Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Diego on February 16, 2011 at 11:01am

Thank you for asking these questions as my pump should be delivered in about a week to ten days. I will be following this to see what to expect

Permalink Reply by Ryan on February 16, 2011 at 11:17am

Thats awesome Diego! I didn't expect to get mine all setup so fast, but luckily everything was delivered and timed well with my appointment. Yeah, I'll keep in contact with you and we can give eachother feedback on what we learn. Like you said on my wall, theres a few of us on here that are just starting up on the same pump so its cool to have that connection with ppl that have the same questions as you. Good luck to you!

Permalink Reply by Diego on February 24, 2011 at 11:28am

I received mine Yesterday. I have my first training appointment on the 7th. Meanwhile I plan on learning as much as I can to streamline the learning time.

Permalink Reply by Ryan on February 25, 2011 at 10:52am

I've been on it for almost 2weeks now, and sometimes I forget I don't need to do my shot anymore before eating haha. It definitely makes getting ready in the morning a lot faster and easier. In my opinion, It's a lot easier to figure out what your basal rate is with the pump. Don't be overwhelmed with anything you've read in articles or books, its a lot easier and better to understand when you're actually doing it. Good luck to you!

Permalink Reply by jimt1cgms on February 16, 2011 at 11:40am

I found that if the infusion site is a little sensitive, there "might" be an issue. Most of the time its just sore. Make sure you rotate sites properly. (I also have the quick-sets). I feel nothing when I bolus, then again, its been over 5 years and I really don't remember to much from the beginning. As for sleeping, I bought a "belt pouch" from MiniMed store. If you get one, try it to see how its works, if you like it, I suggest a second one. I sometimes forget where the heck I take it off at, and then for days when it gets washed..... Good luck and Happy Pumping! PS: Which model? Mine is a Revel.

Permalink Reply by Ryan on February 16, 2011 at 11:48am

I have the Revel also, so most of the time the infusion set is just sore? So its normal? The feeling I get isn't extremely painful, but like I said, its enough to catch my attention...then it goes away.

Permalink Reply by jimt1cgms on February 16, 2011 at 1:51pm

Sorry, didn't mean to say that its usually sore. If I rotate properly, I generally don't even notice the thing is there.

Permalink Reply by MossDog on February 17, 2011 at 10:16am

I notice that sometimes I do have a "sore" infusion set. This isn't to say it happens always but not abnormal as well. I would say if my set is a little painful I tend to also feel the bolus going in but like your experience not the basal. Like others have said this MIGHT be an indication that you are in muscle and/or there is the potential the site may be going bad at some point. I usually keep it in and monitor closely.
I have never used saline before but another Tu member told me he could really feel saline while bolusing but has not had the same problem with insulin.

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on February 16, 2011 at 11:59am

1. If the site is sensitive, you might be near muscle. How long is your set? I think the Quick Sets come in 6mm and 9mm lengths, and you probably need the 6mm. Check and see if that's what you've got. Another possibility is a Silhouette, which goes in at an angle, which you can control for a shallow insertion. The downside of the Silhouette is that although it has a Serter, it's hard to use. I always inserted by hand when I used them, but then I'm Miss Nerves of Steel!

2. I never feel a thing when I bolus. Again, you might be near a muscle. Or perhaps saline has more of a sting than insulin. I never did saline, so I don't know!

3. In modern times, I have only used the Silhouette and the Quick Set. Silhouettes look like a hat pin, and aren't for the faint of heart. They stay in better, but they also kink more easily. The Quick Sets have come out on me a couple of times, but I've only had one kink. Both sets have been totally comfortable for me, but this certainly varies -- depends on where you put them, and how much fat you have there.

4. I used to just let the pump free-float in the bed while I slept, and it never bothered me. Some people put it under their pillows. But then, I had a cat who decided that it was fun to bite through the tubing (maybe insulin tastes good to cats), and I started wearing pajamas and just clipping it to the waistband, and tucking the tubing inside the pants. I turn the pump sideways, so it fits into the space between my ribs and my hip and never feel it at all.

The final bit of advice I have is that it's harder in the beginning when you are learning the ropes and definitely gets easier. You can expect some highs and lows while you are getting your basals, boluses, insulin:carb ratio and correction factors set, but in the end, I definitely think it's worth it. After 12 years, no less! :-)

Permalink Reply by Kristin on February 16, 2011 at 12:07pm

When I feel the insulin being delivered, I consider that a "bad site". Actually the infusion might be fine, but I move it when it annoys me too much.

I use the Sure-T infusion set and I love it! Ask you doctor for a sample of all the different infusion sets. They should give you one of each for free so that you can try them. I used to use 9mm Quick-sets and found that I had too many kinked cannulas with them. So you may want to ask for 6mm Quicksets and try out the Sure-T. Also, some people prefer the angled infusion sets.

While sleeping, some people clip the pump to their pyjamas, I just use long tubing and lay it in the bed. I toss a lot in my sleep and I can roll over completely without pulling on the infusion set. I never clip it to anything and find that more comfortable. It's probably better to try that once you have longer tubing. I also find the longer tubing useful when I go to the bathroom and have the pump clipped to my belt.

Hope that the adjustment goes well! Don't forget to give your injections still while you are on the saline trial! I forgot a few times because I felt like I was already pumping!

Permalink Reply by Kristin on February 16, 2011 at 12:08pm

Also, I should add that the Sure-T has a metal cannula and therefore should only be used for 2 days, but I reuse the same infusion set by moving it to a different location, reinserting it and taping it down. The cannula is thinner than the plastic (teflon) ones and I find it more comfortable and easier to insert. If you have more questions about Sure-T later, just let me know!

Permalink Reply by mojavenation on May 15, 2011 at 7:36am

My daughter just started on her pump Monday. She feels some tenderness around the infusion site but it goes away. I was looking at the Sure-T and wonder about having a steel needle in all the time. It seems like it would be more uncomfortable. My daughter is a cheerleader/gymnast and I wonder if having the steel needle would be more irritating when she is doing handsprings and tumbling?

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