Insulin pump

I have searched high and low for information about roller coasters and thrill rides while using an insulin pump, but have not been able to find anything. Because of the large number of people reading and posting on this forum, I was hoping that someone who uses one would be able to help me out.

I live in the area and have not been able to enjoy the park after years of working there because I am nervous about wearing my pump on rides. I am going through withdrawal and would really like to get a pass again this year.

In the manual that came with my pump, it says not to wear it on rides with electromagnets or high G-forces. I've called the company and posed this question on pump forums, but no one seems to be able to offer any advice.

My question is- what am I supposed to do with my pump? I can't store it in a hot locker for hours while I wait in line. That would defeat the whole purpose of wearing it. I can't be without it for very long.

Any help would be appreciated.

Liz

I think it would really be best for you to contact the park if you have any concern.

Sorry to say this, but you're probably out of luck.

I guess it depends on what is considered high G's. If you can't have it on while experiencing G's in the 8-9 range, you're probably ok, but if the most it should handle is in the 2-3 G range, you're definitely out of luck. I'd talk with your doctor, or try calling the manufacturer directly.

I ran into this issue last year when one of my friends who takes insulin came with me to CP. The folks at First Aid (next to the Colussium) were a wonderful help. They logged his information and stored his insulin supplies in a refrigerator for him. When we stopped later in the day for his shot, they provided him with a comfortable environment and nursing assistance if he needed it.

What do they mean by "high G forces?" Do they mean Gemini kind of Gs or Gravitron kind of Gs?

The manual for the pump, as with most electronic devices, should have tolerances for forces, temperatures, etc in the back, usually on the specifications page that lists voltages and stuff. Check the back of the product manual and see if that offers any guidance for force tolerances.

Since there are no rides at CP that use electromagnets, you should be good to go there. The EMF generated by the LIMs on Wicked Twister is pretty well contained up where the fins are, otherwise there'd be a LOT of wasted energy. Same goes with the magnets on MF and TTD as the distance from the rare earth magnets should be far enough that it won't affect anything. I've never see the magnets on those rides toast any sort of electronics and I've never seen any pacemaker warnings or anything like that.

I guess, really, if your pump has such poor shielding that one of the magnets on MF or TTD causes it to malfunction at that distance I'd have more concerns than if it's okay to take it on coasters.

If still in doubt, your best bet would be to talk to your doctor about what alternatives you may or may not have to long-term pump use for the day of your visit. Maybe your dosage schedule can be adjusted to give you better coverage for the day.

Good luck getting a solution!

(See, guys? I *can* make intelligent posts!)

*** Edited 6/5/2006 10:52:29 PM UTC by Michael Darling***

Thanks for the help.

The manual says nothing more about G forces (like how high is considered high) and I wasn't sure about the electromagnetic part.

My doctor and company reps are no help. I personally think they just put the info in the book so that they can't be held responsible IF something does happen. It seems pretty reliable and "sturdy" to me.

I guess I was just hoping that there was someone out there that actually used one and had a good solution.

If you are wanting to carry it around with you in the park, the ops have to let you in line with it, no matter what, and they are allowed to hold onto it, if you actually trust them, while you are on the ride, if that is the informationa that you are trying to seek. I don't think that I would really want to take it on any ride.

Yes, thank you, that is what I wanted to know, I guess. I don't know if I would trust someone else to hold it, though. Do you need to have some kind of special pass or something?

Neil said:
I ran into this issue last year when one of my friends who takes insulin came with me to CP. The folks at First Aid (next to the Colussium) were a wonderful help. They logged his information and stored his insulin supplies in a refrigerator for him. When we stopped later in the day for his shot, they provided him with a comfortable environment and nursing assistance if he needed it.

If you can remove it for a period of time then what Neil here mentioned would be my suggestion.

The people at the first aid station are actually trained nurses and will take the utmost care for your supplies. If you are still leary then i would suggest calling the park and asking to talk to someone in first aid to get a "feel" for their knowledge and helpfulness.

I guess you would probably have to drop off your pump at first aid and ride one or two rides and go back for it. Take a break while your blood sugar stabilized and do it again. If there's any way you can remove it for a day and just use your glucometer and injections, that would be the ideal remedy. *** Edited 6/6/2006 12:42:12 AM UTC by Loopy***

I have been a paramedic for over 15 years, and have dealt with hundreds of diabetic emergencies. I agree with Loopy's solution to your problem. Talk to your Dr. and work out a dosing regiment where you can use blood sugar monitoring and injections for the day and leave your pump either at home, day trip, or in your hotel room, extended trip. My concern with the pump, on thrill rides, would be whether or not the G-forces would alter the amount of insulin administered when these forces are applied to the pump. Just my 2 cents worth.