Puming Insulin

[Tony]

I have been on an insulin pump two years this summer.

The pump works good for me. Before the pump i was taking four shots a day.:(

Tony

Hi tony-i am on a pump too for a year and a half. I Love it. diabetic 34 years on 2 to 4 shots daily.

I would like to say one thing about the pump I thought was strange to see if it has happened to anyone else.

I had trouble at the beginning wearing the pump and it would short out and I would lose everything-the pump would totally quit and go blank and I lost all my history and basal etc etc.

Minimed said it was the batteries so they kept sending me more batteries but it still happened. Finally they asked if i had alot of electricity in my body or static etc etc. i said yes--I have been known to blow up light bulbs and have trouble all the time with Christmas lights-hubby does the lighting LOL

Anyway-it took Minimed 2 months to talk me into a blue pump and now I have to wear it all the time in this little pouch that has a metallic cover that absorbs electricity so I won't blow up my pump. I was going to wear it swimming but figured I'd electricute myself LOL. The cover is black leather but Ok.

Thanks ~ Suzie-P. S. Do I talk too much-It's a bad habit-If so, I'll try to cut the message down

[Tony]

Suzie

You can never talk to much around here. Keep talking.:)

Our electric bill is kind of high. Can we get electricity from you.:D :D

I have my own lawn biz. I day i was weed wacken and it shorted out the pump (508)

Minimed has new pump coming and it does not do that.
They an Exchange Program



HERE'S THE FINE PRINT
[act now.. this is a limited offer]

Offer may be discontinued at any time
Exchange coupon must be postmarked by February 28, 2002 to qualify
Program begins March 1, 2001 - 508 purchases before this date not eligible
Exchanges available after June 2002
Offer good only for pumps purchased in the United States
Does not apply to Medtronic MiniMed distributors, or Medicare beneficiaries
To receive the Paradigm pump, the Medtronic MiniMed 508 pump must be returned at time of exchange
User must attend a training class to receive the Paradigm exchange

*Program available in the United States only (with proof of domestic purchase)

thank you for the informaion on the pump. I will call them in just a bit-there is a 4 hour time difference, so will have to wait until they open.
will send electric to you LOL zap !!!
by the way-I have shorted out 3 pumps and this is my 3rd one I am on now. maybe the paradigm will be better--will see-but i wear my cover all the time-even to sleep.

:-) Suzie (-:

[Emily]

My pump got that E-01 alarm yesterday, funny about how there is a post on the pump shorting out... It was due to static. Have to love that nice dry cold winter air.


Emily

They must be having a lot of trouble with static or electricity. My problem was I got NO alarm at all. It just quit and the pump would not work. You couldn't even bolos or do anything. It shorted out everything. This is my 3rd one and so far is Ok.
I am wearing the cover all the time.
I talked to MiniMed yesterday and they said they are working on a new motor for the pump but for now the paradigm will do the same thing as the 508 so if I upgrade it will not help. Also, can't upgrade until warranty runs out on this one which is a little over 2 more years. Since I started before March 2001.
Thanks-suzie

[Tony]

can't upgrade until warranty runs out on this one which is a little over 2 more years. Since I started before March 2001.


How does that work?

I called MiniMed yesterday to see if I could upgrade to the Paradigm. But the offer is only good for people who received a pump after March 2001. I recieved my pump in September 2000. The pump has a warranty for 4 years. The insurance will not pay for a pump until the warranty is out on this one-whether it is a better pump or not. Even if it has a better control of sugar or better function etc etc, they will not replace it. I asked why and they said that was the way it is. So I will have to wait, which is OK , as long as this one works OK - I won't mind.
Suzie

[Tony]

Well fry that the in June. Then when the new is out in get that one.:)

[emeraldbay]

I will be starting to use the minimed 508 pump in about a month. The supplies just arrived along with the pump and all the manuals. It appeas VERY OVERWHELMING!! How long did it take you to master the pump and also to get your basal rate, carb ration rate and correction rate determined.

