Type 1 New To Pumps! #struggling

[Rich_Mills]

Hello all,

Just a quick one I’ve been given a pump (accu-check combo) in order to try and help me with me unpredictable lifestyle. Had it a week now and struggling with the practically, I keep catching the tubing on everything door handles, gym equipment everything! It sits in my shorts pocket as I’m a pe teacher and it just doesn’t work! Cannot seem to be comfortable teaching or doing the activity as it falls out, the belt option is no good as the pump is way to bulky! Also sleeping? How do you guys get on with sleeping it’s a nightmare ‍

Thanks

Rich

 

[Seacrow]

You can get a lycra band which holds the pump higher up your body, a bit like a heart monitor for cyclists. Mine has a label 'pouchforall.co.uk'. Mine is blue with pink butterflies, which may not be your choice, I'm sure they are done in black as well. I seem to remember they also do arm or thigh bands, but I've not tried those.

Oh, and invest in some micropore tape for the dratted tubing.

I can't help with sleeping though, as being an amply endowed female I just tuck it under the boob and it stays there.

 

[dancer]

@Rich_Mills can you get your infusion sets with shorter tubing? That might help a little. I have a Medtronic pump and I'm sure there is a wee clip to keep excess tubing out of the way. If you can't get something similar, tape is your best bet.

As for sleeping, Medtronic has a clip which you can attach to waistband etc but I don't know if accu-check has anything similar. If not, you could use the band @Seacrow mentioned above. I think some folk use armbands that runners use. Of course, some folk just leave the pump beside them on the bed. That's ok as long as you're not a restless sleeper or you could get all wrapped up in the tubing.

 

[Deleted Account]

Do you havs a hole in your shorts' pocket?
I find mine stays still if it doesn't hsve to go over the waistband.
I make a small hole the size of the canula "clasp", disconnect and feed the tube through.
This also keeps the tube out of the way and stops me catching it on doir knobs and the like.
At night, i strap it to my leg the a HidIn band to keep it under control.
If i leave it to do its own thing, i end uplying on it ... and it is vrry hard.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Rich_Mills In addition to all the excellent suggestions above, I wear my PJ shirt inside out and put the pump in the now inside pocket.
With exercise and even just the hot days of summer I add extra tape to the needle insertion site to help hold that on. I check the site regularly as I had had a few detach as they can sometimes slide off the sweaty skin.
I will often wear a singlet or T shirt under a shirt. The T shirt/singlet is tucked in with the pesky tubing and the outer shirt is left out.
Whilst shorter tubing helps in one way just remember that if and when you sit on the loo the tubing needs to be long enough to pull one's trousers down if the pump is in the trouser's pocket.
It is a bit of trial and error but overall the better control is worthwhile it.
BTW for exercise I reduce the basal setting of my pump 20 to 30% for about 4 hours and find that generally allows me to cope well with exercise, provided I keep an eye on BSLs at the 6 + mark when hypos can occur. See what works for you and always check with your dsn/doctor about these things.
Best Wishes and please keep posting with questions and about what you have found works.