Adjusting your insulin pump for the parks.

[trekkie2]

Ok first let me point out that I am a noob! not only to WDW but to pumping in general. My question is when you are in the parks, does the endless hours of walking make up for the fact that the carb counts are going to be much higher than I am used to. Do you have a "park" setting for your pumps? I will test plenty and try to be careful what I eat, but I want to enjoy myself and not spend my time in the parks feeling terrible. If i wanted that I would have saved my self $3000 and binged at Mcd's Any good pumping park tips out there?

 

[Selket]

Well....you are probably an adult and my experience is with a child from 26 months to 6 yrs old with type 1 diabetes. So he has been strollered around WDW a good chunk of that time - not so much walking as an adult would do perhaps.

This is a good website: http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/diabetes.htm It is Disney with Type 1 Diabetes.

I've found there were so many variables affecting his numbers that we did not usually need to change any settings on his pump. The weather (hot or mild), his activity level, perhaps his stress level on some of the rides (he is a thrill rider), and guessing at the carb counts (over or under guessing) just make for a crazy day!

I just suggest to test yourself more than usual so you can keep on top of any highs or lows and adjust the pump and/or your eating accordingly.

I would LOVE a trip report!

 

[tinkerbell_29]

My suggestion would be to talk with your doctor about an alternative basal rate for your pump. Not sure which one you have and since they are all different I know on my minimed I can do a standard basal or an A pattern or a B pattern. I switch between the three depending on activity level carbs and other factors. With you being new to the pump it would be better for a DR to set that up for you. Most important things test a lot and have fun.

Lissa

 

[Selket]

Thinking of a "park" setting for the pump - one thing we have done sometimes (but not at WDW) is do a "temp" basal (Animas pump). We will set his pump to give a percentage less insulin if he is doing a lot of activity (like 30% or 50%).

At the beach when he was off his pump completely he didn't need any basal replacement. You might find if you're going in the hot summer and walking alot that you can reduce the basal or suspend the basal for awhile.