considering the pump

[shabbie6247]

i went for a follow-up appointment with my diabetes nurse the other day. she is bowled over at how well i have the D under control (sure doesnt feel like it all the time!) and my A1c's are so good.
she asked me if i would consider having a pump. they only offer them if someone is shown to be competant at managing the D at a satisfactory level.
this comment surprised me, but also got me thinking. i mean, i'm on MDI (5-6 x per day). so surely i can only rotate my sites so often and i'm gonna be building up scar-tissue somewhere along the lines. also its so time consuming stopping what i'm doing to take shots and test and record my results etc. my life is hectic and 100 miles an hour.

what else should i take into considertion before deciding?

[shabbie6247]

anyone.....?

[RLK]

That's a loaded question....there are sooo many things that I never thought to think of until after I was hooked up.
Here's a few ideas to get you started:

Are you willing to test a bazillion times a day initially, as you're trying to sort out your basal rates?

Are you willing to trouble-shoot when your BGs are high for no apparent reason? There's more things that could be the culprit when pumping than with MDI....

Is being attached going to interfere with your clothing choices? Dresses and pumps don't necessarily work well together... For me, dresses have become "special occasion only", as it's too much of a hassle for everyday.

Are you willing to "advertise" your diabetes? People still ask me questions about my pump...people I've known for years and perfect strangers too. I don't mind too much, as most folks are pretty respectful about it.

I'm sure there's more things to consider....I'll post them as I think of them. For me, pumping has been a good decision.

Good luck deciding!

[kgm0612]

Great points Becky.

My reason for pumping was FREEDOM & FLEXIBILITY.
I was so tired of basically living by the clock.....injecting and eating because I HAD to. Now, I eat IF & WHEN I feel like it.


Karen

[iDream]

The pump is freaking amazing....go for it.

[jimbob]

Testing a minimum of 6 times a day is a must, but more like 8-10 or more the first couple of months to get your basals correct. Also be prepared to go with out a meal or 10 to get your fbg numbers. Pumps are a god-sent to those who have the discipline to stick with it and get it dialed in. It's not for everybody but it is for the majority that want better control without 6-10 sticks a day. I can't imagone being without mine now! Go for it, you won't be dissapointed. Good luck!

[Dewey]

Good ways to consider it Sharon, is to make a list of pros vs. cons regarding both pumping & shots (MDI). Here's a small example of what I mean:

Pros of pumping over shots:

1. Less time consuming (change a set every three days as opposed to taking shots several times daily, every day).

2. More flexibility... If life is extremely busy, a meal (or meals) can be skipped. It's not necessarily wise to skip meals, as they help us fuel our energy, but it can be done if needed.

3. Better overall control. Because most pump users test more often, they generally have a clearer "road map" of where they've been & where they might be headed.

Cons of pumping vs. shots:

1. If a site (or set) isn't working properly, BG levels can rise - Rapidly (One can use a version of the "Untethered Regimen," if they don't mind 1 to 2 shots per day as 75% of their basals, in conjunction with pump therapy - which would provide 25% of daily basals).

2. Some may consider the pump "cumbersome" at times, because it is almost always attached. I've not found this to be an issue, but each person is different.

3. Testing more often may be considered frustrating by some, but really...I'd want to test as much as possible, regardless of whether I was on shots or the pump.

Your list may be different, but this is just an example. All that aside, it's definitely worth trying. If one doesn't try, they won't know what might be missed.

If you do try it out & decide it's not for you, then you at least gained that personal experience. Hope this helps. :)

[duck]

Something else you need to consider: most pumpers never go back to MDI. Even here, we have a few "ex-pumpers", and though their reasons are valid, the vast majority of us pumpers are beholden to our pumps. That sort of loyalty is hard to buy, and says a lot about this mode of therapy.

[tanyatype1]

I think Duck's right! For me, I was sold when I was told that I'd only have to inject myself once every three days instead of 5-6 times a day! Pretty simple minded, I know, but to me, at the time, nothing else mattered! Less needles.....Gooooood.

[sofaraway]

Thats cool that you have been offered a pump, can I ask why you have been offered, do you fit the criteria, because I know it's quite specific?
I'd say if you can go for it, you can always change back to MDI If you don't like it.
Do you know if you get a choice of pumps on the NHS?

