Question for Women using the Pump

[belyro]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here and have a question for woman using the pump.

I'm considering going on the Pump at some point in the not-too-distant future, but I have some concerns. It sounds really stupid....but I want to know how your work it into your outfits. I'm 28 and I like to wear a cute little strappy dress every now and then....or go to the beach in a bikini....and I feel like I won't be able to do this on the pump. I'll always need a pocket to put it in, or a waist to clip it to. I know it sounds so trivial, but this is one of my biggest issues with the Pump. Currently, even though diabetes is such a big part of my life, it's not really a visible part. The idea of making it so visible and the idea that it would dictate what I wear and maybe even what I do really scares me.

Please don't write me off as being materialistic.....I'm really worried this is going to be a self-esteem issue for me.

Can someone please give me some words of wisdom?

Thanks.

B.

[camjen1]

If I can't clip it to my waist or if I don't have a pocket I usually put it in between my two friends. You'll never even know it's there. :D

Far as bikini issues, when I swim I usually disconnect so you don't see the pump or any tubing.

[belyro]

I love that idea, Sandi, but I'm not positive that my two friends will sufficiently hide it. :)

How long can you leave it unattached if you're at the beach?

Do you feel restricted by it at all?

B.

[sviskan]

Your problem is currently my biggest issue with using the pump. I live with this disadvantage mostly because the pump is still the way to go, but partly also because where I live it is too cold to wear a bikini and I rearly wear tight short skirts. However, when I dress up or even just wear tight jeans and a shirt that goes below my waistline, I have problems wearing the pump; there is just no discreet place. But, as I said, the pump is still the way to go; much better control.

[melissata]

There are a lot of different ways to hide a pump while wearing a dress. They make a holder that you wear on your thigh and it has a pocket for the pump. I saw a picture recently of a pouch the hooks to your bra band and the pump hangs under your arm. Some people wear Spanks, and just tuck the pump into them. You can keep the pump off for an hour at a time, and just hook it back up to bolus the missed insulin. Others don't mind just taking the set out and using shots for a day at the beach. If there is a will, there's a way!

[parrotletzoo]

For the strappy little dress or outfits with no pockets, I used to wear cycling shorts under my dress and tuck the pump in them. Depending on the dress I either put It in the waist band or in the leg of the shorts. Some women wear them in thier bras but I'd look like I have a wierd third boob that was square if I did that ;) You can also opt to disconnect for a few hours and inject instead, however since you won't have basal insulin you' d have to test more frequently. There are other options like going unteathered if you want to disconnect for longer periods of time. I believe there are articles about unteathered insulin pump therapy on children with DIABETES Online Community (http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com)

[belyro]

This is really helpful, ladies!

Keep 'em coming!

B.

[jeggeman31]

I usually put it in between my two friends. You'll never even know it's there. .

What happens if you let your friends out to play :-

[Funnygrl]

All those ideas are great, and keep in mind that as long as your keep lantus around, it's not that hard to go on shots for a day or two at the beach and leave the pump home.

[Keezheekoni]

I have no advice since I don't have your body type. I only wish that I could wear strappy little anythings... LOL I have seen those holders people talk about and they look good. I think that if I were at the beach, I'd maybe just take it off.

[camjen1]

What happens if you let your friends out to play :-

You sure are a brave brave man coming in the middle of a women to women talk. Care to join us for tea and talk about boys?:D

[JanTx]

I thought that the bra thing was going to be an option for me, but oh my goodness - I can't imagine how big you'd have to be for it to fit there without being that 3rd square boob! I thought I was pretty well endowed, but not enough for that! This would be a consideration for someone younger though - esp if you like to wear midriff tops - that would limit the sites you could use and not have it show. More below the waist and thigh sites would need to be used. they also make cute holders for it that would clip to a belt or belt loop.

I'm wondering if my MM 722 is larger than some of the other pumps. Which one are you looking at?

And I don't think you are materialistic! You want the pump to improve your life and all aspects need to be considered.

