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    • 47 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      same here. I was able to get a neurologist to diagnose it as that.
    • 48 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I have developed this very weird numbness and pain in my left outer thigh which I attribute to neuropathy, although there has been no official diagnosis. Of course, like every good diabetic, I did my own research and found that it is called meralgia paresthetica. It only comes on intermittently and rarely interferes with daily functions. Rest remedies it. Having lived with T1D for 56 years so far, I consider myself to be pretty lucky...so far.
    • 49 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I feel the same way. I'm never sure who to believe or how to get a valid assessment.
    • 49 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 3 hours, 32 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      Gastroparesis
    • 3 hours, 33 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      In late summer of 2017 I lost all feeling in both lower extremities to my hips and both upper extremities to my shoulders. It was not all diabetic related though. Lowered the drug in my chemo regimen but didn't reverse by next treatment, so that drug was stopped. Slowly I regained feeling in my arms and legs; left with no sensation in hands & feet up to ankles & wrist. I'm thankful that my oncologist realized that it wasn't just a diabetic thing.
    • 6 hours, 22 minutes ago
      Sandra Rosborough likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 7 hours, 10 minutes ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 10 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      My feet were killing me when I started taking insulin. Saw on another website that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) was good for neuropathy. Once I started taking it, the pain was gone within a week! Still using it 20 years later, still pain free
    • 10 hours, 18 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 10 hours, 37 minutes ago
      magoo likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 10 hours, 38 minutes ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 10 hours, 51 minutes ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 23 hours, 48 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      I spend a bit of time in my garden, yardwork , the animal shelter. Days I'm not with the Shelter my herd gets walked.
    • 23 hours, 49 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      avid cyclist for many years now ........... OK ..... add in resident year around maintenance yard work
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Walking and hiking.
    • 1 day, 7 hours ago
      Steven Gill likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Try pausing insulin on your pump if you are below 150mg/dl.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      Daniel Bestvater likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 2 days, 7 hours ago
      Bonnie Lundblom likes your comment at
      What event(s) prompt you to calibrate your CGM? Select all that apply.
      I always do 3 successive finger sticks about 1 day after applying a new G7 sensor. I'm amazed at how much variability there is among sensors. Some are spot on, and remain so during the entire 10 days, while the worst I saw was off 100 mg/dl at the start (reading half of the actual level) (I demanded -- and got -- a replacement for that outlier, since I did't want to have to trust it for days and go through piles of strips just to see if it was as bad as it seemed). I generally also do another batch of 3 tests several days later, just to check. I care about accuracy. I've found that it is essential to do multiple sequential finger sticks to get an accurate number from strips, since they too are far more variable than I am comfortable with. If the variability in strips is too great, I do 4 tests rather than 3, and throw out one, averaging the rest. I love my CGM, but it doesn't completely replace strips.
    • 3 days, 10 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Have you ever been on a ketogenic or “keto” diet (low carbohydrate, high protein)? Please share more in the comments.
      I’ve been a T1D for about 50 years. After about 10 years I moved towards a more whole food diet with only small amounts of meat. I seem to consume 100-150 grams of carbs per day and try not to eat more than 30-40 grams at a time.
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    After how many hours of high blood glucose levels would you change your pump site or open a new insulin pen?

    Home > LC Polls > After how many hours of high blood glucose levels would you change your pump site or open a new insulin pen?
    Previous

    If you were diagnosed before age 26 or if you have a child with T1D who is now an adult, at what age did you or your child become financially responsible for the entire financial cost of diabetes supplies?

