Unexplained highs
Hello. I am writing to ask if any of you have experience unexplained
highs with the pump. Sometimes I experience them, and I often wonder
if it has to do with the positioning and/or depth of the infusion set.
I find that the side of my stomach is worse in this sense than the
front of my stomach. I am not overweight; I am a 32-year-old male with
an average build. I currently use the Siloutte sets, but I’ve wondered
if the other sets which go in at a 90-degree angle actually give more
consistent results. Would this be the case with heavier-set
individuals, too? I appreciate your advice and comments. Thanks, –
Garrett
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:35 am
Hi Garrett,
During pump training we were told to make sure when using sets like the
Silhouette that we put them in at about the same angle every time, otherwise
it might affect the absorbtion. Since I don’t use a set like that, I use one
of the 90 degree insertion sets, I can’t speak from first hand expierience.
My pump trainer uses the Silouhette though and said that was the case for
her and a different angle would affect her sugars.
Julia
> an average build. I currently use the Siloutte sets, but I’ve wondered
> if the other sets which go in at a 90-degree angle actually give more
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Garrett,
I had unexplained highs for about 6 hrs. for 6 years after every set change.
Do you see any kind of pattern to these highs?
My experience was that I had used the straight needle sets (bent them
myself) for 10 years, then was talked into getting the SofSets. I was not
told that when the introducer needle is withdrawn, the canula had to be
filled. That didn’t happen with the set I had used and when it was primed I
saw insulin coming out and was too *unsharp* to figure I now had an empty
canula inside me.
After getting on the ‘net and learning from newbies (I’m an oldie) how to
get more up-to-date, I now prime the proper amount called for on the set I
use to refill that gap.
This is just my experience and it may help - or not. (~_^)
July 24th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Garrett,
Hi, I too use the siloettes, my pump trainer drilled into my head that if I have
two unexplained high readings in a row to take a correction bolus by injection
and change the site. I have found that certain places are easier and more
reliable for me to use. I usually get the unexplained highs when I use my hip
area. I have found that if I use the front of my stomach I usually have
excellent readings. It’s all become experimental as far as which area work best
for me. When I change my site I usually check every 2 hours just to make sure
that the new area is working well for me. I would continue to try different
areas and see what works best for you. I prefer the siloettes because I can
chose the depth etc when inserting the needle. I have heard that minimed might
send samples if you request to try another type of set? I am not sure if that
is accurate information or not, but my CDE was talking about it when they came
out with their newest sets. They would probably be able to tell you that via
the 1-800 #
Let me know how you make out, as I am thinking of changing to the new sets, but
might wait until I get my upgrade.
Chera (From PA, pumping for exactly 6 months today!!!)
Hello. I am writing to ask if any of you have experience unexplained
highs with the pump. Sometimes I experience them, and I often wonder
if it has to do with the positioning and/or depth of the infusion set.
I find that the side of my stomach is worse in this sense than the
front of my stomach. I am not overweight; I am a 32-year-old male with
an average build. I currently use the Siloutte sets, but I’ve wondered
if the other sets which go in at a 90-degree angle actually give more
consistent results. Would this be the case with heavier-set
individuals, too? I appreciate your advice and comments. Thanks, –
Garrett
You can, too! Start here…
Height:
345678 ft 01234567891011in
Weight:
lbs. kg.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
> Hello. I am writing to ask if any of you have experience unexplained
> highs with the pump. Sometimes I experience them, and I often wonder
>
Garret, general rule of thumb: if you have ONE unexplained high, it probably
has nothing to do with the set. MORE than one in a row, or a high that you
can’t correct, it probably is the set or the site. Every diabetic will
occasionally have an unexplained high, pumper or not.
July 25th, 2007 at 3:43 am
I have been having highs for a couple days. They are unexplained. What
angle are the Sil. to go in? I wonder if I am going to shallow.
Gail
July 25th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I have used soft sets ever since they came out. Recently changed to Sil.
and I love them. My site would get sore after two days, but I can leave the
Sil in three and no redness or soreness. But I am wondering if they may
cause the highs. I have had this happen twice since using them.
Gail
July 25th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
<< Garret, general rule of thumb: if you have ONE unexplained high, it
probably
has nothing to do with the set. MORE than one in a row, or a high that you
can’t correct, it probably is the set or the site. Every diabetic will
occasionally have an unexplained high, pumper or not.
>>
I totally agree. I had an unexplained high last Sat. My BG was so high that
it would not read on my meter. I took a bolus and it came down slowly. The
first readable reading was 400 something, close to 500. I had to take
another bolus before it came down to where it should be. I had to leave work
that day and go to bed. I did keep a close eye on my BGs even tho I went to
bed. I did have a set change that day but there wasnt anything wrong w/the
set as it functioned fine after that. As I said I totally agree w/the above
response. Sometimes youll get a high for no apparant reason. I use the
Silhouettes and love them. Chrissy
July 26th, 2007 at 5:07 am
<< I have used soft sets ever since they came out. Recently changed to Sil.
and I love them. My site would get sore after two days, but I can leave the
Sil in three and no redness or soreness. But I am wondering if they may
cause the highs. I have had this happen twice since using them.
Gail
>>
Gail,
I have been using the Silhouttes for about 2yrs and love them. I do have
unexplained highs sometimes but as Jan stated for me anyway Im usually high
for a bit after a set change. I do all the priming Im supposed to and still
this happens sometimes. I like the Silhouttes because you dont have to use
any extra tape and the place where it attaches w/the round sticky thing is
small. (Does that make sence?). Chrissy
July 27th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Yes Chrissy it does make sense. So you don’t put any more tape than what
comes on the inserter needle?
Gail
July 27th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I had an unexplained 583 last night - instead of testing for ketones right
away, I washed my hands and retested - 187. I had just gotten a home perm
and perhaps the neutralizer skewed the results for the first one. I always
retest when I get an unexplained high and it’s often different. (~_^)
July 27th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Our pump trainer told us the angle itself wasn’t so important, but getting
it at the same angle every time was. In other words if you sometimes insert
it at a 30 degree angle, then a 45, then a 75 your absorption could differ
causing either highs or lows. She also said when she switched sets she did
have to make some slight adjustments. Perhaps if you just switched sets that
might be the case for you too. Did you other set go in at a deeper angle
than what you are putting the Silhouette in at?
That’s one of the reasons I picked at set that goes straight in at 90
degrees, I didn’t trust myself to be able to get a set in at the same angle
each time. : )
Julia
July 28th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I used Soft Sets before. I changed my site this morning, but do not think
anything was wrong with it. I am beginning to suspect a food. I recently
bought some grapes, large and sweet, I have been bolusing for the carbs,
but think they may be one of those foods that I have to bolus higher for. I
think it will just be easier to stop eating them than to figure out the ratio.
Gail
July 29th, 2007 at 4:09 am
> Browngarrett wrote:
July 29th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Yeh, I’ve gotten fed up with trying to figure out every little thing.
You know that SOME diabetics do weigh everything they eat so as to
calculate carbs correctly. Since Type 1 diabetics are "brittle", even
that little dance shuffle you did with your honey for a few minutes in
the kitchen counts as exercise. That’s pretty hard to calculate.
At least I think so. I’ve never, in 44 years, calculated so close.
Really, would it do that much good. It sure would be frustrating. I
found switching to 4 injections/day last Fall and counting carbs rather
than exchanges was so time consuming and frustrating! I am aware that
kinks in our lives, and our pumps, happen. We can only hope to continue
to be educated so that we guesstimate our carbs and exercise fairly
accurately. PS The pump rules!