The Pumping Insulin book and thoughts...

[thomasb]

been on the pump for another few weeks now. It has been mostly ok, a few more lows then i wanted. my basal is at .20 and .10 and total daily dose is around 8(hello honeymoon).
Just bought the Walsh book and started reading like im obsessed. It is an interesting book.
Is there anyone out there who can say "yes" to all the control questions in the first part of the book? about being able to skip meals and still stay in target and working out and sleeping while still in target? It sounds great, but also like a whole bunch of work.
I just managed to get the nights to work, and the working out seems to be on the right track.... The pump is great, truly great. although, reading i find that the animas one seems just a tad better in many ways. Well maybe next time...

[Gordonm]

I read the book also and highly recomend it. I have been able to skip meals with no problem. I have also been able to workout without a problem but you have to usually adjust your basal or eat some carbs to not go low. Everyone is different on this. I have been able to sleep through the night and wake up in the 90s most mornings now. Itry to go to sleep in the 100 range and this has been working for quite some time now. It is work but when it works right it is very satisfying.

[VinceF]

I'm reading the book too. I've been working through it. Yes it is a lot of work but I plan to be connected to this pump for a while so might as well get it dialed in. My numbers are improving and things are making much more sense to me now.

[xMenace]

I don't have it yet, but I believe I am following many of his recommendations. My confidence in basals is about 90%: AM 98%, Aft 98%, PM 70%, and overnight 90%. My I:C's are about the same. My next phase is exercise. I have zero confidence in my management of this :(

I am learning a lot figuring things out on my own. I plan to read it this summer though.

[gettingby]

I'm not pumping yet but I have already gotten the book and am reading through it.

[dbc]

I'm reading his "Using Insulin" book (not on the pump - yet). And have got seriously depressed about the amount of work involved in properly controlling bs....

[Mich]

I love the pump now that I have my basal figured out. If I never ate anything I would stay at exactly the same level but...

My "dawn effect"comes and goes on its own schedule. Usually changes slightly according to season.

Life's stressfull little events seem to pitch me a rough spot in my overall blood sugar. Making an airline flight costs me about 150 points! Sometimes an rise in blood sugar will alert me to the fact that I'm catching something. Sickness can be a stressor too.

I don't always do the same physical activities each day. I am learning (still after 1 1/2 yrs of pumping) how they affect me.

Occasionally these three things will occur at the same time and I just test and correct often. You have to admit, it is so easy to do with a pump! I found the Walsh book very helpful.

Mich

[Just_Plain_John]

I'm reading his "Using Insulin" book (not on the pump - yet). And have got seriously depressed about the amount of work involved in properly controlling bs....

It's normal to feel that way, but once you have established your daily routine it is a lot easier. I now count up my mealtime carbs and figure out my insulin dose in seconds, and am pretty accurate. Similarly, you learn which foods impact your blood glucose levels the most. Exercise can produce predictable glucose effects, too.

The key is to start with known amounts of food or exercise and adjust just one thing (amount or time) to see how it affects your results. John Walsh's ExCarbs method for exercise/nutrition has been VERY helpful to me.

[thomasb]

for me the hardest part is still counting the carbs in stuff i have not eaten before. say i get like 2 potatoes and other stuff i have never eaten before, the counting is tricky then. so right now i usually eat the same things. not that i mind, but it makes the occasional odd food unpredictable. but, i intend to study more on the amount of carbs in general foods. and continue reading the book.

[VinceF]

I use a carb counting book. The one I like and carry with me is CalorieKing - Diet and weight loss. Calorie Counter and more. (http://www.calorieking.com/) It helps with every day things as well as fast food.

[Cyborg]

It does take a lot of time and effort to fine tune the pump and arrange several basal profiles for various activities. I can only say that it is well worth the time and effort. On most days, I can pass the Walsh tests. Accurate carb and protein counting also make a huge impact. Good luck, it does get easier...

[panda1076]

Another great resource is "Think Like a Pancreas". I found that book to be really useful.