cant get used to pump

**Posts:** 27 **Joined:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:24 pm

yesterday was my first day on a pump (i rented one,its dana pump made by sooil)its really small and has remote which is ameter at the same time.till now things are ok,but i guess i need time to feel good about having it with me all the time,im founding difficulty in counting carbs ,although i did ok before using pump( was on lantus and humalog)but things are different now i dont know when to take step or extended insulin , any one can help me with this?

**Posts:** 1 **Joined:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:36 pm

I have only had my pump for about 3 months. It has had great moments and not so great moments. I had been using my Minimed for about a month when I emailed my pump trainer a rather lengthy and angry email saying that I was ready to throw the thing across the room. I felt like everything I had learned before no longer applied. Luckily, my trainer is an infinitly patient woman who knew what to say. So, I'll share what she told me....."cool your jets! Things won't be perfect, but we can make this work." Now, two months later I have learned a lot more. I did have to change my insulin to carb ratios and I am still fiddling with basal rates...sometimes nothing seems right. But, for me life is much better with the pump. Things aren't as bad as they first seem...just take your time and ask all the questions you think of. I guess I love having my insulin with me all the time in a small travel package. It is awesome to leave the house in the morning and not think about packing insulin and needles. I just grab my meter and I am good for as many test strips as I have. Sure, I was able to be flexible with Lantus and Humalog...but I have found more flexibility with my pump.

**Posts:** 6 **Joined:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:58 pm

I agree with the last poster. I have just been on mine a week and the first day I had some bad lows but my Endo instructed me to test at 12am, 3am and at 6am and report back in the am. When I reported the 52 and the other two not so low but lower readings she had me change my carb and ISR rates and add another basal for the overnight. I'm sure when I go back this Friday and she downloads the pump data some other basals changes will be made. Are you under a CDE or Endo's supervision? If not you should be. Hang in there.

**Posts:** 1 **Joined:** Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:58 am

I've been on a pump since March and the best thing I've done was purchase and read Pumping Insulin by John Walsh. Amazon.com has most bookstores don't. Get your basals set and you'll have no problems at all the book walks you through testing.

**Posts:** 6 **Joined:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:58 pm

I agree with you, ruri1985 should buy the book "Pumping Insulin" I was wondering though if he/she had healthcare providers helping he/she. I bought the book too and will be using it as soon as I am told to begin testing.

**Posts:** 14 **Joined:** Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:39 pm

I started the 15th of October and I do have my moments when I would like to just rip this out of me and move on!!

But, It has been so much better having my insulin with me, and not have to worry about being back to get my insulin, or taking a cooler with me to keep it cold or simply running into traffic or something and not being prepared.

I was on lantus and humulog. I have found my BS is better, with the pump, than not on it. I'm also more responsible with the pump (ie checking my bs more often, really watching what I eat etc.). I did get sick about a week ago and I have yet to come back down to the range I was before I got sick. I know it will take sometime, but I did call my pump trainer and we were able to adjust.

There is a learning curve, it takes time. But overall I do think this is better than carrying around needles and insulin and constantly worrying about if I have alcohol pads. Now I have had a few site changes that happened at bad times (during a mtg, mine started to bleed). But Its far better than before.

Be patient!! take a deep breath and call until someone is able to help you. You will get through this.

**Posts:** 27 **Joined:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:24 pm

thanks and sorry for being late .i had an awful week with my pump ,yesterday i threw it away had shot of lantus and went to bed

.it all started when i wanted to take a bath,my pump trainer told me to disconnect pump so i did but i didnt know what to do with the tube inserted in my skin(its not covered,not even with plaster in fact ihad plaster around the infusion set not on it :!:

) so i called my trainer and asked how safe is it to get my bloody infusios set and the unremovable plaster wet?he keeps telling me every thing is going to be ok,but i cant trust him.today im wearing it again but idont kow if i can handle this any more im not used to it yet and i hate having it bothering me all over the night it makes me feel dependent.any suggestions

?

**Posts:** 6 **Joined:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:58 pm

I am using the quickset infusion set and there is a cover that comes with each set to cover the site when you want to bathe. Also you can cover it with a dressing such as polyfilm, etc. which are skin like bandages. I cover mine to keep the adhesive dry while showering. I just started on the pump two weeks ago but think it's great not having to inject. As far as sleeping I am wearing pajamas now and I keep the pump in a little velvet pouch that I have pinned to my pj's. It seems to keep the pump from moving around at night.

Website · Re: cant get used to pump **by joe_licorice** Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:42 am

ruri1985 wrote:

so i called my trainer and asked how safe is it to get my bloody infusios set and the unremovable plaster wet?he keeps telling me every thing is going to be ok,but i cant trust him.

today im wearing it again but idont kow if i can handle this any more im not used to it yet and i hate having it bothering me all over the night it makes me feel dependent.any suggestions

rudi, stop pumping. why would you do something so awful, so painful, and so scary? what motivated you to get a pump in the first place? did someone tell you a pump was magic and all of your diabetic problems would disappear and everything would be perfect and rainbows for ever and ever with a pump?

if you sit down and really think about these things and decide you want to pump, and you decide it's not awful, and think to yourself it's not so scary - then first find a trainer you CAN trust, keep an open mind, and commit to do all the things you need to do to switch to pumping - including reading all the materials that came with the pump, and keeping a list of questions for your trainer.

also, in case you needed an answer to your bathing question right away, NOTHING will happen if you get your infusion set wet. all modern infusion systems are designed to be submerged in water (bath water, sea water, etc,). I don't cover mine at all. ever. i've even been in a swamp with mine.

I hope you are okay and can find some help.

**Posts:** 14 **Joined:** Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:39 pm

I'm so sorry you are still having difficulty with the pump. Not sure what type of pump, site you are using, but I got this thin film from the pharmacy that I use to cover it when I shower. I disconnect the tube and pump from my body. So the only thing connected is the site, the tube is still with the pump.

I got a small carrying bag for sunglasses that I pin into what I'm wearing for bed. I have found the wrap around body things were not comfortable for me.

Find a trainer you can trust. This is your health, take control of it. Even though I've been discharged from her care, my trainer still gives me advice and works with me. Please find someone new before you give it all up.

Good luck!

cant get used to pump

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