Help with Animas

[dbz2988]

Tonight I tried to do a combo bolus (first time since appointment last Thursday). The way the nurse showed us how to do it was to go into EZcarb, put the carbs he is eating, put the BS in. I thought she said to put only 1/2 of what the pump recommends (we are starting with 50/50, last 50% over 1/2 hour), then switch normal to combo, hit ok, then it would go to the screen where you can put the duration and rest of the insulin. (I'm trying to write this according to my memory and the screens that I looked at a few hours ago, so please bare with me!) It never gave him the first 50%. I ended up canceling the combo and just doing the full amount (I didn't have enough time to try to read the manual). After eating, I looked at the manual and I only saw the section for "combo bolus", however, it didn't show it the way our nurse did, and you couldn't enter the BS???? I am so confused. So if anyone could help me, I would greatly appreciate it!!!!
Thanks!

[Amy C.]

My son showed me how to use this. Philip uses the 1250. I believe some of the screens are named differently. Basically, the type is on the last screen, below the Go option.

He starts the bolus like the usual one where the carbs and then the blood sugar are both added (CarbSmart on his pump), but can use the feature where just the BG is entered (ezBolus on his pump).

On the last screen, just below the Go button is the Type option. Change that to Combo and set the ranges on the next screen.

[Nancy in VA]

Basically, put in the carbs and BG like regular and do show.

Put in the FULL amount, go down and change to COMBO

You will get another screen after you hit OK, then you will put in the breakdown (you wanted 50/50 it sounded like) and how long to stretch out the remainder (1 hr, 1.5 hr, etc.). The first # will be given immediately and the remaining amount (the 2nd number) will be given over the time allotted

[Denise in CT]

I don't have any answers because we ordered the Animas yesterday. But, holy crap!, I'm just starting to get the hang of MDIs and this sounds so confusing.... I am SURE I'll 'get it' - it just seems crazy without knowing anything.

[Nancy in VA]

Denise: Congrats on deciding to go the pump so quickly. It feels quite confusing at the beginning but it doesn't take long to get the hang of pushing the buttons. We weren't even TAUGHT the combo bolus at the first training because our nurse just wanted us to focus on the basics. A follow-up appt was where she started introducing the option of combos

You'll get the hang of it really quickly, I'm sure you will - and so will Kathleen!

[dbz2988]

Basically, put in the carbs and BG like regular and do show.

Put in the FULL amount, go down and change to COMBO

You will get another screen after you hit OK, then you will put in the breakdown (you wanted 50/50 it sounded like) and how long to stretch out the remainder (1 hr, 1.5 hr, etc.). The first # will be given immediately and the remaining amount (the 2nd number) will be given over the time allotted

Thanks so much! We have him this weekend, so I'll give it another shot!!:)

[dbz2988]

I don't have any answers because we ordered the Animas yesterday. But, holy crap!, I'm just starting to get the hang of MDIs and this sounds so confusing.... I am SURE I'll 'get it' - it just seems crazy without knowing anything.

Denise, we started with the basics and it is not hard at all! We are now starting to get into the advanced features and unfortunately, the "test" pump wasn't working so the nurse showed us on Jr's. Couldn't actually do it, but she went through the screens and was rather quick about it. It was also almost a week from when she showed us to when we were going to try it with a high fat meal so some time had passed. I'm sure once I do it myself, I will have no problem! Don't be scared! It's the best decision we've all made!

[wendyc]

I don't have any answers because we ordered the Animas yesterday. But, holy crap!, I'm just starting to get the hang of MDIs and this sounds so confusing.... I am SURE I'll 'get it' - it just seems crazy without knowing anything.


Until you actually have it in your hand and can visualize, it does seem like holy crap! But the Animas is pretty straightforward and you'll be an old hand at it in no time!