Thanks, I have been resisting a pump but it is starting to make more sense. I already split the levemir although even at the lower dose I will fall 8 points overnight. I also climb with no sugar in the morning by about 6 points so take insulin just for this. Also prone to climb if a little high for the first hour or so during intense exercise so this may be why I struggle later in the ride. I hope you can settle my nerves about the security of your pump (no issues with it catching, tearing out or even detaching when hot and sweaty)
Hi Industrialist and welcome to the forum.
I switched to a pump six years ago, and have found life a lot more flexible. It takes a bit of time to get it set to your own needs, but I found that there was plenty of help with this from DSN, consultant and rep, with the opportunity to ask for help when needed. I went off on a winter walking week straight after starting on the pump. A bit scary but I quickly realised the benefits of this over Multiple Daily Injections for me.
As
@Matt Cycle said the use of temporary basal rates (TBR) makes exercise a lot easier, especially managing the time afterwards. When I do a full day of walking, I use a TBR of 50% during the day, dropping this even further if it is particularly strenuous, and then use 80% for the four hours following. This has been worked out by trial and improvement, but well worth sorting it out.
I have only had an issue of catching the tubing in the morning, catching it on a door handle, and honking out the cannula. Simple enough to put a new one in. Otherwise I simply tuck it away once dressed and with the accu chek I control it all from my handset, and don’t need any access to the pump during the day, so tubing is well out of the way.
If you have any questions about pumping, just ask.
I've only been on the pump for 11 months but for me it has made quite a big difference when cycling. The temporary basals on the pump are crucial as I will drop it to a ~65% level for the duration of the ride and then a ~80% overnight following a ride. I was on the same as you - NovoRapid and Levemir and used to split the Levemir doses am and pm. This meant I could reduce the basal before a ride but it was a bit of a blunt instrument. It then involved consuming carbs and yoyo-ing levels. I managed okay on MDI but the finer control I have now makes it easier. It sounds like the basal is your problem. Splitting doses and reducing it is a potential solution.
