My almost 15 year is playing football. He is 3 weeks into practices with his first game tonight. He has lost a couple of pods during practices and one scrimmage. He is worried it is going to fall off at tonight's game. He claims he cant concentrate on playing football because he thinks the pod is going to come off. He even said he would like to go back onto lantus for the football season. We have tried skin barrier wipes and today used a special tape over the pod. I am not sure what else to do for him.
Besides the wasted insulin and pods, we are starting to stress over the pod. He is wearing the pod on his upper buttock. He claims that is the best spot while having all the football pads on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have the same problem. About every other day, my pod gets knocked off. It’s miserable and I hate it. And I don’t play any contact sports. I’m 29 and I have an office job. So I completely understand what he’s going through. For me, what has helped is to get VetWrap - a bandage that sticks to itself, but nothing else (think Ace Bandage without the clips) - and wrap it around whatever appendage the pod is on. This works if the pod is on an arm or leg, but it’s too hard to do with the pod on upper buttock.
You could think along the same lines though and just use something to wrap around his body tightly, so the pod can’t move. Not sure what that would be for that area. Maybe one of those back support wraps that weightlifters use?
Beth - I am a big NFL fan, and I often wonder where and how Jay Cutler (QB of the Bears) wears his pump. I dont even think it is a pod, though I may be wrong. I just remember a sound bite with him expaining that he controls his diabetes with a strict diet, exercise (of course) and an insulin pump. I watch every game with him and look him over to see if I can find it…no way. I also dont see him “favoring” any particular area on his body, so I just cant figure it out. I know this is of no help to you…do you think your son would be open to wearing on his back? I know of several podsters here at TU who do that…and they claim it is a GREAT sweeetspot, and I cant really see where it would be a BIG problem in football…in any case, good luck and PEACE
It seems the downside of the pod is always trial and error to figure out what works. This may sound crazy, but have you considered the idea of using lantus for basal and the pod for meals/boluses? Temporarily, of course, so he can get used to the pod being on while playing football, without worrying about his bs? Has anyone ever used a low dose of lantus, really just the amount of basal you would need for a football game, not more so you don’t go low, and then change the basal rates on the pod so you aren’t getting any of your insulin during the game from the pod? If I had a 15 year old son in your situation, I would consider talking to my Dr. about it.
The fear of the unknown is always the biggest, and after a game or two, I am sure your son won’t even think about the pod being on him! Good luck tonight!
What position does he play? Is it just falling off during the course of drills etc, are they getting ripped off because he is being tackled, or are they getting knocked off because of contact with other players or his own pads? In general, I’d think that anywhere in the area around the waist has a high probability of getting grabbed at or struck by other players.
In general, I think that placing the pod on the back of his upper arm in the hing beween the shoulder pads and shoulder pad support would be a good spot. It can still be wrapped for protection, it’s not likely to get grabbed, and it might be protected from contact by the shoulder pads.
As much as I hate to say it, I’d go on the Lantus during football season. There’s no place on the body that is going to be immune to contact. If he’s worried about it, and it’s affecting his play, the Lantus option might be best.
My guess is that Jay (who used to use a tubed pump, not sure what he is using now) disconnects for the game and watches his reading from the side lines. I read an article that he temmates threw him into a pool.
