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Teething Problems - New Pump

Jude1

Member
Messages
8
Our first two weeks with my son's pump seems to have caused more drama than when he was first diagnosed and in the throes of DKA!

We were given an initial one month supply of infusion sets and cartidges. Luckily we've received our next three months supply, because I only have two infusion sets left from the original.

The second night of wearing the pump, my son mentioned (a bit after his bath) that the sticky plaster was peeling a bit. I put a small bit of sticking plaster (that on a roll) over the offending area and told him to leave it alone.

The next day on returning from school, he shows me his site and it has what looks like an entire roll of sticking plaster covering it, and half his belly! By tea time he is showing me the site - and the plastered up set - in his hand! :? Now I have been assured by the (diabetic) diabetic nurse and the rep Person who shows you how to use the pump) that you have to try extremely hard to pull these things off.

We've had success on keeping the set attached since, whilst the site has changed over his tummy. The diabetic nurse was keen for us to try his leg, and so yesterday (day 11) we sited the new set in his left thigh. 2pm today "Mummy, the set just 'came off'!". :? So we change the site to his right leg. 9pm today "Mummy, it just 'came off'!" Arrrgh! :x So third time lucky - fingers crossed.

The other thing that is setting me on edge is checking his BG. I'm a nervous wreck now when his BG is going over 13.9 - well I'm a nervous wreck when it just rises! The past seven years I have been as chilled as him whether very high or very low - we've sorted it. Now, I am running round like a headless chicken! :oops:

Anyone else experienced problems keeping the sets attached to the body?
 
Hello Jude

I haven't got an Animas pump but started using an Accu Chek Combo 6 weeks ago. I have got experience though of using Insets.


Regarding the sets; although they go in very easy, because the diameter of the adhesive area is not too much bigger than a 50p, the sticking area can tend to come unstuck early if going in the bath every day.

Some people use Tegaderm dressings and you can also get other products such as SkinTac from MG Healthcare.

Try not to get too panicky regarding bg levels going up. It's early days for you and your son so just take each day as it comes and then you'll slowly be able to alter your insulin to carb ratios and basal rates. A good book to buy is Pumping Insulin (Amazon and eBay) and also Carbs and Cals.

A good site to join would be Insulin Pumpers UK (there are loads of people who regularly post messages to answer queries. They have knowledge regarding all the pumps available. Also, this site will also be good http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/pumps/. You can join that and use the chatroom.

Good Luck - enjoy :) :)
 
Thanks for all the info. Will be looking those sites up for sure!

My son has now been threatened by the Diabetic Nurse that if any infusion set "just happens" to come off again, she will be removing his Wii from our house personally! Thus far, they have remained in place! :roll:

Seven years of having some sort of safety net with a long acting insulin, then going to solely having Novo Rapid and knowing that for whatever reason with the teething problems that he potentially could not be getting any insulin made me go a bit eek!

I think I'm getting my head round it a bit more now!

That my son is able to administer his own insulin now via the pump is great!
 
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