Friends, you have all been so helpful with sharing information and now I have another question. Next week I will be getting training and actually using my new T-Slim X2 pump. At the time of choosing this pump and ordering supplies, little did I know that the recommended time of changing cartridges is every 48 hours if using Humalog. Is this what you all do? All of the years I used Medtronic pumps it was every 72 hours. I called Byram, the provider for the sets, and was told they send whatever my doctor prescribes, so I’ve put a call into his office. If he prescribed changing every 3 days, I will be short on supplies.
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I used Humalog in my tandem pump changing cartridges every 3 days and did okay.
That’s good to know. Thank you.
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This was news to me. It says 48 hours for Humalog and 72 hours for Novolog/Novorapid. Strange.
I know they are testing for both Fiasp and Lyumjev and wonder what results they will come up with.
I think iirc it has to do with the degradation of the additives by the plastic is worse to Humalg than Novolog.
I never had issues with this while wearing my Medtronic pump. Mostly I changed every 72 hours and sometimes went even longer if I still had Humalog left in the reservoir. Never had a problem. So Tandem’s cartridge must be of a different plastic than Medtronic’s. The nurse from my doctor’s office called back today and my doctor has said 72 hours will be okay so that’s what I will do and hope for the best.
If I understand correctly Medtronic reservoirs are a rigid plastic similar to syringes. Tandem is completely different, inside the cartridge is a flexible pouch. Different plastics for sure.
But I don’t think you’ll have problems going 3 days.
Or you could switch to Novolog. I find it less prone to stubborn bubbles. Otherwise my results with either insulin has been much the same.
I use Humalog. With a few exceptions that weren’t caused by my t:slim, I’ve always changed my cartridges at 3 days. I’ve never noticed a problem.
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Thank you for your input, Louis3. It’s good to know that Novolog and Humalog yield about the same results.
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That makes me more confident, Greg. Thank you for sharing. I would actually hate to change the cartridge more than every three days, since I’ve heard there are many steps involved.
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I change every second day and it´s no hassel.
I have tried three days but it just doesn´t work for me. This has nothing to do with Tandem or type of insulin, it´s been like this since I started pump therapy in 1990.
I think you´ll do fine with 72 hours, many diabetics use that regime with no trouble at all.
I change my Tandem site / reservoir once every 4th or 5th day. Never had any issues with insulin degradation
Thank you for sharing, Siri. I guess we all have different experiences. I’m glad you found a way that works for you.
Wow, Jimi! That sounds like the idea situation. I often wondered why these pump designers couldn’t figure out how to make the sets last longer. The only reason I can conclude is the more cartridges/infusion sets they sell, the more money they make.
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I swear Humalog and Humulin are not as effective for me. I recently was in the hospital for a long time for non-diabetes reasons, and they did an awful job managing my diabetes while simultaneously refusing to let me do it. One of the setbacks was their use of Humalog and Humulin only. For me, it’s less potent than Novolog and Novolin ever are/were. I wonder if Humalog degrades faster overall? This is a fascinating discussion. Thanks for bringing it up!
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Hi, Ray. I’m assuming the reason Tandem recommends replacing cartridges every 48 hours for Humalog is because of loss of effectiveness the longer it’s in that pump. I have no point of comparison to any other insulin since from the date of diagnosis, Humalog and in years past, Lantus long acting are all I’ve ever used. Humalog works pretty well for me, as far as I can tell.
I change my humalog every 4-5 days with my t-slim and don’t experience any noticeable difference between day 2 and day 5.
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Thanks for your insight. I was put on Novolin N and R first, I think. Then, I was switched to Novolog and Lantus. Then, Novolog and Levemir. I pumped for a while. I went on Tresiba and Novolog for a long time after that. I’m back on Novolog and Levemir MDI for now until my pump comes. In my experience, Novolog’s efficacy fades when I get to the last ten or so units in my pen cartridge. Tresiba seemed very stable even when it took me ages to get through the pen. In my old Medtronic pump, I could keep using the same Novolog cartridges for two site changes without any issues. After that, it wasn’t great. It was quite sensitive to heat, though. If I had been out on a hot day, I’d have to change everything.
That sounds mighty tempting. It probably saves insulin too since I heard the loading process wastes a bunch of it.
I always wondered how any of these insulins hold up in pumps when we’re out and about in the 90 degree weather, but I haven’t noticed any problem with mine.