Currently I am taking lantus and take humalog prior to meals and have a good HbA1c (below 7), do you think I am crazy to try a pump?

hi emeraldbay
oh my a lot of questions to answer. ;-) NO you are not crazy to be on the pump--IT IS great. I don't know how they teach you to use the pump but I was very lucky to go to diabetes and pump classes to learn about the pump. (At a hospital) It was once a week for 6 weeks-three hour classes. I was totally scared to try this. I was petrified to take a shot in my stomach. So before I started on the pump-I started taking them in my stomach-which really wasn't too bad. Your doctor will regulate your basal rate (which is the amount of insulin the pump delivers in a twenty four hour period) and will determine your bolus rate.(which is the amount you take for meals) MiniMed was SUPER in teaching the classes--at first it seems overwhelming but for some strange reason-it comes all together. DO NOT be afraid to ask any question-they will not let you leave without understanding the pump.
In time I regulated my basal and bolus rates for me-because I have diabetes 24 hours a day-I know my schedule and worked the rates out for my lifestyle. ALOT of doctors DO NOT want you to do this-I have a WONDERFUL doctor and he is great with me and my use of the pump-I also have a wonderful husband who helps.
If you have any questions-Please email me and I will be happy to help all I can.
After taking shots for 33 years-being on the pump I like the best. If I had a choice of shots or the pump--I would take the pump.
Good luck to you.
Suzie

[Emily]

I dont think you're crazy at all to go on the pump even if you already have great control!! The pump is so convenient since it is always on you... No worrying about drawing up insulin in a restaurant or taking it with you. I did not go through extensive pump training when I started... I went in for an "interview" sort of thing with my doctor to see if I'd be a good candidate for the pump. I was switching doctors to take part in a study they were having (DCCT in youth) and this was also my initial meeting of their diabetes team. They let me try a pump site insertion and showed me a slide show on the pump and taught me how it worked. I remember getting "the big shipment" in the mail with all my supplies and the pump. I watched the video at home and fooled around with it.Then I went to stay overnight in the hospital when I went on the pump so they could set up my basal rates and insulin doses. I did not do the insulin to carb ratio when I first started--it was a sliding scale like I used on shots. I still ate my meal plan but I was more flexible with what and when I ate. I went home the next morning with my pump and emailed my doctor with my blood sugars so changes could be made if necessary. Things I think have definitely changed since people started on the pump, I hear more and more people are going through these long hours of training classes. That I think would have intimated me and possibly shyed me away from going on the pump. I am really glad that stuck with it and went on the pump though, I dont think I could ever go off of it!! I took shots for 11 years and started pumping in March of 1996.

Best of luck to you!!!

Emily

[Tony]

Emeraldbay


Welcome to diabetesforums!:D :D

I agree with everything they said. Going on the pump was all my idea. Four shots a day was hard to keep up with. Eating out wasn't that great with taking shots. I had place my order then go outside or restroom to take a shot.

The pump is great! You change the set twice a week(lately it has been once a week, but I should not tell you that.) Eating out i don't have to leave the table. Before going on the pump my ac1 was between 9.5 and 11.

Now it is 8.7. I have to work on that. When going on the pump. They had me use the pump over the weekend with saline.
Monday morning i was using insulin in the pump.

No training really, Just three hours before using the saline.

But before i could go the pump, I had to get my bg down. Taking four shots a day. With short acting insulin when i eat. I had to have the carb to insulin down.

From the time i wanted to go on the pump, I would say it took 2 to 4 months.

I do have some news on a new pump that my dr. told me about the last time i was there.

I will post that info in a new thread.

[emeraldbay]

thanks for all the postitive feedback. I will receive 2 3 hour sessions on pump training in March and this weekend I am going to look at the video. I think I am beginning to relax and look forward to going on the pump. I really want the feedom to administer the insulin AT the meal and not before and try to time when it will be ready in a crowded resturant.

I will let you know how it goes!
:)

[Gina]

I love the pump its the best thing since...ummmm...sugar free archway cookies :) I have been on the pump since Nov. 27th 2001 and I love it...My whole attitude toward diabetes has been much better !! The classes go so fast on how to learn about the pump ...I had to take two four hour classes which were so easy ...I thought it would be hard...but it wasn't at all!! I hope you love it as much as I do...good luck
:D

It seems like every doctor and hospital has their own idea and way of distributing the pump. I liked the way MiniMed came to the classes and taught how to use the pump. I also liked the carbo counting classes and diet etc etc. It was one on one with everyone. but most of the people I know who have gone on the pump in my area, did it in the doctors office with the MiniMed representive there. that would be good too. Different storkes for different folks. ;-)
Anyway--good luck to all and i wish you the best.
Suzie

[Gina]

When I went to pump classes I didnt go through minimed at all ....My doctors are all through a hospital in my area ...(Winthrop University Medical Center) ...located in Mineola, New York also through the same hospital is where I take my Diabetes Education Classes...They teach me about nutrition and all that good stuff...Well anyway getting back to what i was saying!! I have a nurse educator there who I suppose is a pump edcuator also ...and she is the one who teaches me all about the wonderful world of pumping...So as Suzie said I guess it all depends on your doctor...I didnt have any representative from Minimed ...but maybe my nurse educator was the REP. Im not sure??:confused:

