I’ve been on a pump for a year and a half now and have so far had a couple of instances of getting the cord caught on things, but nothing like today. I was rushing out the door this morning (late again…. I was so punctual til I become a parent) and caught the cord loop on the door as I strode through it. Normally I’d be going a bit slower, and catching the cord wouldn’t pull so violently, but today I just kept on going, and pulled the entire insertion out, OUUUUUUUCCCCCCCH!! I was convinced it was going to be bleeding everywhere but when I lifted up my top to inspect, it was surprisingly ok. Changed my cannula, made sure I taped a loop to my stomach (I know, I know, I should do this every time but am too lazy) and raced out the door again.
Have you lot had any painful experiences like this? I’m actually thinking that now that I have a little one I’m constantly picking up and slinging over my shoulder (and soon enough, on my hip) I’m going to have to be a bit more committed to taping a loop every time.
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Aaron wrote
Oh god!
I need to get myself sorted on that front too, it’s going to happen to me one day as well and my pump rep told me that it also helps to reduce/prevent scarring with the tugging on the line.
On that topic, does anyone have a good tape that they use and can recommend for sensitive skin because the last time I tried taping a loop I got a horrible rash from the tape…
Nic wrote
I’m using good old 3M Micropore – is that what you tried? I don’t have sensitive skin though…
Shannon wrote
You could use a tape called fixative which has a fluffy side to it. The idea is to put it on and then put normal micropore tape over top so it sticks to the fixative tape. Its good for sensitive skin as you dont take the fixative tape off as often as you do if you just use the micropore.
Ruthie wrote
Nic – I have noticed that Lachlan (who I now carry on my hip everywhere) is constantly getting his toes caught in my line, especially since I where shorts and put my pump in the pocket. So I have started wearing extra long singlets/tight tops to reach down over the pocket where my pump sits to avoid this. (They’re on special at Jay Jay’s at the moment!)It’s really the only thing we can do I guess…
PS Lachlan is also rather intrigued by my pump and as he gets older, I’m thinking I’m going to need to use the pump lock function. Thankgod I have one on my pump! At 7 months, his fingers can already press the button quickly (and albeit unknowingly) especially if I’m talking to someone and pondering about things and he grasps it fast while he’s sitting on my knee…
Toni Peagram wrote
Hi
I sound like someone who has not been caught up on anything – but then I put the pump in my bra and then the line is always under my tops and not loose therefore can’t get caught on anything really, also you don’t need long tubing.
Aaron wrote
I probably shouldn’t say this but since you mentioned a bra Toni…
I like to have a long 69cm line so that I can always keep my pump in the same pocket and have the cannula anywhere I want to on my body. Because sometimes I have a lot of line left, I tuck it into my trousers/shorts and it has happened once or twice that it has been shall we say, ‘caught’ when I’ve gone and taken it out of my pocket!
It’s hard being a guy.
Sianne wrote
Aaron – Hahahahaha
I keep my pump on my ankle so the tubing runs from the cannula under my top and pants to my ankle so it hardly ever gets caught and no probs when it comes to using the toilet either
Anneliese wrote
I’m 14 when i was 12 a friend at school jokingly gave me a wedgie and ripped my entire site out. didnt get caught on anything but it hurt!
Stephen wrote
Ive had “rips” now and then… from getting “clotheslined” on door handles but also when you bolus in the car and don’t stick the pump back in your pocket the way you had pulled it out – then trying to get out of the car in a hurry doh
Nic wrote
Anneliese – gah! I bet your friend felt really bad about that too…
Stephen – I’ve done that in the car too, it ends up tied around your seatbelt.
Sianne wrote
Actually I did the seatbelt thing the other day. Was trying to get out the car and couldn’t figure out why I was stuck. DOH!