Pump training and Minimed
Well I had my first pump training on Friday. As it turns out I get my choice of
either a MiniMed 508 or a Disetronic H-tron or D-tron. We will have training
session for each pump so I should be able to make an informed choice.
I currently have a refurbed MiniMed 507 that I am wearing, although not hooked
up, to practice with. Basically I am mimicking using a real one, setting a basal
rate, using temp basal rate adjustments when needs, boluses etc. Next week I
will go back and will test one out using saline.
I was wondering if anyone knows if the upcoming Paradigm pump from MiniMed (or
even the current 508) will have the capability to transfer data stored in the
pump to your computer? One of the biggest reasons I am leaning toward the D-tron
currently is because I will be able to upload the data from my pump to the web,
along with the data from my glucose meter and create logs, charts and reports.
Also for those of you who have the 508 how valuable do you find the Wave and
Square Wave bolus options? I didn’t see anything like that in the Disetronic
pumps, and have been told it is helpful.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend and God bless,
Julia
January 8th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Julia,
I currently use the MM508, I find the dual wave bolus most helpful for
things like bagels and pizza and other food items that will raise my blood
sugar for a longer period of time. I like that feature because I can take a
bolus at the time that I am eating and then program an amount to be given
over an extended period of time. I find this very helpful for those dreaded
foods I mentioned earlier.
Good luck! Have a great weekend.
Chera
January 9th, 2007 at 3:10 am
The 508 has a normal, square or dual bolus. I LOVE the dual. This can be
programmed to give a bolus immediately for the quick acting carbs and then a
bolus given over several hours for the long acting (more complex) carbs. On
the 507 I had, first I would give a regular bolus and then a square bolus.
The dual option just eliminates the step. The square bolus feature in
general is pretty good to have. I especially need it when I eat pizza. If
I bolus when I eat, the insulin usually peaks before the pizza. If I square
bolus it for 4 hours then the insulin matches more closely the rate the
pizza raises my blood sugar. I have no knowledge about the Disetronic, but
I’m sure others on the list could give you that info. Good luck to you..
Jeana in Anchorage Ü
—– Original Message —–
> Also for those of you who have the 508 how valuable do you find the Wave
and Square Wave bolus options? I didn’t see anything like that in the
Disetronic pumps, and have been told it is helpful.
January 9th, 2007 at 10:24 am
<< I currently use the MM508, I find the dual wave bolus most helpful for
things like bagels and pizza and other food items that will raise my blood
sugar for a longer period of time. I like that feature because I can take a
bolus at the time that I am eating and then program an amount to be given
over an extended period of time. I find this very helpful for those dreaded
foods I mentioned earlier.
>>
Chera:
How do you know how much to bolus and how much to use the wave for? I can
never get that right. So I quit using the wave feature. With gastropheresis
Im sure it would help me. Chrissy
January 10th, 2007 at 5:59 am
<<
How do you know how much to bolus and how much to use the wave for? I can
never get that right. So I quit using the wave feature. With
gastropheresis
Im sure it would help me. Chrissy
>>
Hi Chrissy: Time to go talk to your CDE and pick her brains…..J:))
January 10th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Chrissy,
When I started using this feature it was a lot of trial and error for me.
what works best for me with bagels; my breakfast count is one unit of
insulin for 13 grams of carbs, so If I count a bagel as 45 I program the
majority of the insulin for the bolus and then take 1 unit over a 2 hour
period of time type thing. I find this works best for me. I still don’t
have it down perfect, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t depending on
the food. I spoke with my CDE/pump trainer about this and she said that
there is no magic formula that she can give me. It is expermentation and
what works for me. I am not sure if a dietican could help you come up with
some ideas or not? Good luck! Chera
January 10th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
It’s kind of a trial and error thing for me too. I would take note of when
my blood sugar peaked after eating pizza. It usually was 4 hours later. So
then I just took the insulin over that period. I found I would actually get
hypoglycemic if I took a regular bolus and not a square because the Humalog
peaks alot faster than the pizza. –Jeana Ü
—– Original Message —– >
. I spoke with my CDE/pump trainer about this and she said that
> there is no magic formula that she can give me. It is expermentation and
> what works for me. I am not sure if a dietican could help you come up
with
> some ideas or not? Good luck! Chera
>
January 11th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Julia,
I currently use the 507, and find the sq. wave feature very useful. It
works well for long lasting carbs combined with Humilog insulin, since
the insulin runs out long before the carbs finish their stuff.
