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February 9th, 2012
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I try to change my infusion site every 3 days. Generally, I hit the mark almost perfectly at 72 hours. Lately, I've been running the pump all the way to the last drop of insulin so my infusion sites go a little longer (only about 5 hours). I've just gotten lazy in changing them out.

 

Even before I started doing that, my pump supplies started piling up. I would get shipments for 3 months before I was anywhere near being out. I have a 3-month supply just sitting in my closet while I still use the current supply I have (about 1 month). My next shipment will probably be here within the month.

 

I know part of my problem is that I don't change the infusion sets when I start seeing high blood sugars. I'm still not used to the pump in that area (being so dependent on its delivery and absorption). I just keep bolusing, sometimes with syringes, to get my blood sugars down.

 

The last few days are a prime example. My blood sugars seemed to stick in the 300's. They would start to come down, but as soon as I ate and bolused, they soared back up. At some points, I would get decent numbers (below 200 at this point) so I didn't think it was the infusion set. So I just kept correcting and trying to avoid food.

 

Eventually, the reservoir ran out of insulin so I was forced to change the site. I put the new infusion set in my thigh. It hurt more than normal, but I thought it was just because I hadn't used the area in awhile. When I bolused for dinner, I started receiving the "No Delivery" alarms. After three of these (and a lot of maneuvering on my part), I decided to change the infusion set again.

 

I successfully bolused with the new set. But a few hours after the site change, I was still high. So I did another correction bolus and waited. I kept waiting...until three am. Finally, my blood sugar landed at 125. By morning, I was 92.

 

By the time I showered, I was 149. After a low carb breakfast (half a glass of milk), I was 266. A correction bolus brought me back into the 140's. I was too scared to eat many carbs at lunch so I ate a salad. A quick walk through the mall and that lunch has me at 152 right now.

 

I know I need to be more stringent in changing the infusion sets if I start seeing high blood sugars (man, does this make me miss MDI's!!!). But I'm also concerned that it isn't just bad infusion sites. Could it be my pump? Could it be me? This whole week has me wanting a bottle of Lantus and some syringes.

 

Maybe I just need a break from the pump. Or maybe MDI's would throw me for a loop as well. If only I could see the future...




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Michelle Kowalski
Michelle KowalskiMichelle Kowalski, a writer, editor and photography hobbiest living in Phoenix, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2005. In January 2008, as part of her quest to start on an insulin pump, Michelle learned that she actually has type 1 diabetes. (Read More)
Carey Potash
Carey PotashCarey is a full-time hater of diabetes. The benefits stink. His 7-year-old son, Charlie, has been giving he and his wife the finger since November of 2003. Carey's parenting humor has appeared in various websites and print magazines. He resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and three children. (Read More)
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