Starting on the pump. excited.

[thomasb]

Just talked to my doc and we agreed that a pump might be good for me. or well i wanted to try it. So this week i am getting my paradigm pump. I am excited. Esp since i get to use a the cgms thing too, whenever i want to. Might do so the first week, to see how it goes. further it is all free for me, even get the batteries. Wieee.

Will be great not needing to do all the poking wih the needles.

Now, where do you guys(males) usually keep the pump when you are out and about, like jogging etc?

[xMenace]

Clipped to my belt.

You can get fanny-belts to strap it on - running shorts may not stay on long.

[kgm0612]

Congratulations! You're going to love pumping.

Karen

[Gordonm]

Congrats on the pump. I wish I could afford the CGMS but will have to wait for insurance to catch up to this.
I do a lot of cycling and clip it to the back of my shorts. Never had a problem with it there.

[jenet]

How exciting! Good luck with your new adventure.
cheers,
j

[am1977]

Best of luck :)

[Cyborg]

I always keep my pump in a shirt pocket with a small hole in the back for the tubing.

You shall be assimilated.

[txrdr75765]

Congrats on the smart move. I've been on the MM722 for 3 weeks and love it. Bike riding, I use the 43" cannula kit and keep it in the rear food pouch.

Ric

[notme]

Congratulations on your new outboard pancreas!!!!

[thomasb]

Thanks y'all!

[June91]

Congratulations!

I think everyone should try the pump. I was just wondering why your doctor thinks you need one. You have an incredible a1c - do you have too many hypos? Or a problem with needles?

Also, can you please let me know what the requirements are for getting a pump in Sweden, and what Type 1s are entitled to - strips, etc. I am involved in amending current state insurance guidelines over here and Sweden has always been the best example of social care in Europe if not the world.

[thomasb]

I am happ to answer any questions as i am extremely happy i live in sweden right now, with diabetes care being excellent here.

It was actually me that wanted to try the pump. I have not had any problems with high sugars, but i wanted to try both methods now while i am still new at this.

There seems to be no requirements to get a pump here. I simply talked to my doctor and she presented me with different options for pumps. She also explained that the cgms so far are not covered by our national healthplan for permanent use, but i can borrow one from the hospital when i want. She thought that it was only a matter of time before we get it for free with the pumps for permanent use.

Diabetes patients here get all supplies for free. Strips, insulin, meters, needles and everything else. There is no limitation on number of strips i get. My doctor prescribes about 400 strips at a time on a renewable presciption which i then pick up at a pharmacy. the same goes for all other supplies.
The same goes with pumps, they are free for us. We get them on a four year plan, but can ofcourse return them if we are not happy with them. hence me wanting to try one.

I know that a earlier when insulin pumps were new, it was harder to get one and you had to have had problems with keeping sugars in range using needles in order to get one. That has changed now though, and the default for kids and young adults is to put recommend a pump.

as for my a1c, no i have not had too many hypos. I do have a very controlled diet and stricts routines and workout routines(am a student writing my thesis) so i check often. I do not expect it to be this low once i start working, since then i can't risk being this low all the time.

[tlongo]

Congrats on the pump, I think you will love it. When I was using the Disetronic d-tron plus, I would just keep it in my pants pocket with a small hole in the pocket for the infusion set. I am now using the cozmo and with the testing device attached it is a bit thick for pants pockets. I use either a belt clip similar to a leather holder for a cellphone, or a clip that hangs from a belt loop.

[sixuntilme]

Welcome to pumping!

I have been using a Minimed Paradigm 512 for just over three years now. I go to the gym regularly, wear dresses (I am, after all, a lady), and hit the beach at every opportunity. The pump rarely, if ever, causes a problem. Pumping was easily the best diabetes-decision I've made in a long time.

If you have any questions, feel free to throw them out there. I have a section of my blog dedicated to life with an insulin pump. It's over at http://sixuntilme.com/blog1/pumping/.

Good luck!! :D

-- Kerri.

[June91]

Thanks for the info, Thomas. Sweden definitely has the kind of diabetes care I want to keep fighting for here. To be honest, I'd settle for half of what you get at this point. ;)

Again, all the best and keep us posted regarding your assimilation process (that is a quote from Cyborg, if he hasn't already posted his usual You shall be assimilated line). :D

[karen]

Thanks y'all!
I have been pumping for 4 years and diabetic for 40. Pumping makes your life easier, but remember it is not a pancreas, and you will still have highs and lows.

I am getting my new pump the MM 722 on Monday.

[Cyborg]

Yes, unfortunately we do have highs and lows.

For me, the highs happen mostly due to new sets, bad sets, incorrect carb/protein counting (and associated boluses) and overeating.

The lows come more into play more often with a lower target bg or after unplanned exercise.

Checking often and/or using a CGMS can help maintain better control with fewer lows while also reducing the severity of the lows.

:smokin:

[thomasb]

Bad set? infusion sets you mean?