New pumper!

aphex2k said:

Also. Currently attached to my belt - is there a knack or tip for when you go to the loo? First time I nearly ripped it out of me - I'm sure this has happened to others and no doubt won't be the last time I do it!

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I've been pumping 2-3 months and I am still getting caught by that problem. The solution probably is to wear the pump somewhere else rather than the belt, but I'm not sure where.


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As a female, pump is in my bra so can use the loo without worry. For those with pump on belt, try unclipping the tube first and then set wont come out but remember to re attach again or get longer tubes and then set wont come out.

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I have got into the routine of changing cannula and reservoir at the same time to keep it as simple as possible and not having to remember different things at different times. This works for me. All the best with the pump

I got a new silicone cover for the pump from roche that came with a clip which is like a clamp, squeeze the top to release it, bit like a bulldog clip. if on my belt, I can now just clip onto my top if needing to

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I also use the trick of clipping the pump temporarily to the bottom of my shirt or top. When I remember!

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Another place is to tuck into the top of a sock and have a long tube running up the leg under jeans etc or put pump in a deepish pocket and cut hole in the corner to thread tube through

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Of all the things to think about with a pump, somehow this one keeps coming to the top of my thoughts as well with visions of me getting ready to do my business and whipping down my trousers only to pull the cannula out of myself.

The other interesting one will be winter cycling when I've got about 5 layers on to stay warm, with the pump buried somewhere in there. I think a hands free version is going to be the best option for me. The Roche and Cell Novo are top of my list at the moment tbh.

Please keep up the reporting of how you are getting on with this Aphex, I'm interested in the real world experience rather than the sanitised verion the pump companies put out there.

I hope that Roche will upgrade all the new Combo users to the Insight when it becomes available this year. Im not sure if they will as can remember that Spirit users were not upgraded to the Combo

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aphex2k said:

Hi All

On Wednesday I became the proud owner to an Accu-chek Spirit combo pump. Bloody hell! Massive learning curve but the more I play with it the more it makes sense. Day one I had a couple of hypos - I'm guessing because the basal lantus was still in the system. Since then I've had the machine set between 4-8mmol/L and been pretty good only having one spike of 13 but that was user error forgetting to do my bolus.

My diabetic specialist set the machine for sick days and for excercise. She also explained the multi-wave and extended bolus methods. For now I'm just keeping it simple and counting the carbs. I went out on my bike yesterday and did about 10 miles of fairly standard riding and left the machine pumping as normal - didn't change to a lower setting. No hypos.

Changed the cannula yesterday but used the tubing that was already connected. Is that bad practice - should I change both at the same time? All seems to be working and I'm quite happy with it all. Just have to keep reminding my 3 y/o that the pump is there. One the first day my dog jumped up at me, right on the pump! Teething troubles no great drama.

At night I use the white elastic belt and clip it on there. Seems to work for me!

Anyway, just thought I'd say hello. You'll probs see a bit of me here!

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Hi I am in a similar boat to you as i only started on my spirit combo pump about 3 weeks ago, lots to take in as you say but i was already carb counting so that has made it a bit easier for me. I am like the rest of the ladies and keep mine attached to my bra but they gave me a pouch that is meant to be used around your thigh but for the first few days i wore it around my waist as its huge, with the pump in, not sure if that may be easier for you until you get used to having the pump there. I found for the first few days i was really aware of it wherever i had it attached to me but after about a week i didn't notice it at all.
I haven't had a hypo since mine was set up but they run you higher than normal, i think mine was set up so that i was getting 1/3 less insulin to start with but i am now gradually increasing my bolus rates.
I started with rapid d cannula's and wasn't sure if i should change the tubing either, but i did, apparently not with those ones, only when you change the cartridge. I now have flex link cannula's and like them much more than the rapid d's.
I struggled with the worry that my kids who are 1 and 2 might pull it out by accident but it sticks better than you think it will!
Good luck with yours, it sounds like they are going to really improve things for us, fingers crossed

ElyDave said:

Of all the things to think about with a pump, somehow this one keeps coming to the top of my thoughts as well with visions of me getting ready to do my business and whipping down my trousers only to pull the cannula out of myself.

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Yes it adds new meaning to the phrase "caught short", I can tell you!

That first week you find yourself constantly having to think about everything, I was the same, thinking is this really for me. I've been on mine about 12 weeks now and it's so much easier than injecting now I've got a good routine with filling cartridges changing tubing etc.
I use rapid ds cannulas which need changing every 2 days and the tubing they say to change maximum every 6 days. This worked out well got me as the cartridge would need changing every 5/6 days so I'd change the tubing with that then for the cannulas I would just change that on its own every 2 days. I wouldn't change the tubing every 2 days as you will go through so many and it really isn't needed and abit of a pain for you having to do it too.

I found where to wear my pump a big problem when I first started but have found my favourite an insulin pouch which has a popper fastening with 3 different settings that I wear either tied round my bra/underwear/ on belt loops. Do you use 50cm tubing? I've used 50 and 20 but have found the 50cm best as it doesn't get tugged around then. I have a 4 year old that I was concerned about with the pump but she still fixes on the set and cannula and I've had no problems. Once you get used to it you will be fine. The only time I've had a problem is when I got the tubing caught round the Hoover and it pulled the cannula straight out, god knows how I did this though, but that's the only time it's come out.
Sometimes immediately after removing cannula I have abit if a lump but it soon goes down, if it doesn't may be worth getting it checked, no experience if this though.

A few of the big tips ive noticed in my first 12 weeks..I've sometimes noticed that even after 1 day I've noticed blood round the needle part or on the sticky bit, so if you notice the same change your cannula straight away otherwise you may end up with a blockage in the tubing or a bad site.

I'm on quite alot of insulin at the moment as I'm pregnant which has left me caught out when out and run out if insulin in the cartridge. It warms you when there's 20 units left but if you feel like your not going to be able to change it and may need more while your out I'd definitely get a cartridge ready. I got myself in a right tizz last week after not realising I was so low and changing a cartridge in a restaurant.

Also your recommended to use room temperature insulin, but body temperature is alot higher so alot of people recommended wearing the filled cartridge on your person to get it upto body temp before putting it into the pump. It's amazing how many bubbles appear in the cartridge by just getting the insulin upto body temperature.

Hope you get on well with your pump, this forum is amazing for advice and support I don't think if have survived without it!

Its more like the first year

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