    Next

    How much did you spend out-of-pocket on all of your diabetes medications and supplies from the start of January through the end of March 2022?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    32 Comments

    1. ConnieT1D62

      Currently? I answered Never because sustained high BG levels rarely happen anymore since being on the Tandem X2 with CIQ. However, if I were to run sustained high BGs for hours I would (1) check & trouble shoot pump gear to ensure everything is working properly and (2) check for ketones.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Mary Dexter

      Lately, the last 50 units of Novolog in the cartridge have been relatively ineffective, so I’ve been changing them at that point.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. cynthia jaworski

        I have recently seen a post in a facebook group stating that the novolog at the end of a vial is booth less effective and also more viscous.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. M C

      If there is no ‘logical’ reason for the high bg, then I begin trying to figure out the ‘why’ – Sometimes it can be as simple as a kink in the line, so I just make adjustments to it. I have found it is the rare time that it is actually a problem with the site. If necessary, until all is sorted out, I will supplement with the pen needle, and continue monitoring.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Larry Martin

      It really depends on if I know the cause. If I have eaten out and did not guess carbs correctly, that is not a reason to change sites. If I forgot to bolus, which is very rare, that is also not a reason.

      4
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Jane Cerullo

      Have high glucose level set at 150 so if it alarms and I cover it usually goes right down. If not would change pens.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. kflying1@yahoo.com

      A closed answer question – similar to asking “when did you stop beating your domestic partner.” The question assumes an answer of only 2 choices, displaying a bias of the questioner that totally negates not only the particular questioner, but all T1D surveys as well.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. John McHenery

      Would depend on whether ther were issues with bubbles in line or other factors e.g. health. Would probably initially increase basal.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Patricia Dalrymple

      One question I would like posed: how many people who use pumps supplement with a Pen or Syringe? I have never done that by I see others do. When I am on a sustained high it is usually because I ate out, like a pig, had dessert, fell off the wagon and have to wait for my body to recover from the abuse and get right back on. It’s a marathon not a sprint.

      5
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Steven Gill

        I carry a syringe with me to work because I’ve had my insert pull loose a time or three, and odd levels. I’ve also screwed up with the insert in the first place, AND I’ve used a syringe at work so I don’t waste what’s left in the cartridge and switch out in the morning (I can get by on 12-15 units in an average day at work so if I wake with 10 will bring a spare cartridge and draw it with a syringe if it’s not easy to just change cartridges. That way I waste little)

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Lawrence S.

      I still have to change my cannulas from time to time. Sometimes the site just doesn’t work. I will usually make several attempts to get my BG levels where they belong. But, considering the possible reasons for the high BG’s I will usually change the cannula and in injection site as a first step in the process.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Natalie Daley

      Considering what insulin costs, I would not be throwing it out. At $50 a pen, I would check the carbs and adjust accordingly.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Dave Akers

      Secret option C: I’m off liquid meal time insulin…

      I inhale and don’t have to trouble shoot those issues anymore👍🏼

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Stephen Woodward

      Question should have read “…hours of un explained high blood glucose…”. Correction using an injection is tge easiest test to ID a bad site in addition to awareness.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Andrew Stewart

      As with most questions here on t1dexchange.org the answer is it DEPENDS. I don’t have additional detail as the other commenters have covered it.

      Wouldn’t it be great if the number of variables in your T1D management were limited to your number of answer options in these questions?

      #BeWell

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Ken Raiche

      Never ever have I ever had to do that and to top it off the expense of the infusion kits would make it highly unlikely that I would. Although now that I think of it I actually have but this was due to the excruciating pain at the infusion site fortunately my kit was a 90 degree steel and I removed and set at a new location. So this was a totally differently scenario but could be done if I ever ran into the situation asked.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        I have only changed my sight maybe two times in years. That is what I like about the steel cannulas, —-that you can place them in a different area without wasting a cannula set.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Mark Schweim

      The KEY word is missing from the question!!!

      I wouldn’t consider changing sites just because of high BG’s. Only because of sustained UNEXPLAINED high BG readings.

