ladybell89--not wanting to point out something you may have already thought of, but could it be that you need to change your infusion sets more often? I know that I usually get high readings as I approach the end of day 3, so maybe putting less insulin in your reservoir--to force more frequent changes--may be something try if you haven't already.
Well for example this morning I went low shortly after 6, and this was the 3rd day. I changed it this morning so it definately wasn't the site :(. I do tend to run higher on the third day, thanks for the suggestion though, it would be funny and great if that was the problem. I have been usuing less insulin lately, and filling the res to 180u would mean my insulin would last 4 days. I switched to a low carb/dr bernstein diet for a bit to see if that is something that I can work with and don't have any problems during the day with lows just the mornings. And I just feel like food before bed wouldn't be the problem if I eat at 7 in the evening I souldn't still be having food related changes in bg at 4am especially if dinner only has 10 carbs.
Medtronics button error. Has anyone found a fix for this. My pump stopped working this morning and no back up. This only happens on holiday weekends.
Re: Button errors. They say perspiration can cause it. If you keep the pump snug against the body, the button-side should be away from the skin. Sorry I can’t offer you any more info. Never had that problem myself, but I know someone who did, and shortly after this happened to her, MedT broadcast that bit of “advice”.
My new Dex4 failed on Friday....holiday weekends, indeed!
I don't have a pump but curious to know what its like to sleep with the pump? Do you take it off and if so I would think the set sticker thing would stay in, can you lay on that and roll around on it?
sorry for not know correct terminology
hi buf, welcome to the group, no, you have to keep the pump on 24/7 (well, I take mine off for showers and short periods of time) but yeah, you can lay on the infusion set.
I use a "Leg Thing" which is a stretchy band that has a pocket in it to hold the pump on my leg. I keep it just above my ankle when I'm wearing pants or when I'm sleeping. I wear it to bed and it does not interfere with my sleep at all. I believe I ordered it from Animas. I wear the inset on my upper thigh area and I don't feel it at all while sleeping, even if I'm sleeping on top of the inset.
I just sleep with the pump next to me in bed (not clipped to anything). I toss around a lot and it just moves with me. When I wake up in the morning, the pump is often in my hand even before I am oriented. It is so automatic for me to look for it by now. But I do prefer longer tubing to allow more rolling :)
@bufbuffalo: I've only been using a pump for about 2 months now and that was one of my questions too. Scrambling around to make sure I always had a pocket t-shirt available for the first couple weeks, but then didn't have one and just slept with the thing loose... and it was fine. I may have rolled over on top of it a time or two but mostly it just seems to take care of itself.
@bufbuffalo: My son keeps his pump in his Spibelt even at night. It keeps it tight against his body. The Spibelt is a sleek belt that is quite narrow and stretches to fit the pump.
For those folks anywhere near Harrisburg, PA, here's an ongoing event that you might find useful and interesting:
Insulin Pump Support Group
If you are using or thinking about an insulin pump, by any manufacturer, come chat with people who have been using them for years!
Next meeting November 12 at 6:30 pm. Meetings are at that time on the second Tuesday of every other month.
Meeting room on second floor, Camp Hill Super Giant.
For information call Vanessa Snell, RN, at
717-221-6272
I have been on the pump for 16 years. I originally got on it so I could skip meals and not be on an eating schedule. I was tired of diabetes ruling my life. I'm in charge! Quite the opposite happended. I began eating all the time and anything I wanted because I only had to push a button. I am currently 140 lbs. overweight. Very uncommon for a Type 1. In fact, I'm trying to have the gastric sleeve procedure and the surgeon is scared to operate because he's never seen an overweight Type 1. Is it THAT uncommon? Am I that odd? Is anyone else out there having this issue? I've decided to go back to shots and an eating schedule with diabetes ruling my life again so I can lose the weight and feel healthy.
i've only been a type 1 for about 4 years. but since being on insulin, my weight has slowly crept up so that i'm now about 40 pounds overweight! i am on the pump, but the weight begin creeping up in the first year on shots. i'm just frustrated because i can't seem to take the weight back off. but i wouldn't want to go back on shots and i know what you mean about just "pushing a button" to cover what i'm eating. i've done that too! good luck with the weight loss!
I know type 1s who are overweight I don’t think it’s that uncommon. I think even ppl in the medical profession are not so in the know about diabetes. I’ve also gained about 10 lbs since starting insulin. I think it’s bc the pump does make it easier to eat but also I find that if I’m low I get extra hungry which makes me eat a lot more. And of course I’m low now sometimes due to the insulin… It’s definitely a battle.
I've gained weight too. I can't comment on your case, but just regarding me the issue is I've been resisting wearing a CGM, but due to hypo unawareness working out isn't wise without one. I do think had I gotten a CGM earlier and kept up my workouts, I wouldn't be as large because my best numbers have always been in conjunction with being active. I'm going through the steps now to get one, but the result is I've gained a significant amount of weight. It comes down to panic eating and hunger after hypos, but also letting my glucose levels skew a bit higher and eating larger portions (fear of going low).
Good luck, Christy.
Thanks guys. The people in the Medtronic group aren’t so supportive. Thanks for making me not feel so alone!
I just read that thread and they're not being THAT bad. ;) I agree with some of their points that a lot is dietary. I also think it's best to develop a thinker skin online because different perspectives are part of what forums like this are for. It helps or should help you look at things from a different perspective.
I'm not blaming my weight gain on pumping. It's a confluence of a lot of things: developing hypo unawareness, needing a CGM and stalling, no regular and vigorous exercise, and the changes regarding portion sizes and how much I eat.
You say you're in impulse eater, so it makes sense that the pump makes it easier for you to just cave though. Again, good luck. :)
Hi, quick comment to say also that being on a pump can lead to weight increase by having better control - fewer high BGs as well as lows. I had much bigger swings on MDI, and when frequently high, it means you’re not actually absorbing or using all the sugar in your blood but pssng it out instead! Great way to lose weight/keep weight down - high BGs - except you get all those nasty complications into the package. Anyway, as well as being easier to eat more on pump, it’s also the better control which means you are absorbing and using a lot more of those calories from sugars. Me, I’m so pleased I can do yoga now on my pump without having to either run high BGs throughout session or glug lucozade every few mins… Exercise is now so much easier!
See? Great comment, Ingrid. Now I've learned something too. :)