Dear Gina,
I think where I am -they operate the same way. Our hospital offers the diabetes classes with diet-nutrician, health care-carbo counting etc etc and you can take one or all classes but they only do it so many times a year but if you are newly diagnosed with diabetes then it is all done in the hospital. But when I had the classes--minimed reps came to the hospital to teach 3 classes on the pump and how it works from the inside out and you wnet over and over it, and I loved that. But a lot of the offices if you go to your doctor--then I think they condense it and the rep or doctor or nurse does it there.
Thanks
Suzie

[MiniD]

About this static problem some of you have, has anyone told you the little trick with they dryer sheet? You put a dryer sheet in the case and it helps with the static build up. I shocked everything out of mine one time and MM sent me the new case they have with the gold threads in it to help eliminate that problem.
Im due for a new pump now. Im going to wait for the paradigm to come out. I missed the date on the trade up so Im trying to hold out for a few more days for this new one. Im keeping my 507 in case "the new kid on the pump block" has problems and that way I have a back up.
My doctor wanted me to start pumping in 1990 but I was stubborn and didnt think it was for me. In 1997 I started having real problems with dawns phenomenon and instead of going to 5-6 shots a day, I decided to try the pump. Today I kick myself for not listening back in 1990 when it was first suggested to me. Ive never felt better and I love having the control at my fingertips. :D

[Deb]

Hi, just joined the site, and read about the static problem from dreamcaster - my son had this problem shortly after starting on the pump last Aug(2 weeks in fact!) when is had to be replaced and then later on the new pump, it went static again but this time it only affected the basal rate, which was not working, but the boluses were still. Sorted by turning it off and disconnecting and letting it reast for a while, then resetting again. Jamie was on his computer at the time, sitting on a manmade fibre chair, on a nylon carpet, and this may not have helped!
This is an intersting site, keep up the good work!
Deb

[Gina]

Hi everyone on this wonderful sunday morning...The static problem is tough..When it happend to me they told me ...to let my pump rest and then when it came back up to touch something metal...I dont know...but as for the dryer sheet thing im going to definatly use that in my pump case...Also i heard that with the new paradigm pump that the static problem has been fixed and it can go under water...how cool is that...I think that the new pump should be coming out in the spring...cant wait...happy pumping :)

[emeraldbay]

I am grateful for this forum and the feedback I am receiving. I will have my first pump lesson (3hours) scheduled at my educatiors office on March 13and then go on saline and one week later I will go on insulin and have my md and educator at the other 3 hour class. I looked at the video minimed sent which was VERY helpful. I am just wondering how to do the square and dual wave boluses. How is everyone experience with those features? I am in good control now EXCEPT when it comes to digesting fats, it slows up carb digestion and I fequently bounce from going low from the dose I have taken to cover the entire meal. If I divide my dose and give the rest in 2 hours in never works right so that is why my md suggested the pump. How do you know how much to bolus at the beginning of a meal and then to bolus using a square wave or dual wave. I count carbs now and am sucessful with a 1:12 ratio at dinner. Now if my carbs are 120gms of pasta in oil ( a fatty meal) lets say for example, then my dose would be 10 units of humalog. Now would I give 5 now and 5 over a 3 hour period using the dual wave feature? Any suggestions? I know my ratios will change on the pump but if they were 1:12 would I be correct in doing it that way? I'm confused and would love someone's help. Thanks:confused:

[teacher2000]

Hi everyone.

I have a question about the pump. Do any of you think it is appropriate for a 4 year old? I am interested in it for my daughter,but not sure if she is old enough to handle it. Her diabetes team doesn't want to discuss it yet. I am frustrated because we have poor control over her blood sugars. Lots of lows and lots of highs even when we have done everything we are supposed to do.

THanks!

