If you wear an insulin pump, how often do you carry a backup method of insulin delivery when you leave your home? (I.e. supplies for a pump site change, an insulin pen, syringes, etc.)

Activity
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  The resources I use in managing my glucose levels once sick is my own personal experience after living with t1d for 46 years
- 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Just did what makes sense to me- eating less carbs, watching blood glucose more often and taking corrections as needed. Also some level of activity if possible.
- 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Been type 1 since the early 80's learned self management as therapies changed. Unless hospitalized(which I never am anymore) I decide how much insulin to put in my body based on my on going experience with the 1000's of reasons I may need more or less of it. I do love my pump, insulin and CGM so I guess I have to tell the doctor what I do once a year. .. I just keep throwing info and facts he isn't up on till he gets a glazed over look on his face and writes my scripts. I find the most inconvenient part of diabetes is all the people that want to help but don't know much about everyday life with the disease. And NO I do not want to join a discussion group!
- 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Many times I have needed to adjust insulin intake amount in order to cope with illness, but only rarely needed outside help. In the early 1970’s I made some mistakes managing influenza. My BG went very high (no meter available for testing at home), and I ended up in the hospital then.
- 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Except for those brand new at this, we all know the drill. We know that we need to be flexible, make adjustments, and pay attention.
- 1 hour, 43 minutes ago
  
  TEH likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  only time that I have been sick was when I got COVID during Jan '22. my sugars were going crazy high and I couldn't understand why but when I tested positive for COVID, in retrospect it made sense.
Clear All

If you wear an insulin pump, how often do you carry a backup method of insulin delivery when you leave your home? (I.e. supplies for a pump site change, an insulin pen, syringes, etc.)

On average, how many test strips do you currently use in a day?

Sarah Howard

41 Comments

Ernie Richmann

I carry extra supplies especially if I am gone overnight.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Tina Roberts

I carry supplies if I’m going to be gone over night or on vacation. When I worked I kept one of everything at work as well.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Britni Steingard

I said “often.” I don’t actually wear a pump anymore, but when I did I had extra supplies with me any time I was leaving the house for more than a couple hours. For example, I always brought extra supplies to work, but wouldn’t bring extra to go grocery shopping.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
1. Lawrence Stearns
  
  Curious. You don’t wear a pump anymore? Are you doing some experimental therapy?
  
  2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sue Herflicker

I said often. I only bring my supplies if I am traveling more than a half an hour from home or if I am going to a function that lasts several hours.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Patricia Dalrymple

I said sometimes. All depends on where I’m going and for how long as others have said. Definitely on any overnight trip. Sometimes if it would be difficult to come home if something goes wrong. I went to a party once over 25 miles away and we played a game that made my site disconnect from my stomach. I didn’t realize it until I started feeling bad. Then we had to race home to fix it.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kaylea Bowers

Always… I’ve had several occasions where I forgot a backup method, and without fail those are the times that my pod would fail, leak, or get ripped off. Learned my lesson!

3

2 years ago Log in to Reply
George Lovelace

I said Rarely because I hardly ever go anywhere more than 10 minutes from home.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sherolyn Newell

Work is only 15-20 minutes from home. If there’s a problem, I can usually pack up and work from home the rest of the day. If for some reason I have to actually be in the office, I can get home and back in under an hour. Same for just running around town. If I have a rare pump failure, as long as I don’t need a bolus, I can go for a few hours before I even start to get high glucose levels. If I go out of town, I bring extra supplies.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Ken Raiche

As I always say better safe then sorry. So my little bicycling backpack which goes everywhere that I go has everything in it that I may need. Tester, Dex 4, and Humalog pen.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sahran Holiday

Always if I leave the house other than walking distance from where I live.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Gary Taylor

For all who said always or often, good for you. You are better at it than I am. I said “never”. The one exception is if I know I will run out of insulin. Even on day trips to Minneapolis/St. Paul, a 3 hour drive each way, I don’t carry backup supplies. 99% of the time, all is good. Then there is the 1% . . .

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Nevin Bowman

Only when going away from home for more than a day.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
David Smith

I picked “sometimes” because I’ll carry back-up if I’m traveling more than a few hours from home. In 20+ years of using an insulin pump, never had one fail (have only used Medtronic). But when I do travel, I carry a functioning, if out-of-warranty pump as my first back-up option. Also have some syringes if I need to inject.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Tod Herman

Basically, anytime I plan on leaving home (or town) for a day or more, I bring a backup.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
William Bennett

Not for daily outings but any time I’m going to be away for a whole day or more, yup.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kathleen Amper

Only for extended times from home but just local zipping around town I don’t take anything.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Amanda Barras

Always have a vial and a few syringes with me. Even if my pump doesn’t fail, I use it on the regular if I run out of insulin while I’m out, or if I am running low and have a meal I’ll just take a shot for the meal so that I have enough insulin to continue running basal until I get home. Also, I can’t use Fiasp in my Tslim pump so I’ll use that to do a shot for a large meal or a high instead of my pump on occasion because novolog just doesn’t work as fast as I need it to.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
1. Patricia Maddix
  
  Why is it not allowed to use Fiasp in your tandem pump? I’ve tried a vial of it in my med Tronic pump to see if indeed it was more rapid acting than my nova log and it was not. I am now usingLyumjev in my Medtronic pump and it works amazingly fast and keeps my blood sugar very steady. Both of these trials were under the supervision of my endocrinologist. The Lyumjev does tend to foam very easily when drawing into the Medtronic Reservoir so I can see how it might be a problem in a tandem pump as you have to draw the insulin first into a syringe and then inject into the cartridge where the foam and bubbles might not be visible.
  
