Here are some particularly useful tips for Teenagers.......

Where to Wear Your Pump
The first question many teenagers interested in pump therapy first ask is: 'where do I put it?'. The pump can be attached to any belt or worn on a waistband or in a pocket. Various pump cases are available. Some girls whose outfits do not have pockets or a waistband will attach the pump to their bra.

School Supplies
In case your infusion set accidentally becomes dislodged while you are in school or you need to change it for any other reason, it is advisable to keep the following supplies at school as a minimum:

• A bottle of insulin currently used in your pump should be kept in a refrigerator
• A new infusion set and reservoir
• Alcohol wipes
• An insulin syringe or insulin pen (to give an insulin injection in case the cannula comes out accidentally)
• Extra batteries
• The phone number of your Diabetes Healthcare Team

Taking the Pump Off
Some people are concerned about wearing the pump during activities such as sports, dances, parties and dating. For the most part, your pump will stay on for these activities. However, your Diabetes Healthcare Team will teach you how to go take the pump oiff and reconnect again for showers, sports and swimming.When you take then pump off it is quite easy to disconnect the infusion set. Your Diabetes Healthcare Team will demonstrate how to do this, but it actually is as easy as a twist. After the activity, wipe the connector end of the tubing with an alcohol wipe and reconnect the infusion set, and the insulin will again be infusing. In general, you will not have to make any insulin adjustments if you are going to be off the pump for an hour or less (for most activities). However, if it will be longer than an hour, then some dosage adjustments will have to be made. Remember to check with your Diabetes Healthcare Team for the adjustments that will be right for you.

Pump tips for summer
Keep the pump out of the sun. When at the beach, put your pump in a tightly sealed plastic bag, wrap in cloth and then in a cooler with an ice pack. If you (girls) want to wear a bikini, put your infusion site lower, or try using your buttocks as a site. If you want to leave the pump on, you can use the SportGuard™ hard case, worn over the pump to swim. Otherwise, with a twist, you can disconnect your infusion set (just remember to check your blood glucose levels regularly and adjust your insulin dosage if you leave the pump off for more than an hour). To help the tape stay on better, put an extra piece such as IV 3000 over the site, and when finished swimming, dry off the site really well. Remember, if you are active and you have removed the pump, always check blood glucose to determine dose of insulin.

Occasionally, if your skin becomes wet or clammy in the summer (due to perspiration when exercising in warm weather), a rash could develop where the pump is touching your skin. If this occurs, you may want to invest in one of the cloth pouches that are sold for the pump.

Travelling
When travelling, make sure that you bring extra pump batteries, insulin, pump supplies, an insulin syringe for injections and blood glucose testing equipment. A good rule of thumb is to pack double the amount of supplies that you think that you would normally need, just in case you were to have any problems (such as breaking a bottle of insulin). If you are travelling by plane, make sure that your diabetes supplies are in your 'carry-on' bag that you take on the plane. You can wear your pump through the metal detector. If you are travelling across time zones, change the pump’s clock to the new time once you arrive, and don’t forget to change it back when you return to your original time zone. If you are flying across many different time zones, (at least a four hour time difference), you can set a temporary basal rate at your lowest basal rate for the amount of time that you will be travelling, and take a bolus dose each time you eat. When you arrive at your destination, turn off the temporary basal rate, and change the clock of the pump to the new time. You should also check your blood glucose more frequently during the travel time.

Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol and using an insulin pump is NOT recommended. There are some safety concerns that must be considered, as serious low blood glucose may occur many hours after the drink is consumed. But you should discuss this with your Diabetes Healthcare Team.

Dating tips
Many teenagers who wear insulin pumps are initially concerned about dating. Some fear that they may not be asked out on a date if the person discovers that they are wearing a pump. While teenagers generally tell their closest friends, some may be reluctant at first to show their insulin pump to friends, especially those of the opposite sex. They may choose to conceal the fact that they use one. As you become more accustomed to the pump over time, you may feel more comfortable telling others about the device. Until then, your Diabetes Healthcare Team can help you to find ways to conceal the pump when dating, and of course all sorts of accessories are available to help. You also may be able to take the pump off during a date and take insulin injections. Talk about your choices with your Diabetes Healthcare Team. End of year parties and similar events are often a dilemma for the pump user, particularly for girls. They typically wonder, 'Where am I going to put the pump?'. One solution is to wear the pump inside a pair of tights against the thigh. Other girls have worn the pump attached to or inside their bra. The pump can also be pinned in a pouch to the inside of a loose fitting area of the dress, where it will not be observed. Again, it can also be removed for the evening, and meal boluses can be given with a syringe.

Remember that you have chosen the pump to have better control and to have more normality in your life. If you have any questions about fitting the pump into your busy lifestyle, talk to your Diabetes Healthcare Team so he or she can help you find the best ways to make pump therapy work for you!