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  • Activity
    • 3 hours, 4 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I usually take 2-3 times what I think I'll need.
    • 3 hours, 46 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I always bring extra infusion sets and CGM sensors in case of accidental tear out. With Tandem pump, a charger is also essential. I forgot mine in my last weekend away. I use a Dexcom G6, so don't need to finger stick, but always bring my meter & strips just in case, and extra lancets as sometimes my non-diabetic family members like me to check their BG. I always take a vial and syringes in case of pump failure. For overnight trips also bring juice boxes/ glucose tabs and glucagon in case for lows. Hard to travel light as a T1D, especially with those GIANT Dexcom sensor inserters! 🧳🧳🧳
    • 4 hours, 3 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I usually take 2-3 times what I think I'll need.
    • 4 hours, 3 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Just did this and brought almost all of these things. Didn’t think to pack an extra transmitter tho. But, did have 3 ways of administering insulin, plus CGM and regular meter. So, I knew I was good. I choose “loaner pump” too but really it’s an old pump that still works. I actually had to use it the week before my trip for a pump failure emergency, so glad I have it.
    • 4 hours, 19 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Having been a Boy Scout when I was young taught me to be prepared for anything. I tend to over pack for everything. So, I pack just about everything listed. However, I never considered taking one of my old insulin pumps. I'll consider it. But for a 7 day trip, I'm not sure. I guess it depend upon where I'm going.
    • 4 hours, 20 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I was in Boston in 2013 when we were all confined to our hotels while they searched for the marathon bomber. I also remember 9/11 when planes were grounded. I never assume I can easily restock supplies and always take at least double the amount I'll need of everything including my backup pump. Fingers crossed that I never need it. I hope I could be one of the ones who share live saving stuff with anyone who gets caught without it.
    • 4 hours, 20 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Ughhh the extra CGM sensor is the worst. It takes up an unnecessarily large amount of space.
    • 4 hours, 21 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      It is WAY TOO MUCH stuff to be prepared away from home. Generally, half my suitcase. And even more stuff if it is a two-week trip. You missed snacks and glucose tabs.
    • 5 hours, 41 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I was in Boston in 2013 when we were all confined to our hotels while they searched for the marathon bomber. I also remember 9/11 when planes were grounded. I never assume I can easily restock supplies and always take at least double the amount I'll need of everything including my backup pump. Fingers crossed that I never need it. I hope I could be one of the ones who share live saving stuff with anyone who gets caught without it.
    • 5 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Ughhh the extra CGM sensor is the worst. It takes up an unnecessarily large amount of space.
    • 5 hours, 43 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I'm really surprised at the low percentages of people that take extra supplies. We don't carry an extra pump and haven't used one long enough to have old extras. But even though we are, in general, very light packers, we always make sure we have extra D-supplies, in case a sensor fails or is ripped off, a bottle of insulin gets damaged, etc. But it also depends on WHERE we are going. On an overseas trip of any length we'd always take an extra transmitter. But we'd be unlikely to take one on a domestic trip unless we were going for several weeks. We always take pens even on an overnight trip ever since my husband flew to NYC on a day trip with some buddies, his pump failed, he had not brought pens for back-up and his BG soared! I see the burden of carrying extra supplies as the price to pay for insurance that nothing will actually fail.
    • 5 hours, 45 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Glucose tabs and snacks.
    • 5 hours, 45 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I take twice as much pods, CGM supplies as I know I will need. It is a pain to carry all that junk but necessary. We never know when a pod or sensor will fail. I also take syringes just in case my pump fails which it never has in the almost three decades I have used one. I also carry a few Baqsimi just in case I have a severe low. I carry more insulin than I know I will need since I broke a bottle once when overseas and almost ran out on another foreign trip.
    • 5 hours, 45 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      A while back I went to the UK for a choir tour. I had just acquired a CGM, a G4 Platinum, specifically as a safety measure for the trip. I don't bring second meter any more, but this was before the Dexcom was trusted for bolusing, so I was still meter-dependent and felt I needed an extra just in case. As it turned out I DID need it, but not for myself. There was another, newly dx'd, T1 on the trip and she lost her meter when she left her bag on the bus or some such. So I was able to come to the rescue. It was possible to buy a replacement of course but European/Brit ones are calibrated in moles rather than mL so that was still a glitch--she used mine for the remainder of the trip.
    • 5 hours, 46 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Just did this and brought almost all of these things. Didn’t think to pack an extra transmitter tho. But, did have 3 ways of administering insulin, plus CGM and regular meter. So, I knew I was good. I choose “loaner pump” too but really it’s an old pump that still works. I actually had to use it the week before my trip for a pump failure emergency, so glad I have it.
    • 5 hours, 47 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      It is WAY TOO MUCH stuff to be prepared away from home. Generally, half my suitcase. And even more stuff if it is a two-week trip. You missed snacks and glucose tabs.
    • 8 hours, 43 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Skin prep pads.
    • 8 hours, 43 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Glucose tabs and snacks.
    • 8 hours, 44 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Additional (i.e. beyond what I usually carry with me) glucose tablets and a dose of Baqsimi.
    • 8 hours, 44 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I usually take 2-3 times what I think I'll need.
    • 9 hours, 31 minutes ago
      Flo Bachrach likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I take twice as much pods, CGM supplies as I know I will need. It is a pain to carry all that junk but necessary. We never know when a pod or sensor will fail. I also take syringes just in case my pump fails which it never has in the almost three decades I have used one. I also carry a few Baqsimi just in case I have a severe low. I carry more insulin than I know I will need since I broke a bottle once when overseas and almost ran out on another foreign trip.
    • 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Having been a Boy Scout when I was young taught me to be prepared for anything. I tend to over pack for everything. So, I pack just about everything listed. However, I never considered taking one of my old insulin pumps. I'll consider it. But for a 7 day trip, I'm not sure. I guess it depend upon where I'm going.
    • 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I was in Boston in 2013 when we were all confined to our hotels while they searched for the marathon bomber. I also remember 9/11 when planes were grounded. I never assume I can easily restock supplies and always take at least double the amount I'll need of everything including my backup pump. Fingers crossed that I never need it. I hope I could be one of the ones who share live saving stuff with anyone who gets caught without it.
    • 10 hours ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I agree that it depends on where the trip is. My decision point is how long would it take to get replacement supplies and what are the effects of a delay. I’m MDI Tresiba which lasts >24 hours, which significantly reduces the urgency to replace background insulin. For NYC, I brought nothing extra. For my trip to a third world country- I brought one, and only one, extra of each supply including a CGM receiver. Dexcom wasn’t available where I went and I worried if something happened to my phone, I wouldn’t be able to download the software if I bought a replacement phone.
    • 10 hours ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I'm really surprised at the low percentages of people that take extra supplies. We don't carry an extra pump and haven't used one long enough to have old extras. But even though we are, in general, very light packers, we always make sure we have extra D-supplies, in case a sensor fails or is ripped off, a bottle of insulin gets damaged, etc. But it also depends on WHERE we are going. On an overseas trip of any length we'd always take an extra transmitter. But we'd be unlikely to take one on a domestic trip unless we were going for several weeks. We always take pens even on an overnight trip ever since my husband flew to NYC on a day trip with some buddies, his pump failed, he had not brought pens for back-up and his BG soared! I see the burden of carrying extra supplies as the price to pay for insurance that nothing will actually fail.
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    If you wear an insulin pump, how do you decide how much insulin to fill it with during a site change?

