It can be difficult to wear an insulin pump or other diabetes device on your body. Use these tips to help manage your use of this technology and avoid any hiccups that might arise.
People with diabetes may see numerous benefits in wearing an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to monitor their blood sugar levels and manage their condition.
Yes, this technology can make a big difference in helping people better manage their diabetes, keeping their blood sugars within target ranges, and reducing the risk of long-term complications.
But that doesn’t mean living with these devices attached to the body isn’t without its challenges.
Wearing insulin pumps and CGMs can mean adjusting your daily life and routines, from how you sleep, when you change settings on your smartphone, or even how you move around your home and workplace.
Anyone starting new diabetes technology typically goes through training before they begin using that device.
In-person training may be more personalized and address specific questions you have, while general online device training courses or videos may just cover the basics without delving into your particular needs.
With that being said, it may not always be possible to get hands-on tips and tricks from those who’ve already used that particular insulin pump, CGM, or other diabetes device.
The Diabetes Online Community (DOC) can be a valuable resource for people to learn from others, although it’s always wise to approach information offered online with caution and to verify it with guidance from a manufacturer or healthcare professional.
Here are some tried-and-true tips for those who’ve lived with and used diabetes devices over time. These may not always apply to everyone who uses an insulin pump or CGM, but many point to these issues as ones to be good to keep in mind.
Be careful around doorknobs, wall corners, cabinets, drawers
Insulin pump tubing can become entangled with almost anything. Many can claim the experience of just moving around at their desk, standing up from the couch, or walking through their home to get more coffee when they suddenly feel a sharp tug from tubing getting caught.
The same applies to other diabetes and CGM sensors on the body, as they can also be knocked off or get caught on edges or corners.
You can minimize risk by tucking tubing inside your clothes, so that it’s not exposed when you stand up and move around.
For those who wear CGM sensors or other diabetes devices on their skin, this might mean choosing sites appropriately and always being mindful of where that device is when you walk around.
Adjust your sleeping positions
You may also want to consider your sleeping habits if you wear a diabetes device.
While it’s OK to sleep on a sensor or infusion site, not everyone finds this comfortable.
Some people who sleep on the same side a device is located also note that pressing down on that device while asleep can cause issues.
This might include infusion site irritation, pump tubing kinks that prevent insulin delivery while asleep, or “false lows” that occur when pressing down on a CGM sensor and it falsely reads a low blood sugar level, even though you aren’t actually low.
Some people adjust their sleeping habits, resting on the side where their devices aren’t attached or sleeping on their back or stomach to avoid any issues.
Maintain mental health with device alarms
Let’s be honest: The alerts and alarms that diabetes devices generate can get annoying.
Even if they were all accurate and weren’t a result of inaccurate readings or device issues, alarms and alerts can be a drain on your mental health.
Some manage their device-related mental health by adjusting alarms and alerts to better fit their life and routine, such as turning off certain high or low alerts on a CGM if they are sure that blood sugar levels are safe. Many CGMs can alert you for both high and low blood sugars, but those same alerts may not always be necessary for people at different times of day or night.
Others adjust their insulin pump settings while sleeping, too. This can involve eliminating duplicate alerts that may originate from the device itself, as well as the mobile app.
Take a device vacation
The technology people with diabetes may use to manage their condition can be life-changing, removing some burden that might otherwise exist.
However, it can become overwhelming and mentally taxing at times.
Some people choose to take “diabetes vacations,” where they disconnect from their particular technology for a brief time. This may serve as a way to have a break from the many aspects of wearing a diabetes device each day.
It’s not an option everyone chooses, but for those who may be experiencing diabetes distress or burnout, it might also be a way to help reassess diabetes management and get back on track before restarting a device.
Consult your diabetes care team
Your endocrinologist and other healthcare professionals can best advise you on managing diabetes burnout and how a “vacation” might be possible. They can help ensure you have any needed backup supplies, medications, and a care plan in place before disconnecting or removing a diabetes device from your management routine for any amount of time.
Stay on top of supply orders
The routine of life with a diabetes device involves always making sure you have enough of the needed supplies to use your technology.
CGM technology involves using sensors and other devices, such as a receiver (if you opt for that) and a compatible smartphone (if you prefer to display and manage your data on that device).
For insulin pumps, this means always having needed infusion sets, cartridges (or reservoirs), and other needed products to stay on top of device use. You may also need batteries for the device, if it is powered by them, or a working charging cable for more modern devices.
Of course, it may also mean having backup supplies in case you need to stop using your device for a particular reason. This could include a backup fingerstick meter, test strips, and lancing devices with lancets for non-CGM times.
For those prepping for pump breaks, it may mean having backup insulin vials and syringes or prefilled pens with insulin pen caps.
Add some flair to your diabetes device
You can personalize and add a little flair to your diabetes life, from the products you use to how you engage with your diabetes devices.
There may only be a few devices of each kind available for those with diabetes, and each has its particular pros and cons, depending on each person. Some have different features and functionalities that appeal to different people, or not.
Beyond the technology itself, you can find many options for cases, clips, and do-it-yourself hacks that make life with a diabetes device less monotonous.
This might mean stickers (or skins) that you can decorate your pump or CGM sensor with, choosing a particular theme or style depending on your own life or time of year.
The same can be found in cases and clips, ranging from holsters that turn a certain way to more secure clips that keep the device in place. The same applies to adhesives and overpatches, which can make insulin pump infusion sets and CGM sensors stay stuck to your skin.
No matter the type of diabetes device you wear, most of them attach to the top of your skin.
Other diabetes device considerations
You might also keep these general tips in mind:
- Clean and dry: For any adhesive product to work effectively, make sure your skin is completely clean and dry before applying the device. This can make a difference in how well and how long the device stays stuck to your body, especially during times when you sweat and the device may be more prone to coming loose.
- Avoid oils: Do not apply lotions, oils, or creams near the device site, as these will break down the adhesive.
- Showering and bathing: When in the tub or shower, make sure to take extra care during cleaning routines if you have diabetes devices attached to the skin. This may involve avoiding areas that you wash, whether it’s with a bar of soap, a hand towel, or a scrub.
- Pat dry: After showering or bathing, gently pat the device and adhesive dry with a towel, rather than rubbing, which can pull up the edges.
- Pet play: We all love our pets. That can mean having them on our laps or wrestling with them on the floor. However, pets may also pose a challenge to diabetes devices. Always be mindful of stray paws or wet noses that could jostle an insulin pump site or CGM sensor, and make the difference between it staying on your body or coming loose early.
Consider these tips and tricks if you live with diabetes and use an insulin pump or CGM.
This may involve adjusting your life in various ways, from your sleep patterns to the habits you develop during the day and night.
Always consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your medications or how you manage your diabetes.