Tubing: 23" or 43"?

Ever since I started insulin pumping, I've been using Paradigm Silhouette Infusion Sets. I originally used the 23" tubing, but that a friend of mine recommended the 43" tubing. I've been using the 43" tubing ever since then.

Now that I have funding through the ADP program, I have to change everything out every three days. Previously, I wouldn't change the tubing; being the longer tubing, it always seemed like a waste of insulin to be changing it every time you change the site (or reservoir or whatever). In an effort to reduce this seeming waste of insulin, I decided to give the 23" tubing another shot. So the last time that I bought supplies (ie last week), I bought one box of 23" and another of 43".

Yesterday was the first day I tried a 23" tube. It was really weird priming the thing - the 43" tubing can take anywhere from about 8 units to around 15 (I haven't figured out why that is); the 23" took under 4!

So after a day, I have to say I'm really not liking the shorter tubing. On the one hand, the tubing doesn't get caught on anything, which is nice. But it's just too short to do anything with! When I get dressed in the morning, with the 43" tubing I can put the pump down on my bed or on a nearby table/dresser. With the 23" tubing you can't put it down anywhere! I tried putting it on my bed to get dressed and even when I was standing right next to the bed the pump was still hanging from my site! (As a side note, I am about 5'10", so maybe part of my problem is the site's placement on my torso vs the height of the bed?)

Usually I keep my pump in the right back pocket of my jeans. This isn't a problem with the 23" tubing, but grabbing the pump out of this pocket to give myself insulin feels really restricting. Right now, I can't hold my arm out in front of me with my pump in my hand, while with the 43" tubing I can. This is probably something I could get used to, but it's just really odd.

Luckily I bought the box of 43" tubing, so I'm going to alternate between the two until the 23" tubing is gone. After this, I think I'll be sticking to my 43" tubing!

But what does everyone else think? I was talking to my nurse today and she told me that most people prefer the 23" tubing. If you're on a pump, what do you use and why do you like it?