    Home > LC Polls > If you wear an insulin pump, how do you decide how much insulin to fill it with during a site change?
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    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) 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. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

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    22 Comments

    1. Bob Durstenfeld

      I put about 240 units in the pump. it takes about 20 units to fill the tubing and I run it until the ALARM tells me I need to refill it, usually, 3-4 units left. I wear my sites for about four days.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. LizB

      I fill the reservoir completely and keep using it until it is empty, but I change the set every 3 days.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Ahh Life

      I fill with same amount, approx. 120 units for a 72 kg retired person changing out every 3-1/2 days. How anyone plans for the next 3 days is unfathomable to me. The difference between plans and real life is that with plans we can set the parameters as if they are known. In real life, these parameters are as clear as mud. ✍( ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛) ( ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛)👎

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Clare Fishman

      I put the same amount in my pod every time. It is enough for 80 hours which is the maximum lifespan of a pod. If there is some left in it I don’t stress about it. If it gets low at the end I will bolus with a pen instead of changing it early.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Sherolyn Newell

      My pods require 80 units to work. I usually put in 85 to 95. Normally, that lasts 3 days easily. There are exceptions when I use more, usually holidays, but I have never totally run out. I think my lowest was about 7 units left when I changed it. I think I’m on year 8 of a late onset of Type 1. I have had to increase my carb ratio a bit once, but so far, I am still pretty sensitive to the insulin.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Jeannie Hickey

      I’m with Liz B, fill Medtronic full and change site every 2.5 days. Insulin is fine, saves insulin in tubing and time!

