I am currently on Novolog/Lantus MDI. I am starting my pump on Thursday. Due to insurance/cost etc., we are switching to Apidra. I have read it is only good in a pump for 48 hrs, and past that will clog up tubing and sites go bad. I will be using the animas insets. Any advice or experience with Apidra and the Ping pump? Also, I am being sent the 6mm straight sets(3 boxes) and a box of the 6mm 30 degree sets. I am chubby lol, any advice or experience as to which one you guys prefer?
Hey! I have been pumping with Apidra for more than a year now.. (More like two years, on-and-off.) I've never had difficulties with it going bad. Mine lasts at least three days long, when I usually have to refill it partially (I use a lot of insulin...). Good luck, though! I love Apidra. With the manufacturer's discount program and insurance, I pay nothing for it. It's wonderful.
Thanks! I was getting nervous after reading too much on the internet lol. I have researched this pump stuff to death-it's both a curse and a blessing to have so much information available!
I've used Apidra in a pump for two years. Very happy with it. Never had any difficulties with it performing less well on day three than day one. After three days, though, it's a really good idea to move to a new site, because of potential changes in the tissue itself. Injecting or pumping in the same place for a long period of time causes lipohypertrophy, fat deposits to develop, and these don't allow insulin to disperse well and make that location unusable. So while my cartridge holds 200 units, I only fill it with enough for three days, and I move the site when it runs out.
I like straight sets, they work well for me. I tried some angled ones and personally found them irritating, but I can't remember why.
Re: Apidra, I really like it, but my insurance is no longer paying ANY of the cost of it starting January 1st 2014. Boo. So I have to switch to Humalog or another fast-acting insulin. Not looking forward to that. For me, Apidra rocks.
Re: starting on a pump, grats! It's WAY better than individual injections. Definitely the way to go. Once I got it dialed in and learned how my body reacts to different foods, my A1C settled down and stabilized around 5.5, which is awesome for me.
Cheers and good luck!
Hi! I am using Apidra in pump for about 4 years now. It's great had no problems so far. I usually have it in pump for about 3-5 days (depending on usage). I had no problems whatsoever of it going bad or working less, although I change site sometimes during usage (occlusion or leaking from site spot).
As for sets... I use 90 degree set on my abdomen and 30 degree on my legs (I tried 90 on legs but it lasted only about 2 days, then I had to change site (not leaking just not absorbing anymore, after site change it went back to working).. I am also on chubby side, so I usually use both type of sets. I use other pump, so sets for my pump are not the same as yours (I am on Accu-Chek Combo).
Andy
Hi all, quick reply re sets - I use Vibe (same as Ping but with integrated cgm & without bluetooth) & you can use sets from any other pump co. so long as they have luer-lock connection to Animas cartridges, which as far as I’m aware is all except some Medtronic ones. I’m currently using AccuChek sets with my Vibe - 90 ° & angled - for different areas (angled for leaner bits) but find the angled ones leave more scar tissue. But I know peeps who are fine with them. Try 'em and see 
I think cos they go in at an angle the puncture size is bigger, and the cannula is longer potentially causes more irritation? Good luck with it all!
I currently use the Animas Ping (now four years) and Apidra for the last few years. I've never had a problem running Apidra longer than 48 hours. I've been averaging a set change about every 3 1/2 days.
I used to use the inset 30s but changed to the Inset 6mm when I ran through a period of poor absorption. I now use the Inset 6mm with very good consistent results. One of the the things I did in an attempt to restore consistent absorption is to use a loofa sponge on my abdomen when I shower. It seems to help me.
I've also used the Contact Detach, metal infusion sets. I change those out at 48 hours beacuse the site often becomes painful at 48 hours.
My insurance is also forcing me to switch from Apidra to Humalog starting January 1, 2014. I guess they just don't realize how we diabetics hate to change something while it still works! Oh well, I've used Humalog before but it's been many years. I hope the switch is uneventful.
Hi Kelly!
Congratulations on starting your pump therapy!
As a T1D since 1959, I've been using the pump since 1996. I have gone through MANY brands along with MANY types of insulin.
Long story short, I use Apidra in my Medtronic pump. Having to switch from the Animas Ping due to MULTIPLE problems, the question of Apridra was never brought up. In a two-year period using the Animas Ping, it had to be replsced seven times. 7 times!!! Ugh.
I continue to use Apridra in the Medtronc without an instance since March 23, 2013.
Yay me!
Good luck, take care.
Andrea K. Roth www.mydiabeticsoul.com.
I have been using Apidra in an Omnipod for a year first and for the past two years in my Animas Ping and have never had an issue. My Ping I will also refill the same tube and run for a period of 4-6 days before changing. I have never had a crystalizing issue or any other problem. I have found that it is much better for me with control too. It will bring my highs down more quickly than either of the other insulins.
Now, here is my theory and it is my opinion only. You have two or three insulins running strong without much competition than each other, making money. Now appears a newcomer, Apidra...who do you think would start the rumors when Apidra may be a better product and it has been free for me for the past three years (no copay). I also heard the other day that they have renewed the deal for 2014 also.
I think it is always follow the money trail and not the rumor mill.
Maybe in the minority, but offering a different view. My 15 yr old used Apidra in her Ping for almost 3 yrs. As of June 1, our insurance refused to cover it at all, so we were forced to switch back to Novolog.
We spend a lot of time outdoors & live in an area where summertime temps of 100+ are the norm. We’ve never had a problem with Apidra going bad. We did have site issues though. We consistently saw higher numbers when trying to push sites past 2 days, even with switching to different brands of sets. We have no such issues with Novolog.
Even with more frequent site changes we would go back to Apidra immediately if we could.