pumps and surgery

[emeraldbay]

I am on a pump MM508 and am suffering from a trigger thumb. I had it injected with cortisone in May and it started to click again this August. I am temporarily wearing a splint but am probably facing inevitable surgery. Cortisone shots are only a temp fix and you can't have more than 3 in a given year without weakening the tendon. Ironically I am also an ortopedic RN so I know surgery down the line is a distinct possiblity. The good thing of a pump is how you can easily make adjustments to the surge in Bg after steroids BUT does anyone have experince going to surgery with a pump. My physican told me it is easy, the pump just keeps running. I would love to hear if anyone has personal experience in this area. thanks

[David]

I had 2 trigger finger release surgeries, but that was pre-pump. I wish I woulda had it then. Not being allowed to eat and trying to juggle NPH wasnt easy. The pump should be much better. You dont bolus (except for a correction) if you dont eat and you maintain your basal (depending on your docs suggestions). Be sure to test so you can correct in case your BG rises because of surgery stress and inactivity. Good luck.

[rfm]

I haven't used a pump myself, but from what I've seen on
newsgroups, it would be a good idea to discuss your idea of
using the pump during surgery with your surgeon before
plans for the surgery are finalized. The people doing the surgery need this information, preferably before the day surgery is planned, so they have time to find out what they need to do differently to allow for the pump.