[Funnygrl]

I put it in my actual bra, not clipped to the center.

[camjen1]

I put it in my actual bra, not clipped to the center.

Same here! I would never let it hang on the outside of my bra, then your asking people to make fun of you.

[JanTx]

Okay that would work - or at the side under the arm. But do you use a remote or fish it out? I seem to be messing with mine all the time.

I generally wear slacks so have just worn it on my waistband. today it fell off - twice! Felt rather strange reeling the thing back in and clipping it back on. I'm a teacher - elementary. I just kept teaching and reeling!

[Diana]

I love my pump, but I've got to admit that I find wearing it a hassel probably at least once a week. Its fine in everyday jeans and the like, and for black pants I can tuck it in my undies on the hip where it doesnt stick out very much at all, but dresses are still impossible for me. My 'friends' wont hide a pump convincingly, and I find attaching it to my leg uncomfy. So yeah, I wont lie, sometimes I find wearing a pump really sucks. What I do is leave my pump in my handbag and bolus every hour or so if I'm going out or something and want to wear a dress, but thats only really a short term solution.

I do have a couple of hints though. If you are wearing tight fitted jeans, consider putting the pump in the back pocket instead of front. This way from the front the line of your clothes isnt broken. If you are wearing pants and also socks, try putting the pump in the sock, on the inside of the leg just above the ankle bone. Wear two socks if you need it to sit more firmly. With certain pants and skirts I can tuck the pump into the side of my undies just below and behind my hip bone.

Despite all the clothes hassel, I still find having a pump to be worth it!

[belyro]

I'm wondering if my MM 722 is larger than some of the other pumps. Which one are you looking at?

And I don't think you are materialistic! You want the pump to improve your life and all aspects need to be considered.

I'm not looking at any in particular yet. Just considering my options.

Thanks for the great ideas and for making me feel OK about asking something like this. :)

B.

[grace girl]

I don't pump, but I have to tell you all that the thought of wearing one in between the friends has given me more than one laugh tonight. That's where my mom keeps her cell phone! She gets some looks when it rings in public!!!!

[Jenn L]

I usually keep mine in my bra as well, horizontally, not vertically. I'm a B cup, so there is plenty of room. (no comments peanut gallery!) I used to buy more expensive bra's to hold it, but I have found there is no need to. It seems like my bra's wear out faster either way. A demi helps fill the gap. I have used the thigh holder, but you still can either see it or feel it depending on where you put it. It is a big adjustment, but any inconvience is worth it to be on the pump. Maby your educator or doc has one you can wear for a "test flight" Let us know!!

[xMenace]

What happens if you let your friends out to play :-

Interesting question. Is there a place for pumps on topless beaches and in nudist colonies? I wonder how many of these people are sacrificing control to go au naturell.

[notme]

The pumps are getting smaller, but it still does pose some problems when wearing that smaller little strappy dress. My friends cannot hide the pump if I put it between them, but......I have been able to tuck it in the side and underneath my arm on a tighter fitting bra. My new pump is smaller than my old one so it works well. I have a remote for these days. You can also put it tight against your hip or just let it show. I have kind of given up trying to hide it so I am not afraid to wear it in a cute phone holder on my waistband.

When I am at the beach, I wear my pump and remove it to swim or snorkel. Just the swimming or snorkeling will keep your blood sugar in check. I also have lantus for those days I want to be pump free. (There aren't many of those)

[belyro]

I think part of my problem is that I really don't have a good sense of how big/small pumps are. I've only seen one before and it was pretty big, but I guess they aren't all that big.

I like the idea of a "test flight", thanks Jenn L.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all these comments. It seems so stupid, but one of my biggest fears of trying out the pump is my fear that I'll feel like I can't be as "womanly" or, dare I say "sexy", with a device like that constantly attached to me. You gals are making me feel a lot better about it!

B.

