find something to go around my neck that I can hang my pump on that way I'll still have easy access and I can simply drop it under my shirt for privacy.

[condensr]

That does sound like a good idea, the around the neck thing. Let us know if you find anything..

[Cyborg]

That does sound like a good idea, the around the neck thing. Let us know if you find anything..

Absolutely :)

[spike]

I usually wear mine in a waist-in (for privacy), or pinned to the top of my shirt (tacky, I know). I found that pinned (in a little pouch) at the top of my shirt I have the easiest access, no chance of snagging anything ever, and if the pump goes haywire and I pass out, people will see the thing... I'm trying to find something to go around my neck that I can hang my pump on that way I'll still have easy access and I can simply drop it under my shirt for privacy.

I doubt a pump failure would be the cause of you passing out! :) More likely to be operator error. In fact, let me know if you can find ONE instance at the FDA about an insulin pump that over pumped in the last 10 years.

[Cyborg]

I doubt a pump failure would be the cause of you passing out! :) More likely to be operator error. In fact, let me know if you can find ONE instance at the FDA about an insulin pump that over pumped in the last 10 years.

Pump error, human error, too much to drink, whatever reason. I just want people to see it...

I also carry medical identification information in my wallet for detailed info.

[spike]

Pump error, human error, too much to drink, whatever reason. I just want people to see it...

I also carry medical identification information in my wallet for detailed info.

ah, I was trying (and failing, I guess) to put your mind at ease about the nature of pump failures. sigh.

[Cyborg]

ah, I was trying (and failing, I guess) to put your mind at ease about the nature of pump failures. sigh.

No, it's good no know. I'll sleep better at night... Thanks :)

[spike]

No, it's good no know. I'll sleep better at night... Thanks :)


:) I wish I could get ONE good night's sleep. I haven't slept all through the night since I went on insulin in 1978. Isn't that weird??

[Cyborg]

:) I wish I could get ONE good night's sleep. I haven't slept all through the night since I went on insulin in 1978. Isn't that weird??

Is it worrying about going low or something else?

[spike]

Is it worrying about going low or something else?

Nope! Not since a few days after getting my pump in 1996. Before that, the answer would be a resounding "yes". I literally worried quite often that I would die in my sleep. I used to get some unbelievably fast drops in blood sugar, often times as fast as 100md/dl in FIVE minutes. during the night I'd either be sky high or would go below 30...for 18 YEARS. MDI and I didn't agree no matter how I changed up my regimen. I wouldn't go to sleep unless I was over 160. I figured I get too low! Now, when I go to bed, I don't want to be over 125 because my basal rates keep me pretty level. i've never had a sleep apnea study--maybe my issue isn't DM related. It sure isn't the "fear factor" as I'm mostly quite relaxed about taking care of bg's. I get aggravated when I go high, but I don't panic when I'm low like I used to on MDI.

[condensr]

Speaking of lows, I had a little problem this afternoon with lows. Obviously something needs tweaking.. when I check in with my doc tonight by phone we'll see what she says.

Was at 112 for lunch, had 68 cho and took 6.8 units, my usual MDI ratio of 1:10.
2 hrs later at 99, had a snack (peaches, 32g) cause I was hungry, covered it at 1:10.
2 hrs after that, at 149. No correction.
1 hr later, at 6pm, BAM I'm at 50. Drank 30gms cho worth of juice, and it went up to 80 in 10 mins.
1.5 hrs after that, back down to 62 pre-dinner..

Hmm..

My basal rate is at 80% of my lantus dose, maybe a little less..?

[Cyborg]

Sounds to me like you need to do some basal testing.

Have you read the Pumping Insulin book by Walsh & Roberts?

[Cyborg]

It actually sounds like your carb ratios are set wrong, but you are supposed to do your basal testing first. I got a trainer from Animas. Did you get a trainer?

[condensr]

I had the option, but my endo's office (University of Washington Diabetes Center) does their own pump startups and training for all of the big three pump manufacturers. They have nurses on staff that are dedicated pump experts, as well as all the docs and nurses have worn each of the pumps using saline..

