How often do you change your insulin cartridge (reservoir)?

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Permalink Reply by Sarah S. on October 10, 2008 at 12:58pm

I generally change everything at the same time. Exceptions include when I've had a site either get ripped or go bad and I don't want to take the time to do a new reservoir as well; also when I'm using Comfort Shorts as you can get a box of half full sets and half just cannulas - when I use these, I use the full set the first two days, then switch to an extra cannula the second two days. I too have noticed a generally off quality to my insulin on days 4 and on. So, I will change the reservoir and tubing ALWAYS at the same time, but will change my cannula more often. I tend to have better results with Insets as I have to do a full change with these (all-in-one insertion device with the cannula and tubing together). I use a Cozmo 1800 series.
Hope this helps!

-Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Gina on October 11, 2008 at 6:32am

Thanks Sarah, sometimes we do the same thing too with the Comfort Short, we use a full infusion set the first day and we change only the cannula 2 days after. These days, we usually change everything after 3 days if everything goes well!

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Permalink Reply by Faz on October 10, 2008 at 2:48pm

I change everything every 3 days when it runs out. I am using the Minimed Pardigm 715
just got done changing it now

Frank

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Permalink Reply by Andy Barnes on October 10, 2008 at 2:57pm

-Do you change you infusion set, reservoir and tubing at the same time? Yes
-How many days in between the changes? I go 3 1/2 to 4 days depending on how long the insulin last that I load.
-What is your pump's brand? MM 722 I only fill the resovor 1/2 full when I start.
What insulin are you using in your pump? That can make a difference as some insulins are stable at higher Temps.

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Permalink Reply by Gina on October 11, 2008 at 6:34am

Thanks Andy, it is true that the brand of insulin is a relevant question!

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on October 10, 2008 at 3:46pm

I push the limits on this, but it seems to work for me.

-Do you change you infusion set, reservoir and tubing at the same time? No, almost never.
-If not, how often do you change your reservoir? every 9 days
-How many days in between the changes? change infusion set every 5 days
-What is your pump's brand? Cozmo

On day 6, I start to notice reduced effectiveness of insulin. Most people experience it earlier. Supposedly, what I am doing is not good for me in the long run because I will run out of places to put the pump (it takes longer for pump sites to heal that were left in 5 days...). But for now, this is the best for me. But I won't try to convince others to leave it in for 5 days!

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Permalink Reply by Gina on October 11, 2008 at 6:45am

HI Kristin, thanks! Do you have bumps sometimes where you had a site? I am asking this because the doctors would say that where we leave a set past 4 days becomes less likely to "absorb" the insulin the next time you put it exactly there (creating like an invisible insulin resistant bump). I know that people are made different and that you're a strong one ;)

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on October 11, 2008 at 7:05am

Yes, i get these bumps, not all the time, but most of the time. I still am able to find places with good insulin absorption, but I have to avoid these bumps and they take 3+ months to disappear. So I am all polka dotted :) But still I am able to find places with good insulin absorption... I hope that I always will!!!

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Permalink Reply by Scott E on October 11, 2008 at 6:49am

I generally change my set (tubing, reservoir, infusion set) every 3 to 3 1/2 days. Usually the site gets irritated at the third day, and I've got a nice pink "pimple" in the spot where I removed the set.

90% of the time, I change everything together. Exceptions are if I need to change early because of irritability, if I need to move my site because of an activity (i.e. swimming), or if I'm in a real hurry and don't have the time to devote to getting a bubble-free reservoir.

I confess (and I know this is bad) that when I change a set, I inject the leftover insulin from the reservoir back into the insulin vial. I hate waste, and there's always about 20-30 units left when I change it. I won't inject into a new insulin vial, though.

I use the Minimed 515 with Silouhette infusion sets. I do wish tubing was packaged with the reservoir and not with the infusion set (cannula) itself. I thow out a lot of unused tubing because of this.

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Permalink Reply by Will Johnson on November 14, 2008 at 12:27am

I change everything at once every 3 days. Using the Medtronic Minimed Paradigm 522. The reservoir only holds enough for 3 days. Works for me.

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Permalink Reply by Dee Meloche on November 15, 2008 at 12:07pm

I change my infusionset every 3 days and my cartridge every 6.My tubing comes attached to my set already.My pump is Animas 2020.

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Permalink Reply by Unicornzzz on November 15, 2008 at 3:16pm

Yes I change both at the same time. I can only go 2 days between changes because I use so much insulin. I use about 150 units a day. I use the Cozmore.

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