Common Questions
3. The adhesive I've been using leaves a sticky, messy film on my skin. What products would remove it?
There are some products that can be used including Uni-Solve®, Remove®, or
Detachol solutions.
One simple and inexpensive alternative is to use a baby oil-soaked cotton ball to gently remove the infusion set dressing. Please see our Infusion Site Management Guide for more information on techniques and products related to infusion sets and infusion site management.
4. I have been on the pump for a while and am wondering what the temporary basal rate is used for and how to use it?
The temporary basal rate (TBR) can be used to adjust your insulin dose when your blood glucose levels are above or below your target level. While every person is different, some things that can affect blood glucose levels and insulin requirements include illness, stress, changes in activity patterns, menstrual cycle, and medications. Be sure to consult your healthcare team for their specific recommendations pertaining to your use of the temporary basal rate feature.
A temporary basal rate decrease may be used when your insulin requirements decrease. A common situation is when people exercise and they need less insulin. For example, many physicians recommend a 50% decrease during exercise, or some suggest that you start the decrease 30 minutes before exercising. Exercise can increase your body's insulin sensitivity for up to 36 hours. Because of this, some people need to continue the TBR decrease for several hours after exercising. You must monitor your blood glucose level frequently during the activity and every two hours after exercising to determine your response to the exercise and the necessary duration of the temporary basal rate decrease.
A temporary basal rate increase may be used when your insulin requirements increase, such as during stress or illness or to counteract the glucose-raising effects of some medications. The amount of the TBR increase depends on the causes of the high blood glucose levels. Illness can increase basal insulin requirements by as much as 100%, while a woman's menstrual cycle may increase requirements by a lower percentage. A temporary increase may be required for several days, so it's a good idea to start increasing slowly and monitor your blood glucose closely to see what works for you.