[Diana]

As far as how big the pumps actually are, I have an animas IR1200, and it is around 7.5 cm long, 5cm wide and 2cm thick. Or, if you have one of the flip up type mobile phones, it is very close to those kind of dimensions when the phone is closed. Hope that helps a bit! =)

[Just Ducky]

I just wanted to say how glad I was to see this thread. I'm new here. Today my doc told me she thinks a pump is inevitable because I need three different bolus doses throughout the day.

It was upsetting, despite having done research for the last couple months. (This wasn't exactly a shock, but it still made me cry.)

But this was one of my issues with the pump. I'm 27, skinny as can be and don't exactly have the kind of cleavage one can hide ANYTHING in.

I'm just glad I wasn't the only one who was worried about this. Thanks--this was really encouraging to read. :)

[Funnygrl]

I just wanted to say how glad I was to see this thread. I'm new here. Today my doc told me she thinks a pump is inevitable because I need three different bolus doses throughout the day.

It was upsetting, despite having done research for the last couple months. (This wasn't exactly a shock, but it still made me cry.)

But this was one of my issues with the pump. I'm 27, skinny as can be and don't exactly have the kind of cleavage one can hide ANYTHING in.

I'm just glad I wasn't the only one who was worried about this. Thanks--this was really encouraging to read. :)
What upsets you about getting a pump? IMO a pump is necessary for most people with type 1, since almost everyone has varying basal patterns. I suspect you will find a pump to be a huge help in managing your diabetes.

[JanTx]

When the trainer was showing me different places to wear the pump she seemed to only know the front of the bra - square-3rd-boob location - and under the arm in the side of the bra. Well, after reading this I went all evening with it stuck in the bra itself and it worked great. Husband never noticed (that might not be a good thing???) it felt secure, definately a location to remember. I still don't think that will replace my waist since I don't see myself digging it out, but when I have on a dress that will work.

My 722 is bigger than a flip phone. About 1 1/2 times the size of my phone anyway. The weight surprised me, too. So be sure you look at size and weight when it comes time to choose. You'll have to get a reservoir size that fits your needs, but find one of those comparison charts to check the overall size. After just 2 weeks of pumping I feel very used to it, but I'll be the first to admit my clothes are more about comfort than style!

[lilituc]

Interesting question. Is there a place for pumps on topless beaches and in nudist colonies? I wonder how many of these people are sacrificing control to go au naturell.

Well, nudists still wear shoes and socks. A friend of mine who was a groundskeeper at a nudist resort says you haven't seen it all until you've seen people playing tennis in just shoes and socks.

[middnite03]

You sure are a brave brave man coming in the middle of a women to women talk. Care to join us for tea and talk about boys?:D

see now,... I am brave ( or stupid depending how ya look at it) ao i'll ask, gonna intro all of us to your friends??? i'v elawys like meeting new "friends" :-

[DeusXM]

All this talk of hiding in boobies is making me feel funny.


We now return you to your regular scheduled thread.

[JanTx]

funny "ha-ha" or funny "peculiar"? :-

[belyro]

What I think is "funny" is how many men have taken it upon themselves to participate in this "Question for Women....." thread that I started....... :hmmmm2:

[Mich]

Just another thought about putting your pump where it doesn't show. I discovered this while traveling.

If wearing a full skirt with a waistband, I put my pump into a pin-on flat travel money pouch with a zipper. I bought the smallest one I could find at Target and wore it vertically. and next to the side zipper of the skirt, where it hung down on the front left side. I could discreetly get it out of the pouch through the skirt zipper when needed and the outer georgette fabric covered it well. If it were a dress without a waistband, I would think a piece of ribbon around your waist would work for pinning it on.

I've also learned how to discreetly push certain buttons through my ckirt ("What's that beeping?")

Also, many people have mentioned the "Thigh Thing"although I haven't tried it. Mich

[xMenace]

What I think is "funny" is how many men have taken it upon themselves to participate in this "Question for Women....." thread that I started....... :hmmmm2:

Well, we are interested in women. At least I am. But sometimes it takes an outsider to see the obvious.