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Gene Maggard

      My Medtronic pump reservoir holds 300 units which I fill to the max each time. Based on my typical usage this lasts me from 4 to 4-1/2 days. Occasionally it begins to lose its potency but if that happens I change it early.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. David Smith

      I’m a Medtronic Minimed 670G user, and I was surprised at how many people fill their pump reservoirs with less than the max amount of insulin it will hold. Trying to match the amount of insulin in the reservoir to the amount of time you plan to keep a new cannula in place seems like a lot of extra work. And what if you have to change the cannula earlier than expected? Much easier to just fill up the reservoir and continue using it until it’s empty, plugging the tubing into new cannulas when you change them. In over 20 years of doing that, I’ve never had a problem.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Amanda Barras

      I use 120 U a day so I have to max fill and then refill at day 2 to get to day 3.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. George Lovelace

      My Tandem I fill with 2.75 ml. which lasts about 5 days. I never consider Site Change or Tubing Change, each part is changed when needed.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Thomas Hatton

      I fill my resivor to about 220 units. This gives me 5 complete draws from one vial. The problem with drawing the full 300 units is the left over after the 4th draw. What do we do with that?

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Grey Gray

      I use to max fill every time. But now fill for normal 3 day requirements. After many years of wondering I am now sure that insulin in a pump loses potency quickly in the south Florida sun

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Abigail Elias

      Generally the same amount but with adjustments, such as whether I have or have not yet boluses from breakfast, or taking into account likely exercise or other physical activities. If I end up with too much, I delay my pump change by a 1/2 day and adjust the next fill upward a bit so that I stick as closely as possible to 3 days.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Sally Numrich

      I use about 25 units per day, so I get just over 3 days. So I change every 3 to 3 1/2 days. But of course it depends on what I am eating. Some days need more insulin like pizza or burgers & fries!

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Becky Hertz

      I fill mine with the max amount (300). I do use quite a bit of insulin. It usually lasts 3-4 days, but as I use a steel needle I usually change my site after 2 days (out when my site starts hurting or not absorbing).

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Greg Felton

      I try to squeeze every last drop out of that cartridge!

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Lori COLLINS

      I fill my MiniMed 770G cartridge to capacity & just plug the same tubing into a new infusion set every few days. I use relatively little insulin so a 300 ml cartridge lasts 13 – 15 days. I’ve been doing it this way since I got my first insulin pump 25+ years ago. I live on Florida’s Gulf Coast and have never had a problem w/ insulin losing potency either from heat or hanging out in my pump for two weeks. For me, unexpected highs usually mean it’s time for a site change.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Robert Brooks

      My endocrinologist mentioned a study that showed that by the third day in a pump resting against a 97.6-degree body, the insulin is about 23% less active than it is initially. This is a reason to load a cartridge with what you will use up in three or three and a half days.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Nick Trubov

      Currently I don’t use a pump, but when I did I filled it with the maximum amount that the cartridge would hold.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Lenora Ventura

      Filling my cartridge is an independent task from changing my infusion site. When the current cartridge runs out, I start over with a full, new cartridge.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Mary Ann Sayers

      I liked Robert’s answer re: body temp. Mine is around 96, and I fill the “cartridge” a little above 1.5 which lasts me 3 and a half days. I KNOW I’m supposed to change it EVERY THREE DAYS, but I’ve let some activites get in the way of taking care of taking of me!!! I plan on recharging my battery on time!

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Cheryl Seibert

      I look at the next 3 to 4 days schedule and then decide how much to load. I prefer to change the Tandem cartridge along with the infusion site, although I could fill the entire cartridge and only change the infusion site. My preference is to change the cartridge at home so if I’m away from caregiving my sick relative, I load more to get through until I’m back home.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

    If you wear an insulin pump, how do you decide how much insulin to fill it with during a site change? Cancel reply

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