Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rusty1955 on April 13, 2011 at 8:20pm

I don't have a problem with Humalog. Works fine for me.

Permalink Reply by Korrie on April 13, 2011 at 8:49pm

The insulin should be ok, I have kept mine out with no trouble.
Did your sugars drop after injection?
Do you always spike high after a site change?
Reason I am asking, I have found that when I have run higher than normal sugars for an extended period, even if the pump is connected and working, it may take a larger than normal correction bolus (either via pump or syringe) to get the sugars back into range.
Site change - I tend to run high after each and every site change. I try to do a site change just before I am going to bolus in for food, and even then, I sometimes have to correct what is my normal dosage for the type and amount of food I am eating. Usually after being very watchful for the first 3 to 6 hours after changing sites, things are good.
Finally, no air in tubing or in reservoir? That too can mess you up. Good luck, I hope you get all figured out quickly!

Permalink Reply by Paul W on April 15, 2011 at 10:06am

I have been pumping for 8 days. WHY is there so much concern about air/bubbles, please?

Permalink Reply by Nell on April 15, 2011 at 6:31pm

Many people are not concerned about air bubbles in tubing. Remember that the air bubble, if it advances, is going into tissue, not into your bloodstream. So there is no danger there. Second, there is about (note: about) half a unit of insulin in one (1) inch of tubing. So even if you had a whole inch of bubble, not likely, you are talking 1/2 unit of insulin. When I do have tiny bubbles, which is very seldom, most of them remain in the reservoir and congregate in the last few units when my reservoir is low. Some people remove the reservoir when it is low and push out the bubbles. I have never bothered because they don't seem to move from the reservoir. If you fill your reservoir properly, any air bubbles will be so tiny, they will not affect your dosage. This is my educated opinion and I am sticking to it. Not a medical statement.

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on April 13, 2011 at 9:33pm

I've had little bits of blood in the cannula with no problem. My first reaction, especially since the shot didn't work either, is, are you getting sick, or might you possibly have a hidden infection? Did you test for ketones? In addition, I have also had the experience of needing a lot more insulin when my sugars have been high.

I think you should call your endo and talk about it with him. Better safe than sorry.

Permalink Reply by Gerry on April 14, 2011 at 5:27am

If you've only been pumping for two weeks, are your basal and bolus rates accurately calculated and set? Normally I keep my insulin (now Novolog, previously Humalog) on my dresser once it's opened. I use approximately a vial per month, so it sits out for 30 days without any noticeable deterioration.

Permalink Reply by David Wheeler on April 14, 2011 at 6:49am

When you inserted the new inset were there drops when you filled the tubing? That, to me, indicated the pump is working properly. Another possibility is how the tubing is fed from the pump to the inset. Sometimes my tubing becomes kinked but there is usually a failed delivery warning. there are some sites on my body (the abdomen equator) that don't do a reliable insulin uptake. After a few over 250 readings I replace the inset port. If that still doesn't improve the complete infusion set is replaced.

You can check the delivery record on the pump history.

Or it may be bad insulin after all but this seems the least likely, but not out of the question either. Check the batch # on the bottle and on any other bottles you have from the same purchase date.

Good luck.