Ask Lenny

Lenny knows lots about diabetes, and he loves nothing more than sharing what he knows.

If you have a question for Lenny, please email it to australia.diabetes@medtronic.com. We promise he doesn’t bite!

QUESTION: What do I do with my pump when I go swimming?

LENNY SAYS: Swimming is an activity that’s not only fun, but also helps the way your body uses insulin. When you’re planning on going swimming, it’s very important to test your blood glucose level before disconnecting your pump from your body. If your level is too high before swimming, your body may not have enough insulin to move the glucose from your blood to your muscles. Remember, our muscles need glucose when we exercise!

Always give your pump to an adult when you take it off, so it’s kept safe while you swim. It’s also very important to connect the protective cap onto your set so that your pump site is kept safe from dirt and sand. It’s a good idea to keep one or two caps handy with all your diabetes supplies so you always have one on hand for whenever you disconnect your pump. It’s okay to be off your pump for up to two hours while you are swimming, however it’s really important to be testing your blood glucose levels before, during (every 30 minutes) and after exercise. Your diabetes educator will have given your mum and dad a plan for how to manage your levels when you’re exercising, as everyone responds differently to different types of exercise.

QUESTION: How often should I change my infusion set?

LENNY SAYS: It’s important to change your pump infusion set at least every two to three days so you don’t get an infection. If your pump site gets infected, the skin around your infusion set may become red, painful, and swollen. This is your body trying to fight the germs or bacteria that’s come in contact with your body. An infection is not fun! But the good news is it’s easy to lower the risk of infection by changing your set and reservoir every two to three days.

Your set will also need to be changed immediately if your levels start rising after your mum or dad has given you a correction dose of insulin – this could be sooner than three days. It’s really important to test your blood glucose levels two hours after you change your set to make sure your new pump site is delivering insulin. This is why we recommend changing your set in the morning or early afternoon, so you have time to test your blood glucose before you go to bed.