How about a thread of diabetes tricks?
I’ll start: you can fit two rolls of smarties (unrolled) in a small Altoids tin for 12g of carbs in a container that doesn’t raise any questions.
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Good idea @ned!
Here is one.
If you clean it out well, a Listerine strip container makes a nice strip holder. It’s much smaller than the strip vials they sell.
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The Listerine container is a great idea and much less bulky! I do wonder how much the desiccant wall/bottom a strip container has benefits the lifetime; have you any info? I’m thinking of this for my upcoming month long “bucket list” cruise, would simplify making room for the Baqsimi bulge I’ll take with me!
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I have used strips in various non-vial containers for years, and I have never had a problem with any of the strips.
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Not sure it is a trick, but I’ve always kept my pump in my pocket. I then cut a small hole in all my pants pockets and run my tubing through that.
Prevents getting the tubing caught on things.
I’ve never liked or understood the pump clip.
(I know it is easier for men’s clothing)
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As a female, I almost always get clothes with pockets due to my pump, but I just tuck in the tubing - no messing around with cutting holes! Pockets make life easier. (Although for working out and wearing dresses, I’d clip it to my shorts or underwear.)
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Another trick: if you have a Dexcom G7, you can insert a new sensor while the old one is still active. Once it’s inserted, tell the app that you’ve inserted it and then remove the old one. That will give you a few extra precious minutes of BG readings.
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I bought a “small personal item” SPI running belt – it is a game-changer under dresses!
I do cut holes in the pockets of jumpsuits/rompers though 
The thrifters getting my secondhand clothing must be so confused.
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I never unplug my infusion set. Ran an experiment by dropping some food coloring where the tubing and button meet, plugging and unplugging a couple of times and running a bolus. Colored insulin came out of the canula! Most of us are lucky enough to shower in potable water, but it’s still not sterile.
I keep a spreadsheet of my supply orders, with item, eligibility date, when to call in the order, when I ordered, when the supplier shipped and what my normal stock of the item is. Would be lost without it.
Carry my pump in a case on my belt. Keeps the insulin cooler than in a pocket, unless the ambient temp rises above body temp. It’s also a little better than a pocket if you worry about RF radiation.
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In my swimsuit GU Energy gels slide right down into my swimsuit in case I need it. It’s thin and a pretty thick gel so it’s easy to use. If you keep it in a small baggy you can consume a partial amount and fold down the top and it keeps so you can use the rest later if you need to. Do not use the caramel salted one in the ocean… yuk.
A Libre 14 day or Libre 2 will scan underwater while you’re swimming, keeping the reader in a water proof Stash pouch, which I slide into my swimsuit too.
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Not sure about that. The times I’ve had my Tandem pump shut down because of temperature is when it is outside my pocket. Granted that is technology related, but if the pump is hot it would seem the insulin would also be hot. Place it back in my pocket and eventually all is good.
@jim26, it’s cold here and my office is 62 deg F. I am wearing a sweater, fleece jacket and lined jeans. My pump scanned at 70.5 F when taken from my belt pouch, and my pocket scanned at 81 F. Neither one is any threat to the insulin. My only overheat occurred while charging the pump…in my pocket. Mileage may vary!
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Yes, waterproof pouches are so helpful! I have an Aquapac pump bag for boat trips and water amusement rides where splashing and waves are the worry.
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This is the best pump clip I’ve ever used: Nite IZE NBC-03-11 Hip/Belt Clip, Retail Packaging, Silver : Amazon.ca: Electronics
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I use not just a patch to keep my CGM from falling—these are absolute game-changers!
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Great thread!
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there’s about 12U of insulin left when a pen stops clicking, draw it out with a syringe. (Old tip, probably Eric’s)
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maxpedition cases are great for D supplies. I used maxpedition mini in the past, that’s just big enough for two pens, a small tester, small strip vial, etc. Search the FUD archives if you’re curious. My current model is a bit bigger, I think it’s model EDC…
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glucose tablet vials hold three wrapped packages of smarties, in a pocket lint-and water-resistant fashion.
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I’ve started doing this and it’s been awesome, thank you!! I start the new sensor on my pump, then wait as long as I can to end the old sensor and start the new one on my phone.
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I’ve done this and it’s nice to have the option available. The only caution I’d add is that if the new sensor fails to start correctly you won’t know until you try to pair it later. Something to weigh against the convenience of having the sensor immediately giving readings.
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Absolutely, that would be a risk if you only have one device to connect to. I guess what I’m actually doing is using two sensors at the same time on two different devices to get overlapping readings during new sensor warmup (while I’m in the last of the 12 hour “grace period” with the old one). Not necessarily “pre-soaking” as some people do… Though the pre-soaking concept does seem interesting.
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Ah, got it, I didn’t catch that there were two devices involved. Definitely a workable setup. If I ever get a Dexcom receiver in addition to my phone I’ll have to give it a shot.
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