That’s why I use the 43 inch tubing. Long enough not to yank even when pump is at floor level, and much less likely to tangle when sleeping (I just let the pump float around in the bed).
Also, if you use a Medtronic pump, the clip can be used to attach it to a medic alert (or similar) tag neckchain. I used to do this but now I am on Animas and the cheap metal clip won’t work on a neckchain.
You shouldn’t really need a specific recommendation for a small child. Here in the UK, good paediatric endos will generally try to put very small children directly onto pumps as a matter of course. If your Endo won’t put in a strong case, you need a new Endo.
Yes, we can get it no problem, it’s just not as easy as getting the CGM. Our Endo has to submit a medical review and some paperwork to the Insurance to prove that it is medically necessary. Once they do this, we can get it. We didn’t need to do this with the CGM, and again, I think it has to do with the cost difference.
The UK is way ahead of the US in this respect. Many, if not most, parents need to fight tooth and nail to get their kids on pumps before the “magical” six-month mark, even if your health insurer will cover the cost immediately. It seems that the farther west you go, the more difficult this becomes. Some folks on the east coast have been able to get their children on a pump by the time they are discharged from the hospital, however.
IMO, you can accidentally overdose with a syringe or pen just as easily as you can with a pump, so I scoff in the general direction of anyone using that particular argument.
Having tried various tube lengths, the only thing I am sure about is that they are all wrong. I’ve tried the 43" one but it was always working itself out of my pocket, hanging loose and snagging on things (I once nearly got whacked by a truck when I was dismounting by the road and the tube hung up around my bicycle seat). I’ve thought about Omnipod of course but they have their own problems. I guess in the end it all comes down to deciding which pump features you’re going to find least annoying, because you’re going to be annoyed by something. (Kinda reminds me of the BD syringes–that tag line “Maximum injection comfort.” Minimal injection discomfort, I’m good with that; but “injection comfort”? Oxymoron.)
Just wanted to mention that the OmniPod with its lack of tubing can be a great option (for everyone, but for toddlers with curious hands especially). The “control” is separate and not worn, so no worries your child will accidentally dose themselves if they love pushing buttons (and what kid doesn’t love pushing buttons?!?)
My daughter has only ever used the OmniPod system, and I have to say we lurve it (as much as one can love the fact that a pump is needed, I suppose…)
Where do you install the OmniPod system? I’m trying to think of real estate that isn’t already used…we use his abdomen (switch from left to right) right now with his CGM transmitter.
Arms are Dexcom-only territory for us. Pods go on tummy, lower back, love handles, thighs. Currently considering “the twins” (clearly not an option for boys, although I did see a pic of an Olympic athlete with a Pod on his pecs!)
My wife is fighting putting the CGM on our 2 year olds arm because “It’s not an approved site and…I want to talk to the Doctor about it.” I think back of the arm would be a lot less painful for him…
I’ll be blunt (and the following says a lot because I am a doctor): screw what the doctor says about putting Dexcom on your son’s arms. Your son’s doctor doesn’t use a Dexcom, does s/he? If s/he does, it’s likely s/he wears it on her/his arms. Because that’s what the majority of PWD’s do. You have to do what works well for your child and not care about what providers or Dexcom reps have to say about it.
I’ve worn a Dexcom on my arm; I didn’t even feel the insertion. (Are you there yet?)
I think my wife’s objection is whether or not “the reading” is as accurate on the arm…and from all that I’ve read here, it is. He has such little body fat that I’m afraid I’m going to puncture something important on his abdomen…even though I do push up the belly “fat” (if you can call it that), before inserting the needle, I still worry about poking something there. He was already born with an umbilical hernia, which make the whole area around the left/right of his naval kind of no-no spots for tape or anything.
Having worn the Dexcom in various places, I have to say that arm readings are the most accurate for my daughter, which is the primary reason we use arms only for her Dex. Also important is the fact that if lipoatrophy/lipodystrophy should, G-d forbid, ever develop, it won’t happen in her arms because we don’t inject insulin there. When it comes down to it, if we were forced to give one up (either the pump or CGM), the pump would go. Because I never want to deal with T1D without a Dexcom. Ever. Again.
Could you give me some reasons why the arm is preferable to any other location for the Dexcom CGM? I just broached the topic of moving the meter and she said she’ll talk to the doctor…after I insisted that we are moving the site to the arm, she said “Why?” “Why move to the arm?” “What is the payoff?”
Please help my argument. The only thing I can think of (which I think is THE strongest justification for moving to the arm)…the reason that’s driving me, is that I think it would be “less painful” than abdomen…and I’m thinking about my sons quality of life.
Thanks,
It’s out of the way and less likely to get bumped and also frees up space for rotating a pump or MDIs.
@CatLady06 basically nails it. I’d put it that there’s no reason NOT to do it if it seems like it would have the benefit of being harder for toddler fingers to reach, and more importantly less painful when inserting. Emphasis very much on the “if” because whereas I think most adults find they’ve got a pretty decent layer of subcutaneous fat there it could be different with your kid. But if he is having discomfort and it seems like this might alleviate it, then there’s certainly no reason NOT to try it. I’ve never seen anyone suggest they saw any decrease in accuracy in that location and it’s very common among everyone who has been using a CGM for any length of time. I resisted moving mine there for my first six months or so just because it’s so darned awkward to insert it there by yourself, but after seeing a video on how to do it single-handed I gave it a try. I have seen absolutely no difference in accuracy except maybe a slight improvement.
Not to mention wireless bolus…
Dexcom on the arm? This is what my doctor said when I asked about it: “It isn’t an approved site–but if it works, then it works”.
I’m pretty sure that’s what our Endo will say also…I told the wife regardless of what the Endo says, we’re moving the site to the arm…no reason NOT too…especially given virtually the entire Diabetic community prefers (and uses) the arm for the CGM.
Thanks all.
Our next appt (we have them every 3 months) is tomorrow and we plan on a) starting the paperwork for the Omnipod and b) asking doctor about the arm for the CGM.
This (above) is the most important reason IMO. It may not seem important to your wife ATM, but the longer you son has T1D (which may be for the remainder of his life; I’m not holding my breath for a cure within my daughter’s lifetime) the more “real estate” becomes an issue. Even with extreme diligence regarding site rotation, risk of “the lipos” increases with time. It is possible to run out of sites due to scar tissue. Then where will you put the Dexcom sensor? Nowhere. The arms provide comparatively little real estate, so using Dexcom there leaves more square inches of usable “fat-enough” skin available for insulin administration. It’s a no-brainier. If your wife needs to hear from a doctor that arms are OK, then you are SOL. Because that’s still officially considered an “off-label” site.
I’m not SOL because if I feel strongly enough about it, it’s gonna happen. 
We both have equal voices in my family, but when one voice doesn’t have any rationale for NOT doing something when there is rational reasons for it…then the rational voice wins every time. I always prefer her buy-in, because we’re on this journey together, but I don’t have to have it…and if the reasons are strong enough, I’ll just do it.