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Many people take a break from wearing T1D devices during summers when they’ll be more active, wearing clothes that might have fewer pockets, or spending time at the beach. If you wear a pump or CGM, do you expect to take a “device vacation” for at least a few days this summer?
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No. Not now. Not never
The T1D condition is eternal. And when miracle technological devices are miraculously available for use (both theologically and economically) I am determined to make use of them, even when they frequently fail, rip off, go kaput, and occasionally wander into never never land. Keep a stiff technological upper lip and carry on. Cheers!
As a T1D for 54 years since age 6, I don’t understand why anyone would ‘take a vacation’ from the devices that provide them better control and thus a longer life. I would never consider going back to multiple daily injections and 10-12 finger pokes a day. Sounds like a nightmare back to my childhood to me!
I am taking a two month break from my pump and CGM. My pump warranty expires at the end of August. My CGM transmitter is failing causing the sensors to last only two to three days. I spoke with my Endo and when I finish my pump/CGM supplies I will be going back to MDI. She wants me to think about changing pump and CGM brands.
Rex,
I am sorry to hear that you are having so many problems with your pump and CGM. I don’t know what you mean by MNI. I had many problems with my CGM and found that changing locations/sites helped tremendously. I now wear my CGM soley on my upper glutes. I also try to keep my pump on the same side of my body as the CGM transmitter. I use the Dexcom G6 transmitter and find it to work better than other transmitters. I wish you well, and don’t give up. Larry
I forgot to mention that sensors/transmitter that go bad before their expiration dates are replace by the company.
Rex, I had to change brands a few years ago after I went on Medicare, which basically only covers Dexcom CGMs which pair with Tandem pumps. WOW!! I had been on a pump almost 30 years, a CGM for 15, and this was a whole new level of helpful, ESPECIALLY the CGM. Accuracy, reliability, all superior to my longtime loyal “Other” brand.
More device shamming from T1D. We all should just leave here.
Sounds absurd. Put both. on the upper gluteals
There is absolutely no reason to take a break! Vanity is no reason to not wear a device. I didnt begin wearing a pump until I was 30 because I was concerned about how I would look wearing a pump. I starting wearing one because I knew it was the best way to manage my blood glucose levels when it came time to start a family. Best thing I ever did…ever! Looking back I want to slap myself for waiting. I wear my pump loud and proud. I might get looks or get questions but so what? It’s part of who I am. If you explain to someone it allows me to live a better life then they are al for it too!
It just seems absurd to take a “vacation” from T1D devices, on several levels. My T1D devices give me the best control of my diabetes, and good health. Also, my health insurance will not buy syringes and blood test strips (but why would I want to regress back to an inferior method of taking care of myself). I’ve been a diabetic for 44 years. There are no vacations from this disease. It is 24/7. I find this question to be counter productive to diabetes care. Shame on T1D for promoting such a negative idea!
When my boys were younger and they were due for a site change, if their tests were good, I would let them go swim or out to play for a bit without their pumps. There were no CGMs back then so we would finger stick and depending on the numbers maybe take a shot or hook back up. they called it their FREE time!! As adults I still catch them once in a while without their CGMs, but never their pumps. I being only diagnosed 4 years ago, will not take mine off only to swim and like someone said I will check in every 30 minutes or so to make sure I don’t need a bolus. I don’t think this is a negative question at all!! My brother takes vacations from his pump for weeks at a time and goes to MDIs. He is in construction and working out in the heat has trouble with the insulin going bad and he says its just nice not having to worry about his pump getting caught on something, like my little boys would say, “It’s Freeing Mom” !
When one sensor expires before I put a new one on I sometimes take the opportunity to take a bath, so maybe same with swimming if I find myself near a pool. I haven’t tried with G6 but it was end of session for it’s predecessor whenever I tried to swim, even with great tape, maybe the tape was the problem. Advice welcome!
