i am a swimmer, and since my pump is not waterproof, i need to detach while i swim for 1 hour. but then, once i am out of the pool, i like to go into the sauna for about 10 minutes, and then shower. so, i think in total, i am unconnected for about 1 1/2 hours. i know that the amount of time that i am off my pump, my basal rate will effect my BG#s 2 hours later.( most likely a slight elevation, which, if necessary, i will correct)
do you detach? for how long? and, how do you deal with it? all suggestions appreciated
Fortunately, as my daughter is a Podder, she doesn’t need to disconnect. I know of other kids who use non-waterproof pumps who get out of the pool very briefly every 20 to 30 minutes to quickly reconnect and bolus the amount they missed when disconnected. Then they disconnect again and jump back into the pool. Have you tried this strategy?
I’m also a swimmer, but I find that I can’t detach for swimming (I usually swim for one to two hours) or I end up extremely high and with high ketones (and feeling awful) about an hour and a half after I finish. I have a waterproof pump, so fortunately I’m able to keep it attached (though at the moment I can’t since it’s out of warranty and cracked, hence I have not been swimming much). I do detach for showers, though, but that’s only about 20 minutes.
which pump do you have? i asked my endo about getting a waterproof pump to accommodate my swimming and he gave me a disconcerting smirk, like “yea right, wishful thinking. wait for the future.” i am on Medicare and am probably not approved for something that accommodates my life b/c of the cost. can you give me more info? currently i use the Medtronic Revel. i no longer use a sensor as it just did not work out for me personally for a variety of reasons.
I use an Animas Ping, which I don’t think is any more expensive than a Medtronic pump. Before that I used a Deltec Cozmo, and again, same price (it was also waterproof, but is no longer made). I’m in Canada, so I can’t speak directly to the cost or coverage in the U.S.
Try (carefully) doing “pre-basal” and “make-up basal”. (There’s probably some real terms for those, but I don’t know what they are.)
For example, if you are taking 0.50 units per hour, over 90 minutes you have missed 0.75 units of total basal. So maybe you could bolus a bit before detaching, and then bolus a bit after you reattach.
Start with numbers that you think would be safe. Try it, and then make adjustments. For example, maybe a 0.15 unit bolus before detaching, and a 0.30 unit bolus when you reattach. That would be a little over 1/2 of what you missed.
Or, maybe between swim and sauna, try a quick attach, small bolus, and detach.
i am so afraid of swimming with IOB. i am afraid i will crash mid-swim as the insulin starts working after 15/20 minutes. and, i know that that insulin will be on bored for 4-5 more hours.
whats your take on this? my fav time to swim is in the late afternoons before dinner.
hm. 90min disconnect is a bit long for me, as well - I’ve taken a small bolus before detaching for longer than 30min, then correct again once re-attaching. For 90min, I’d probably at least stop and test somewhere in between to be sure I’m good.
Hello! I have been “officially” disconnected from my Omnipod for 10 months. Lol!
Previously I had been a pumper for 17 years. Toward the end of my pump career, I learned a plan called “untethered pumping” which saved me time and time again from unexpected highs from bad sites, forgotten supplies, clogged tubing, etc…
Essentially the basal rate is split between an injection of long acting and the other half of your basal comes through your pump. This still allows for adjusting basal rates for monthly cycles, stress, etc. but a “just in case” and the luxury of bolus flexibility but the back up measure of some injected insulin.
This was also a mental/emotional thing for me at the time which was very helpful as I was getting “lazy” with diabetes.
Easy and safe way to figure this out: Try it with some test amounts, try a small bolus, and then detach for an hour, but don’t test it when swimming! Test it when doing a brisk walk, or something that is roughly equivalent to swimming, but where you can have sugar with you!
So maybe do a test. Bolus a small amount and detach. At the end of the hour of brisk walking, what is your BG, and did you need to take any sugar? Then adjust the amount and try it a different day. Write it down.
If you do it when walking, you have the available sugar with you as a safety net, and it helps you determine a safe number. After a few tries, eventually you may feel comfortable enough to give it a try when swimming.
But try it with the safety net first!
And this is a tremendous idea too. Just one shot a day, but you don’t lose the benefit of the pump! Good suggestion Cynthia!
this is an excellent idea. i will try this next time i go for a brisk walk. usually, when i am taking long walks, my BGs go low and i rely on either taking G tabs or Temp Basals (when i can plan ahead).
thank you !!!
If I detach for swimming, the workout itself seems to cover my basal needs OK.
But if that’s not the case for you, I’d would recommend another trick based on the same principles as the “untethered” regimen but without the injections: when you come out of the pool, but before you go into the sauna/shower, give yourself a micro-bolus (with the pump; just attach for a few seconds). You might need to test first to learn the exact amount of insulin that might be appropriate.
Alternatively (or in addition), you can program a slightly higher basal for the 2 hours or so after you re-connect.
I’ve had a couple of pump failures while awaiting a replacement pump had to inject humalog every 2 hrs…my BG stayed pretty stable during that time - now I’d start a basal dose of lantus and correct with humalog for the first couple of days so I’m intrigued by the untethered plan - can’t distance swim anymore - leg and hand cramps - but if I could I’d be trying the untethered scheme!
i once decided to try going on a “pump vacation” but i have so much info stored in my pump that i just couldnt keep up with the different changes for bolusing for each meal. i have different insulin to carb ratios throughout the day and i couldnt do the math. i thought it might be like the olden days where i just bolused 1 unit per 10 grms of carbs. that plan didnt work at all.
now you guys are helping me with all of your suggestions and i am a willing participant. i try and then log everything down and make notes for each and every change i make. i LOVE Tu D. what a great "family!! "
