Garfield1,
How do people live with a tube day to day? I rotate about my abdomen using 43 inch tubing sets. I keep the pump (Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ) in a cellphone case clipped to my belt. The 43" tubing lets me move the pump where I need to place it. Only problem is putting pump on my belt opposite the insertion site because it sometimes tangles in the button of my pants fly & zipper area.
How do you go to bed with it? The same cellphone case clips to the draw string gym shorts I wear to bed. I center the pump over my bellie button so I not sleeping on it.
Do you have to make sure you wear something practical to clip pump onto, or need deep pockets for pump to sit in? Again, I clip the pump on the outside of my belt. I do wear EMS/Fire/Rescue thigh pocket pants so I can carry three Sweet Tart candy roll sections for low BGs. I believe your pump should be visible (not hidden) for safety should EMS, etc need to care for you, everyone will know you are a pumper and treat you as a D.
How does it handle an active lifestyle? Fine, I have seen athletes and others wearing pumps along their belts. Women sometimes put the pump in their bra. I have seen this by one woman at a local fitness club doing HIIT (CrossFit) with her pump there.
What back up equipment should you carry, just in case? This depends on how far from home you are going to be. If I am going to be more than 1 hour from home, I take a ‘pumper emergency kit’ with the inventory listed in my pump book. I have added a few things like a sharpie and flashlight. I keep insulin pens (one long acting and one short acting) in case I need to revert to MDI because of pump failure. I keep a fully stocked second kit at my desk at work. Co-workers and work site nurses know about it have been read it about its contents. I also buy the long rolls of Sweet Tarts (27 pieces), break the rolls in to 9 piece thirds, put each third in zip lock bag from hobby store, leaving 9 piece/14.5 CHO rescue candies protected and available. I have those in pants pocket in small plastic box (chewing gum type), wife’s purse, glove box of our vehicles, drawer of beside stand, etc.
Any good resources to have a look at that may be useful for the transition from MDI? Pump manufacture websites, your prescriber - especially their pump trainer, other pumpers you may know/meet at work, church, or play. Biggest thing, stay on label.
Let us know how this turns out for you. Sharing what you decide and rationale, gives all of us more LIGHT for future actions. Cheers…