Basal Rate Tests and the Insulin Pump

In order to have an insulin pump, you have to be willing to change your infusion set whenever it goes down, you also have to make sure that you do basal rate tests. That insulin pump has to be used every time you eat a carbohydrate. The insulin pump is a useful tool while it works. I always look at mine as the possibility of perfect diabetes. No excuses are left when you infuse, as you have to check the basal rates like I’m going to do this afternoon. I’m headed to the library in the morning, and I’m going to go out to lunch.

Dinner is at 3:00 p.m. so I have to leave for this little adventure by 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. respectively. My basal rate check starts at 4:00 p.m. The best advice I can give my fellow infusers is, change your set, change your set, change your set. Get it changed, get it done, fix it, do whatever it is you have to do. Checking the basal rates are a part of life as an insulin pumper. My current model of insulin pump is water proof, using AA batteries but I’m terrified of going in the water with it.

Hell, my acne was so bad this year in the summer with my staph infection that I couldn’t go into the pool. But guys, this October in the Bay Area will be cooler than we all are assuming it will be. I’m not looking forward to the hot weather this Wednesday, as I have an appointment that day I need to leave for at 11:30. I may cancel if it gets too hot but I don’t think I’m going to have to cancel that much. Anyway though, sure I’m going despite the heat. Insulin can fry in a pump in that sort of heat. This is why I’m sensitive to heat and have to stay in an air-conditioned environment.