Pump start soon -- yikes

[Hollyb]

Well Aaron's new blue Animas pump arrived yesterday, along with a bewildering boxful of equipment and instructions. I confess I find it intimidating, though he doesn't seem to -- he's ready to go! We do his start-up on Thursday.

I do seem to be overly anxious about the whole infusion site thing -- so many little things that can go wrong and require re-insertion? I was deathly afraid of needles as a child so part of it is probably just the intimidating look of the sets.

Anyhow -- my question for right now. It seems like we'll be needing to record a lot of info, at least for the near future. Are there pump logbooks that you use and especially like? I've found a few online but it's hard to tell what they'd be like to use.

Thanks guys!

[munchkingirl]

I know that when I was first looking into insulin pumps animas and deltec cozmo both and WONDERFUL logbooks for recording basal rates, boluses, blood sugars, activity, meals, snacks - the works. It was the size of a check-book. I think it was actually called something like "my other check book" - i found that about the best log book i've ever had.

Here's the link for what it looks like: http://www.diabetesnet.com/mocb1.php?PHPSESSID=37a22bad6cdb72578db44c761227cd ba

About the infusion sets - did you get the "insets" with your pump?

I just started on the animas 1250 3 months ago and it came with the insets. I will tell you that the first couple times the whole inset contraption scared me, to be honest. But now after using them I couldn't imagine ever using a different kind. Most others you have to insert the whole set yourself - with the insets - it does it for you. Which is really nice because then you always have a consistent depth - similar to injections, when you change to new needle sizes, it takes a bit of adjustment because the insulin is absorbed differently.

So, pretty much, the sets are intimidating at first - but I think you'll get used to them and love them after a fairly short while. I haven't had too many problems with the sets myself, except forgetting to tuck the tubing in and getting it caught around a drawer handle and ripping it out once :) the only other problem I have had once is that I inserted it wrong so boluses stung a little- but I just adjusted the delivery rate - and all was fine.

I think, and hope, that you will find the pump to really be a wonderful thing, though a bit stressful at first. There are really more benefits than not.

Hoped this helped!

Bethany;)

[Hollyb]

Thanks Bethany,

We wanted to try the Insets but apparently they are not available in Canada. It's really weird how some things are released here first (that new Minimed pump with the continuous sensor is available right now) and most other things later, or never. Apparently it's some kind of patent issue. They do look like the niftiest set and I've read good things about them on other forums too.

So we have Comfort short (which the nurses and reps all push, because I guess it's a more secure set for an active kid though scarier looking) and the Thinset to try...

I'll check out that link -- thanks!

Holly

[nantomsuethom]

Congratulations on Aaron becoming a new pumper!!
The infusion sets are kind of scary at first but after a few weeks it will be nothing, really.
When I keep a log for Thomas (2 weeks before his endo apt.) I make my own in excel or word. I make it just the way I want it. When he first started pumping and we had to send his bg numbers in to the endo's office often, it was easy to just send it from the computer and easy for them to read also.
Good luck!
You will enjoy the freedom I am sure!