Patch pump help

[Inka]

In order to know my set change has worked properly I need to consume carbs and bolus. If my readings are high well then I know my set change has not worked and I need to complete another set change. Using all of the insulin is not a concern for me as I am very sensitive to insulin and only use just over a total of 20 units daily.

I’ve had a pump for many, many years and I often change my cannula when I’m not going to bolus. It’s advised to do it before a meal or snack, but it’s not crucial and I just do it when I have time. I’ve never had anything go wrong by doing this.

A site with poor absorption will still show itself even without a bolus. As long as you’re testing regularly, you’ll see the higher sugars. Remember too that some people use a system where they only partly use the pump. One person at my clinic uses the pump for basal only and boluses from a pen. Not an issue.

 

[InsulinPumpUser]

I have been pumping for 5 years and trust my pump. If it is not working it beeps at me.
Maybe I am lucky that I have no absorption problems.

I have been pumping 8 years and although I do not have absorption problems I have had bent cannula's but I did not always get an alarm to alert me.

 

[InsulinPumpUser]

That makes sense. If that’s an important criterion for you, then it’s crucial to be 100% sure the pump you choose fulfills it. I don’t want a patch pump but if I did I’d want similar flexibility over the 72 hour thing just like you. For me flexibility is crucial. The pump works for me, I don’t work for it.

That is why I want to make sure the new pump works for me just like my previous pumps have.

 

[helli]

I have been pumping 8 years and although I do not have absorption problems I have had bent cannula's but I did not always get an alarm to alert me.

If you have cannula issues, this is something to consider with patch pumps - you have no choice of cannula.
With a tubey pump, I always used the inset 30 cannulas as I have little fat so needed a cannula to go in at an angle.
I was concerned by the angle of my patch pump needle but it has been ok. Thankfully.

 

[InsulinPumpUser]

I’ve had a pump for many, many years and I often change my cannula when I’m not going to bolus. It’s advised to do it before a meal or snack, but it’s not crucial and I just do it when I have time. I’ve never had anything go wrong by doing this.

A site with poor absorption will still show itself even without a bolus. As long as you’re testing regularly, you’ll see the higher sugars. Remember too that some people use a system where they only partly use the pump. One person at my clinic uses the pump for basal only and boluses from a pen. Not an issue.

I normally do my set change before I eat my breakfast. I am still doing 8-10 finger pricks a day as well as scanning with the FreeStyle Libre so I should see higher sugars when they arise.

 

[InsulinPumpUser]

If you have cannula issues, this is something to consider with patch pumps - you have no choice of cannula.
With a tubey pump, I always used the inset 30 cannulas as I have little fat so needed a cannula to go in at an angle.
I was concerned by the angle of my patch pump needle but it has been ok. Thankfully.

My current pump goes in the same way as the patch pumps.

There are lots of different things to consider when choosing a pump. Insulin pens were so simple in comparison but a pump gives me a better HbA1c due to me being so sensitive to insulin. The 1/2 unit pen didn't even work for me.

 

[trophywench]

Pens are simple - shame people's bodies and insulin requirements aren't!

Pumps aren't pancreases either - but you gotta keep trying and make the best out of whatever tools are at your disposal at the time.

You are asking all the right questions - but as always, you may well not like some of the answers. We all just have to sift through all the info knowing the possible cons as well as the pros, and make the best decision for you right now. Just because it suits you now, never means it will still suit you in 4 or 5 years time.

 

[InsulinPumpUser]

Pens are simple - shame people's bodies and insulin requirements aren't!

Pumps aren't pancreases either - but you gotta keep trying and make the best out of whatever tools are at your disposal at the time.

You are asking all the right questions - but as always, you may well not like some of the answers. We all just have to sift through all the info knowing the possible cons as well as the pros, and make the best decision for you right now. Just because it suits you now, never means it will still suit you in 4 or 5 years time.

"Pens are simple - shame people's bodies and insulin requirements aren't! "

All answers are helpful. I am someone who prefers as many points of view and as much information as possible.

If only I had a magic wand that could give me the answer as to which pump to choose!! 😎

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I think the thought of tubeless is swaying me as I normally do a set change every 3 days any way but it is just that I do not want to have to do it exactly every 72 hours. With my current pump it could be a few hours earlier or later and it still works fine.

I am slightly confused...

Where have you got the impression that it needs to be exactly 72 hours? That seems very inflexible. Is this for the Roche Solo?

What if the site failed? You would have to be able to change it earlier in some circumstances surely?

 

[InsulinPumpUser]

I am slightly confused...

Where have you got the impression that it needs to be exactly 72 hours? That seems very inflexible. Is this for the Roche Solo?

What if the site failed? You would have to be able to change it earlier in some circumstances surely?

Post 6 in this thread will answer your question, "Does the infusion assembly have to be replaced every 72 hours as indicated here, https://www.diabettech.com/patch-pump/the-roche-accu-chek-solo-micropump-so-just-what-is-it/?".

Also, here is the link to the thread I started, https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/which-of-these-6-pumps-is-best.91833/, where you will also find the answer, "I do not like the fact that the Omnipod has to be changed exactly every 72 hours (although the nurse said there was a slight leeway of approximately one hour)."

I do not want to hi-jack Type1singlemum thread. I only posted a question because daiseyc stated "Happy to answer any questions across the board if needed 🙂"

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Post 6 in this thread will answer your question, "Does the infusion assembly have to be replaced every 72 hours as indicated here, https://www.diabettech.com/patch-pump/the-roche-accu-chek-solo-micropump-so-just-what-is-it/?".

Also, here is the link to the thread I started, https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/which-of-these-6-pumps-is-best.91833/, where you will also find the answer, "I do not like the fact that the Omnipod has to be changed exactly every 72 hours (although the nurse said there was a slight leeway of approximately one hour)."

Ah! Well that’s interesting... Though I think Medtronic spiel (or Tandem for that matter) generally says the “maximum life of an infusion site is 3 days” or that “infusion sites must be changed every 3 days” or something similar... but neither kean that you are bound to this timescale with little or no leeway...

It would be interesting to hear the experiences of forum Omnipod users for their experiences. I suspect they may be more reassuring than your nurse’s suggestion of an hour either way 😱

 

[helli]

A friend with an Omnipod has talked about an 8 hour leeway.
I guess they don’t want to advertise it because we may take it to the limit.
And they make money out of new pods.

You can change them more frequently if you want or need.