People always assume that the pump regulates everything and that it is essentially a “cure”. They are SO happy for me to have it 
I always emphasize that the pump doesn’t do anything that I don’t tell it to do!!
Makes sense. =)
I LOOOOVVVVEEEEE my pump. I am only a little over a month in but I love it, did I mention that?
But I think the reason that I do is that it fits my lifestyle. Bottom line.
My HA1C is still under 6. I am on less insulin on the pump but that is due to not as many hypos and consequent food intake. My cord is small so it doesn’t tangle too much and I tend to forget I am wearing it. I don’t have to inject: pull out my bag of stuff, sneak away at the office, count until the insulin is in, etc. Plus I’m a nibbler so I injected A LOT. My finger pricks haven’t changed and I carry around less stuff now.
Only downside: no walking around the house naked 
jk My actual issues: making sure there is enough insulin in my pump before a long day at work… I would never want to add to my cartridge at work, as someone mentioned: play time, looking like I have pager or something haha
I can see why many people go back to MDI. It’s all about your lifestyle.
I dind’t mean to imply that the issues you had were all “your” fault - more that most of them are issues that SHOULD have been covered during your pump training… the fact that they were not covered thoroughly is very concerning. Not knowing certain things (like choosing a shot for a correction over a bolus through the pump) can be quite dangerous… as you obviously know.
For someone to place you on a pump without adequate training/education is downright dangerous.
I have to agree w/ you, I think you had written a very patient, measured response to challenges with pumping. I am sorry it’s not working out for you but I wouldn’t have said it that way either.
So are you type 1.5 that only currently needs humalog to cover meals??
By the way I too discovered a love for cycling since being diagnosed, I ride about 20 miles a day.
When I tell people what the pump/CGMS does NOT do everyhting, that I do not just wear the pump/CGMS and forget about diabetes ( " You STILL have to test?)and that I still have to count carbs and adjust basals, etc. They say"It is too much work and that Icould Never do it.!! I have even had one relative say thay he would rather die than be a diabetic on insulin!!!
Choose the insulin delivery method that you feel is right for you. Your problem seems to stem from difficulty with infusion sets and n t being told how to correct after multiple highs while on a pump (needs an injection).Many people have tried the Sure-T with good results. Has this been mentioned on this thread?
God Bless,
Brunetta
Did you get an answer from your Pump Nurse /Trainer , MPetrick ??
This is why TuD site is so useful …folks can share , what works for them !
Adding my observation : I wear a 522 MM pump …and I just verified on the screen : if BG reaches 14 ( x 18 = 252 ) " Check for occlusion , check for ketones, consider insulin injection , monitor BG .
My glucometer case holds the stuff needed for finger pokes ( lancets ) also a spare glucometer, a needle , vial of insulin , a max of 2 pump batteries …it seems to fit nicely in the case.
I correct by needle !!! , if the wizard shows correction , when over 10 ( x 18 ) …just my way of handling a hi and wanting to come down faster, than by pump correction bolus. And I am still working on getting my A1C lower…another story
No, I’m type 1 all the way. I use humalog both for covering meals, and also as a basal - since I have a pump.
I have found that cycing is great for keeping the blood sugars in check. During the summer I try to ride 15-20 miles 3-4 nights a week, with a longer ride on weekends (30-50, but 109 is my longest). During the time when the roads are covered or it’s too cold to ride comfortably (or safely), I have one of my road bikes setup on a stationary trainer. I can only stand about 30 minutes of that though, then I’m bored out of my mind. Interval training on the trainer makes it a little more interesting and intense, but you have to keep an eye on your levels - mine drop FAST when I go hard.
That is almost exactly my bike paradigm except I switch to running in the winter. I love the 15 milers after work.
I met with the Medtronic guy yesterday. He thinks I am too thin for the Silhouette infusion set. Since I don’t have a very thick layer of fat, if I put it in at too shallow of an angle, it would go though the fat tissue and into the muscle - which would lead to irritation, swelling and poor absorption. Since it had to do not only with site location, but also the angle of insertion, I had such hit-or-miss results.
He gave me a box of Sure-T and Mio infusion sets to try and see if one of those work out better. I need to change infusion sets today, so the experiment begins.
As far as adjusting with the pump or needle, he said I shouldn’t need to use a needle, unless I am having infusion site problems.
That’s true, but we often don’t know WHY we have high highs. That is why I will inject with different insulin if I have a high that doesn’t go down with the first pump correction. It eliminates many possible reasons for the high (bad infusion, bad insulin etc.). I also change my infusion set as soon as possible, but I get that fresh insulin injection in right away.
Let us know what you think of Sure T or Mio! Hope they work out better for you. If you want longer tubing than the Sure-T has, I think that you can use tubing from the Silhouettes (if you still have some). They have the same connection device, I believe.
Just put in the first Sure-T. Honestly, it’s easier to use (and less painful) than using the insertion device for the Silhouettes. I’m not sure I like having 2 sticky things instead of just one, but that’s minor.
Now the real question - will it deliver insulin?
I hope it works for you! FWIW, I never used the device to stick in the silhouettes, I just stick them in and I don’t find it painful at all?
MPetrick, one thing I’ve found out the hard way: if something can go wrong, sooner or later it will. (Once I had an endo tell me not to worry about ketones, on the pump I would never have any. Hah!) Any number of things can go wrong to cause high blood sugar, and you can spend the whole day high while trying to figure it out. Better to treat yourself immediately with a pen or syringe and troubleshoot the problem afterward, when you feel like yourself again. Bad insulin in the reservoir, bad insulin in the vial, bad site, bad needle/canula, etc. etc. I hope you like the Sure-T, it’s my favorite, but as you probably know, you must change it or move it in two days.
When I used to use the Silhouette, I also did the insertion by hand. In fact, I didn’t even know there was an insertion device, but I much prefer manual insertion when I control the speed. (I was the world’s slowest inserter with Silhouette!)
I agree that a slow hand is useful with those. It may also be that they feel sort of cathartic after the CGMHarpoon?
Oh ok I see, I didn’t even know it was an option to use humalog as a basal learn somethin new on here everyday! Keep up the good work!
And acidrock- 15 milers!? I would love to be able to run that far!
That’s biking! I’ve run 13 miles 3 times, twice in races and once to make sure I would not turn into a pumpkin during the race. I’m sure you can do it if you get organized. It has been a very gradual process for me!
I’m singed up to run the “Warrior Dash” 5K this June. It will be my first attempt at any type of organized run. I absolutely can’t wear my pump during that - see link as to why: Warrior Dash Website
Formerly I had a personal motto of “never run unless something is chasing you.” I’d rather cycle 100 miles than run 2.