My empirical rule of thumb is to split the bolus 50/50 and put half on
immediate bolus, and the other half on a four or six hour duration,
especially for pasta. Everyone is different, so it takes some
experimenting to get it right. The 508, as I understand it, can do
both of these events from one setting. I have to do them separately,
and must do the bolus before the sq. wave.
David
January 12th, 2007 at 3:25 am
<< I spoke with my CDE/pump trainer about this and she said that
there is no magic formula that she can give me. It is expermentation and
what works for me. I am not sure if a dietican could help you come up with
some ideas or not? Good luck! Chera >>
Thanks Chera,
Im finding alot of things w/diabetes have no magic formula. Our bodies all
do different things. Its frustrating. But I do what I have to do. Thanks
again. Chrissy
January 12th, 2007 at 11:33 am
<< My empirical rule of thumb is to split the bolus 50/50 and put half on
immediate bolus, and the other half on a four or six hour duration,
especially for pasta. Everyone is different, so it takes some
experimenting to get it right. The 508, as I understand it, can do
both of these events from one setting. I have to do them separately,
and must do the bolus before the sq. wave.
>>
I have the 507c and it does both at once w/the dual wave feature. I think
the 508 makes it possible to give a bolus while the dual wave is going on.
Anyone??? I know if I do a dual wave and then eat something withing that 4-6
hr period I cant bolus for it unless I stop the dual wave and then reset it.
I think I have that right. Any 508ers want to comment? Chrissy
January 13th, 2007 at 6:41 am
Yes, you are right, on the MM 508 you can bolus while the square wave, or
dual wave is in progress. Kristin
January 15th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Thanks to everyone who gave me their input on the Wave features and carb
absorption. Being new to carb counting I still have a lot to learn in that
area too. I ordered a book (along with Pumping Insulin) called the Complete
Guide to Carb Counting and the 2001 Doctor’s Pocket Calorie, Fat &
Carbohydrate Counter to help me out in that area.
Of course I am probably getting ahead of myself and should just wait to
learn more, but I am not terribly patient. : )
Julia
January 17th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Julia,
The 2001 Dr’s pocket guide is an excellent book! I carry it every where
with me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being prepared! If you are
practicing with a pump anyway, why not practive carb counting too! With
your motivation and determination to get information etc, you should do very
well with the pump!! Keep up the good work! Chera
January 17th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Wow! Great! I didn’t know that. Thanks!
Connie & Dot (MM508)
January 28th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Julia,
I don’t know about the Paradigm, but I know my dr. downloaded my pump
information onto his computer while I was at my last visit. Showed
me on the screen both my pump and my meter info at the same time. It
was pretty neat! I currently have a MM508. I don’t think MM has
given access to that feature to "users" yet, but it may be coming
soon, since my dr is a MM user!
Suzanna
January 29th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Julia,
Even if something were to happen and you weren’t to start on a pump.
I still think knowing and using carb counting is a better system than
the exchange plan. It’s much more ?exact? and flexible. I also
think its more realistic. Of course this is just my humble opinion!
Others might not (and probably won’t) agree! :-} Knowledge is a
good thing…and learning on your own is the best way to find the
answers that work best for you!
Suzanna— In Insulinpumpusers@y…, "Julia Berry" <mailgroups@t…>
wrote: