Hi
@claire91,
Winter here in Oz at the moment but in summertime I reduce both my basal and bolus rates.
The reasons why we seem to need less insulin are a matter of conjecture:
-
we tend to be outside and more active more rather than huddled around a heater ( exaggeration for dramatic effect)
- our insulin may be better absorbed when our subcutaneous tissue is warmer and more blood flowing through it
- winter coldness may stress us more, we are less stressed in summer ( as per @Jollymon )
- our diet may change between summer and winter
- ?? something to do with our body's making more vitamin D through sunshine
In an Adelaidian summer , we can reach 40 degrees C, (and higher inside a locked car !!) so keeping cool, well hydrated and keeping insulin protected from heat are priorities. Sun cancer is common in Oz and The Cancer Council here have a slogan:
Slip (on a shirt), Slop (on 50+ sunscreen lotion), Slap (on a hat), Seek (shade/shelter, Slide (on some sunglasses) to which I add Sip (fluids).
In a car my spare insulin is kept in a pouch with an iceblock and wrpapped in insulation and place inside a cooler shopping bag !!
I have a thing too for
protecting my Animas
insulin pump. Carried on a belt clip exposed to the sun is not a great idea. I wrap it in
foam plastic (the sort that is used in cheap cooler bags obtained at supermarkets, coloured plastic on outside , foam inside and silver foil innermost) with the silver surface
outermost) then an envelop of bubble plastic or other insulation and carry it in in a generous sized
pouch (like a travel wallet set up, slung across one shoulder/side of neck to below opposite arm pit) OR I wear a
bumbag to one side with the insulated pump in it.
For the Omnipod, I guess it would be a matter of applying insulation material held on by a band around your body. I do something similar if I cannot easily carry my pump anywhere but on my belt.
Whichever method the hassle is assessing one's pump to put in boluses etc. but that is better than having boiled insulin and a molten pump ( by now you will realise that Aussies embrace exaggeration like a national sport) !!
Test strips can also be affected by heat so I keep them and the meter cool also.
Finally the adhesion patches around needle inserts tend to become unstuck in hot weather. There are threads about this for the Omnipod. My motto is : If in doubt use more sticky white tape.
Enjoy the summer !!!