Hello - I am new

[Natalie P]

Hello, I am new to the forum and am very impressed by all the great information! I am Mom to a young adult son with type 1 diabetes. I am hoping to talk with people that use pumps, because my son is considering getting one but he is concerned about having something "attached" to him.

[tanyatype1]

Hi Natalie P! I'm a pumper and I love it! I also have three kids and if one of them turned diabetic, I'd get them on a pump A.S.A.P. Welcome to this great forum!

[xMenace]

Hey natalie.

I had the same concerns. But knowing what I know now, it's a no-brainer. Does he have a big dawn phenomenon? What are his a1c's like? If he can't get below 6%, he should go on one.

[notme]

Hi Natalie,

Glad you found this site. I also said the same thing before I started on the pump. Being "attached" to something 24/7 is the #1 reason people give for not trying the pump. I have been pumping for 6 years and will never go back to MDI. Tell him it really is a NON issue.

Welcome!

[Natalie P]

What about when you are sleeping? He is concerned that he will feel the needle in his adomen area and that when he sleeps it will be uncomfortable. I am sure this all sounds pretty basic, but he is very resistant to the idea. His AIC is well over 7, but he won't tell me exactly where it is... He is certainly out of control, and sometimes doesnt take insulin at all. But just recently he told me he was considering the pump...I don't want to be pushy, but I am hoping he will do it.

[ProudNanaof5]

Natalie, Welcome to DF. :hello: I don't pump but I am glad you joined our family. Lots to be learned here...

[kgm0612]

Hi Natalie & Welcome!

I started pumping a year ago......LOVE IT! I attach the pump to my PJ bottoms and go to sleep. The only time I "feel the needle" is when my site is irritated and needs changing.

Karen

[ProudMOM]

Hi Natalie,

Welcome to this great source of information. I am a Mom of a 16 y.o. son who was diagnosed almost 3 years ago and has been pumping for two years.
Pumping is so convenient and has led to better control for my son. We highly recommend it! The members of this forum are highly knowlegeable with lots of experience, I have learned a tremendous amount. Feel free to ask any questions, we are glad to have you here.

[notme]

Natalie, the "canula" that is under the skin is only about _ long. It is a bendable plastic. The canula is inserted with a small needle and the canula is wrapped around the needle. You pull the needle out after insertion and the only thing that remains is the plastic, bendable canula. You don't feel it. Occassionally, it will get irritated. You just change it out for a new one. Not an issue.

I sleep with my pump attached on my waistband. Don't know it is there as I put it in the front when I sleep and I sleep on my side. Some people just take it to bed and let it roam around in bed. It really is another non issue for most people.

Tell your son to put a deck of cards in a cell phone holder. Wear it. That is approximately what the pump feels like.

Good luck!!!!

[ladytaz]

Hi Natalie :wavey: Welcome to DF!

[Tattoo azz]

Hi Natalie:hello: :party: welcome to the party!!

[HollyB]

Hi Natalie and welcome,

My teen son is on a pump now and you would have to wrestle it away from him to get him to go back. It took him about one day to get used to being hooked up, and the freedom it gives him is so great. He never feels the cannula unless there's something wrong with it.

I think for young people with an "irregular" lifestyle pumps do give a better chance for good control. (It's just easier, for example, on a party night with lots of snacking to give yourself three boluses by pushing a couple of buttons than hauling out your syringe three times.) However, it's only an advantage if you're willing to test frequently and use what the pump offers. It's easier in some ways, but not in others.

[MJM]

Hi Natalie, welcome to the Forum. There just isn't much to discuss here. If he goes for the pump he won't know he's even wearing it. He will however have to work at keeping his HbA1c down. It doesn't work just by itself. He will have to be determined to test more often. I think if you ask anyone who uses a pump whether they would go back to pre pump days there would be a resounding NO to the question. The site would have to be changed every 3 to 4 days and even longer on some pumps. His control would be greatly improved as would his chances of not having serious problems in later life. And of course no more injecting every time he want's to eat something.

[jimmy]

G'Day Natalie and welcome.