Diabetes Tip & Trick for Insulin Pump Users

[TristinLudlow617]

I just my insulin pump. I have a minimed paradigm revel medtronic pump. I've started on saline start and have been wearing the pump throughout the day and night. The other day my tubing go caught on a cabinet draw knob. Ouch. I came across your videos on YouTube when I searched how to hold the tubing on an insulin pump. Tucking the tubing into my underwear as you suggested has work great for me. Thanks for the Great Tip.

[dangles454]

I have the pump in my pocket, cut a whole in the inside of the pocket, run the hose through the hole on the inside of my pants and up to the infusion set so it never gets snagged or pulled by another person.

[jWilko88]

i'm 15 and have had it for 13 years. I recently bought an insulin pump and its fantastic. If your thinking about buying one, you won't regret it

[70076NUD]

Thank you for your brilliant post. Your post is a welcome one. I applaud your manner and intelligence. BTW I coil the tube and tuck it into the skivvy elastic as well. But I wear my pump on a belt using a holder for it. i use the Quikset and I don't bother with the inserter device that I have but think it is more trouble for me than it's worth.

Your efforts are appreciated.

[ItsJustJasmine]

omg your awesome! you make it seem like no big deal.. you truely are 1happydiabetic :) i love your positive attitude :D

[1HappyDiabetic]

Thanks so much! I hope you like the other videos too. You can join my site too!

[ericswifey505]

Good idea, thanks for the tip :)

[ntm05]

how big is the needle ?? i use the novofine realllllyy thiin needle...

[1HappyDiabetic]

It looks very different to a standard insulin pen or needle. Hard to explain. Maybe I'll do a quick video showing one in the future

[peaceloveandballet]

ill be pumping on july second :)

duude, im PUMPED. haha!

[1HappyDiabetic]

YOU ARE PUMPED!!!! :-)

[lexamos31094]

i just got my pump and it is soooooooooo much better than taking 4 shots a day!!!!!!!! but i hate the quick set it scares me!!

[1HappyDiabetic]

How is the quick set doing... are you used to it yet?

[onedarlingchick]

@lexamos31094 Hi, I just got the Quick Set too, and I'm terrified of it! I'm not sure why...it's like an irrational fear. :( Other than the insertion process, I love my pump! :)

[jWilko88]

i just recently got a pump but i only have water in it at moment to get use to water just to practise on at the moment. im suprised the needle doesnt even hurt one bit!

[hayleyxxxgosselin32]

really? i got my pump when i was almost 8 and i got teary eyed but now im used to it and i agree it doesnt hurt at all :]

[1HappyDiabetic]

The first time you do anything your not going to be a pro at it. Doing shots or starting pumping fits right in there. After awhile you get the hang of how make it less painful and the best places to put your infusion sets. It;s great to see how other people do it too so you can use their tips

[burbujas1987]

HI

i also have a infusion set like yours, do you have problems with it sticking to your body?

burbujas1987

[1HappyDiabetic]

Yes I do. IT's the skin type we have. Sometimes by turning the plunger after I have stuck it to me help get it to say. So your not the only one. Try using an alcohol swab too

[soccer77girl]

i have the same problem and one thing that really has helped me is using IV preps instead of just alchohol prep pads. The IV pads have a chemical that is actually for helping medical tape and equipment stick to your skin and it helps just as well with pump sites :D

[flyybirdy]

i hate to say this, but can someone help me out here. my dad has diabetes and for almost a year i've been convinced i have it too.

usually i'm full of energy, but about 11 months ago i became very tired and just could sleep for hours non stop. now in school i have to have a small snack every now and then to keep me awake. thats just what i have to do. and when i don't i fall asleep. is this a sign of diabetes?

[PeprVepr]

Yes it is, go to doctor !!! :(

[lexamos31094]

if you are extremely thirsty and have to go to the bathroom every like 5 minutes, then yes. but my doctor told me that diabetes and thyroid problems are linked together so if your dad has diabetes, then you might have a thyroid problem. my sister is tired if she doesnt take her thyroid pill and guess what i have diabetes. so tell you doctor that. hope it goes well!!

[hayleyxxxgosselin32]

hey i have had a pump since i was 8. and i play a lot of sports. i think the pump is better than shots i personally think.

[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.***

[1HappyDiabetic]

***Great Tip*** THat's a great way to hide the tubing. Is there any challenges with the pocket holes in the bathroom or taking off your pants. Any tips for that?

Do you have holes in both pockets or just one side?

Thanks for your comment hopefully others will see it as well!

[pumper8415]

Not really a challenge, I just disconnect it from the insertion site and pull it back through the hole and back out the pocket and reconnect it. The hole should be at the TOP, INSIDE of the pocket so you can still use the rest of the pocket. I have holes in both pockets because I alternate sides of my stomach when inserting.

Also, I leave my pump off when taking a shower, since I only use about 1/6 of a unit in that 10 minutes.