  2 years ago Log in to Reply
Retired and glad

I retired about three years ago. Whenever we travel such as a cruise or other vacation (not lately!) I always have a “go bag” with supplies, insulin, other medications, etc. But these days I don’t really think about it because I’m never that far from home. That being said, when I was working I traveled a lot all across the country. One day I flew from home in ATL to Chicago, and upon arrival I suddenly remembered I had not brought my pump! It was the first time in my life I had done such a thing. I called my boss and said I was sorry but had a medical issue and would be returning home. I didn’t eat anything in the few hours it took me to fly back and get to my house and reattach. Luckily my number hadn’t risen about 250 so it wasn’t so bad. Just stupid!

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Jana Foley

I honestly only take back up supplies when I’m going out of town and know I will need them. Saying this now, it sounds like poor planning on my part. I may have to rethink this.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
ConnieT1D62

Except for brief trips to the post office, CVS or the grocery store I would seldom leave home without my diabetes back-up bag – a “just in case” extra supply of diabetes self-care everything. However, sometimes I would forget to bring it, and of course those are the few times when I really needed it!

Recently I treated myself to a really cool Myabetic tote bag with a detachable purse. It is cleverly designed to provide safe & organized storage for diabetes self-care essentials plus plenty of room for all the other stuff I carry around with me in my daily life for professional and personal business. These days, I never leave home with it.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Janis Senungetuk

Rarely go any distance from home. I’d pack extra pump supplies in addition to extra insulin and a couple of syringes if I was traveling anywhere overnight.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Holly Miller

I’ve been a pump user for 27 yrs. I said “Always” because of 2 times back in the dark ages of MDI when I left home for work and, due to a weather event (BOTH TIMES), wan’t able to return home for my evening and following morning injections. Luckily only one expensive and not-fun trip to the emergency room resulted. I now carry my open vial of insulin and a couple of syringes as a basic part of my ‘diabetes kit.’ I can think of at least 4 times when a friend with T1D asked to ‘borrow’ some of my spare insulin because they had run out with no backups. I’ve recently changed pumps and am still working out a good way to carry all of the ‘extra’ parts of my new pump’s sets.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Scott Doerner

I always carry the pump hardware, but do not carry insulin

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Bob Durstenfeld

I have had two Medtronic pumps FAIL while traveling, I had back up syringes. Now I use a Tandem pump and I have not had any issues on multiple international trips. I do pack an expired pump just in case. Around town, I just carry my glucose tabs. Away from home more than a few hours, I have my go bag with a site change, syringes and insulin.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
dave hedeen

poor question, never if I am returning home same day. Always have back up items for over night trips.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
1. Beverly Crosby
  
  I’m with David.
  
  2 years ago Log in to Reply
Becky Hertz

As others have said, I rarely go anywhere more than 30 minutes from my house. I will carry extra supplies if I’m low on insulin or have a site change that might take place when I’m out. If going on a trip or overnight, will carry supplies. When I worked, I did carry extra insulin Andrea syringe, and had supplies at work. I worked at a hospital so if I got in a bind I could get in touch with it CDE’s.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sally Numrich

I said other. I have backup pump supplies at work & in the car. Also backup insulin at work. If I am spending the day away from home I will take my meter case with me that has insulin & syringe. Now I don’t carry supplies because I don’t test anymore. But if it is an all day kind of outing, I carry backup.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
ellencherry

I always have my kit with me that includes an extra pod, fast and slow acting insulin and syringes just in case. We went to breakfast a few weeks ago and I realized I forgot my PDM for my pump. No biggie, I just gave a shot.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Carol Meares

I always carry extra syringe and sometimes carry an extra pen. With the syringe I could get insulin out of the pump cartridge to tide me over until I got to supplies but if I go far away like on a boat trip I carry a pen unless I forget:-/

2 years ago Log in to Reply
KarenM6

Overnight travel = always
Running around town = rarely, and that is even despite being caught out a few times. I was lucky, though, and able to return home to change my pump site before anything dire happened.
If I’m traveling more than an hour away from home, but not on an overnight trip, I really should carry backup. This RARELY happens now (and not only because of COVID), so I don’t know what I would do. I hope I would remember to carry backup!

2 years ago Log in to Reply
ANN GALLUZZO

I only carry extra supplies if I am going out of town. If I travel abroad, I bring about 50% more supplies than I should need for the duration of my trip, and never in my suitcase. I take them into whatever restaurant or restroom I visit.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Donna Condi

I only carry backup Humalog and Lantus pens when I go on vacation.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sasha Wooldridge

For everyday goings on, only if I know I’m close to the end of a cartridge. Other than that, only if I’m going on a trip. Then I’m obsessive and usually pack triple what I think I might actually need just in case.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
LizB

When I used to commute to/from work every day I had a small soft case kit in my bag with an extra infusion set or two, a reservoir, current vial of insulin, some syringes, an extra battery or two and small things like maybe some wipes. It didn’t take up much room and I did have to use it sometimes at work. There was no place to really keep extra supplies at my last job. If I’m out running errands I don’t carry anything.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Cheryl Seibert

I answered “Often”. I always take backup delivery supplies, when I’m going out of town or will be away from home for an extended period of time (working, visiting relatives, etc.). However, I don’t take supplies if just going to the grocery. I always keep an emergency supply of infusion sets, etc. in the car.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Leona Hanson

I always carry extra pump supplies with me . it’s an hour to town.if I’m out walking I carry insulin and syringes with me until I get to the car the forest has a mind of it’s own a tree branch pulled out my set. I’m glad for the extra pump supplies in car.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
CindyGoddard

I only take additional supplies when I am gone longer than a day

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Molly Jones

If I am leaving my home for overnight I make sure to bring these, if for a few hours, no.

2 years ago Log in to Reply