"Argh, I know!" I say out loud to no one in particular. The "someone" I'm addressing is my Tandem t:slim insulin pump, tucked securely in my bra. BEEP BEEP BEEP! is the response I receive.
I've been feeling kind of weird and overly tired for the past couple of weeks, and I realize my pump keeps throwing occlusions. Can I tell you how much I hate occlusions?
For those not in the know, an occlusion is basically a clog somewhere in your pump line. It can be caused by kinked tubing. It can be caused by the cannula getting bent in your infusion set. It can be caused by some invisible factor (seriously, I can't see what 3/4 of these problems are right now).
I'm calling customer service tonight. No ifs, ands, or buts. I will not rest until they send me a new pump. This is hideously frustrating, because if my pump isn't going to give me the right amount of insulin, what's the use of a pump at all?
I need to resume my fully functional cyborg status. Charge up that Dexcom G5 and let my robot pancreas do the work I tell it to! No more slacking off, t:slim. You're making me feel bad.
Over a decade of high levels of glucose and geekery.
Showing posts with label Tandem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tandem. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Diabetes Bargains: the DIY Insulin Pump Cozy
File Under: NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. NOT RECOMMENDED BY PUMP COMPANIES. I LIKE THIS; YOUR EXPERIENCES MAY VARY.
Socks. They are versatile. They keep your feet warm & dry. They can be a marvelous fashion statement. They make fantastic puppets. But what else can they do?
As many of you know by now, I've got a Tandem T:Slim insulin pump. I tend to wear my pump in my bra when I'm wearing dresses, and of course, my CDE recommended against wearing the screen-side of the pump against my skin. It's no big deal to make sure it's turned the right direction, but it's summer. You may have been taught that women don't sweat, but honey, some of us do. So, much like keeping my feet dry and happy, I have turned to socks to keep my pump dry, soft and happy.
Sure, you can buy a bra pouch for $10 or more, but I've gone the thrifty (not to mention more colorful) route. At a discount store, I purchased a pack of 6 pairs of infant socks for about $4. That's 12 pump covers, people!
Granted, we may not all have the cleavage necessary to pack a pump into a bra without anyone noticing, but certainly this is a practice that could be adapted to all kinds of people, regardless of gender, age, or chest size.
The steps are simple. Open pack of socks. Insert pump into single sock. Stuff into bra, pocket, TummieTote, whatever! It's a quick and easy cover, and a cheap layer of protection. If you're handy with sewing, you could probably put some velcro on the sock opening as well to keep things more secure.
I'm enjoying this little discovery of mine. It might work for you too. It's a near perfect size for the Tandem. Check out some photos!
Socks. They are versatile. They keep your feet warm & dry. They can be a marvelous fashion statement. They make fantastic puppets. But what else can they do?
As many of you know by now, I've got a Tandem T:Slim insulin pump. I tend to wear my pump in my bra when I'm wearing dresses, and of course, my CDE recommended against wearing the screen-side of the pump against my skin. It's no big deal to make sure it's turned the right direction, but it's summer. You may have been taught that women don't sweat, but honey, some of us do. So, much like keeping my feet dry and happy, I have turned to socks to keep my pump dry, soft and happy.
Sure, you can buy a bra pouch for $10 or more, but I've gone the thrifty (not to mention more colorful) route. At a discount store, I purchased a pack of 6 pairs of infant socks for about $4. That's 12 pump covers, people!
Granted, we may not all have the cleavage necessary to pack a pump into a bra without anyone noticing, but certainly this is a practice that could be adapted to all kinds of people, regardless of gender, age, or chest size.
The steps are simple. Open pack of socks. Insert pump into single sock. Stuff into bra, pocket, TummieTote, whatever! It's a quick and easy cover, and a cheap layer of protection. If you're handy with sewing, you could probably put some velcro on the sock opening as well to keep things more secure.
I'm enjoying this little discovery of mine. It might work for you too. It's a near perfect size for the Tandem. Check out some photos!
 |
| Yes I have owls and little woodland creatures on my sheets. They're adorable. Anyway, check the fit! And yes, I have them in blue as well as a bunch of other colors. |
 |
| The T:Slim and an infant sock: well-sized for each other. Also, keeps your touchscreen and your entire pump out of the way of sweat when you want it close to your skin. Unrelated: I named that pink owl Nervert because he's obviously over-caffeinated and twitchy. |
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
What's the T, girl?
 |
| beep boop |
The T:Slim from Tandem Diabetes! It's mine, all mine, and I'm up and running! I anticipate the next several weeks of techno-joy. At least I hope so. I'm looking forward to telling everyone about it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Processing Times May Vary
Over the past 2 days, I've contacted both Tandem and Dexcom. 2013 is a year of New Diabetes Gearstuff here at Dorkabetic.
