First day hooked up to the pump
Good evening everyone,
Well I am actually hooked up to a pump now, although it only has saline in
it, no insulin. I get to go through the motions this week of actually having
one.
I survived the first hurdle of putting the insertion set in, which silly as
it may seem, was a bit intimidating first. The trainer told us to pick the
one which looked the scariest to use and try that first. Theory being if we
could do that one the others would be easy. : ) It was really not bad at
all.
So far, so good. One thing I have noticed though is when I give a bolus it
is rather uncomfortable and sort of stings. Is this normal? My average
actual bolus is 3 to 4 units, which I am replicating on the pump. Could I
somehow have the infusion set in improperly? Will I get used to it? There is
no discomfort with the basal rate at all.
Sleeping with it attached will be the next big adventure! I carried the pump
with me all last week and slept with it on, but tonight will be the first
night with an actual infusion set.
God bless everyone and enjoy your weekend!
Julia
February 17th, 2007 at 4:17 am
> I survived the first hurdle of putting the insertion set in, which silly as
> it may seem, was a bit intimidating first
All the pumpers (mostly) go through that. I recall my first one - it took a
lot of guts!
> So far, so good. One thing I have noticed though is when I give a bolus it
> is rather uncomfortable and sort of stings. Is this normal?
That’s probably due to the saline. It *shouldn’t* hurt with insulin, however,
some can’t tolerate the faster deliver that some of the models give.
It’s probably right - it’s the saline.
Pretty soon this will be years ago and you’ll be an old hand at advising.
(~_^)
February 17th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Julia,
Saline tends to sting, but insulin often does not sting. If
insulin bolus or infusion stings, then change the set. At
this point, however, you know you are bieng infused
something. If it continues to be uncomfortable, or the
insertion site forms a lump, remove it. Is your basal rate
set at 0.1?
If it is only the bolus that stings, then it is the saline.
February 17th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Julia,
Glad to hear that things are going well! Your post brought back many
memories for me. The first night sleeping with it was a real treat, I woke
up all wrapped up in the tubing etc. It was pretty funny. It did get
easier very quickly, now I don’t even know that it is there! After about 3
days of using saline I could not wait to go back to my CDE for the insulin
start. I also remember that when I started with the saline it did sting a
little but I got used to that as well. FOr the first couple of days I could
always feel that the set was attached to me and thought that I had it in
wrong. Now I am so used to it, I don’t even know that it is there.
Inserting the set gets easier too, I can remember it taking forever to do a
set change, I would have to set my alarm 1/2 earlier on those days so that I
had enough time to do the set change and still get to work on time. Now
from start to finish, it takes no time at all. Needless to say I know
longer have to set the alarm clock a 1/2 hour earlier anymore!! YEAH!!
Keep up the good work, you’ll be a pro at this in no time! Have a wonderful
weekend and "happy pumping"
Chera
February 26th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Hi Jan, Barbara, Chera and Laurie,
Thanks for all your thought and suggestions! My husband had said he thought
it was probably the saline that was causing the sting. I was glad to hear
that was probably the case. : )
So far I am on day 4, changed my first infusion set today, which went pretty
well with the exception of trying to use that Sof-set! <g> I seem to have
avoided getting tangled up in anything and no problems sleeping while hooked
up.
In all honesty it’s been much easier than I had anticipated and I don’t even
notice I am wearing it for the most part. I can’t wait to go back this
Friday and move on to the next step.
Have a great day!
Julia
February 28th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Glad to hear that things are going well! Keep up the good work and postive
Chera
attitude