The “Pump Transition” Survival Guide: Taming the Supper Spike

The pump transition guide , Moving from pens to an insulin pump is a massive milestone, but the first 30 to 60 days can feel like a rollercoaster. If you are seeing sky-high readings (like 18 mmol/L) after dinner despite bolusing early, you aren’t alone. It’s often referred to as the “learning curve month.”

Why a Pump Transition Guide is Essential

1. The “Basal” Foundation

On pens, your long-acting insulin is a flat line. On a pump, your basal rate can be customized hour-by-hour. If your background insulin is too low in the late afternoon, your supper bolus is forced to “do double duty”—fighting the background rise and the meal.

• Action: Talk to your DSN about an “evening basal increase” to catch the climb before it starts.

2. The “Smart Swap” Strategy

While you are fine-tuning your pump settings, give your body a break. High-carb meals require complex “Extended Boluses” that are hard to master in week three.

• Try this: Switch to a Sweet Care Approved meal like Huel Black Edition or a recipe using Low-Carb Flour from The Low Carb Food Co. for supper for 3–5 days. These lower-glycemic options provide a “flatter” canvas while you and your team dial in your pump’s math.

3. Troubleshooting the Tech

• Site Rotation: Are you using a new area for your infusion set? Scar tissue can drastically slow down insulin absorption.
• The “Square Wave” Bolus: If your bf is eating protein-heavy meals, the spike might be happening hours later. Ask your team about “Dual Wave” or “Square Wave” delivery to match the insulin to the digestion.

4. Don’t Throw the Pump Out Yet!

Desperation is normal. Many “pros” almost went back to pens in the first month.

• Sweet Care Tip: Use a reliable monitor like the Sinocare Safe AQ Voice to keep a manual log for 48 hours. Bringing a paper log of “Time, Carb, and Reading” to your specialist makes it much easier for them to fix your settings quickly.

Following a structured pump transition guide can turn those frustrating 18 mmol/L spikes into a thing of the past.