[kylieb32]

Hello my name is Kylie and my son who is now 10 years old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in June 2004. He is currently taking Novorapid and Protaphane via injection and i have a bad time most mornings and nights getting him to do it. I have been thinking about putting him on the pump and would just like some feedback on how easy it is to use and whether it is a better idea for him. Thanks

[duck]

There needs to be some willingness to use it--To say it is 'easier' is a misnomer of sorts. It provides more flexibility at times, and the vast majority of the pumpers here have remained pumpers (I can only count three members who have stopped pumping here), the rest of us swear by our pumps. But the pump can require intensive monitoring, and a lot of initial training--In your case for both you and your son.

A word of advice: Protophane is the same as Insulatard and NPH. Unless your son has a bad reaction to Levemir or Lantus, you may want to get him switched over...It seems the crowd here on this forum prefer Levemir to Lantus (Lantus can sting upon injection), but both are "peakless" so you don't have to worry as much about "eating to cover" his Protophane injection.

Don't give up on the pump, keep researching it.

[JediSkipdogg]

Welcome to the site and I concur with duck. The pump is great, however, if he has a hard time with his current injections, he may have a hard time with the pump. The infusion sites have to be changed every 3 days religiously. Also, fingersticks are required before every bolus (the same as giving a Novarapid shot.) While it is a great savior for many, you have to consider the time you have to put into it. And when you first switch, it's ALOT of time the first 2-4 weeks. Good luck with you and your son's decision.

[Penny]

I sure don't envy you with this. Ten is such a difficult age to make kids understand that they have to do things to keep healthy. It's a major struggle to get them to brush their teeth, I hate to think of having to make one inject. I hope you can get some help with this.

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum.

[KickStart101]

Originally Posted by kylieb32

Hello my name is Kylie and my son who is now 10 years old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in June 2004. He is currently taking Novorapid and Protaphane via injection and i have a bad time most mornings and nights getting him to do it. I have been thinking about putting him on the pump and would just like some feedback on how easy it is to use and whether it is a better idea for him. Thanks

Hi Kylie: It's Very Nice to have you here. I, like Penny, do not envy
you any right now trying to get your 10 yr. old Son to inject and to
take Diabetes seriously. He is not mature enough to understand that
just yet. All he thinks is that this is an Awful Disease, he hates it and
perhaps if he ignores it, it will go away. Unfortunately NOT.

Has he had any Good Education of it. Would he go to a Diabetic Camp
for Kids? The Camp I went to was mostly about us having Fun and getting
to know other Kids who were all in the same boat. There was some Formal
Education given there but they felt some of the Best Education was taught
by the Main Characters involved: The Kids. If we had any other questions,
the Councelors(sp), Doc and Nurse were Happy to Educate. In most areas,
the eligible age is 8 to 14 yrs. old. Just a thought.

When my Brothers and I were dxd. we were 3 and 4 and 4 1/2 yrs. of age so
whining, tears and pretty well automatic acceptance seemed to be the Thing
To Do, and Get On With Life. Having a choice of allowing or not allowing the
shots, didn't occur to us.

Best of Luck to you and your Son. I sure hope that he gives you and himself an
easier of it sooner than later. Welcome.

[Lex4153]

I went to diabetes camp when I was younger for a few years. It was a wonderful experience!!! I would highly suggest it. All the kids as well as the counselors were diabetics and we had nurses assist us with our meds. It was great to be around tons of kids who were in the same boat, plus the activities really helped out our blood sugars. Since its summer time it might be a great option to explore.

I've never used the pump myself but my uncle has it and he swears by it. His life turned around after getting it years ago. He will never go back. I have only heard good things from people about the pump. I was considering it for myself awhile back (but now I'm type 2 . . . another story).

The only negative thing I have heard, and correct me if I'm wrong, people, is that if someone eats badly, the pump is an enabler and the person tends to eat more and eat more bad stuff because they can get away with it. So it can in turn cause weight gain. Again, this is just something I have heard so it may not be true . . .