My fiance is considering changing from injections to a pump, but is concerned about having the cannula ripped out when he crawls into small spaces. Just wondering if anyone has had this sort of experience?
I don't have that experience but I've gotten to where I wear my belt backwards and belay the tube around the end of the belt and then tuck it in, it's pretty secure I think?
If he wears it round his neck in a case, as I do at the moment, the cannula is under the shirt/t-shirt and can't be ripped out.
He could always do this little trick which I always do when I wear the pump on a belt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS2ykQJoudc&feature=related
I find when I wear it on a belt I am always knocking it on stuff and have pulled a set out on a door handle. It also sucks for sports so I like keeping it round my neck under a tight fitting t-shirt to keep it safe.
There are so many ways to wear a pump I think it would be a non issue. It can be worn under jeans for example on the thigh..
http://www.accu-chek.co.uk/gb/pumptherapy/insulin-pump-cases-sport.html#top
It's usually pretty easy to tuck the tubing into somewhere to keep it out of the way. I'm not a plumber, but I am pretty active and have yet to rip out a canula.
He could consider using a Spibelt to stash the pump. He could also cut a very small hole in his pocket and thread the tubing through the hole and stash his pump in his pocket.
In my experience with pumping, the vast majority of problems like this can usually be solved with a little ingenuity.
I have always used the small hole in the pocket and that has worked very well for me. I'm not a plumber but I do occasionally have to play like one on the weekends.
I can see how this would work, thanks for your suggestion
Fantastic, thank you so much for info. This has really helped to convince him that it will be safe. Thanks for the links. The you tube link is great. We particularly like the accuchek site which gives a hard case for the pump. Will definatley be looking into this.
Thank you for your reply. We have had a quick look at his shorts/pants and there is definatley a way to make some modifications.
I made a neoprene shoulder / chest belt that places the pump under my arm about a hand width below my arm pit. I have crawled and rolled in the dirt and used in paddling under a wet suit w/o the site ripping out.
There is always a way…just some trial and error and he’ll get.
I usually tuck my pump under my pants when doing such work. I frequently roll under trucks using a creeper, so I understand the crawling thing. The only time I have hooked an infusion set is when I have moved vertically and hooked it somehow on a protruding flange. I think that if properly protected with a couple layers of clothing, there will be little problems.
I am going to be really honest here. A lot of people are making it seem like it's almost impossible to have the site ripped out but I have that happen all the time (like once every couple months). Maybe I'm just clumsy. I've had the door to the car rip it out as I was getting out or chairs or clothing. No matter where I put it, I still have that problem. Don't get disheartened by this though because I'd still rather be on a pump than shots. It's not all that bad and it takes like 3 minutes to put a new one in.
Thanks Leanne, It’s nice to know the other side of the story. It’s also great to know that even when it does get pulled out, that it is easily replaced.
Won’t be a problem. He may have to put the pump inside his pocket though so it doesn’t fall off.
Look at all of the pumps before going with the Accu check. There is no built in bolus calculator in the pump it self from what I understand. They provide you with a PDA to calculate your bolues, which means having to carry around extra gear.