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Pump and the heat.

M

malky39

Well-Known Member
Messages
77
Location
Glasgow
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I am on a 3 week holiday I the southern states of USA and I seem to be having a problem with my pump or should I say the insulin. It seems to work fine for a day or so then it doesn't seem to be as effective. I know from the past with pens that the heat can effect the insulin but it's never been this bad. Does anyone have any experience of this?
 
Hi I had the same problem when I was on a pump when I got home and told them I was having problems they didn't believe me but being diabetic you know your body they don't it's so annoying.


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It is so annoying, as am sure every pump user can appreciate, like I say works fine for about a day and that's it. And I don't have enough sets to be changing every day for 3 weeks. Been trying to think of ways to keep the pump cooler but no solutions yet as it needs to be in my pocket. Didn't think that the heat would affect it that easily
 
malky39 said:
It is so annoying, as am sure every pump user can appreciate, like I say works fine for about a day and that's it. And I don't have enough sets to be changing every day for 3 weeks. Been trying to think of ways to keep the pump cooler but no solutions yet as it needs to be in my pocket. Didn't think that the heat would affect it that easily
Click to expand...

Just a thought, but if you're on the Medtronic or Combo, you could fill the reservoir with enough insulin for a day and then refill it each morning. You wouldn't need to change the set every time and could clear out any unused insulin before refilling?


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Are you able to get hold of a frio wallet ... maybe get one delivered to the hotel, or maybe even a member of staff willing to help you out by ordering on your behalf?
 
tim2000s said:
Just a thought, but if you're on the Medtronic or Combo, you could fill the reservoir with enough insulin for a day and then refill it each morning. You wouldn't need to change the set every time and could clear out any unused insulin before refilling?


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Click to expand...

I do what Tim has suggested whenever I am in a hot country, if you don't fill your reservoir's yourself I guess you can't but I find it much easier to do this and have the reassurance my insulin will be effective each day :)


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I live in Texas where it can get hotter than 110* (43* celcius).

Obviously, never leave your insulin in the car and never allow it to be in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. It's probably a good idea to have your shirt or clothing cover the pump when you're wearing it.

I'm on MDI so I can't comment much on the pump, but I have no issues with my pens lasting more than a month in some cases.
 
I've not had any problems with my pump, but what I do is often use my pen for boluses when on holiday somewhere hot. I find it easier to slip a new cartridge in the pen every few days than fiddle with the pump. Also, I feel that that way I have two different sources of insulin and that makes me feel better.

I wear my pump either on my waistband under my clothes (I choose long tops on purpose to cover it) or in a Tubigrip on my thigh under my skirt or dress. Fortunately, I'm not a fan of sunbathing so I also sit in the shade when I can.

On the odd occasions I've been aware of my pump getting really hot, I've changed the insulin the moment I got back to my apartment as a precaution.

It is a potential worry though. I wish there was an easy answer.
 
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