Pump newbie... and cannula problems

[backarini]

Hi everyone! I started on my Accu-Chek Spirit Combo pump about 2 weeks ago and am having a rollercoaster of a time. I have been as high as 21.0 through boluses not being added up properly and rubbish carb counting, and sometimes down to 3 in the middle of the night. Just as I thought I had straightened my basal rate out, something makes them screw up... I guess I'm just feeling a bit down about it. I fought hard for 9 months to get the funding from the NHS for this pump and I suppose I feel bad for not getting on with it as well as I should.
I am also experiencing a very bruised and sore feeling ALL the time around my cannula - I am currently using Rapid-D 6mm steel cannulas as I thought that the flexi ones would be too mcuh hassle at this early stage. When i take it out, there is not bruising, but when it is inserted it feels very tender and sometimes sore to the touch... I am wondering if this is just me????? I have moved my sites all around my absomen and there is not insulin absoroption problem or occlusion. I hope there are others out there like...
I was wondering if it may be to do with the fact that my tummy is a little pudgy and when i sit at my desk all day the cannula is sort of squished by the little roll of fat on my tummy?? Is this plauisble?
I am just looking for a little reassurance that I am not a big screw up and that things should get at least a bit easier!!!! :?
Thanks

 

[donnellysdogs]

Try your bum. My abdomen is always felling like yours when I try there. Had to give up using stomach. I thought it was because I am too muscly and lean... Dont put sets in where you may sit on them tho!!! Lol!!!
Early days tho still.. Look at your times if the hi's or lo's and look for patterns.
I personally would try your bum.

 

[VickiT11979]

Have you got a copy of Pumping Insulin by John Walsh & Ruth someone? Amazon sell it & I've just read it & it makes me feel much more in control of my pump (which I've had for nearly 4yrs - wish I'd found this book earlier :roll: ). This forum recommended it to me. I think it comes from the US tho, so you won't get it before Xmas.
I'd start with checking your basal rates - if your BG is Ok when you wake up, only have water (it's not as bad as it sounds) until about 2pm & check your BG every 1-2 hrs & see if it stays within 1.7mmol/L of your starting BG. If your basal's right, then it should.
You'll need to do another basal check at those times to confirm, and do another one starting from around 2pm til bedtime if you can stand it, or for at least 6hrs, and another one overnight. You need to have a BG between 3.9 & 7.5 with no insulin still acting in your body & not have eaten within the last 3 hrs at the start.
Once you know your basal is good, then look at your boluses. Eat a meal with a known amount of carbohydrate, but not really high in fat or protein (the book advises cereal or toast) & check your BG at 2 hrs. It should rise by 4.4 or less & return to normal after the insulin has all worn off. You'll need to do this for each meal, as your boluses can be pretty different at different times of day.
That should keep you going until the book arrives !
It is time consuming, for sure, but really helps you feel more in control. I'm still at the checking my basal stage (not for the first time, but I find my rates need tweaking every so often & I last did this in August).
Good luck with it - I really think it'll get better. Can't comment on the sore sets unfortunately cos I've not really had this much & use Teflon soft cannulas instead of steel needles.

Vicki