Plus, I'm sure if I asked a 'guy' question, all the women would jump in. My experience is they always do:-
:boxing:

[Carwy]

I usually put it in between my two friends. :D

Can I meet them at the meet and greet?:wavey:

[spike]

What I think is "funny" is how many men have taken it upon themselves to participate in this "Question for Women....." thread that I started....... :hmmmm2:

The surest way to assure male participation is to first mention 'question for women' and then also mention certain body parts.

Deus: go take a cold shower!

[belyro]

Perhaps this thread needs to be renamed to "Between Friends".

Sorry. :tongue:

[gettingby]

see now,... I am brave ( or stupid depending how ya look at it) ao i'll ask, gonna intro all of us to your friends??? i'v elawys like meeting new "friends" :-
Paul, I am shocked. I would have expected this comment from Carwy but not you. LOL.

[Cinnabon]

I bought a FRIO cooler. It is great for the beach. Tiny pouch that keeps it cool. I also di the same in hiding it with in the "twins" lol. Ive seen girls strap the tubing down to the leg, for fancy parties, as well.

[middnite03]

Paul, I am shocked. I would have expected this comment from Carwy but not you. LOL.

aaawwww comeon..... I have to get a wise *** comment out once in a while..... especially when it comes to sandi...... :-

[poper77]

Hey,
I am also 28 and just went on the pump a few months ago and the visibility of it was my biggest concern. I have found if I am wearing a dress I use this thing a lot of the pump companies make that straps it to your leg. For going to the pool/beach I left it connected and tucked it under my towel and disconnected while I went swimming and then reconnected after. There is no way I can hide it between my girls. i have tried every which way and even tried in stores with more padded bras and no luck! I am not so sensative about having it be seen anymore - it is what it is and as long as it makes me healthier I don't care who sees it, stares at it or asks questions! I really don't mind the questions, you'd be surprised how many people know very little about diabetes.
Good luck with your decision!

[belyro]

Hey,
I have found if I am wearing a dress I use this thing a lot of the pump companies make that straps it to your leg.


Can't you see it through your dress if it's strapped to your leg? Where on your leg does it sit? The outside of your thigh?

[RLK]

I've slipped my pump into a pair of "leg shaper" pantyhose- the control part holds the pump tightly and I bolus through the pantyhose. I wear it on the inside of my leg, about halfway down my thigh. You can't see it and it's easy to bolus with it there.
More times than not, I just ask my friends to help. They're accomodating enough to hold my pump for me without anyone noticing. The remote control that Minimed offers is great when wearing dresses or slim skirts/pants.

[HollyB]

[I just wanted to say how glad I was to see this thread. I'm new here. Today my doc told me she thinks a pump is inevitable because I need three different bolus doses throughout the day.]


I'm not sure why this makes a pump inevitable? My son is on a pump and still has different bolus doses -- lots at breakfast, hardly any at lunch (because he has phys ed right afterwards), middling at dinner, and a little lower after 11 p.m. because I get nervous about night-time lows when he goes to bed at a friend's house with gallons of insulin coursing around in his body.

[belyro]

Well, I'm definitely feeling 100 times better about getting a pump than I was! Thanks so much!

:biggrin:

[duck]

I just wanted to say how glad I was to see this thread. I'm new here. Today my doc told me she thinks a pump is inevitable because I need three different bolus doses throughout the day.

It was upsetting, despite having done research for the last couple months. (This wasn't exactly a shock, but it still made me cry.)

But this was one of my issues with the pump. I'm 27, skinny as can be and don't exactly have the kind of cleavage one can hide ANYTHING in.

I'm just glad I wasn't the only one who was worried about this. Thanks--this was really encouraging to read. :)

For the record, three shots a day is not a lot, and people go on pumps for various reasons (numerous shots is one)...Overall, I would be more concerned about your overall control than the number of shots you take/number of boluses you need. If your control is good, then the pump really isn't "necessary".

