I'm recieving an insulin pump tomorrow.. I was told that I would have to have some training before using it. Can pump users give me an idea of what the training will be like? How long does the training last? thanks
Mine was about 2 hours w/ the doc and the Medtronics SalesNurse+ an online course that I likely sort of whipped through? I also read "Think Like a Pancreas" and "Pumping Insulin" in the interim between when I decided to get one and when it actually got installed.
I was sort of odd as before I went on it from R/NPH (in 2008...) and hadn't practiced ANY sort of "Carb counting" at all, I just figured "well, that's a lot of food, how about 8U?" and guessed and cleaned up a lot of messes. Getting the pump *plus* getting carb counting made a big difference!! I hope you enjoy your pump as much as I enjoyed mine!
The last time I did my training, I had to meet with the trainer and my endo's CDE several times. My endo and trainer also met to go over my settings and come up with my initial basal rates. During the first meeting with the trainer, I went over the protocols for filling up the reservoir, inserting the infusion set, and operating the pump. Then I met with the CDE to go over my current dosage for basal and bolus. I think from there my endo, trainer and CDE met to come up with my settings, and then I met with the trainer again to officially start the pump.
However, from what I understand, this can vary considerably depending on your endo and the trainer you're using. Honestly, I probably should have done more follow-up with my trainer, but having used a pump before, I was pretty familiar with what needed to be done for adjustments (and my endo didn't mind). It can all be a little overwhelming, but keep in mind that it's loads better than what they used to make us do when starting on a pump (namely, an inpatient hospital stay for 5 days).
My training consisted of about a 1-1/2 hour session with my CDE - that's it. But there is no real consistency to this. I have heard of others who strrt with a practice period - using saline (at least I think that's what I recall) than insulin for bit to get used to using the pump.
I think they try and at least tailor the training provided to the needs of the user. My trainer told me that she typically meets with folks multiple times even after starting them on the pump with insulin, but she didn't see the need to do that with me unless I absolutely wanted to. I had used a Minimed pump previously so (more or less) knew what I was doing.
One thing about pumping - the trainers, CDEs, and endos can really only help so much. You have to really take the initiative to learn all you can about the pump and how to adjust your settings. IMO, that is the only way a user can really get the most value out of the pump. I have read the book "Pumping Insulin" no less than 10 times. I take the initiative to adjust my basal settings rather than waiting from instructions from my endo to do so.
I attended a pump school at UTSW, I think the Clinic has over 300 people that use a insulin pump.
They tested me on carb counting, nutrition, and general knowledge of insulin therapy (2 hours). After the test I collected 3 months worth of information, including carbs, type of food, and bolus insulin for each meal. I also established a correction factor and tested it's accuracy. After this was completed my doctor approved my pump and I received it from MiniMed in about a week. As soon as my pump arrived I took it to the school and they gave me a fresh bottle of insulin and supervised while I programed my pump, loaded a reservoir and inserted my first infusion set, They had instructed me to skip my morning injection of basal insulin and I started pumping (basal) about 3 pm. Everything went well except my BG was 60mg/dL by the time I got home from the school and I had to set a temp basal for the rest of the day...on day two my regular basal pump setting was OK. I think it just depends on how comfortable some one is with the pump and how much experience they have with insulin. Nowadays some people are placed on a pump soon after diagnoses and have little or no experience with insulin therapy.
Thanks for the info. Well the pump came along with lots of material to read. A huge instruction booklet. Geez.
I was told I'd be contacted by the pump trainer in 8-10 days. I'd really like to use the pump now, it kind of sucks just staring at it in this box..
My training for the Animas Ping is June 26. I was told it will go all day, something like 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sorry, snarky comment coming ...
The pump manufacturers face a huge amount of liability and FDA compliance issues (aka - potential fines) for giving you a device that can potentially deliver excessive amounts of insulin into your body (or conversely, excessively SMALL amounts of insulin into your body). This can also lead to "less than optimal patient outcomes". Therefore, you must be trained prior to using your pump.
FWIW, the 8-10 days will go by pretty quickly. Read the basics that come with the pump, but not the whole huge manual (mine is tucked away someplace). Also read Scheiner's, "think like a pancreas" and/or Walsh's, "Pumping Insulin". I prefer Schiener, but read them both.
You will do great with the training, and then with the pump, too.
Yeah. I understand. I guess I'm just frustrated with the tecnhnicalities that seem to go along with diabetes care. I am grateful that I finally got a pump. I've been injecting for 19 years now so here's to hoping I like the pump..
On my first pump, I had to taake a carb counting course, read pumping insulin. Then the Disetronic educator came to my house and went over all the features, etc. of the pump. Then we set it up with a cartridge of water and I wore that for three days, playing like I was pumping, but still taking MDI. Third day, the educator and I met at my endos office and they coached me through using real insulin in the pump. I had to stay on campus of the hospital of my endo for eight hours. Every two, I would go back into to office, they would check my blood glucose. I thought that was kind of silly... The educator was available by phone--I think my insurance paid for 20 hours of her time, so there was some left over. That was the most helpful thing.
Medtronic pump #1--30 minute course on the pump and that was it. Pump #2--just came in the mail.
It really seems to vary greatly. For me, since I don't see an endo or a cde it was all through Animas. They went to my doctor's office and had him sign off on their recommended doses. Then I was told to call the trainer after I received my pump. I called her and we set up an appointment for a couple days later at my house. She spent about 1.5 to 2 hours and we went over the basics and she had me do my first infusion set insertion.
I was on saline for 5 days and I really liked that though some people are impatient with it. It gave me a chance to play with all the settings and buttons without worrying about insulin dose. Then I had a second appointment with the trainer and we worked on settings. They made recommendations for basals but let me go ahead and set the I:C and ISF, etc since I was comfortable doing that. After that they told me I could call a trainer daily for 2 weeks but after some questions I realized I'd be calling to check in with my numbers which served me no purpose at all. I asked if I could just call PRN if I had a question or problem which I did on the second day and that was that.
Basically I read the whole manual and referred back to it as I went through the various settings and options. I think those people that have a trainer who sets everything for them cheat themselves because they really don't understand what is involved and it will make it harder to make changes down the road. I also had to read the infusion set insertion instructions line by line for weeks until I felt comfortable. Even so, recently (17 months in) I realized I'd developed a bad habit and was doing it wrong so I went through the directions for a refresher course.
Another question, can humalog insulin be used in a pump? I've only known people to use novolog in their pump..My doctor left me with my humalog prescription though so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to get a different prescription.
You can use any one of the three fast acting insulins: Humalog, novolog or apidra in a pump. Just obviously you need vials not pens.
The two hour training was a breeze.
I've had the pump for about a week now. I love it so far. One needle every three days sure beats four daily injections.
Thanks for the great update! I'm glad you love it! I love mine too!
Wow Chris even for the most needful patient I have never had a training last over 4 hours (I train all pumps).
Coming to this late, but congrats! I adore my Ping, hope yours is as successful. Keep us updated!
I have a question. I've been filling my pump up with 120 units of insulin. I keep running out before 3 days is up so I'm going to fill the reservoir up with 150 units. I have to adjust and let the pump know about the change, right? How do I edit the settings to do this? I can't seem to figure it out.
What pump do you have? Filling it with more insulin shouldn't change any of your settings. I have Medtronic Paradigm Revel 533 which can hold up to 180 units. But regardless, my pump setting and the amount to fill the cannula .3 would be the same regardless of whethere I filled it to 100 or 180. Hope that helped.