Its a pretty good place, I'm sure they'll take care of me.. She doesn't want to start the basal testing until things settle down and all the Lantus is out of my system for sure. I'll be in daily contact with them for at least a week, and have a followup appt in 5 days.

[Shotokan]

..My basal rate is at 80% of my lantus dose, maybe a little less..?

Maybe. I'm on just the second day of a pump trial. For years I've injected 40 units of Lantus at bedtime and it worked pretty well as a basal. On the pump, my endo started me out at 1 unit/hr, which was only 60 % of my Lantus dose (1.67 unit/hr). I figured my BGs would be sky high. But 1 unit/hr worked very well except a couple of hours after waking up, when my BG climbed. We're increasing the morning basal rate to fix that. It would have been a disaster if I had started on 80 % of my Lantus rate (which is what I would have done on my own). My endo somehow factored in my body weight in addition to my Lantus dose. I did not see the formula she's using, but she sure knows what she's doing.

[Cyborg]

Am I the only one that it seem kinda strange to that there is no basal testing happening here?

BTW, isn't Lantus out of your system within 24 hours?

[JediSkipdogg]

Am I the only one that it seem kinda strange to that there is no basal testing happening here?

BTW, isn't Lantus out of your system within 24 hours?

I didn't do basal testing till I was on the pump for 2.5 years and had a new doctor. I was given one straight amount of 1.5 units/hr throughout the entire day. That has now changed to as low as 0.875 at night and as high as 1.850 in the evening.

[Cyborg]

That does sound like a good idea, the around the neck thing. Let us know if you find anything..

Someone else on the forum said they sow hole in inside of their shirt pocket for the tubing. Today I wore a shirt with a pocket so I cut a small hole for the tubing and connector to slip through (on the inside of the pocket). I ran the tubing through and attached. Now the pump just sits in my pocket and it works great. Same easy access, no chance of snags. Wonderful idea when wearing shirts with pockets!

I think I'll take all my shirts with pockets to the tailors. They'll think I'm crazy, but then again.... ;)

[condensr]

Am I the only one that it seem kinda strange to that there is no basal testing happening here?

BTW, isn't Lantus out of your system within 24 hours?

Rest assured, there will be. Within the week, I beleive..

[condensr]

Oh, and one more thing for you prospective pumpers our there: I'm only on day 2, and I can't even tell the infusion set is there anymore. The first set I tried didnt feel so good, so I was a little worried about pain. Well, it doesn't have to be that way! Theres choices on a set, so I'm sure most folks can find one that is comfortable. Granted, I'm sure there will be times when I hit a sensitive spot with nerves/muscle, but that happens on MDI too.

[Lynne1]

Oh, and one more thing for you prospective pumpers our there: I'm only on day 2, and I can't even tell the infusion set is there anymore. The first set I tried didnt feel so good, so I was a little worried about pain. Well, it doesn't have to be that way! Theres choices on a set, so I'm sure most folks can find one that is comfortable. Granted, I'm sure there will be times when I hit a sensitive spot with nerves/muscle, but that happens on MDI too.
Good to hear that! I have my pump and am starting training w/saline on Monday! Yeah!!!

[Cyborg]

I didn't do basal testing till I was on the pump for 2.5 years and had a new doctor. I was given one straight amount of 1.5 units/hr throughout the entire day. That has now changed to as low as 0.875 at night and as high as 1.850 in the evening.

Wow! Did you have a bunch of lows and highs?

[JediSkipdogg]

Wow! Did you have a bunch of lows and highs?

Not really. I like to eat often, usually every 2-3 hours. Therefore I wouldn't be going long before I ate again and could easily correct a low or high if needed. I would catch it before it went too far high or low.

[Cyborg]

Not really. I like to eat often, usually every 2-3 hours. Therefore I wouldn't be going long before I ate again and could easily correct a low or high if needed. I would catch it before it went too far high or low.

Your night basal was so much higher then. Did you sleep normal 6-8 hours at that high basal without problems? Not to be nosey, just curious...