Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Harrison on November 11, 2010 at 4:05pm

boedica!

Absolutely do not put any insulin in until your CDE tells you too!
This could have dire circumstances for you.
Your pump settings may not and I repeat may not be set up for insulin, while using the saline
Tuesday is not that far oof, don't jump the gun and out yourself at risk

Gary

Permalink Reply by Spiced Ham on November 11, 2010 at 4:07pm

Is the pump already set up with the basal and bolus rates your trainer has figured out for you? Also, are you currently using any long acting insulin? In general, you should stop taking that for some hours before starting on the pump, if I remember correctly from the many years ago when I started on the pump. MY suggestion is that you wait till Tues. I know you are eager, but it's only a few more days, it IS a big change, and things can go askew. Get to know your pump better first. It actually took me close to a year before I truly felt completely comfortable with mine.

Permalink Reply by Trudy on November 11, 2010 at 4:40pm

Waiting until Tuesday to use insulin is good advice. I had a good demonstration of a site change on my own belly the day I got my first pump by the rep. from MiniMed. Then two days later when I tried to change the site, I ruined my first one, then the next, then threw them both across the room (using SofSets then) and called my CDE to help me do one. (I did refrain from throwing the pump.) Practicing site changes is a good idea! Best luck, I know you'll love the pump.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 11, 2010 at 4:59pm

I know it is pretty tempting to fill it with insulin after a day or two but I do think it is better to wait and make sure you are truly comfortable (and know what to do as issues arise-no delivery alarms at 3a, blood sugar of 450 with no known reason, kinked cannula, pulling the inusion set out when you use the bathroom, wearing it with certain articles of clothing, alarms won't turn off, etc, etc). I am a T1 but also a CDE so I am biased :)
The goal is for you to be able to push those buttons without a second thought - not to have to search through menus remembering where things are AND to make sure that your insertion technique is correct - improper technique can lead to you not receiving insulin and life threatening consequences. Plus, if your basal and bolus rates are incorrect (which they normally are in the first few weeks of pumping), you could easily have life threatening consequences in a short amount of time.
Sit back and learn about all the features (that User Guide is filled with tips to make your life easier), keep accurate records of your blood sugars and food intake so that your CDE can better evaluate your insulin needs and get used to carrying the needed supplies and preparing for possible emergencies.
Congrats on pumping - it's a life changer! Good luck!

Permalink Reply by 1type2go on November 11, 2010 at 7:59pm

Oh my gosh I hear ya .....I've been told the CDE is avalible and find out she's not working any more and the CDE in place is on holidays -Nov 22 then hear I may have to wait till January SAY WHAT !!

I have hopes I'll be in touch the first week of Dec.
I have set up the basal rate (I'm very low user 3u per 24 hours)scroll rate the insulin sensitivity and insulin/cho ratio on this thing,Now I'm entering every BG and carb calculation into the bolus wizard to do my manual injection.
I AM SO CLOSE.......................

Permalink Reply by AndyRozman on November 12, 2010 at 1:11am

Can you try another CDE or can doctor help you. When I went on pump, my doctor this all the work... He set Basal rates (which were quite accurate) and he also switched me to pump... And he was also my "HOT" line for next few days (I was told to call him every few hours, also in the middle of the night if necessary).

Permalink Reply by boedica on November 12, 2010 at 2:38am

thanks all....

the basal is set. she had me calculate it and she approved it. and i've been using the pump like its real....still using mdi.....with the saline.

the thing is.....if i don't put insulin in it i'm just going to take it off. i don't have saline :(

maybe i'll call the oncall person and see if i can pick up saline today.....or at least get some advice. they aren't there in the office fri/sat/sun.

it just seems wrong to take this off and not do anything for days.

btw....the not giving me a vial of saline on my way out the door is just one more wrong thing in this whole journey.

Permalink Reply by Spiced Ham on November 12, 2010 at 5:00am

My CDE who "trained" me for my initial pump, AND the Dr. I was working with at the time both SUCKED!!!!!! I had to figure out about the stopping the long acting insulin (thank goodness I was reading my pump manual), the CDE never contacted me or was available after I first had the pump on, I was NEVER on saline first, they just slapped me right on insulin . . . Ask your Dr's office for a bottle of saline, see if you can get one from a pharmacy; try to wait for Tues, but then let the CDE know exactly what you don't like about your experience (I never had the opportunity to speak to mine ever again after the starting insulin appt which was only the second appt, and yes I feel I had to pretty much figure it all out on my own). The Minimed phone help was wonderful. Many CDE's, employed by the pump co's usually, seem to be paid by how many people they hook up and not on service before and AFTER. Sorry if I am offensive to any CDE's here, but that was definitely my experience. I have heard from others who had a wonderful experience, but that seemed to do more with the MD's office and not the pump rep/trainer. Bottom line, you can figure it out on your own, just BE CAREFUL, TEST LOTS; and I'm STILL not under the best control even with the pump cos of gaps in my education so it's still a good idea to find some one who can and will work with you on making this Big Change in your life, if you can find such a person.

Permalink Reply by boedica on November 12, 2010 at 6:34am

i called the doctors office. there isn't even an "on call" person!

i did contact my chronic care person (completely unaffiliated) and she's working on finding me some saline. it just seems wrong to take it off(which i will HAVE to do) and leave it off.

Permalink Reply by boedica on November 12, 2010 at 2:38pm

ok....i did everything i could to get saline today. actually had my doc (pcp) call me in a scrip....went to pick it up and the pharmacy didn't have any.

then went to pcp's office and they only had it in the wrong vials.

so, tomorrow i am filling it with insulin.

Permalink Reply by boedica on November 14, 2010 at 10:01am

well, i survived the night......

there is a definite need to lower my dosing a bit....i've spent a lot of time low....do you absorb it differently or something? i've just been testing often to keep an eye on things.....and logging everything

site change went well....and thats what i was most worried about. no kinks of blood and insulin seems to be getting where it needs to go.

Permalink Reply by Trudy on November 14, 2010 at 10:05am

I always need less insulin on the pump than on MDI. Maybe it is the steady drip of basal, which is more like a functioning pancreas, that makes the difference.