Now I just need to wait, wait, wait on processing and companies contacting my suppliers. Then I will wait, wait, wait on shipping. I am not the greatest at being patient about such things. Here is an approximation of what it looks like when I am waiting for something via delivery [USPS, UPS, FedEx, specific responses to emails, etc]:
Here's hoping the waits aren't too long. And don't worry, readers o' mine, I will certainly have plenty to say about my new diabetes "toys" when they arrive. I apologize in advance to anyone without diabetes in my life for all the yammering on I will surely be doing about all my new gadgetry, but hey, listen in. You might even learn something.
Let the mailbox checking begin!
Now I just need to wait, wait, wait on processing and companies contacting my suppliers. Then I will wait, wait, wait on shipping. I am not the greatest at being patient about such things. Here is an approximation of what it looks like when I am waiting for something via delivery [USPS, UPS, FedEx, specific responses to emails, etc]:
 |
| Found via Google Image Search via some awesome person at iambrony.com |
Here's hoping the waits aren't too long. And don't worry, readers o' mine, I will certainly have plenty to say about my new diabetes "toys" when they arrive. I apologize in advance to anyone without diabetes in my life for all the yammering on I will surely be doing about all my new gadgetry, but hey, listen in. You might even learn something.
Let the mailbox checking begin!
Monday, November 12, 2012
New Pump Consideration Post 2012
My Cozmo is finally out of warranty. If you've never realized how long my blog has been around, I definitely blogged about getting it four years ago. Honestly, it's been four-and-a-half. My little Cozmo has been well-loved, but it's time to move on to the next pump.
This is where I am having a little bit of trouble. I want a Tandem T-Slim. I think it looks great, and I love that they still have potential to integrate with Dexcom in the future. (Dexcom G4 = drool. Not yet for me, but maybe early 2013?) A lot of things I read about it and the handful of things I actually know about it just make sense to me. Is it going to be as fabulously intuitive as an iPhone or a good Android phone? I'm not sure, but hey, I've been dealing with regular clunky insulin pumps for so long, I just think you can't really get any worse, right?
On the other hand, a Medtronic would also be a practical option for me. I've had a Medtronic in the past. Two of them, in fact--my first and second insulin pumps were from Medtronic. I know they are durable, but I also know they can be sensitive to static shocks. I know I would have to use proprietary supplies. I know I would be wasting their technology by using my Dexcom instead of their CGM system. Yet, I can't shake the fact that I should be considering Medtronic. They've been in the business a long time.
For practicality's sake, I am limited to a larger-sized reservoir, 300 mL plus, otherwise I'd be refilling my pump every day or every other day. This makes my options very limited. I can have a Tandem, a Minimed or an Accu-Chek combo. I have not had my hands on a Accu-Chek. I am not sure how I feel about the pump itself. I personally think it still looks a bit clunky, although I do like the Bluetooth meter-remote concept and the 315 mL reservoir capacity.
Why am I saying all this? Well, since it's National Diabetes Awareness Month, it seemed like a good time to talk about this and get your feedback.
Do you love your T-Slim, Medtronic or Accu-Chek? Have you blogged about it somewhere? I'd love to see some DOC feedback on these pumps so I can work toward a more educated choice for myself. Post away in the comments, friends! I want to know what you love and what you don't.
This is where I am having a little bit of trouble. I want a Tandem T-Slim. I think it looks great, and I love that they still have potential to integrate with Dexcom in the future. (Dexcom G4 = drool. Not yet for me, but maybe early 2013?) A lot of things I read about it and the handful of things I actually know about it just make sense to me. Is it going to be as fabulously intuitive as an iPhone or a good Android phone? I'm not sure, but hey, I've been dealing with regular clunky insulin pumps for so long, I just think you can't really get any worse, right?
On the other hand, a Medtronic would also be a practical option for me. I've had a Medtronic in the past. Two of them, in fact--my first and second insulin pumps were from Medtronic. I know they are durable, but I also know they can be sensitive to static shocks. I know I would have to use proprietary supplies. I know I would be wasting their technology by using my Dexcom instead of their CGM system. Yet, I can't shake the fact that I should be considering Medtronic. They've been in the business a long time.
For practicality's sake, I am limited to a larger-sized reservoir, 300 mL plus, otherwise I'd be refilling my pump every day or every other day. This makes my options very limited. I can have a Tandem, a Minimed or an Accu-Chek combo. I have not had my hands on a Accu-Chek. I am not sure how I feel about the pump itself. I personally think it still looks a bit clunky, although I do like the Bluetooth meter-remote concept and the 315 mL reservoir capacity.
Why am I saying all this? Well, since it's National Diabetes Awareness Month, it seemed like a good time to talk about this and get your feedback.
Do you love your T-Slim, Medtronic or Accu-Chek? Have you blogged about it somewhere? I'd love to see some DOC feedback on these pumps so I can work toward a more educated choice for myself. Post away in the comments, friends! I want to know what you love and what you don't.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)