Hi
@karen8967,
I have been
on an insulin pump for just over 7 1/2 years but on insulin for 51 years altogether. And after having to use 6 + injections per day of a MDI regime to keep BSLs under control but still suffering nighttime hypos the pump has been a godsend. I would never go back !
I, too, was worried about the pump pulling off at the needle insert site. There are
waist bands, pouches etc to carry the pump at night. There are
other products for ladies for daytime carrying of the pump. The manufacturers website usually has them on display.
As a male, for night time I just
turn my pyjama shirt inside out and slip the pump into my now inner pocket. I also put
extra sticky white tape (like what is part of the needle insert) around the insert, usually a strip above and below as most of the pulling, if it occurs, is likely to be down or up.
I wear my pump on a belt with use of a
belt clip. Occasionally in lifting my shirt out the pump might get lifted off the belt and you get this sickening tug on the tubing and insert site. Mostly I have developed my reflexes to work well enough to stop the pump's fall or prevent it happening in the fist place but occasionally I have had to change the needle insert site ( maybe once in 8 months if that).
When
wearing pants/trousers or slacks with the pump on a belt clip and that apparel needs to be lowered when in the bathroom it helps to ensure the length of tubing is sufficient to prevent tension on the needle insert and
that the tubing is not shortened by being tangled in part of the pump or clip
I have also found that if one is
hiking, and one's backpack has a sophisticated waist strap and padding, that a
pump worn on a belt clip gets compressed by the waist padding, is less accessible and digs into one's hip. And I can to check that the
needle insert is not in a position where it could be rubbed or dislodged by straps etc. A la
nyard and pouch worn around the neck is a better alternative for carrying the pump in that situation..
With
hot, sweaty weather the stickiness of the white stuff is not enough and the
needle insert detaches. I know to watch out for this and it usually only happens once a year during warm early Autumn months when I am working very hard physically during our annual International Kite Festival.( In Adelaide, South Australia) A
large swatch of white sticky material usually does the trick on most but the warmest days.
I only detach the pump for:
changing reservoir/needle insert = once every 3 1/2 days or so; for
showering or other 'water immersion' (the pump is supposed to be water proof but I like to be careful) but I have enough confidence to wear it whilst canoeing because that may be over several hours);
a certain three letter word activity (usually nocturnal, but sometime daytime) in which a pump may get in the way), a padded dressing over the needle insertion site usually suffices to prevent friction. 'Nuff said !! ( the padding with the pump still attached works OK for playing with children and pets etc !!
I commend the insulin pump to you. I never entirely lose my sense of 'detachment anxiety" as it is a source of safety but it has become second nature to tape and check now.
Some bad humour to finish: There are two people sitting in a psychiatrist's office. One is wearing a suit, the other a dark uniform with a black cap and an axe through his belt. The second guy asks why the first is here and he replies:" I am a doctor and have this anxiety that I will perform the wrong operation on a patient"." Who are you and what are you here for "?
The second guy says "I am an executioner". 'Oh" says the doctor, "and what is your diagnosis" " Separation anxiety".
Bom! Bom ! Best Wishes.