Type 1 non-pumpers...a poll for you

[Funnygrl]

What are your reasons for not pumping?

[Olidus]

HELP - I can't see the Poll!!!

Reason - Still new to Diabetes - hope to be pumpin in aprox 6 months.

[Funnygrl]

HELP - I can't see the Poll!!!

Reason - Still new to Diabetes - hope to be pumpin in aprox 6 months.
I was still writing the poll, you can vote now.

[grace girl]

I chose three....my biggest being I really don't want something atatched to me all the time. The second would be cost...I don't have insurance at the moment and aside from the cost of the pump, the monthly cost would be much more than what I'm paying out on mdi. Third, I'm not all that comfortable trusting a machine with insulin delivery.

[blue eyes]

I wanted to wait till I'd had D for at least a year before considering it.

I'm getting hooked up on November 5th.

[jen_slc]

4 reasons: 1) tried it, didn't like it. 2) don't really need it seeing as how my last A1c was 5.8. 3) hated being attached to it
4) don't like my diabetes to be visible (minor reason, but a reason nonetheless). Oh, and not in the poll, but the reason that trumps them all: don't want to/can't deal with the pain (again)

[marked]

Very insightfull poll. Because I just became a pumper I voted my reasons up until 5 days ago. And it turned out to be the leading reason I hated being attached to it. For me it seemed like such a "diabetic" stereotype kind of thing,ya know? "Look! its a machine walking down the street with a human attached to it!" I remember they used to talk about an implanted pump as a possiblity, I don't know if that is still viable or not but I always had hoped that the pump would involve into that as being a possible "cure".
Mark

[dar917]

I don't wanna be attached to one. I did the CGMS thing a few days and I decided then I wouldn't want a pump. And with that I didn't have to move the site or anything, I just hate having the darn thing attached to me. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth. I like being able to just, shoot up and go. Heh.

[duck]

I don't wanna be attached to one. I did the CGMS thing a few days and I decided then I wouldn't want a pump. And with that I didn't have to move the site or anything, I just hate having the darn thing attached to me. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth. I like being able to just, shoot up and go. Heh.

Yeah. With my pump, I just go. No need to shoot up. ;)

[BlueSky]

I can't get excited about being attached to something. But the main reason for not getting a pump has been the cost. I would have to fund the capital and running costs myself. There is room for improvement in my control. But I won't know how badly I need a pump until I try one. So this is what I am going to do next month. After trialling the Cozmo for six weeks, I should be able to to do an informed cost/benefit analysis.

[Funnygrl]

BlueSky, that's awesome you get a chance to trial. Good luck!

[SueM]

You haven't put
Live in the UK :D That should cover the reasons lol.

[DeusXM]

Don't see why living in the UK should have any bearing on it - you can easily get a pump in the UK. You'll just have to pay for it like the Americans do with theirs. There's nothing stopping you from contacting any of the pump manufacturers and buying one off them, and any doctor can write you a private prescription for the supplies.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who isn't overjoyed by the prospect of being attached to something - that was the main reason I turned down my NHS pump offer. Hadn't thought about the element of making your diabetes visible too but I realise that probably played a part in my decision too.

[Scratch]

The cost for me, even with insurance, would be significantly greater than the supplies for MDI.

Really feel averse towards the idea of being attached.

My control is already quite good.

Either way, MDI or a pump, is pallative treatment and not a cure. Both have some advantages and drawbacks, and I'll take the advantages and drawbacks of MDI over those of the pump.

And regardless, either way that is chosen by each of us to treat our condition, I often feel we should be rather careful in what language we use to describe the experience and feeling. In general, I am glad that MDI has made it possible for me to live closer to normal and enjoy more food in my diet, but I do not love this treatment.

I also think pumpers should be careful about saying they love the pumps. Regardless of whether or not it is truly possible to love an inanimate object, I have concerns about the idea of loving something that doesn't cure us, but only serves as a mask to overlay the ugly truth underneath that our pancreases are not working properly.

[KickStart101]

1. As I mentioned in another post, my first concern
is Lipoatrophy due to lack of rotation and too much
Insulin injected into the same site.

2. I don't trust my Insulin to a machine.

3. I can't see myself being Happy with the tubing and
being attached.(As I also mentioned, the Omnipod comes
closer to what I would accept except I prefer some of
the bugs(I will presume it has)be "extinguished" first. Also
as far as I can see, the Omnipod is not available in Canada
yet.

4. I don't feel I need it as of yet. (My tests come back
Good and all my parts are still working okay).

[Penny]

I would love to have a pump, I get so tired of dealing with all these injections. My insurance gives me a hassle over the supplies I need now, everyday there is a new one, I hate to think what we would go through with a pump. We could afford it, but I hate to take that much money from the family income, just to make things easier for me.