      Without the word “unexplained” in the question, that entire question is pretty much meaningless, pointless, useless.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Sherolyn Newell

      I’ve only had sustained high glucose levels once, and by high I mean over 250. I did multiple adjustments, but nothing worked. On the second day, I was thinking bad insulin or site. It turned out to be the effects of a cortizone shot from my rheumatologist. She forgot to tell me it might make my BG go up.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Steve Rumble

      I don’t use either a pump or pen, rather MDI. I change my vials at the first of every month, so regularly more than 28 days use but that doesn’t seem to cause problems over an extra 3 days use.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        A pen can be considered MDI as I am taking a guess that most diabetics who use pens inject more than once a day.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Diana L.

      When this happens and there is no reasonable explanation, the culprit is usually the canula at the infusion site has come loose and/or it is flattened against my skin.
      I wish I could tell when my canula is not delivering insulin to my body.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Ahh Life

      Alas and alack, another bell-shaped curve around 3-6 hours with me being, again, a 3 sigma deviant at the tail end with >24 hours. Guess, I am just too greedy, stingy, parsimonious, tight (choose your adjective) to abandon perfectly good overly exorbitant pricey insulin. Funny, must be my bad habits – sacrificing health to the god of money. Must be an angel somewhere saying, “Tsk, tsk.” (゚⊿゚)

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Molly Jones

      I chose 6-12 hrs. This is only if it looks like my glucose levels were not reacting to my pumps insulin even at an increased delivery and I have tested multiple variables.
      My BG can stay high for a few hours after fatty or hard to digest meals along with many other reasons.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      My glucose usually goes up after a site Chage most of time I get it under control within 3 hours.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Vicki Breckenridge

      I always try an injection before I would change a site. That works 99% of the time.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. KCR

      This question needed an “It depends” response, since the conditions for high blood sugars were not specified, for example, in the absence of illness or stress. If I rule out illness, stress, or carb miscount, and have given a bolus correction that is not working, then I will likely change out my pump right away.

      “When in doubt, change it out!”

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Chris Albright

      My response might change if the last meal was a heavy fat/protein meal. Expect an extended higher BG when a heavy fat/protein meal is on board.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Louise Robinson

      Because Medicare limits me to 10 infusion sets and cartridges every 30 days, I cannot change sites more frequently (even when running higher) because I would run out of supplies. (Unless I wish to pay for an extra box of supplies out-of-pocket.) For 9 months, I have had increasingly higher glucose levels once I get into Day 3 of a site. I am in the process of changing endo because my old endo (I’ve been with him 13 years) has been unable (since July last year to provide the documentation needed by Medicare to approve a site change every 2.5 days rather than every 3 days. I’ve provided him with additional documentation over and above my CGM and pump reports to show that Day 3 readings and insulin usage exceeds the other 2 days.) On Day 3 of my site, while keeping the site in, I often resort to supplementing my pumped insulin with an injection until my full 3 days are up. This is SOOOO frustrating!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Louise Robinson

        Just additional info. I am a Type 1 diagnosed in 1976 and have religiously rotated my sites from upper and lower abdomen to thighs to arms to avoid development of scar tissue but after 46 years, diabetes may have taken its toll.

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Wanacure

      I go with a (>130) high bg or go intermittently for 2 days with unusually higher bgs, before I realize something is out of wack. If I can’t figure out what caused them, I might try increasing my morning fast acting lispro, or getting up earlier or adjusting the overnight room temperature, or maybe realize I might have an infection and to expect other symptoms will soon follow. But sometimes I’m just baffled and bgs go to normal range without doing anything.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Cheryl Seibert

      Tricky question as my BGs go up and stay up with stress, so a site change doesn’t help. Once, boluses do not bring down BG in 1-2 hours, then I start debugging the problem. “Fill Cannula” while not connected to be sure the tubing delivery is working, look for blood, soreness around the site. I even will moderately exercise to get the BG down and then see if the site again fails. At that point, I’m into 4-6 hours and will change the site.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    After how many hours of high blood glucose levels would you change your pump site or open a new insulin pen? Cancel reply

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