[duck]

What I think is "funny" is how many men have taken it upon themselves to participate in this "Question for Women....." thread that I started....... :hmmmm2:

Meh. Wait til a "Question for men" topic comes up...Somehow the women here seem to have a lot of advice to offer. :confused:

Maybe I missed it, but I'm suprised no one mentioned a former Miss America wore her pump onstage during the formal gown portion of the contest...So apparently it can be hidden well enough. I do recall she removed the pump for the bikini contest. (must...resist...further...comment...)

[poper77]

The leg thing sits around my thigh and it is on the inner area close to my other leg so it is not noticeable. If someone was groping my leg they would know it was there though...

[Miss Jade]

Meh. Wait til a "Question for men" topic comes up...Somehow the women here seem to have a lot of advice to offer. :confused:

Maybe I missed it, but I'm suprised no one mentioned a former Miss America wore her pump onstage during the formal gown portion of the contest...So apparently it can be hidden well enough. I do recall she removed the pump for the bikini contest. (must...resist...further...comment...)

Was that Nicole from Dlife?

[duck]

Was that Nicole from Dlife?

Nicole Johnson Baker (I don't watch DLife)? Then yeah.

Nicole Johnson.com (http://www.nicolejohnson.com/)

[xMenace]

Well ... I found a very "friendly" video. There's no pump ... well, maybe she uses another type of pump ... I guarantee you'll smile. It is clean.:)

YouTube - Nissan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBdt7bR15KA)

[spike]

Well ... I found a very "friendly" video. There's no pump ... well, maybe she uses another type of pump ... I guarantee you'll smile. It is clean.:)

YouTube - Nissan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBdt7bR15KA)

LOL! That is SOME marionette!

[camjen1]

Well ... I found a very "friendly" video. There's no pump ... well, maybe she uses another type of pump ... I guarantee you'll smile. It is clean.:)

YouTube - Nissan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBdt7bR15KA)

Yawn!!! Boring! :hmpf:

[gettingby]

aaawwww comeon..... I have to get a wise *** comment out once in a while..... especially when it comes to sandi...... :-
Ok, I concede. You win. :-

[belyro]

Well ... I found a very "friendly" video. There's no pump ... well, maybe she uses another type of pump ... I guarantee you'll smile. It is clean.:)

YouTube - Nissan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBdt7bR15KA)

Oh dear.....:rolleyes: *snicker*

[lilituc]

Interesting question. Is there a place for pumps on topless beaches and in nudist colonies? I wonder how many of these people are sacrificing control to go au naturell.

I can't believe it, but I just read about a nudist who wears a pump! It just said she wears it on a belt around her waist. Who knew?

[belyro]

I can't believe it, but I just read about a nudist who wears a pump! It just said she wears it on a belt around her waist. Who knew?

I guess there's just no way to hide it if you're a nudist. (And if there is....let's not go there.) :s:

[laura_92082]

Dear B,

I've been on a pump for almost 20 years and have a slim frame. I have found that when you need to, you can get very creative about where you pump is. I can't hide my pump as easily as some in this thread but elastic material on your leg or sewing hiding shots into pockets can be an easy solution. The biker shorts under a skirt (or that formal you wear once a year to the company holiday party) works really well. Please don't let this stop you, when you don't want to deal with it, just come up with a plan for taking shots for a few hours.

Laura

[blonde kiddo]

Hello! This is my first post on here!

I am very intrigued to find out you can keep your pump in so many different places since I'm starting a pump early Dec. Luckily, as I live in the UK, it'll be cold when I start using it so there'll be more scope for hiding places intially, ie.under layers of clothes!

[caryj]

It's not just women who have to get creative about placing their pumps. I sailed on my varsity sailing team in college and found an old neoprene CD-player holder under my wetsuit was the perfect apparatus for holding my pump to my lower back for a full day on the water. I was on the water racing and my pump started vibrating an alarm but I obviously couldn't get to it quickly so I had my crew unzip my wetsuit and read the message on my pump so i didn't have to fully undress. I talked her through all the menus (good thing I memorized the menus and can work the pump blind) and we were on our way faster than I could have undressed and dressed again.