[gettingby]

Even though I should start pumping within a month or 2, I chose 2 reasons.
1.) Cost............ I looked closely at this and realized the benefits will outweigh the costs in the end.

2.) Fear............Thanks to Dew and some of the other pumpers I've talked with here, I can see that there was logic in my fears but the good I can accomoplish ended up outweighing the fear.

[Funnygrl]

You haven't put
Live in the UK :D That should cover the reasons lol.
I think "financial reasons" works there.

[Gangrel]

For me it was the attachment, but not for asthetic or "ashamed to be a diabetic" reasons. (nothing can make me look less sexy! ;) )

But, if i was on a pump, i would spend half my week off of it anyway. During the winter, for example, I play ice hockey and ball hockey 4 times a week. That would involve 4 disconnects and reconnects, and the associated injection of Humalog to cover the gap.

For me, that being the case, I might as well stay on MDI.

The cost is also another matter. A pump costs 6-7,000$ here in Canuckland. I honestly haven't looked at my insurance to see if it's covered, but I don't think it is.

Plus, to be honest, I'm a simple guy and don't want to strain my brain. When I hear Xmenace talk about dual-square-cosine-wave-frontloaded boluses and super-charging-borrowed-bolus-basal-mix-boluses (I'm exaggerating, but you get the point) my brain actually hurts! lol.

So, to summarize: I'm too poor, and too dumb. ;)

[belyro]

I'm starting on the pump within days, but I'll fill out the survey with all the reasons I've ever been concerned with in the past that have kept me from getting it until now.

[sofaraway]

I live in the UK, I don't qualify for a pump because I don't actually need one. i manage fine on MDI and have pretty decent control.

I wouldn't mind trying one, but there is no way i'm going to pay for one myself can't afford it.

I'm unsure if i would like to be attatched all the time, and sleeping is what would concern me most.

[palefacegirl03]

I will be getting my pump in a few days, so I answered with why I hadn't tried pumping before. Mainly the cost, I did not have insurnace till this year. I now have insurance, I had been thinking about the pump for quite awhile, but could not afford it, now I can , and the doctor agrees that it is a good idea for me.

[duck]

FG, where would "feeling awkward when the potential arises (with a member of the opposite sex)" fit in? I was "lucky" enough to be dating my now-wife when I started pumping, so the first "intimate moment" wasn't all that weird, but I have wondered a lot how willing I would have been to pump if I were not in a long-term relationship.

[Funnygrl]

FG, where would "feeling awkward when the potential arises (with a member of the opposite sex)" fit in? I was "lucky" enough to be dating my now-wife when I started pumping, so the first "intimate moment" wasn't all that weird, but I have wondered a lot how willing I would have been to pump if I were not in a long-term relationship.
Ya know Duck, I thought about that, but I only got 10 spaces! I can actually think of a few other options I would have liked to have, including "other." I guess "Don't want to be attached to something" and "Don't want my diabetes to be visible" should work there.

[Gordonm]

It is interesting listening to all the reasons not to pump. I had all the same reasons myself. I was on MDI for 33 years. I decided to give the pump a good honest try for 1 year and see how it goes. This way I can get all the seasons, summer being the toughest with the beach and swimming and all the activity. Being connected I thought was going to be horrible. I don't give it a second thought now. Yes it is there and it is hanging off me but it does not stop me from doing anything. I really like the pump due to carrying no daily supplies. I just bolus and eat. If I want a little more just put in a few numbers and go. No more injections. I never minded them but the pump is just so much easier. I can say after 11 months now it will be staying on my side. I agree it may not be for everyone but it has sure made my life better. BTW my A1c before pump was 5.8 to 6.1 after the pump it has stayed pretty much the same.

[DeusXM]

I think "financial reasons" works there.


No it doesn't. Pumps in the UK cost pretty much the same as they do in the US and the average wage in the UK is actually higher than that in the US.

[ant hill]

It is interesting listening to all the reasons not to pump. I had all the same reasons myself. I was on MDI for 33 years.

Yes, Me too Gordonm as i have been on MDI for 36 years and to be on a pump is no holiday for me. You still have to know your BG anyway with or without the pump plus they are expensive. :(

[DeusXM]

FG, where would "feeling awkward when the potential arises (with a member of the opposite sex)" fit in? I was "lucky" enough to be dating my now-wife when I started pumping, so the first "intimate moment" wasn't all that weird, but I have wondered a lot how willing I would have been to pump if I were not in a long-term relationship.

