If there is a technical or mechanical issue with your insulin pump, you can:
- Revert back to insulin pen therapy
- Contact the insulin pump company
- Note your current insulin pump settings, if able (basal rates, carb ratio, insulin sensitivity, insulin active time)
It is really important that at all times you have access to both your long and rapid acting insulins, and that these are in date.
Insulin can be stored in the fridge until its expiry date, but insulin out of the fridge can only be stored as a per the manufacturer. Needles are also required.
How to convert back to insulin pens
- Calculate total daily dose of insulin (this can be found in your insulin pump) and add 20%. Half this.
- One half is your basal insulin (inject this straight away) (Lantus, Levemir, Abasaglar, Toujeo, Tresiba). The other half can be disregarded.
- Use your current ratio and insulin sensitivity for bolus doses (Novorapid, Humalog, Apidra, Lyumjev Fiasp).
This formula provides a starting dose, but further changes may be necessary depending on your blood glucose levels.