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For insulin pump users: On average, how often do you take insulin using a different method other than through your pump? (E.g., giving an injection, using inhaled insulin, etc.)
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ONLY when I haven’t gotten my CGM!!! (Because my pre-approval was delayed 10 days!!!) I tested bgs 12times daily to make up partially from the loss of not having a CGM!!!)
I was in Ireland many years ago and pump broke. The cap that holds the insulin in place broke when I was replacing the cartridge. It was near the end of my trip and they wouldn’t be able to get me a new pump before I left 3 days later. I only had the quick acting insulin and a few needs. I was like a pin cushion for those days. I was anxious and ate very little. It was pre CGM too so my fingers hurt. A new one was at my home when I arrived
I’ve been using an insulin pump since 1998. As far as I’m concerned, the pump is best method of insulin delivery that I’ve used. I said, “never.”
You’ve never needed a backup plan in case of a pump failure? I had the notorious “button freeze” with my old Paradigm not long after I started pumping and it took three days for a replacement to arrive. I was very glad I still had Lantus and Novolog injectors in my fridge, and I’ve made sure to get a new set of each every year for contingencies like this.
Have done it once or twice in years when blood sugar very high and prior to going to the ER for
some kind of gastritis. I gave some SQ
I selected “Never”, but that’s not strictly true. It’s just that this was the closest option made available.
I use an insulin injection whenever I get an unexpected ‘High’ value on my pump. I then look at what might be causing the high and remedy the situation.
I have a script for Lantus and Fiasp injectors to use in case of pump failure. I’ve only rarely needed them for that reason, but I find the Fiasp pens very handy at times. Two uses that crop up a few times a year:
-To bring down a stubborn high due to some issue yet to be determined.
-To bolus for a meal when my reservoir is getting low but the timing for changing it is inconvenient
I know some insurance carriers won’t cover injectors for pump patients, which sucks. Pumps are great, but they have FAR more failure points than MDI, and having a backup is critical.
Recently had a code after an alarm on my insulin pump. Auto basal delivery stopped. Gave myself injection of insulin to cover, called medtronic helpline and they were able to walk me through getting it working properly again.
My son, age eleven, has been on a pump for 9.5 years. If we have a stubborn BG over 200, we give a syringe correction. It’s just part of our management style, and our son prefers that as he does not like being “high”. We do this 2-3 times per month.
I answered one or twice a year because that was kinda the best answer for my experience …
Truth be told, it varies because I take injected insulin when pump catheter occludes or when I take a pump vacation, which I often do during the month of July. Right now I went off the pump about a week ago due to scar tissue build-up in my lower abdomen sites and have been using Tresiba and Fiasp pens with Dexcom on my phone. All is going well and I am injecting in my upper arms and thighs that provide “fresh flesh” territory.
I wear a pump for my basal. But for all meals, and any highs, I use Afrezza inhaled insulin. Works much better for me.
I use Humalog in my pump, but if I am high, I will use Lyumjev by injection to come down faster. I tried Lyumjev in the pump, but I developed redness and irritation at all of my sites in about 18 hours. I also have Toujeo for back up in case of pump failure which I have had to use twice now.
I tried Lyumjev and it also caused a burning and Tandem informed me to only use hu along in the pump.
I use Fiasp in a pen when I have a stubborn high. Usually of my own doing.
Works great.
I only use a pen or syringe if I think my pump is malfunctioning and I need a ‘quick fix’!
I’ll use an injection of Novolog to bring down a stubborn high over the 225 level. The Novolog in my pump takes far longer to make the correction.
I have a backup pen but I’ve never used it. I tend to drink a lot of water and exercise to bring down highs faster. I like the idea of using Afrezza but I’ve never seriously tried to follow through with my endo. I think she would encourage me to leave well enough alone 🙂
I will take an injection of Lyumjev to get a stubborn high down quickly. It works so fast while the Humalog in my pump takes forever to kick in
Afrezza works great.
In 20+ years of pumping I think I used a syringe to inject insulin only two times. The first time was when my 5 series Minimed stopped working and the Minimed overnighted me a new pump. The second time was when I did not have sufficent supplies when I switched from a Minimed 770G to my new T:slim X2 back in Febuary.
I use Dexcom ge
I’m in pump but inject a few times per month when I suspect site occlusion, have a stubborn high, or reservoir is running low and I don’t have time to change immediately.
the answer “occasional” was missing from the choices which would have been my answer.
On average, I never take insulin with other methods besides my pump. I have a pen for Lantus and syringes in case of pump failure, which came in handy once before, some twelve years ago, but this is not an average occurrence.
If my pump is low but I am eating a meal and don’t want to hassle with a refill or if my blood sugar is high and won’t come down with boluses.
1 Time in 5 years since I’ve been on the Tandem.
If I’m spiking due to a bad site, or food nutrition value was not advertised properly, I’ll give an intramuscular injection to quickly come down. I need to avoid migraines!
Several times a week, because I have absorption issues. I’m 78 now, and I’ve been Type 1 since I was 14 years old.
My method is injected rapid insulin (Lyumjev). I chose multiple times per month, but this week it was multiple times per week. There seemed to be an issue with pump insulin delivery after it was at 60u or less in the cartridge. So weeks, I inject a lot and others not at all. Depends a lot on stress. Once BG goes high, many times even an injection won’t bring it down. Ugh!