That was one of my objections and a primary reason why I didn't want to be attached to something all the time. In fact there's even a thread I started around somewhere about this subject.

[Injecto]

For me it was the attachment, but not for asthetic or "ashamed to be a diabetic" reasons. (nothing can make me look less sexy! ;) )

I think I'm going to be sick...:puke:

But, if i was on a pump, i would spend half my week off of it anyway. During the winter, for example, I play ice hockey and ball hockey 4 times a week. That would involve 4 disconnects and reconnects, and the associated injection of Humalog to cover the gap.

I don't think that's really necessary, but again, I'm not the one playing hockey. I could suggest, however, that if you were to disconnect, you make sure you have taken a small bolus to keep some insulin in you and your activity will help cover the rest.

When I hear Xmenace talk about dual-square-cosine-wave-frontloaded boluses and super-charging-borrowed-bolus-basal-mix-boluses (I'm exaggerating, but you get the point) my brain actually hurts! lol.

LOL...too funny. But to tell you the truth, and I love John and he's well meaning, but it's not as hard as his lingo makes it out so sound LOL....:)

So, to summarize: I'm too poor, and too dumb. ;)

Can't argue with that...;)

[Funnygrl]

No it doesn't. Pumps in the UK cost pretty much the same as they do in the US and the average wage in the UK is actually higher than that in the US.
Sure it does. People in the US generally have private insurance that will cover the majority of the costs, often no questions asked.

In the UK, it's like pulling teeth, from what I've heard.

[DeusXM]

Not at all. I can pick up the phone right now and have a pump tomorrow if I want. I'd just have to pay for it 100% out of my own pocket.

Alternately, I could get private insurance and use that to cover some of the cost. It can be a challenge to get a pump on the NHS, yes - but the NHS is not the only way of getting medical supplies legally in the UK. You're perfectly entitled to use your own private insurance to get what you want (and even use your own private clinics too if that's your bag). And whether I bought the pump 100% myself or used private health insurance to get hold of one, the diabetes clinic I attend would still support me.

It's such a common misconception that 'you can't get a pump in the UK' because everyone has got so used to using the NHS over the last 60 years that most people tend to forget that you can still get private healthcare in the UK. It's a rarity, granted. But I could still sign up with AXA or BUPA or HMA and have my own private insurance (and pump) if I wanted to.

Bottom line is though, when I can get good control without paying a penny - why on earth would I want to pay £3000 for a pump? That's why pump ownership in the UK is much lower than the US. It's not that they're not available or we can't afford them - we just have a better value option for us, and I'm sure if we all had to pay for pens, needles and carts, most of us would probably looking at private insurance and what else we could get for it.

[klpants]

I guess my reasons are cost, being attached, and "if it's not broke don't fix it"(when all's going well;)) !! Although, I feel I can't really offer an unbiased view on the pump until I have used it then compare with MDI..........

[christie]

i don't want the attachment right now. it seems like t1's who are mdi here are being looked down on. everytime someone knows i'm a diabetic,they say why don't you have the pump its great,etc. well i've been mdi since 1983 so anything else is a huge change for me.

[BriOnH]

I don't like being tethered to anything.

I know it will get in the way of sex.

[ant hill]

I don't like being tethered to anything.

I know it will get in the way of sex.

LOL I have a just got a vision of having sex and your CGMS tels you that you're are low. :confused:

[LauRa Lu]

I would hate to hav a pump simply because I wouldn't want something attatched to me.

How long can it really be before they come up with something like a pump to go inside!.. like the contraceptive implant that releases hormones inside the arm for 3 yrs... similar hmm maybe not.

I just don't like the thought of a pump.. don't they just get in the way of being comfy, like cosey cuddles watching a film, or I just imagine being around a child and it being pulled off. I've heard stories where pumps hav changed a persons life, if they've had very unstable control... so I can se why that's great. But I don't think a pump would suit me for control or appearance.. as vain as that may be!

[Olidus]

Technology is a changing.
Now witht he CGMs that talk to the Pumps is like having a Pancreas - just on the outside.
I hear that they are playign with BlueTooth technology now for this.

[glashalful]

I also think pumpers should be careful about saying they love the pumps. Regardless of whether or not it is truly possible to love an inanimate object, I have concerns about the idea of loving something that doesn't cure us, but only serves as a mask to overlay the ugly truth underneath that our pancreases are not working properly.

Ok, I'm gonna piss some people off here, I'm sure, but I felt like this comment was just odd in so many ways. First, why would it even concern anyone for even the smallest moment WHY someone loves something that doesn't cure them??? Who cares why someone loves something, and what business is it of ours, anyway? And why wouldn't someone "love" something that they felt gave them so much more freedom?Besides that, if you're going to play with words, isn't it also a figure of speech to say that our non-working pancreases are "an ugly truth"? I never think of MY diabetes that way! :mad:

Just thought this was a LITTLE strange.

