[RWright]

Would someone give me an example of how they use the dual wave bolus feature on their pump?

[jimhuck]

Whenever I eat pizza, I notice that my blood sugar goes up a little bit initially, but REALLY goes up about 1 to 3 hours later. That's the result of the fat in pizza slowing the digestion of the carbs. A dual wave allows you to take an initial bolus, say 2 units, and then spread another 3 units over a 2 hour period.

This prevents your BG from spiking, but also prevents you from going too low.

I use the dual wave alot. I like to bring my BG down gently, and sometimes a normal bolus is just too much all at once.

[Mindstorm]

What ^ said. I used to use it in college when I'd eat a box of mac & cheese because a straight bolus for the amount of carbs in the meal would just cause my sugars to crash and then soar a couple hours later. Now if I eat something like that I give myself a bolus for 60% of the carbs in the meal and an extended bolus for 40% of the carbs in the meal over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes. Has worked out great so far.

It basically enables me to eat some of the super starchy high-fat bad for you food that used to send my sugars all over the place.

[poodlebone]

I use it for high fat meals, all restaurant meals and I also use it for my lunch bolus almost every day. I go for a brisk walk after lunch at work every day and if I took all of the insulin at once I'd drop low 10 minutes into my walk.

[RWright]

Thank you! My sugar always goes up about 3 hours after eating pizza. I will try this next time.

[poodlebone]

Originally Posted by RWright

Thank you! My sugar always goes up about 3 hours after eating pizza. I will try this next time.

Pizza is a very common problem food for most diabetics and using a dual wave bolus is the best way to deal with it. You'll find you probably need more insulin that you would think by just counting the carbs. Everyone is different so just experiment with the amounts and times to find what works best. Some people will give a 50/50 bolus, 50% right away and 50% over X hours. Some people do as little as 2 hours, some do it for 4 or 6. Some people give 70% right away, or 30%.

[networkguy]

I just started back on a pump (Omnipod, my third pump in 24 years hehe) and parrot what others have said. My rule of thumb is whenever I eat out...pretty much anywhere...50-60% up front, the remainder over 3 hours for all the reasons explained.

[Clint]

I dual wave for pizza like some of the others but I also do it for pastas or anything with lots of fat (very rarely do I have it though). The reason is bad fats can have a lasting effect on BG long after its ingested.

[kgm0612]

I use this feature whenever I eat pizza or Chinese food, only I give 60% up front and 40% over 4 hours.

Karen

[David]

Like almost everyone else said: pizza. For me it's 80% now, the remainder over 3 hrs. I also use it for a large amount (more than 4 ounces) of meat, for instance a big sirloin steak. I usually wing it but the remaining bolus will then run for about 6 hours.

david

[Subby]

I use it for pretty much each and every bolus I take on the pump, as my body appears to absorp insulin a great deal better (talking a difference of onset in terms of hours, even) when the instant part is small and the rest is a short square bolus.

Yes, I am different. But you did ask for examples, that's mine.

[RWright]

You all are so helpful. I love this forum! Just to clarify how to do this...I just turned the dual wave bolus feature on. So when I bolus again, will it give me the option to use this feature? What % would be good to start out with? I know it probably will be trial and error, but any suggestions?

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by Subby

I use it for pretty much each and every bolus I take on the pump, as my body appears to absorp insulin a great deal better (talking a difference of onset in terms of hours, even) when the instant part is small and the rest is a short square bolus.

Yes, I am different. But you did ask for examples, that's mine.

My minimed rep has suggested I try this. She says they are recommending it often for your very reason.

I find myself doing it more and more with my low carb food plan.

[Subby]

Thanks for sharing that John, good to hear the concept is catching on somewhere in the medical world. I was treated like an idiot when I tried to explain it to my endo at the time.

Originally Posted by RWright

You all are so helpful. I love this forum! Just to clarify how to do this...I just turned the dual wave bolus feature on. So when I bolus again, will it give me the option to use this feature? What % would be good to start out with? I know it probably will be trial and error, but any suggestions?

Yes, you get the option. Yep, it's just trial and error. Getting involved with finding out what works for you with certain foods, is the best course of action. To do so you must simply experiment.

To do that without much grief, I'd stick with leaving a decent amount either side for the time being (from 30/70 to 50/50 to 70/30) and try a square from 30 min to 3 hours. Once you work out what is working better or worse, you might be led to use more extreme parameters.

[RWright]

Thanks Subby! When I actually use it, I'll post the results...