I just started on my pump and I was wondering how everyone handles their set change routines. Do you change your set and fill a new cartridge everytime or only when the cartridge is completely empty? How often do you do it? Any tips are greatly appreciated!
Hi Cassie! Welcome to the pump. I’ve only been on the 522 since Jan 29, but I’m learning. I try to put only enough insulin in the tank to get me through the three days. Then I change reservoir and infusion device at the same time. Once or twice I have run out of insulin because I needed abnormally high correction boluses, so I just changed reservoirs.
Today, I ruined an infusion device by forgetting to remove the inserter cap. So I stuck another canula in and then disconnected and reconnected the tube that was already primed. Oh well.
Thanks for the response 
I guess you learn to deal with situations as they arise, huh?
Hi Cassie! I’ve only been pumping for over a year now. I tend to reuse my insulin cartridge a few times (generally 5 times) and refill it up when I change my infusion set every 3 days. I have refilled the same cartridge up before it’s time to change the infusion set as well - and it’s worked out fine. How are you finding the pump so far? I know for myself - I love it - and hope I can continue to afford it (am hoping I don’t lose my job that has medical benefits - then it’s back to MDI).
You’re so lucky to have the Animas PING. We don’t have it yet here in Canada - I would love to be able to have the remote and not have to fish out my insulin pump from some of the places I put it when I’m dressed up to go clubbing.
I’m still struggling with finding a comfortable place to put the pump. I don’t mind it much on my belt but when I have to go to the bathroom I struggle with the tubing. Trying in my bra now but I’m not sure about it yet Also today I think I had a bad insertion because I stopped getting insulin and didn’t realize it until I was having dinner at my friend’s house! Was totally unprepared. But I’m learning and I think it’s worth it Thanks for the input.
I change everything - every time. As for the insulin in the cartridge, I usually don’t have much left after 3 days.
I’ve placed infusion sets on my thighs, upper buttocks, stomach, and love handles.
I am going to try an arm site in the morning for my next change. Pumping all these years and still have yet to try it.
Same here. I change the reservoir and the set every three days. The insulin degrades the plastic(or something like that), so it is best to change it every 3-4 days.
I generally wait until I have only a few units of insulin left (usually 2-4u), and then change it all(I only fill as much insulin as I need for the three days). Sometimes, I change it earlier then that(if I am going to be busy and rather do a site change then, compared to later). I also try to do a site change before a bolus (so before breakfast or lunch). Just a mental thing that Insulin is getting through alright, and I don’t miss any basal LOL
I know this is going to sound like urban legend, because a friend of a friend told me, but I think the insulin degrades or becomes less effective after several days.
I was told about an endocrinologist at a ADA diabetes expo a few months ago talking about pump technology, and he mentioned a study (that may not yet be released) where researchers did some intensive diabetes management and watched pump users bg levels closely to check and see if there was a difference in the action between Novolog and Humalog. The result was no difference, but researchers noticed that for all participants, on average, bg control was better on day 1 after a site change, a little worse on day 2, worse on day 3, and so on. Something about the insulin, possibly due to the heat of being close to your body and not in a refrigerator, makes it slowly lose its efficacy. I’m waiting to hear more. My bg control can be pretty bad after 3 days on a site, but I always assumed it was the insertion set or the site itself, not the insulin in the pump. It sounds like this was an unexpected side-result of the study, which was probably done by an insulin manufacturer, so I wouldn’t expect a big press release or journal article to come of it.
This insulin degradation story seems reasonable, but with all the other factors influencing my bg level on a daily basis (stress, illness, exercise, bad carb-counting) I probably wouldn’t notice a slight decrease in the insulin’s ability to lower my bg.
Good to know! Thanks for passing that along Greg.
Greg, thanks for sharing that. I am very interested in any info about Novolog and Humalog. For some reason, even though I’m not on my pump yet, an Endo put me on Novalog and kept me on Lantus for Basil control. After 2 days, my systolic BP hit the moon. I was in the hospital due to having surgery so they took care of it and we did not know it was the insulin. After I got home, the same thing kept happening and I decided it was the insulin because nothing else was different. I know it makes no sense and now I have some Humalog to try because I know they will be using one or the other in my pump. I’m not sure my doctor believes it was the insulin. He hasn’t said but I just know it makes no sense. I have since tried it 3 other times with a couple of weeks between each try and same thing happened. It just shows that you never know what this disease or the insulin can or will do. Your story sounds more likely than mine as we know most insulin is onlly good for 28 days after opening so it could happen I guess.