• Find Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

dLife Daily Tips

When is the best time to exercise?

Read More View All Tips

Diabetes Questions & Answers
Your diabetes questions answered by our Experts and Community.


Can't find the answer you are looking for?
Ask a new question
The Question
11/17/11 10:11 PM

"How can I determine if my pump site is working when I have hyperglycemia and my pump has given a bolus? I don't want to overdose with an injection."
Asked By: 2dognite  
Category: Pumping Issues

Background Info Hide
Today, after sampling some food at the supermarket, my glucose, at 7:15 pm was 414 mg/dl. My pump gave 5.4 units of Apidra. At 7:39 pm my meter reading was 442. At 8:33 pm, it was 395. Now, at 9:55 pm, it is 256. I don't want to overdose insulin by taking an injection of insulin, if the pump site is working. How do I handle this situation, which has happened before? Do I always have to assume the pump site is bad and replace the infusion set? How long should I wait for my blood sugar reading to come down?

Expert Answers (1)

11/23/11 09:34 PM

Dear 2dognite: Good question, and good for you to recognize the importance of staying on top of things and NOT over-correcting (which can be very dangerous).

My "rule" is to take a correction bolus when indicated. One hour later, if the blood sugar has risen, change the site. However, recognizing that your BG may have continued to rise before the bolus started working, sometimes you may wish to wait 90-120 minutes. As you can see your BG was clearly coming down within 90 minutes and continued to drop. Therefore, it was a good site. Another thing to keep in mind is that most "bad" sites occur when a new infusion set is placed. Typically once an infusion site is placed and BG stable for a time, the site won't suddenly stop working (unless you have worn it too long).

Always stick with your pump regimen and change to a new site every 3 days unless you have found you need to change more often.

Good luck, and happy pumping!

Answered By: Anne Carroll
Accreditations: RN, CDE
Sources Show

Community Answers (0)

There are currently no community answers to this question. Be the first to Post an Answer

Most Recent Pumping Issues Questions:

Scheduled for a colonoscopy. I am on a pump and was told not to take short acting insulin before the procedure. Should I just remove the pump?
Infected pump infusion site... will this go away on its own?
I am type 1 diabetic. Since I began exercising, my BS have gone up. How do I fix this?
What does your A1c have to be at to get an insulin pump? If your A1c is 9.5 can you be put on a insulin pump?
medicare refuses to pay for infusion sets because my c-peotide is.90 rather than min. of .88. what can i do?
I had to change from Humolog to Novoline R.I am on a pump too.I did this at the last min at the RX due to ins coverage.Do I need to change pump stting
What brands of insulin pumps does Medicare cover?

 

*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

Sign up for FREE dLife Newsletters

dLife Membership is FREE! Get exclusive access, free recipes, newsletters, savings, and much more! FPO

FPO

Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!

dLife Weekly Poll

If you experience pain as a result of your diabetes, what have you found to be the best way to alleviate it?

View Results
More Polls
More Diabetes Information
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
More dLife Information
Copyright © 2012 LifeMed Media, Inc.    All Rights Reserved.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.