The static replies are great--but did let the pump rest-Whatever happened <3> times to me which totally shorted out the pump AND the batteries, did not work with letting it rest-the ENTIRE pump died and could not be restarted at all. But will try the fabric softner sheet.
As for the paradigm--I talked to MiniMed and they said NO--the static problem is NOT fixed and they need to work on a new motor which they are doing. And if I upgrade to the Paradigm--I will have the same problem. Also, it is NOT waterproof. You still have to wear it in the special case that IS waterproof. At least that is what the people said that I talked to.
Thanks
Suzie

Hi and welcome...
WOW that is a tough one--There is a lot involved in learning the pump because it is basically a computer but not impossible for a child to learn. I think the best thing would be to talk to all your health care providers and see if anyone has a child that young on a pump. I know of children in grade school that are on a pump and they have no problem.
I wish you the best. If a 4 year old is on the pump and in day care (if you work), then the day care providers would basically have to know a little to help the child if the pump alarmed, quit etc etc.
Best to you--and the pujmp does help with the high and low sugars because that was what I was doing and now I am doing great--knock on wood.
Best to you
suzie

[MiniD]

Hi Karen,
Ive heard of other kids even younger then yours being put on the pump. You sound like your very involved with the care of your little one and for right now, thats what its going to take.
There are pumps that have remote controls that you would control the bolus. If this is something that you want, keep researching and keep pushing the doctors!
I know times have changed since I was little but I wish my parents had had as much interest in my diabetes when I was a kid. Your child is lucky to have you! Kudos to you!
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Gina]

Ok to answer that question....Since you havent started the pump yet....you wont even use that feature till about after a couple of weeks...you are going to first have to learn how to use your regular bolus feature then if they feel you are ready you can learn the square and dual...I use square and dual mostly when i go to a restaurant....but pasta would be a perfect example for square and dual also...the way i always use it is..depending on my sugar before the meal...lets just say...my sugar is at like 200 and my ratio is 1:25 correction bolus with a target blood sugar range of 130 ...im going to subtract 200 from 130 and get 70 and divide 70 into 25 getting 2.8 as my bolus that i would need to correct right away ...then lets say for arguments sake...im having a bowl of pasta that is 45 total carbs i know that my insulin to carb ratio is 1 unit of insulin to every 15 carbs sooo...i know i will need 3 units of insulin to cover that meal...so the dual wave i will use would be 2.8 units NOW then 3.0 units as a square bolus over maybe an hour duration of time...or you can just go to a Square bolus and make it over any amout of time you want 30 minutes one hour two hours...you will see your jumping to far ahead :eek: ~GINA

[Gina]

SUZIE
The brochure I got home for the new paradigm machine has that all written down in it!! About the under water thing and as for the static problem that is what my pump educator told me so who is lying here :) I just hope it is fixed!! if not i will still love it
~GINA

Gina-I don't think it is a matter of lying-I think it is a matter of not understanding the pump !!!I was told 3 times it would not help static....and it will go underwater but only UP to one half hour. I swim every day in summer--If I disconnect for a half hour and swim then I have to reconnect and then wait an hour before I go back in my pool etc etc. You have to do the same thing on this pump only you can only be in the watter for 1/2 hour at a time-. They told me I still had to wear the waterproof cover if I did not want to disconnect all the time. And if I am going to be in water for a long time-even with the paradigm-I will have to wear the cover.
They also said the water feature was more for bathing because people did not like to disconnect when showering, bathing. so I guess maybe MiniMed should talk to their people and see if everyone can tell people what the pump does. Anyway-good luck with it and I hope it is good for you.

[Tony]

Well I was on there site, they had a kid wearing the pump in a pool.

So they make It look like you can swim with It.

LOL YES you can get in water with it but only for a half hour- 30 minutes....I swim ALL DAY so I have to wear the cover.

[Gina]

I hope you didnt think...i thought you were lying!!! i was trying to be funny!!! <<<~~a very funny person...hee hee...anyway...yes what you said is true thats the same thing i heard about the water...that you can go in the water with it up to a half hour at a time...but the static thing is still a mystery :confused: :confused: who knows!! I just hope you didnt get insulted....happy pumping!!

[hera]

i was like you , i was doing good just on shots. one shot of nph a day and sometimes a little regular in the evening.
when i found out about the pump i wanted to go on it. my dr. aproved it. i was set up with a nurse that was working with it. i had about 3 - 1 hour seccessions with her. i got one of the first 506s that came out.
my biggest problem with shots was that i started work at 6:30 am. and i did not have lunch until 11 am. so every day i had to take my shot at work. if i took it at home before work, i would always have an insulin reaction before lunch. it is so nice not to have set times to take a shot or to eat meals.

[hera]

i do not disconect from my pump when i shower. i have a water proof shower bag with a rope on it. i just put it in there and hang it up. i have the longer tubing also.
even if they are waterproof, where would you put it? there is nothing there to clip it on to :) i will probably keep using my shower bag since i can hang it up