Elizabeth

[Funnygrl]

Technology is a changing.
Now witht he CGMs that talk to the Pumps is like having a Pancreas - just on the outside.
I hear that they are playign with BlueTooth technology now for this.

Uh, not really.

The CGMS doesn't adjust the pump. It just displays the reading's on the pump's screen, so you don't have to wear 2 devices. You still have to control the pump's insulin delivery, test your blood sugar, bolus, count carbs, and deal with imperfect insulin curves and changing basal requirements.

I believe BlueTooth is already being used in the form of the Paradigm and Omnipod systems.

[Scratch]

Ok, I'm gonna piss some people off here, I'm sure, but I felt like this comment was just odd in so many ways. First, why would it even concern anyone for even the smallest moment WHY someone loves something that doesn't cure them??? Who cares why someone loves something, and what business is it of ours, anyway? And why wouldn't someone "love" something that they felt gave them so much more freedom?Besides that, if you're going to play with words, isn't it also a figure of speech to say that our non-working pancreases are "an ugly truth"? I never think of MY diabetes that way! :mad:

Just thought this was a LITTLE strange.

Elizabeth
It doesn't upset me that you disagree with me. I just wanted to express my concerns about the issue and at least get people to think about how they are expressing what it may they want to express.

They're may even be some who genuinely love their pumps. I don't think that would ever be likely for me -- I think love is a word that should be more carefully used and I'm not going to use it to describe any feelings I have stemming from the presence of an inanimate or non-living object that has some sort of role in my life.

I don't love my car. I won't love a car. I think it's a bit strange too when I hear people say they love their car.

I don't even love MDI. I won't love MDI. I'm going to reserve the term of love for the feelings I have towards some people I have in my life and two crazy cats that like to purr when I pet them, feed them and water them.

And maybe that's just me, but sometimes I want people to think harder about this odd situation we type 1 diabetics are in -- living day after day after relentless day with a program of pallative treatment, and it seems that almost every day we're supposed to be wowed by the next wonderful treatment that does nothing more than refine somewhat the sophistication of this relentless treatment.

Yet in spite of that improvement in sophistication, I can't escape the relentless thinking about carbs, estimating or finding out how many carbs are in everything I consume, how in order to take care of myself according to the dictates of this pallative treatment I must sometimes perform fasting tests.

It is that, how living with type 1 diabetes has so altered our mindsets, it is that which makes me wish that talk of a cure was more at the forefront than it is. It is that which makes me a bit skeevish when I see people say they love their pumps. I don't want the non-diabetics to think that a pump makes everything hunky dory.

I want most everyone to think that a cure should be a priority. I just worry that perhaps careless use of the word love can have some negative effect towards that happening.

[JediSkipdogg]

I believe BlueTooth is already being used in the form of the Paradigm and Omnipod systems.

Both the Omnipod and Paradigm use RF technology. Bluetooth is not used in any pumps yet, only RF and IR.

And before anyone says Bluetooth is RF, yes, but Bluetooth is a specific form of RF with RF hopping.

[KickStart101]

i don't want the attachment right now. it seems like t1's who are mdi here are being looked down on. everytime someone knows i'm a diabetic,they say why don't you have the pump its great,etc. well i've been mdi since 1983 so anything else is a huge change for me.


Hey, I get you. Don't let them bother you or make
you feel small Christie. I just "change the channel".
We'll get a pump only if and when we are ready to. ;)

[miss_ok_ish]

The thought of having that thing handing off my body makes my legs feel funny, eak!

also i read an article about what to do with it when you sleep or when your having sex, hahaha place it on the wasteband or somewhere secure on your clothes or hide it under your pillow!!! doesn't seem very sexy to me, shallow i know but i think the thing would make me feel as if i was ill. :)

[palefacegirl03]

The thought of having that thing handing off my body makes my legs feel funny, eak!

also i read an article about what to do with it when you sleep or when your having sex, hahaha place it on the wasteband or somewhere secure on your clothes or hide it under your pillow!!! doesn't seem very sexy to me, shallow i know but i think the thing would make me feel as if i was ill. :)

It can be disconnect for intament moments. I dont think I will feel any less sexy:T , the husband and I will just have to try different ways to see which is more comfortable,:D

[Tattoo azz]

Errm i just can't be bothered! lol
Deus has hit the nail on the noggin as well tho
it is too expensive and why bother when you can get a pretty good control for free on the NHS?