caught in this lap
Hi, Laurie,
I started pumping 8/23/83 with a CPI the size of a checkbook box. I got it
because 6 weeks later it was upgraded to a CPI Betatron 9200 the size of a
king-size pack of cigs. That lasted me 9 years until CPI quit making pumps
and I could no longer get supplies. I then went to a MiniMed 506. That died
after 6 years. I now have a MiniMed 507c - Blue - renamed Bluda Sue. It is
the size of 7/8" stack of business cards.
Gail Darling may chime in here, too. She has been pumping over 18 years. I
would not (nor have ever desired) to go back to daily injections — even
though I took ONE shot (NPH/R) a day for 30 years, then TWO a day for three
years. The freedom to sleep in on Saturday mornings (for me, ANY a.m.), have
late Sunday noon dinner because we’re not out of church at 12:00 to have
eating already in progress are some of the beauties of the pump.
When I broke my foot in ‘87 I had to double my basals for 6 weeks. I then
took shots for boluses to conserve insulin in the reservoir. I KNOW what
you mean by the boluses hurt. On my CPI I could not take 6 u at once because
of the pain. I broke it up to 3 and 3, three minutes apart. My MM 507c
takes 5 min. to infuse 6 u. The Humalog insulin acts within 5-15 minutes and
peaks in about an hour. It is out of the system in 2-4 hours. This gives an
immediate control and correction possibility. That means bolus and eat. No
waiting unless there is a particular reason. If you don’t feel like eating,
don’t bolus and skip that meal.
Get the book Pumping Insulin by John Walsh. A new edition including Humalog
will be out in April. I use an infusion set that requires removing the
*introducer* needle: SofSet. I use a SofSerter to insert it - making it
quick and correct. I’m allergic to the metal needles and this set has a
Teflon canula that is flexible. I don’t feel it. I use tape that I’m not
allergic to also.
Many people use legs, arms, stomach, upper buttocks, and even boobs (NOT I)
for sites. I used to use my legs when using the needle-type sets. I would
hit a nerve or something and had excruciating pain and couldn’t take a step.
That was years ago and have mostly stayed with the tummy since. Stay at
least 1" away from the navel.
GO FOR IT, LAURIE!!!
Jan (60 y/o, T-1 11/5/50)