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Friday
Oct142011

Self Sabotage

As anyone living with any chronic disease I have lots of tools I use to take care of myself.

The number one tool in any diabetics tool box is the blood glucose meter or SugaSheen as the kids say (do they?). 

For me the second tool is my insulin pump. For the most part I love my pump. It makes like a little easier and means I don't have to take shots all day.

The third tool in my arsenal is my continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or by brand, my Dexcom. Being able to see my blood sugar trends at a push of a button is amazing.  In fact, all of three of these tools I could not do without. 

My pump I wear all the time. Dexcom is on all the time and I always have a BG meter handy, even at night.

At my bedside is a meter and strips, a bottle of glucose tabs for any overnight lows, and my Dexcom reciever. My pump is usually down near my feet since I use the long tubing.

Well, for whatever reason at around 3:30 in the morning I turned over and yanked out my Dexcom sensor. Just ran my hand down my side and pulled it off. Like it was not supposed to be there.

My first thought when I felt it was, "What is this thing? Get it off of me." As soon as that thought popped into my head I yanked it off and thought, "What the heck is wrong with me?"

I pulled the site out, put it on my nightstand, and grabbed the reciever to shut it off.

Have you ever done this? It was like I had no clue what it was. This was a first for me and man I hate wasting CGM sensors. Oh well.

Let's hope this is not some sort of a trend and I start ripping my pump out in the middle of the night! That could be a serious problem. 

Reader Comments (10)

Yikes! Must have been having some dream. I don't have a pump or CGM, but can imagine having one of "those" moments where I temporarily lose my mind and yank it right off. Great post!

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMeagan

Your visual aide made me laugh.

I have never done that, but I could totally see how it could happen. Especially when you've got the Day Twelve Itchies. (Don't worry, that's a real thing.)

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKim

Yikes.

Sometimes you just can't control what you do when sleeping.

I once threw my glasses across the room in the middle of the night in college (I may have been, um, sleeping off a night at the bars), assuming during a weird dream, luckily they were unharmed.

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterRachel

Definitely done that!!! I have definitely felt my hand rip it off as it brushes the site. :) Fortunately for me, it was already old, but still...

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJamie

I actually did that with my infusion set once. (It had been itchy, and was probably bad anyway). Luckily I woke just as I pulled the darn thing off.

Worst part? Unlike CGMS, you can't just say I'll sleep now and fix it in the morning. Sigh.

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterVal

Actuuuaaallly... yes... and it *was* my pump... When I was on the OmniPod. Just took it off and laid it on my nightstand... in my sleep. Woke up to a not-so-nice bg that next morning!! #smh

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterSarah

Oops! :) My son hasn't done that in his sleep, but he's accidentally pulled off his Dex sensor while scratching the area (day 12 itchies get him too!) or getting dressed/undressed.

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterHeidi

I think I've wanted to, but I don't think I have ever done anything like that yet.

What did you google to come up with that picture?!

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterSara

My hubby is constantly ripping out his pump site in his sleep. At least once a week. I sure wish that thing would beep if it becomes disconnected! And I love the picture - perfect.

October 14, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJessica

It's not natural to have all of these things stuck on us man. Just sayin'

October 16, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterScott K. Johnson

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