Any Pumpers here ?

[EUROPA]

I just recently started on the MinMed 508 I was wondering if anyone else here has experiece with this pump? Does the sport guard work? Incase I go swimming. What about the Humalog, has the Florida heat made the insulin in the pump go bad or less effective ? Just wondering about any specific problems that you may have found.

 

[lisapooh]

I can't answer your questions as I do a poor man's pump via injection. I would say that the summer heat here is not any worse than that of SC. If no one can give you answers here you might ask on the diabetic newsgroups or the Lehigh list.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm not sure if this link will work, but here's a search result for insulin pumps.
There were a couple of really good threads a while back where people gave specific information about their experiences with pumps. I hope you get some "new responses" but in case you don't, you can start here.

 

[LindaDVC]

I have had a pump for over 5 years so not a 508!
I love it and haven't had any trouble with the Florida heat and the insulin.
I always take mine off at water parks and pools. At that time I put it in a small cooler type bag. I have put the sports guard on when I am on rides that might get splashed like the river ride in Animal Kingdom.

Linda

 

[EUROPA]

Thanks everyone so far. I really haven't even started on the pump yet. It happens Monday. That is my last class on the pump. I really can't wait though! I hope my results are just as good as all of the stories that I've seen about it. If anyone else has information then bring it on ....

 

[piratesmate]

Congrats! I hope you'll be as pleased with yours as I am with mine!

I've been on a pump for more than 15 years & was to WDW twice. This is my 3rd pump & it's ready to get replaced, so it's still the 507.

The first time I was using Velosulin (Aug) & this last Humalog (May). I had no trouble with the heat & the insulin - but I use a lot & need to refill the syringe if I don't change the site after about 36 hours . . . so I guess it doesn't really have time to go bad. I always carry a bottle to the parks that has enough to make a change of setup & no more. (along with setups, batteries, test kit, a few strips, crackers & candy - & plenty of zip lock bags)

When I go on Splash Mtn & Kali, etc. I just disconnect the pump from the line & put the pump in a zip lock baggie. Even though I use the QuikRelease lines, I always just pull the syringe out of the pump & tuck it into my shorts. (I always worry about contamination from opening the line at the QR when I'm away from home.) I've never had any trouble with this.

If you plan to go to the water parks, check with your doctor about how long you can disconnect from the pump. Years ago, my doctor told me to stop being so anal & just disconnect for 2-3 hours when swimming. (I used to get out every hour & bolus the amount I just missed.) At the water park, I disconnected & put the pump in a locker & just got it out every couple of hours. I've never used the sport guard.

Be sure to stay well hydrated while in the parks/heat & don't forget to test often. I don't know about you, but even just sitting in the sun/heat lowers my blood sugar - big time!

Again - good luck! If you want to chat one-on-one about the pump, use my e-mail. I tend to forget to check for private messages here!

 

[EUROPA]

Great thanks piratesmate for the info! I just stated today on it and I already feel more free even though I'm connected all the time. That will only make sense to people with Diabetes. I'm looking foward to my trip even more now. We'll be in the "WORLD" in November for 6 days at the Animal Kingdom Lodge . Then we are going back in December another trip to Universal. For some reason i'm just worried about the Humalog. I'm sure the more that I use it the better I will feel about it in the heat.


Thanks Everyone!

 

[lisapooh]

You shouldn't have any problem with humalog in November. I carry it in my purse without any refrigeration that time of year. Only use the cool carry during June, July, August.

 

[tink2dw]

If you should need any insulin or syringes or to dispose of used equipement like a syringe the First aide stations in all the parks are Happy to Help you!! I forgot in the morning rush to add more syringes to my case so,I was caught at MGM at our fantazmic Dinner package without a syringe and the Aide Station came through for me!! And just before we left WDW I took all my used syringes to an Aide station and I was able to put all the used syringes in a Sharps Container,so I didn't have to transport Medical waste on an airplane.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by tink2dw
If you should need any insulin or syringes or to dispose of used equipement like a syringe the First aide stations in all the parks are Happy to Help you!! I forgot in the morning rush to add more syringes to my case so,I was caught at MGM at our fantazmic Dinner package without a syringe and the Aide Station came through for me!! And just before we left WDW I took all my used syringes to an Aide station and I was able to put all the used syringes in a Sharps Container,so I didn't have to transport Medical waste on an airplane.

Never even thought about the Medical waste part. I always pack my stuff up with me and take it home. Is there some sort of regulation about that and Airplanes ?

 

[lisapooh]

Several times the resorts have provideed me with a sharps container. In a pinch I will use an empty plastic soda bottle as a sharps container. Really great.

 

[piratesmate]

Europa,

I don't know about any regulations. I never thought about it either. I always carry serveral spare syringe ends with me so that I can re-fill the syringe instead of changing the setup every day. (I use a lot of insulin.) They're capped, so they just go with the rest of the waste - and I DO carry mine home.

Also, because the setups use a teflon cannula, the only other 'needle' to deal with is the one used to insert the cannula. (Is that spelled right??) That is the one I always worry about - there is no covering provided for it. I never thought about using an empty soda bottle. That would be great - although it's larger than what I do use. First I "thread it through" the empty syringe wrapper. It's so thin that it breaks easily & once I poked myself with it when picking up all of the empty papers. Then I take the little plastic cover that is packed with the tubing & put it on the end - as far as it goes. Then I fold the paper wrapper around the whole thing & put it in a baggy to carry home. Actually, I use the same routine here at home. It's so easy to get poked with the insertion needle.

