insulin pump tips

[professoryaffle]

Any good tips for a someone who is about to become an insulin pump user?

I have my first appointment to get training and start with saline in just over a week

I will be using the accucheck combo system

thanks

Comments

[luvlyssa]

1) Take someone with you when you go to learn the pump. Non pump people remember the oddest things

[chatalaine]

Trust yourself - after about a week, the fogs will clear and all the stuff you've had to call and ask (again) about will make sense. It's basically just a tiny computer and once the programming (the basal rates, etc) is in, you'll see how to navigate your way around. For me, the learning curve was steep, but then I'm not very tech-savvy. If I can do it, trust me, anyone can.

Also - what she said. Luvlyssa had some really good advice. Add to it; if you wear a bra, try putting your pump (if it's small enough, like my Minimed) into the side band or into the front. I put mine in the side band all the time. Keeps it out of my way and all the tubing is tucked in under my clothes. I never have it drop off my belt, etc. You can buy baby socks (I cut off the cuffs) and put it in them to keep the plastic casing from "sweating" against your skin. If your pump comes with a remote, it's a good option.

Good luck! Once you get used to it I bet you'll love it. I fought going on a pump but now I wouldn't care to be without it.

[chatalaine]

yep - that's why I wear it on the side. No room between the girls for mine, either. Actually, the bras like the ones we wear usually have wider side bands so it works well. Depends on whether you are annoyed by having it under your arm. I don't mind it on my left side but can't tolerate it on my right.

[bricktor]

Which pump are you going on?

Ask as many questions as possible.
Get records of the settings you set your pump to.

[kyspaz]

Don't be afraid to call the help line. I think everyone has called it in tears, because their pump did something wierd.