Super bolus on a Minimed 512 insulin pump

[Christheatheist1]

Very clever! Thanks for the tip.

[SoundStrayKat]

Very cool, thank you, I am going to use this.

I like how you are using the prime feature to keep the integrety of the IOB, and it is also a good way to keep track of the use of the Super Bolus over time. Thank you again.

[bernfarr]

You are most welcome. Though I didn't come up with the concept. I still use this approach several times a week, it's a great way to take the top off those high blood sugars.

I also use a temporary basal rate as a way to reduce oncoming lows.

[OllieCClarke]

How did you get your hands on both a minimed AND a Animas 2020. Lucky you. Great videos By the way thank you

[pumper8415]

***I wear a paradigm pump and cut a small hole in the top, inside of both pockets of all the pants I wear. I make it big enough so the round part of the infusion set can fit through. So, I put the pump in my pocket and pull the round tubing part through the hole and attach it to my stomach. The extra just sits in my pocket or hangs inside of my pants. No one ever sees the pump or the tubing. And, no one has ever commented on the holes.***

[bernfarr]

Nice idea. I don't mind showing the tubing, but I HATE IT when it snags on something that I'm walking by. Do you still wear the pump on your belt?

[pumper8415]

No, I just put it directly in the pocket.

[dreamcastdre]

It is really a cool concept but I wouldn't trust myself to do it :D I've got a 512 too (clear) but I'll be getting a 722 with the CGM components so I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully I can finally say goodbye to those scary overnight lows!

[bernfarr]

I'll bet you love the CGM. They take a while to get used to. It's easy to fall into the trap of micro-management, but you get over that.

The super bolus is best used when you have a HIGH blood sugar reading (say over 280). Then it helps drop your BG more quickly. You're not actually taking extra insulin, you're just moving some of the basal insulin forward in time.

It's not for everyone. Like any technique use it with caution. For me, it's another handy tool for improving diabetes control.

[MadAidy]

I've had Diabetes for 10 years now and this is a GOD-SEND i've been on it 6 months I strongly advise people who have to inject go ahead and get the pump i changes your life

[rhdtv2002]

@MadAidy thanks so much..I have been for 20 years and now just looking into this..lucky for me my insurance covers it all, just have to pay my copay for insulin..

[MadAidy]

i'd seriously get it :) you get my approval :D

[shifty408]

i got that same pump today!

[MidnightButterfly222]

also.. another point that i notice is that your basal daily totals info on the minimed pump would end up skewed by following this method of bolus in the way that you are doing it.. (omitting a record of actual insulin given) i guess i'd just rather use the idea but put the basal amount into body thru regular bolus method rather than thru priming..lol. i also wouldn't want to use the priming as bolusing cuz it would mess with the only record i keep that helps reminds me of when to change my site.

[bernfarr]

Agreed. You've made a number of great points.

I only use this to correct a bad high. At that point I don't see the stats as being very useful.

Note that you can't deliver extra basal as a bolus, because you don't want it to add to your insulin on board numbers. Basal dosing never counts in IOB values.

I've used this on a Minimed and reminders to change aren't affected.

[MidnightButterfly222]

i like this concept of the SuperBolus though!, that is Awesomely smart! the more options, the better! ;D

[MidnightButterfly222]

i read the website but i'm still confused as to why you don't want that superbolus to show up in your IOB..? why does it matter that you are not counting that "basal amount taken as a bolus"..? after all it is in effect as a bolus now since you've just given the whole amount all at once and therefore is going to be able to affect your BG. i'd want to know that info in my IOB just in case i made the mistake of checkin my bg too early, n' forgetting i had bolused, so that i didn't over correct!

[bernfarr]

Normally basal doses don't show up in your insulin on board (IOB) numbers. So if you stopped the basal for a while and simply added the amount to your bolus it would affect your IOB numbers. By priming the pump, the insulin is given immediately instead of over one or more hours, but it doesn't show up on the IOB numbers.

You're moving the basal dose forward in time. Your basal dose is the same over a 24 hour period, but some of it has been taken early.

Also read the article by John Walsh.

[lazydonkey07]

i have the 712 in purple.

[1dree]

dude i have that same pump i have diabetes to