I only wear CGM… no break from that as it provides more freedom from having to also carry a SMBG device around. No problem keeping G6 on while swimming or playing Ocean Waterpolo. Good adhesive is the key!!
Take a “vacation” from something that will improve my health? No Way! The only time I take my pump off for an extended period is when I want to swim, and then it’s only for a maximum of about 30 minutes. It’s not because of vanity, but more because I don’t trust the “guarantee” the pump will work after time in the water. My sensors I don’t worry about and never take them off and have had no problems. I even forgot to take one off during an MRI test and it didn’t impact it. As others have said, why would anyone want to take a “vacation” and not want to take advantage of current technology, when it is so critical to your health? We’re all going to be diabetics our entire life, and the chances of having a better and longer life will be improved by using the best tools.
Ditto. Won’t take off anything that keeps me healthy.
Device Shaming? Hmmmm. I don’t take any offense to questions like this.
I have on occasion taken a pump vacation for a period of 10 days to 3 weeks to give my insertion sites a rest. I use MDI with my CGM and do okay – mainly because I am well trained by my pump algorithms. I have done it in July and took advantage of swimming in a pool without wearing pump paraphernalia. It was enjoyable.
I take a CGM break every time I get a new transmitter. I believe it’s important to remember how to keep in control using our meters. We can’t get too comfortable with technology and forget how to do it old school in my opinion.
Hi Jenny –
Yes, it is quite helpful to remember how to do diabetes old school! First time my pump died and a replacement would take 3 or 4 days to arrive, my first thought was, “Oh… how much long-term insulin do I take? I don’t remember how to do this!” (I also used my cat’s long-term insulin because I had none of my own on hand.) But, it was quite a learning curve.
But, to answer the question:
I don’t take intentional breaks. Mine always are when technology fails me. So, I get a lot of practice.
Anyway, it’s good to be flexible, IMHO! 🙂
I finally have a great system (Tandem pump and Dexcom) to take care of diabetes. It reduces my stress and work and I don’t have to think about it as much. Why would I want to go back to that hassle.
Would not want a “break” except to go in to the water. The devices make life so much easier, it would not be much of a “break” without them.
No I don’t take any device vacations during the summer months. My Tslim x2 pump and Dexcom CGM6 help keep me healthy and with great A1C’s so it wouldn’t make sense for me to stop using these during the warm weather months. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life and had more than my fair share of severe sunburns. So far just 1 skin cancer, but also have vitiligo, so I avoid the sun as much as possible.
I would rather be safe and secure….
Have no desire to take a break from my pump, but sometimes when my CGM sensor session ends, I’ll wait a day or two to place a new one.
I’m not currently wearing devices for other reasons, but when I do, I do not take breaks in summer.
I see no shame in mentioning this. When I was a new pumper in the 90s I was getting frustrated by all the new things I had to do, and my CDE (Della Matheson <3) said if I wanted to take a break for a few days, I could. It let me relax for a bit and then get back on them. Also I have learned that insulin spoils in Miami Beach sun so I always bring a cooler and baggie for my pump to stay in. I detach pump before going for a swim.
I have been at the beach 3 times already and stopped myself before diving in because of my Dexcom CGM transmitter on my arm. There is no way to take it off without ruining the 10-day sensor. It would be nice if you could snap it in and out, or if there was a good waterproof patch.
I go to the beach often every summer and swim. I keep my CGM in place but remove my pump while swimming and reattach it when I’m done. The only time I use long acting insulin rather than my pump is when I kayak just in case I fall in and risk my pump getting wet. I only kayak once or twice a summer. I don’t really take vacations from my pump since I prefer having it on.
I only take off my pump to shower. The CGM stays all the time. I’ve used waterproof patches for years.
If my clothes don’t have pockets (and most women’s clothing doesn’t) or the usual site of a waistband, I go with an alternate solution like a belly band. If I go in the pool, I put my pump in a waterproof microphone case and clip it to a necklace.
It just isn’t necessary to abandon control to enjoy life.