So I woke up Sunday Morning... as the song goes... I disconnected my pump temporarily and got ready to go out for Sunday breakfast at our local eatery. When I reached for my pump to bolus for my mega-carb breakfast, I was shocked to pat myself down and find NO PUMP! No wonder I had changed clothes so effortlessly w/o jumping thru the tube untangling hoops! Honestly, a bit of panic set in before I remembered that I carry an old syringe/insulin kit in the car which saved my ■■■. YES!!! To determine how successful my syringe guestimate had been, I've checked myself every half hour since. My bs wavered between 159 and 70. Could have been worse! Has anyone else left their little pump buddy at home after disconnecting?
OMG Cindy! I feel naked without my dexcom, I'd know I'd feel even worse without my pump! I, too, carry syringes and insulin or a pen in my car, but rarely if ever use them. I'd been questioning the practice as the insulin is either old or I replaced it after a few months and had to toss the old one, but you've made me see why I will continue to carry it! ( Yes, I know I should switch it out regularly, but I don't. Lazy maybe.)
Glad you did so well! Not a bad range, great SWAG.
My first pump disappeared! I was alone at home and placed my pump on the bed so I could take a shower. When I finished my shower, the pump was gone! The cat took it by the tubing and dragged it under the bed.
Nope. I have gone to bolus and realized I didn't reconnect after a bath. Since I use my meter/remote to bolus it's amazing I haven't gone ahead and done it by now!
By the way, I use the 43 inch tubing because I find it's easier to just lay the pump down on the bed or dresser while I dress without the need to disconnect or detangle!
I never thought of that! I'm a small person and I always wanted a shorter than 26" length. Maybe you have something there, but is it a bit much to stuff into your jeans?
Over the last 15 years, I can't even count the number of times I've left my pump at home. Not as much in the last 8 or so, but when I was in high school, it seems like I would be calling my mom a few times a month because I had left my pump hooked on my pajamas and had forgotten to reconnect after showering. Agh! You feel naked with out it.
When I was trained, the trainer said the only client she had who needed the 43" was a basketball player. It's not a matter of needing it for the height, which I don't, but of feeling a lot less "tethered" with it. No, I don't find it a big deal to coil and tuck the tubing into my jeans.You can ask your supply company for a sample and see if it works for you. Only thing I don't like about the Animas 43 inches is they don't come in those pretty colors! (Guess they figured the basketball player wouldn't go for pink infusion sets!)
You are so funny! I love the new information, thanks!
Never haver done that. When I used the minimed I would disconnect for a shower and leave it on the counter near my toothbrush. I now use the omnipod and keep the controller next to my car keys and wallet
Can't say I've done that but after taking a shower I didn't put it back on.
Yes i have done likewise. I did not have an old syringe and my backup kit was empty in my drawer with my pump supplies. Now, when disconnect to take a shower I always put my pump above my mirror by my sink next to the shower so it is blocking my vision of the mirror. The connecting tube blocks my vision, so this works well...... with the Medtronic pump and the Medtronic CGM.
Well, that is since I have tried and am using a different system, I am now using the OmniPod. It has no tube connection to the main unit. The Pod contains a pump which delivers the basil rates without any need for the main unit to coordinate with it. The main unit is only necessary for boluses and other things. The main unit is about the size of an Iphone or a Blackberry. However, I am always misplacing that and I would like them to make it smaller so I would carry it with me at all times.
After 3 days you toss the pod, pump, canula, batteries, everything in the garbage and put on a new one.. Mind boggling how that gets the same pricetag as Medtronics insulin cartridge and canula and tube.
I like the OmniPod. I use it all the time, I only use the Medtronic pump as a backup. I can do this because OmniPod does not want your old pump and you get to keep it after you purchase their system.
And it is a good reminder to keep some newer backup syringes and stocked kits in the frig.
Bottom Line: If I am using the Medtronic with their CGM it goes by the mirror next to the shower or my pants pocket so I can not forget it.
To let you know. Omnipod now has a recycling system in place. Call them and they will send you the stuff. It costs $8.00 if you order it with pods otherwise they get a $5.00 shipping charge.You then send abour 50 pods to a prepaid address to reclaim (I believe) the electronics.
No not yet. I always leave the pump on the kitchen table next to my meter before leaving for work.
Wow Cindy, you are so lucky that you had a back-up! I use the 43 inch tubing from Animas, so when I am getting dressed I just throw the pump on the bed. Like Zoe, I wish the colors came in the longer sets. I never take my pump off unless I am getting in the shower or changing out the set.
I've left my pod pdm at work a couple of times. I have Novolog pens as back-up.
I've noticed that, for me, the pen injection does not absorb nearly as well or as fast as the Omnipod's infusion. The last time it happened, I had to nearly double the bolus that I would have taken via pod. My BG spiked high and still crashed 4 hours later. Luckily for me, it doesn't happen too often so I'm not anxious to have to worrry about having to correct for the difference between the pod and pen.
Nope. However, I have had a pump die on me and it had to be replaced. It was bad because I'd really forgotten a lot. It wasn't HORRIBLE, but it made me realize how much I've come to rely on the pump. Also, that I needed to relearn how do the calculations in my head just in case. When that happened, I used Lantus to cover my basal rate and Humalog for boluses.
I'll also admit that a couple of times, I've disconnected for a few hours. When I do that, I set an alarm to remind myself to give myself shots. I don't do it ofter because it's just a PITA.
I wear my pump all the time and just don't forget it. I even shower with it on. ;)
No Regina... you DON'T shower with it on! Do you? How do you do that? How common is it for pumps to crap out? I've had mine for 5 mos, and I still find myself mentally reaching to be sure I have my syringe/vial as I walk into restaurants. Pumping isn't a habit yet like the old syringe ordeal was.