How exactly does your pump handle bolus types?

Subby · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 10:14 AM

I have moved for some months now to a therapy of exclusively square bolus or dual wave with maximum of 1.5u immediate. The reason isn't important here, suffice it to say that avoiding immediate delivery has improved my control out of sight, strange body that I have.

My minimed is a little disgruntled about this habit I have. I spend a lot of niggling seconds every day cajoling it away from it's recomended bolusing. Here are the scenarios:

- If I bolus for carbs only, it either keeps the recommendation on square if I used it last time (cool), but if I go to a dual wave it always recommends something like 70/30, which I fully understand but which I have to keep slowly resetting back to 1.5 immediate, the rest square.

- If I bolus for carbs/correction, or just correction, it decides I can't have square (unless it deems no correction is necessary in which case it's back in the options... just to confuse things again). I do have the option for a dual, with fiddling again needed. Again I understand the reasoning for excluding square when some correction is required, mind you I think it's an overly meddlesome and restrictive decision. And most specifically for me, for whom a square works a lot faster than an immediate.

I'm not wingeing here, I do understand I'm in the minority as far as difficulties with instant subcutaneous delivery, even so I am curious if other pump types are more flexible than this. In either providing square as an option at all times, and/or better control over default settings/better at "remembering" your own dual settings. I'd be obliged for some feedback from users of other brands.

poodlebone · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 08:57 PM

I also have Minimed so there's not much I can say that you don't already know. However, when it won't just offer the square option if it thinks a correction is needed, the dual wave will work just fine. Set the immediately portion to 0 and the full bolus as the square portion.

Subby · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 09:13 PM

Yep, thanks for the reply. That's what I do (or go a dual with low instant, which avoids the delay problem for me too). I just wish is wasn't slow slow to "dial down" when you happen to have a large dose. Another weird thing about me is very high insulin usage for my body type and fitness etc, so often I'm having to dial down from say 10 units, to 1.5 (or 0 as you suggest). This can take a long time and concentration, considering the simple task it is. I wish the dial down was a different system, like you do whole numbers with a press, then hold a button to go to smaller increments. ( I understand good arguments why it's the way it is, just wish it was different)

Dailing down bolus after bolus for months is getting rather frustrating.

Gary_W · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 04:49 AM

It's never occured to me before as (for corrections) I want it as fast as possible but the Animas 2020 is the same; it only gives you the extended bolus options in the EZcarb menu, not the correction menu.

In the carbs menu, if you choose an extended bolus, it always defaults to the settings you did LAST TIME. So if you always use a 70:30 over 3 hours, that's its starting point. This is quite nice.

On the Animas you can get around your problem. All you do is 'correct' using the EZcarb menu. Just tell it you are eating zero carbs but then tell it you have a high BG value. It then recommends insulin and you can choose a normal or extended bolus. Can you do this on the Minimed?

Gary

Subby · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 05:09 AM

No. Sadly (for me) the Animas does indeed sound more flexible for my needs. Keeping my DW settings would be very very handy.

Out of interest, how does changing an amount work an an Animas? On a Minimed, it's rather like changing the time on my clock radio. You hold up or down, it starts moving by .1 / u, and gradually speeds up. The thing I really dislike is that when held down a while and it speeds up, it moves FAST and so often I have no chance of getting very close to what I am after, needing more slow movement up and down.

Hope that's clear, and I gotta say, thanks for sticking by in such a boring conversation

Does the Animus work similar?

I really wish one up or down click was one whole or half unit, then I could hold down a "modifier" button while clicking up and down to move in smaller increments. Maybe this would confuse people, but I wish I had it.

HollyB · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 06:17 AM

With the Animas you set the extended bolus with percentages. (Note I'm not sure the difference between "square' and "dual" bolus on the Minimed so the extended bolus may not correspond exactly.) So you don't say 1.5 units now, 6.3 for the rest, you'd say 15% upfront, the rest over x hours. Type of thing.

Subby · #7 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 06:19 AM

Ok, thanks for the info. Not sure if this would confuse matters for me. I suppose I could set it to 0/100, and just pop up to a small percentage if I felt it might be effective. I'm wondering if there's an online flash simulator for the Animas like the Minimed one. I shall go and look now!

poodlebone · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 09:50 AM

I like that the Minimned doesn't remember everything from the previous bolus. I actually wish it would forget the previous bolus type. I have a tendency to press buttons without looking/thinking much and I'd hate to give myself the wrong type of bolus and not realize it.

I take small amounts at a time so the scrolling doesn't bother me.

Subby · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poodlebone

I like that the Minimned doesn't remember everything from the previous bolus. I actually wish it would forget the previous bolus type. I have a tendency to press buttons without looking/thinking much and I'd hate to give myself the wrong type of bolus and not realize it.

I take small amounts at a time so the scrolling doesn't bother me.

Yes, you certainly are luckier than me in this respect, in that it suits your style and needs much better.

Your comment was neutral enough, but it does kind of open the territory for debate and disagreement about the Minimed. I respectfully ask this thread does not become a "defend/attack a pump" one, as it would not be helpful at all for my intents.

I still enjoy hearing how other people go with their pumps, though.

I couldn't find an online flash or presentation of the Animus, anyone know if I'm missing something?

poodlebone · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 10:07 AM

I found an online demo for the Animas 2020 on their site but didn't see anything for the new Ping yet. I think the Ping is basically the same pump with the added meter/remote.

Subby · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 10:17 AM

Brilliant! Thank you so much.

UpNorth · #12 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Ok, thanks for the info. Not sure if this would confuse matters for me. I suppose I could set it to 0/100, and just pop up to a small percentage if I felt it might be effective. I'm wondering if there's an online flash simulator for the Animas like the Minimed one. I shall go and look now!

There is a flash version of Animas pumps on their website

And yes, it does include the beeps LOL