When we bought our pump, the rep (Animas) told us that it is better to change the reservoir and tubing every 3 days tops. He said that they found after 3 days, the plastic from the reservoir has small particles that diminishes the quality of the insulin.
In hot summer months, we changed everything every 2 days. But in the winter months (we have snow in winter ), we try to use it every 3 days, when we tried longer, the 4th day we were starting to see that the insulin did not cover as well as the days before even if the site was fine.
-Do you change you infusion set, reservoir and tubing at the same time?
-If not, how often do you change your reservoir?
-How many days in between the changes?
-What is your pumpās brand?
I generally change everything at the same time. Exceptions include when Iāve had a site either get ripped or go bad and I donāt want to take the time to do a new reservoir as well; also when Iām using Comfort Shorts as you can get a box of half full sets and half just cannulas - when I use these, I use the full set the first two days, then switch to an extra cannula the second two days. I too have noticed a generally off quality to my insulin on days 4 and on. So, I will change the reservoir and tubing ALWAYS at the same time, but will change my cannula more often. I tend to have better results with Insets as I have to do a full change with these (all-in-one insertion device with the cannula and tubing together). I use a Cozmo 1800 series.
Hope this helps!
-Do you change you infusion set, reservoir and tubing at the same time? Yes
-How many days in between the changes? I go 3 1/2 to 4 days depending on how long the insulin last that I load.
-What is your pumpās brand? MM 722 I only fill the resovor 1/2 full when I start.
What insulin are you using in your pump? That can make a difference as some insulins are stable at higher Temps.
I push the limits on this, but it seems to work for me.
-Do you change you infusion set, reservoir and tubing at the same time? No, almost never.
-If not, how often do you change your reservoir? every 9 days
-How many days in between the changes? change infusion set every 5 days
-What is your pumpās brand? Cozmo
On day 6, I start to notice reduced effectiveness of insulin. Most people experience it earlier. Supposedly, what I am doing is not good for me in the long run because I will run out of places to put the pump (it takes longer for pump sites to heal that were left in 5 daysā¦). But for now, this is the best for me. But I wonāt try to convince others to leave it in for 5 days!
Thanks Sarah, sometimes we do the same thing too with the Comfort Short, we use a full infusion set the first day and we change only the cannula 2 days after. These days, we usually change everything after 3 days if everything goes well!
HI Kristin, thanks! Do you have bumps sometimes where you had a site? I am asking this because the doctors would say that where we leave a set past 4 days becomes less likely to āabsorbā the insulin the next time you put it exactly there (creating like an invisible insulin resistant bump). I know that people are made different and that youāre a strong one
I generally change my set (tubing, reservoir, infusion set) every 3 to 3 1/2 days. Usually the site gets irritated at the third day, and Iāve got a nice pink āpimpleā in the spot where I removed the set.
90% of the time, I change everything together. Exceptions are if I need to change early because of irritability, if I need to move my site because of an activity (i.e. swimming), or if Iām in a real hurry and donāt have the time to devote to getting a bubble-free reservoir.
I confess (and I know this is bad) that when I change a set, I inject the leftover insulin from the reservoir back into the insulin vial. I hate waste, and thereās always about 20-30 units left when I change it. I wonāt inject into a new insulin vial, though.
I use the Minimed 515 with Silouhette infusion sets. I do wish tubing was packaged with the reservoir and not with the infusion set (cannula) itself. I thow out a lot of unused tubing because of this.
Yes, i get these bumps, not all the time, but most of the time. I still am able to find places with good insulin absorption, but I have to avoid these bumps and they take 3+ months to disappear. So I am all polka dotted But still I am able to find places with good insulin absorptionā¦ I hope that I always will!!!
Yes I change both at the same time. I can only go 2 days between changes because I use so much insulin. I use about 150 units a day. I use the Cozmore.
I change mine every 3-4 days. but i can tell the difference after 3 days. I use the medtronic mini med 722. I have only been on the pump for a little over a year. I change it all together.
I used to change everything at the same time when I began pumping. I realized that I was wasting too much insulin. I use the Cozmo 1700. I change sets every 3-4 days (Cleo 90). Most of the time, my insulin lasts longer. I change the reservoir when I am down to a few units.
I change mine every 3-4 days, when my insurance paid 100% I changed every 3 days, now they pay half so I go by when the resevior is getting low, but I never let it go more than 4 days, other wise I get bigger bumps and tend to get itchy at the site.
I have a MM722 with a 300 unit reservoir. When itās not a holiday, I average under 30 units a day so I use the reservoir & tubing until itās empty. Changing the reservoir & tubing doesnāt always happen at the same time I do a set change. I do change the cannula every 3 days. I have had no problems doing this.
I also have the MM 722 w/300 unit reservoir. I change everything at the same time. I had a site that got quite red and itchy (and still is) . Had N.P. look at itā¦not worried about it.
Actually I didnāt know that you could reuse the cartridge (still a rookie with the pump). Is this true, cause I will reuse them if thatās a possability. Please inform me.
), we try to use it every 3 days, when we tried longer, the 4th day we were starting to see that the insulin did not cover as well as the days before even if the site was fine.
But still I am able to find places with good insulin absorptionā¦ I hope that I always will!!!