Using my Tandem with Dexcom for the past few years, happy with improved TIR with the pump but occasionally the pump is problematic.
Extended sporting competitions (Triathlons) or racing on a sailboat are two time-limited events where I’d like to disconnect my pump for around four hours. I’d keep my Dexcom active so will see if I’m trending out of range.
When I’m active my insulin needs go down to 0.4-0.6 u/hr.
PI’m not sure what the best option for basal coverage would be. I see a few options:
1- give myself a one-unit bolus of Humalog every two hours via pen
2- use a 50/50 premix of NPH and Humalog, give myself an injection of 2 units as I disconnect my pump
Lookup Untethered pumping. Some athletes use it when they are going to be swimming or doing gymnastics, etc. You take some or all of your basal using a long acting insulin such as Lantus and set your basal on the pump to either nothing or to whatever makes up the difference from the shot. That way you can take off the pump for an extended period of time and you can reconnect for corrections or meals.
I personally would use Levimir because it will only last about 12 hours (at least for me) so I could go back to the pump handling basal faster.
Is it the tube that is problematic? I get that. I felt the same way on an old MT pump. But, I feel a little nervous about the solution. I wish there were more tubeless options.
Like, what if you get injured during the triathlon and the medics come and drag you away to the hospital? Would you have your pump on you? Those large events can get soooo chaotic.
