new to forum. Question for pumpers

[LINDA]

Hi there,
I'm new to the forum and wonder if anyone out there who has been on the pump for longer than 10 years can help me. I'm running out of useable stomach area. My stomach looks like a target practice board. I've been told by my Dr that I can also use my hip but don't want to do that. I am guilty of leaving the tubing in for 4 days at a time when the recommendation is for 3 or less but other than that I follow all the rules. Also anyone know of a way to speed up the healing on the skin poke marks that I do have from pump using? I welcome all suggestions. Thanks,
Linda

[Blair]

Linda welcome to the forum. I hope you will like it here

Forgive me for perhaps misinterpreting, but why wouldn't you use the hip if your stomach area cannot take it anymore?

[LINDA]

Hi Blair,
Embarassingly stated - the answer is vanity. Plus it is very difficult to get around and behind yourself for sticking etc. I've used upper stomach, lower stomach and at times have gotten the little indentations that one would get from overuse at the same spot - given the years that I've been doing this it is sometimes perplexing. I'm in great health otherwise at my 54 years. I just wondered what others are doing. Thanks for your question though - I'll rethink it.
Linda

[Vytautas]

Hello there LINDA and welcome,

I've been on the pump for quite a short time, but i've been arround those that have been using it for a long time. It depends on what type of pump you are using and what kind of tubing you use. There is nothing wrong with keeping it there for 4 days since the recomended time is from 3 to 4 days, so it's alright. I've kept mine for 5 days while on the test pump and the "hole" was healed in just a few days withouth any mark left.

Make sure before puting the tubing in you use spirit on the skin where you are going to put it in, and after you can use calendula tincture. One more thing, when you change the tubing (i believe you already know to change sides of the stomach) but try to put it in ~0.3-0.7 centimeters from the spot before.

And i don't blame you for not insertig it in your legs, hip. My friend does it and says it's alright and comfortable, but i still don't want to do it :laugh:

The basic things that i told you (except for a few) are what they tell us now when giving the pump, the others are from my friends' tips.

If you aren't doing it yet, just remember to desinfect the tubing spots (before with spirit and after with calendula tincture), that should help

[LINDA]

hi Vytautas,
Thanks for your response. I do rotate injections sites usually every 3 to 4 days and I also use IV prep wipes before and after insertion. I use the Minimed Paradign I think its the 5 series. I often will hit veins or on occasion after a successful insertion I find that blood will find its way into the canula tubing which then causes bruising - not pretty! I'm not familiar with calendula tincture? What is it?


Linda:cheer:

[Vytautas]

Hm... Not sure how to say in english, but it's kind of like spirit but of calendula :laugh: It's very good for healing such small wounds. When i was geting my first test pump the spokeswoman suggested it to me. Even though i haven't been using the pump for long, but the "holes" heal up in just a few days.

I am very careful about injecting the tubing wrongly. 2 times already i even puled the half inserted tubing before pulling out the catheter (i did so when i felt that it was going in hard, since before it always went in easily)

[Blair]

How is your new pump Vytautas? You are totally used to it already? And, are you satisfied?

[Vytautas]

My new pump works fine, didn't have any problems so far and my blood sugar levels are much better since i started using a pump. I gues you all hear the same all the time, but i'll say it again: If you want the pump to help you, you need to know what you are doing. I worked my way out of a koma 2 times now, and i am correcting my base to make sure i don't need to do it again.

I am already used to the pump, and it doesn't bother me at all, furthermore i can insert the tubing much faster now. Then again i always hear that i catch on prety fast, so don't worry if you don't get used to it in a few weeks. I heard that it sometimes takes months to get used to completely.

I am satisfied with the pump even though i didn't want to use one before, but one thing remains: the pump can still catch on something. F.E just yesturday the tubing (it beign 50cm long) caught the door handle and the pump yanked out with the whole casing from the belt. Luckily it didn't go out at the insertion point, and the tubing was intact. But other than that, the pump is a very useful thing.

[Blair]

Great to hear that I am so happy for you!

Maybe put the tubing underneath a vest (cardigan) of kinds so it won't accidentally get caught up again?

It's so good to hear that your blood sugar levels are better with this B)

[Vytautas]

The tubing is under my T-shirt which, but at that time i was getting ready to replace my tubing so i had taken off my shirt. Otherwise it realy doesn't get in the way