[shabbie6247]

Thats cool that you have been offered a pump, can I ask why you have been offered, do you fit the criteria, because I know it's quite specific?
I'd say if you can go for it, you can always change back to MDI If you don't like it.
Do you know if you get a choice of pumps on the NHS?

i'm doing a bunch of research regarding this, there is this uk pumpers site (http://www.insulin-pumpers.org.uk/) which seems useful, also links on diabetes uk (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Site_Search/?p=1&t1=pumps&t2=&t3=&t4=&d1=&d2=&d3=&d4=&d5=&d6=&chk=10000000000).

thinking back the nurse actually asked me if i would CONSIDER the pump, i'm going to phone her tomorrow and see what that actually meant.

my basals and subsequent BG's are all over the show even though my a1c is very good. perhaps that would mean i am eligible within the NICE guidelines mentioned earlier? i dont know yet. i dont have hypos, i'm more prone to going higher than lower.

very few uk pumpers though in comparision to the rest of the world!

[shabbie6247]

Th
Do you know if you get a choice of pumps on the NHS?

the choice of pumps (http://www.insulin-pumpers.org.uk/pumps/)available here are:

1.Deltec Cozmo

2.Accu-Chek Spirit

3.Accu-Chek D-TRON Plus

4.MiniMed Paradigm 512 and 712

5.Animas IR1200

[HelenM]

I asked the same question as you a few months ago and have decided to give it a try as I won't lose anything by doing so.
I will be very interested to see how it goes with you since one of my reasons not to was that if I go back to the Uk I didn't think I would be eligible (low HBAc frequent tbut not serious hypos) so please do keep us up to date as to how it goes if you decisde you want one.

[Just Ducky]

I'm not familiar with the pumps you listed, (I'm on the OmniPod) so I can't comment on those in particular but in terms of sites/frequent daily injections--the pump is amazing. :) It really is liberating to not have to run to the bathroom at work every time I want to eat a 15 gram carb snack during the day!!! How great to be able to be at a restaurant and discreetly prick my finger, push a button and let the insulin flow.

It's not all butterflies and rainbows--I'm a little squeamish about wearing a bikini, but overall? Love it. Still working out my basal/IC ratio, etc so things aren't as tightly controlled as they were on MDI, but the frequent lows I had before are almost non-existent now and as we continue to work on my rates, the highs are getting fewer and far-er between. Again, I'm on the wireless pod system, so not sure how the wired ones work, but I have no trouble concealing it, even WITH dresses--I've been wearing them all summer. Unless you're lookin' for it, you don't notice it.

Whichever you decide--Good luck!!!

[jky400e]

Same as above. More freedom. Better control.

MM 722 with cgms will help you dial the numbers in quicker.
High bg alarm, low bg alarm.

When I went on the pump in 1983 it required 5 or 7 day stay in the hosiptal.

Go for it. As others have said you can go back, but you wont know until you try.

Joe

t1 1977
pump 1983
cgms 4/07

[shabbie6247]

GREAT NEWS!!!

just got off the phone with my diabetes nurse. i've had a bad time this last couple of weeks trying hard to get my MDI basal doses right, my BG's have been running high all over the place.

ive asked her if i qualify for a pump and she said YES!!!

wahoo! i'm so excited i couldnt wait to post!

it will take til about september to come through...i cant wait!!!

i wasnt sure that i would qualify because the NICE guidelines specify about hypos which i dont suffer from, but the fact that i cant get coverage from the basal which in turn makes control during certain periods of the day challenging seems to qualify me for funding.

i know other brits are looking into this issue too. if you believe (like me) that your constant monitoring and management isnt doing its job for you then pursue for the pump.

[Cyborg]

You shall be assimilated...

[shabbie6247]

You shall be assimilated...

shall i be seven of seven then? part of the collective?

[jenet]

shall i be seven of seven then? part of the collective?
Oh, heck no! As long as you're going to be assimilated, get creative and confuse the collective - be seven of five! ;)

Congrats on your great news!
cheers,
j

[shabbie6247]

Oh, heck no! As long as you're going to be assimilated, get creative and confuse the collective - be seven of five! ;)

Congrats on your great news!
cheers,
j

lmao jenet lol

[octoberlily]

I'm waiting for funding to come through, and as i meet the NICE critaria as my diabetic nurse says "all my boxes are ticked" because i'v been having a lot of problems for about 15 months now, unawareness or poor awareness hypos, so it was decided that i give the pump a try. At moment i get very anxious of leaving the house and will only go out if i have someone to go with me. I'm also on incompacity now as medical team won't allow me to work, and this has devastated me. So hopefully if and when i start on pump things will get back to how i was 15 months.