Also, when I coached sailing I didn't want to break the screen on another pump (yes I went 2 days without a screen on my pump--but memorizing the menus was clutch in that situation) so I started duct taping my pump to my upper quads (this kept it away from anything I would sit on/lean against that would crack another screen).

Moral of the story, if there is a will, there is a way. And I have no idea where you could possibly hide the pump in/on a bikini (you probably don't want to clip it to anything because of its' weight and the potential 'pull' effect).

[tanyatype1]

Hi, I am only a size 34 B and I hold the pump between my little ladies all the time! I went and bought some cute push-up bras and they are awesome at squishing you together just enough to snugly hold the pump. Wow - was that a little toooo much information?:) When I'm in a two piece I take the pump off and just test myself every hour or two. If you see that your blood sugar is creeping up then just connect for a quick bolus and then disconnect again! You can also select a site under your bikini area - low on the front or on you behind. Hope that helps ya out! I've been on the pump for almost a year and totally love it - I'd never want to go back to using needles.

[belyro]

Hi, I am only a size 34 B and I hold the pump between my little ladies all the time! I went and bought some cute push-up bras and they are awesome at squishing you together just enough to snugly hold the pump. Wow - was that a little toooo much information?:) When I'm in a two piece I take the pump off and just test myself every hour or two. If you see that your blood sugar is creeping up then just connect for a quick bolus and then disconnect again! You can also select a site under your bikini area - low on the front or on you behind. Hope that helps ya out! I've been on the pump for almost a year and totally love it - I'd never want to go back to using needles.

This is really helpful! Thanks!

[Amanda_Jo22]

I bought a slip from Animas that holds the pump inside of your slip. It is amazing! It hides the pump and no one knows that it's there. I tried the "between friends" method but it just didn't work for me.

[iuhryn]

Hello fellow pumpers!

I just found this sight and it's awesome. I see that most of us have similar questions and concerns that we thought were too silly to ask - but not so.

I look forward to reading your questions and I hope I too can add some value to this site. Happy Pumping!

[iuhryn]

I too am a newbie and can totally understand your question! My husband and I vacation regularily in hawaii for 1 month each year and 2007 will be my first beach vacation with my pump! I'm not as fortunate as you being able to wear a bikini but hope that I can hide it inside the bra area of my suits.

I don't quite understand what someone meant by wearing it under one's arm? My last site used was near my bikini line so the tubing is well hidden. As for the pump, I would probably suggest inserting it into your bottoms with a pouch or something to hold it. This way it will not be visible and you can easily disconnect if you are into water sports etc. Hope this helps.

I also posted a question on pumping and weight gain. Any suggestions would be most welcomed! Thank you friends.

[Rebecca]

Okay, if and when I do not have a waist band or a pocket to put my pump in, I either put it between the sisters, between my side and bra strap, there is a thing called "thigh thing" and then there is the "waist-it" which I have both.
Going to either the beach or the pool, since I will leave it either in my bag or at home, I will use regular insulin to cover the missed insulin, or what you can do is take your missed insulin in humalog, novolog or apidra in shots every 2 or so hours, and check, check, check to make sure that you are within your blood glucose range your D team has suggested.

[mex]

Hi, I am only a size 34 B and I hold the pump between my little ladies all the time! I went and bought some cute push-up bras and they are awesome at squishing you together just enough to snugly hold the pump. Wow - was that a little toooo much information?:) When I'm in a two piece I take the pump off and just test myself every hour or two. If you see that your blood sugar is creeping up then just connect for a quick bolus and then disconnect again! You can also select a site under your bikini area - low on the front or on you behind. Hope that helps ya out! I've been on the pump for almost a year and totally love it - I'd never want to go back to using needles.

I never thought of this idea.thanks very much.