BTW - Once each box, I trade the old plastic cover out of the little tube they provide & use that one. I re-use these covers when I take a shower. Whenever I swim, I switch them each time I change setups.

How's the pump working for you??

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by piratesmate
Europa,

I don't know about any regulations. I never thought about it either. I always carry serveral spare syringe ends with me so that I can re-fill the syringe instead of changing the setup every day. (I use a lot of insulin.) They're capped, so they just go with the rest of the waste - and I DO carry mine home.
How's the pump working for you??

I use a lot as well. I'm highly insulin resistant. The pump has been great. I'm still working on getting my rates correct. It was much easier when I managed my own Insulin. I knew how much it would take per shot to get me through the day. Seem like now I'm taking more..but I really am still taking alot less...The euducator I guess does not think that I'm right about the amount that i take per day. Right now I'm taking about half of what I was per day vs shots. So as soon as I get my basal and blous rates correct it will be a great thing. I love the pump itself...easy to use. I still am a little sensitive with the tubing....I think that I'm going to break it or kink it.

What do you do with the extra tubing ?

 

[piratesmate]

I started to answer you here, but realized it was too long. I've sent a private message to you with the answer.

 

[Ninilchicken]

I've had a pump for 15 years, we went to Florida last Dec. for 18 days and didn't have any problems with it. I don't disconnect for any acitivities. I have a case to seal it up for the pool, it works great, even after my husband cracked the band that holds it tight, I have RA and my hands couldn't manage it, but some duct tape fixed it. It didn't even get damp on the water rides, Kali River Rapids, Splash Mountain. Your clothes are covering it and it's in a case, if you were worried you could wear a poncho. I checked a couple of times when my clothes were really wet, but with it inside my pants, with a shirt over top, inside its leather case, it was fine.

 

[coachv]

Piratesmate,

If you don't mind please send me the info on extra tubing. I am going to be going on the 508 next
month. I am so ready!!!!!!!!!!! I currently take Humalog and Humulin L. My blood sugars run on the
low side. I also have problems trying to keep a busy schedule and maintaining my long term insulin.
I hate it!!!!!! The pump is my salvation. I have excellent test reports but looking forward to the freedom.
4

 

[piratesmate]

CoachV - Awesome!!!

Going on the pump was the greatest thing I ever did for myself and for my family! I was swinging wildly - 350 at 3pm & <50 at 3am, every 12 hours! The pump has helped greatly. I have since lost my adrenaline response & have no idea (unless I've recently tested) when it drops . . . until it hits ~40. Then my lips & tongue get numb. It doesn't happen often & I can't imagine how bad it would be without the pump - all that built up insulin waiting to hit. AUGH!

Anyway, I'm sure you'll be very happy with yours!

Re: the extra tubing . . . I just take up the slack & tuck it into my waistband. With jeans, they are tight enough I have no trouble with that. I have found that it is better to put it inside both jeans & underwear. Otherwise, it gets kind of tangled when using the bathroom.

In the summer, I wear shorts that are much looser in the waist than my jeans. Then I sometimes have trouble with the corners of drawers or the tops of chairs reaching out & grabbing the tubing! It really seems to be affected by how snug the waistband is.

When you have your training session, make sure you ask about the method they recommend for people who say the adhesive comes loose when they sweat. (I tried sending a PM to Europa on this & it took me about 4 because of the size limit.) I use that method - not because I sweat a lot, but because my skin is very dry. It works for me. But try to remember to ask. I'm sure that having them show it to you would be better than trying to read about it. It took some trial & error for me using their printed explanation before I got it right.

Good luck & let me know how you make out. If you have any questions or just want to chat about the pump, here is my email:
piratesmatey@yahoo.com Something happened to my other Yahoo account. I haven't been able to get in all week.

 

[coachv]

Thanks Piratesmate.....I can't tell when my blood sugar gets low until it hits below 50. My wife can tell but I can't. I hate it when my lips go numb!!! I will ask that question because I have a very active job. Do you know of any other websites with info or chat rooms to go to on pump users. I have the Minimed site but I want more than their viewpoint. Thanks for the info.

 

[EUROPA]

Here are a couple that I've found.

http://www.insulin-pumpers.org
They have great charts as far as what pumps people are using and so on. You have to subscribe to get to all of the content. There is no charge and they do not give out your information.


This website sells unique accessories for you pump.

https://safe.netnation.com/~uniaccs/new/PumpCatalog.htm

 

[LindaDVC]

We just got back from Disney's Hilton Head Island and my blood was going up and down more than usual. Alot of lows due to the swimming, biking, and walking around the resort and beach --even though I compensated with decreased settings and more snacking!!

One thing I really wanted to do was kayak. I debated whether it was a good idea but hated not to. I decided to leave the pump in the room and I would pack snacks, a tester, water, and a syringe with insulin for the 2 hour trip. I just couldn't risk my pump getting wet.

Two days in a row I got already to go and it was too windy to go. One day was 25 mile an hour winds! So I never got to try it out -- next trip I definitely will!

Linda