Julie

Type 1 Diagnosed 6th dec 1974

Thyroxin 125mg
Ramipril 2.5mg
Aspirin 75mg
Nova rapid 4+ varying doses at mo
Glarzine 1 at night

A1c aug 06 7.5
A1c March 07 8.6
A1c july 07 awaiting result

[xMenace]

I'm waiting for funding to come through, and as i meet the NICE critaria as my diabetic nurse says "all my boxes are ticked" because i'v been having a lot of problems for about 15 months now, unawareness or poor awareness hypos, so it was decided that i give the pump a try. At moment i get very anxious of leaving the house and will only go out if i have someone to go with me. I'm also on incompacity now as medical team won't allow me to work, and this has devastated me. So hopefully if and when i start on pump things will get back to how i was 15 months.


You sound like a tough case. Don't let your educators shrug you off lightly. You will probably need lots of basal and bolus rate tuning.

Pick up "Pumpiing Insulin" by John Walsh and Ruth Roberts and read it now. The more you know and the quicker you learn it, the sooner you can get back to living life.

And don't be afraid to ask for help. Lots of good people here with lots of tough experience in the trenches.

[BriOnH]

I think Dewey answered your question best.

Also something to think about - 98.99999997 % of diabetics that switch to the pump absolutely love it and most of the time when asaked would never consider switching back to MDI.

[someone]

I wasn't sure if I wanted a pump when I first got one. My a1c was good already and hasn't really improved since I got my pump, but it is so much more convenient than taking shots.

[octoberlily]

Thank you for that, will look into getting the book, will also keep you updated, because YES i will need Help and advice of all of you that can give it.

Very difficult time at moment, but i will get there

Julie

[Gordonm]

I wasn't sure if I wanted a pump when I first got one. My a1c was good already and hasn't really improved since I got my pump, but it is so much more convenient than taking shots.


I agree on this 100%. I have been in the 5.8 to 6.2 range for the last 10 years on MDI and my last 2 A1Cs on the pump have been 6.2 and 6.1. The convenience of the pump is huge. No more carrying the supplies every where I go. If I want more to eat I just punch a few numbers and eat. Would not trade it for anything.

[cheryl]

Great news, on the pump thing, not many Uk's get a pump so this is good news for you, might as well take advantage of it, I'd stick with either Minimed, cozmo, honestly, I like the anima's but the bubble issue's with it is too complicated, and me being impatient, would not do good with that......it's the way there resevoir is shaped, so when you have bubbles it is hard for the insulin to travel thru the tubing, and knowing me most of my resevoirs have a tiny bubble cause I got better things to do then flick a resevoir for a half hour, to make it perfect....ok enough of that if the anima's changed the resevoir to what a minimed or cozmo's looked like it would be one of my top choices too....

Good luck, do research start calculating now, I do, know your trouble times....know your time of the month, don't ever get hooked up around pms.....I refused too, I got hooked up right after the friend was over, so I had a couple of weeks of no hormones to bug me......

Cheryl

[shabbie6247]

Good luck, do research start calculating now, I do, know your trouble times....know your time of the month, don't ever get hooked up around pms.....I refused too, I got hooked up right after the friend was over, so I had a couple of weeks of no hormones to bug me......

Cheryl

sounds like good advice, i've already ordered my copy of pumping insulin, i look foreward to getting stuck in!

[shabbie6247]

Thank you for that, will look into getting the book, will also keep you updated, because YES i will need Help and advice of all of you that can give it.

Very difficult time at moment, but i will get there

Julie


is there the possibility of you getting one of those continuous glucose monitor gizmo's on loan from your d nurse?

[tanyatype1]

Great news Shabbie! I'm sure you'll love it!

[johnzoomer]

I have been on the pump 2 months. I love it. If you want to know what it is like tape the end of a string of a yo yo to you and keep it with you 7x24x365 yes while you sleep.

Infusion sights are only changed every 2 or 3 days. Rarely do you have to change one in less thatn 24 hours.

I stick in my thigh and sometimes it hits the fat layer is not thick enough and it becomes painful. Otherwise it is just as painful as a shot.