[camb00]

Do they make a noise?

[1HappyDiabetic]

What do you mean? They make a little click when you insert it, nothing big

[camb00]

When its pumping ?

[1HappyDiabetic]

Oh good question, its a 2 part answer.

You don't hear anything unless you are "Bolusing" or delivering for a correction or meals.

The backround or "Basal" is silent. Such small amounts of insulin being deivered.

The "Bolus" when delivered makes a small noise for the time it is being delivered. So small the noise, in a normal setting a person sitting right next to you can't hear it. I hav never had someone say to me "whats that sound?" Too small and short a noise.

[camb00]

Thank You

[shipaddict1]

How do you waer the pump? I am always carrying it around in my hand but sometimes I need two hands for other things?

[1HappyDiabetic]

I put it in my pocket, or carry it in a cell phone case or a pump case.

[MidnightButterfly222]

it has a clip, you can also wear it cliped to an arm band like an ipod.. or rig the clip somehow onto a keychain lanyard and wear it around your neck... i like this one for showers.. or even clip it or slip it inside your sock around your ankle.. or but it in a baby sock/ipod sock and safetypin it inside your clothes.

[shipaddict1]

I thought the same thing so my husband put the tubing under a magnfiying light. We could see the cat's teeth marks. He is a great cat and I really believe he was trying to save me from a snake. I can't remember the web site but if you go to a search engine and type in my pet and my insulin pump or my cat eat my insulin pump you will be amazed at how many complaints there are.

[1HappyDiabetic]

unreal.... i am glad my cats stay clear. Funny but not funny. I am going to look it up. I bet it is more common then we all think.

[shipaddict1]

I am afraid to do anything with my tubing because I am not sure the insulin will get threw all of the turns and twists.

[1HappyDiabetic]

I understand what your saying. I have had good luck with it. I think i prevents the "stuck on the door knob" stuff that really frustrates me.

You know while you are sleeping I am sure your tubing is getting alot of pressure too.

the tubes are strong but not made of steel.

Thank you for your insight and post, it helps everyone.

[1HappyDiabetic]

For Men sometime Bathing Suits have that inner pocket that works so well.

[BunnyHelper713]

does it hurt to like get it put in??

[Alegionnaire]

You usually change the infusion site ever 3 or so days. I went from using 6mm x 0.3g pen needles to the much larger 9mm x 0.27g infusion cannulas. I couldn't feel a thing.

The first few sites you do may feel a little strange, but there's absolutely no pain (for me anyway).

[1HappyDiabetic]

Its like a finger pick for me of a different scale. It hurs for like 15 seconds for me, then I'm good. Change in 3 days. Not bad. Non - Medal infusion sets.

[Alegionnaire]

I feel my finger pricks more than i do with my infusion inserts :) Which is strange because i'm fairly thin, and trying to find a suitable infusion site is hard!

Thanks for the video :) I find underwear that have little pockets in them are perfect - you can coil the excess tubing up and keep it inside a little pocket :)

Thanks again!!

[luvyajack2]

i got that same pump a week ago (i got blue :D) and i luv the cleo infusion sets and the pump is so easy to use and i luv all the features!

[Rh1no1]

Thanks for the underwear tip. You wear your site much higher than I do. I think woman have more fat on the lower belly button, so I like to wear it there. Women can also wear it in their bras the winter time. Thanks for the vid. Your good attitude shines through. Nice to meet you.

Linds

(T1, 28 years)

[1HappyDiabetic]

Thank you so much for your comments. Nice to meet you too. Yeah it is a little high up there. I think I still had sore spot right where it should be so I aimed higher. Or my fat belly. This trick saves me so much hassle, it really makes a huge difference when your pump falls.

Thanks Again for your comment, let them come.

[Rh1no1]

Since you welcome comments, there is something else I'd like to ask you. How do you keep such a positive attitude? I often swear at diabetes. I have also cried before. I've had it since age 8 and I have learned to cope with it. However, I was amazed that you are "1HappyDiabetic". Give me your secret!

[1HappyDiabetic]

Trying to get my website out there to share the Golden Rules!!

[Rh1no1]

You should plug your site on tudiabetes dot com- it's a pretty cool site that gets a lot of traffic and you can post to your heart's delight. Plus, you get your own page to pimp your site on. Heh heh

[1HappyDiabetic]

I'm There,,, just hiding

[Rh1no1]

hahah I find that funny. I am there under "Lindsay". Right now, ironically, I am online while I wait for the juice and snack I had to kick in. I'm having low blood sugar. I have started an exercise routine and I am having trouble keeping my blood sugars up. They are either too high or too low and I want to swear, but I came on to YouTube and laughed instead. :D (I'll swear later)

[shipaddict1]

Wow great suggestions. I am going to try the clip in the shower idea Saturday. Thanks.

[1HappyDiabetic]

:-)