Establish a safe and secure place for your insulin pump before going to bed so you don’t have to worry about its location while you’re trying to sleep. Try not to let your mind focus on the feeling of the pump or accessories. Instead focus on things that help you sleep, such as the things found in How to fall asleep. Give yourself time to get accustomed to using your insulin pump, changes take time to get used to, but most people find they can sleep easily with one after a short transition. [2] X Research source Set aside some time before you go to sleep to do something relaxing, like read a book or go for a walk. If you can calm your mind and reduce your stress before bed, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep. [3] X Expert Source Marc Kayem, MDSleep Specialist Expert Interview. 24 October 2019.
Discuss the insulin pump with your significant other so you can both address any questions that may arise. If you share a bed with your children it might be time to have them sleep in their own beds. Insulin pumps are resilient pieces of equipment but children could easily get tangled up in the tubes or play with the pump as you sleep.
Insulin pumps are built to be worn all day and slept with, so they can take a decent amount of punishment with little to no issue. If you roll onto your insulin pump, it will not damage it. It may make you a bit uncomfortable, so you may wake up to roll over. Insulin pump buttons are designed to be very difficult to press by accident, so even if you sleep on the pump, the chances of causing any issues are very low.
Keep the materials nearby that you will need to test your blood glucose levels and administer insulin via an injection if your pump were to stop working. The pump is fitted with an alarm in the event there is an issue, such as a blockage (occlusion) or low battery. However, a cannula coming off in the middle of the night will not set off an alarm. Thankfully, you should be able to feel the painful ripping of the adhesive.
This method keeps the insulin pump close to you and reduces the chances of you getting tangled up in the hoses. You may roll onto the pump, but once people get used to it, they tend to roll back over without waking up. It is very unlikely that rolling onto your insulin pump will cause any issues, but be aware that it is possible.
This may be more comfortable as you are less likely to roll onto the pump as you sleep. Be careful not to place your pump somewhere where it could easily fall off the bed.
Place the pump in a sock so the material of the pump can’t bother your bare skin. Use an armband designed for iPhones or other large smartphones to cover the pump and even to wear it on your arm. Some people wear them on a wristband, in their underwear, shorts, or bra. If you get up frequently at night, it may be best to wear your pump in this fashion or to clip it to your clothes to prevent dropping it.
Placing the pump on your nightstand may require longer tubing. You will not roll over the pump nor will you knock it off the bed. You run an increased chance of getting tangled up in the hoses, but chances of a malfunction are still low.
Check your BG (Blood Glucose) levels eight to ten times per day for the first one to two weeks. You or your doctor may need to adjust settings like your basal rate, target ranges or sensitivity factor to treatment based on your checks. Your doctor may be able to give you a glucometer and prescribe you test strips in order for you to check you blood glucose levels frequently.
Check your blood glucose levels right before bed and again when you wake up. Check your levels midway through your night’s sleep or every three to four hours of sleep. Discuss your readings with your doctor to ensure your overnight basal rates are set correctly.
Check your blood glucose levels before you go to bed to help prevent high or low blood glucose levels while you’re asleep. Check your levels when you first get up to make sure your blood glucose levels are high enough. Occasionally check your blood glucose levels in the middle of the night to make sure you are still on the right course of treatment.
Accidentally taking too much medication designed for diabetes treatment can dramatically lower BC levels. [11] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Skipping meals or eating less than usual can cause your blood glucose level to be lower than intended. Exercising more than normal or right before bed can cause your blood glucose levels to drop while you sleep. [12] X Trustworthy Source Joslin Diabetes Center World’s largest diabetes research center, focused on patient support and public education and outreach. Go to source
Waking up sweating can indicate that your blood glucose level is too low. Waking up with a headache can also indicate low blood glucose levels. Waking up as a result of a sudden nightmare may indicate your blood glucose levels are low. Other symptoms include tremor, palpitations, anxiety, and seizure.
Don’t forget about what insulin you’ve already taken. Even fast acting insulin can remain in your system for up to four hours, so take all insulin you’ve taken recently into account when determining your dosage. Don’t have midnight snacks. If you snack regularly, make a habit of adjusting your boluses to reflect your snacks. Remember that alcohol can suppress a liver’s secretion of glucose, so have an extra snack (without insulin) at bedtime after drinking.
