What do you feel is the single best advantage to pumping?

[Funnygrl]

See the poll and vote.

[Dewey]

One definite advantage is always having insulin with me, but it's so much more than that. I now have freedom available to me that wasn't when I was taking MDI (multiple daily injections). My control is way better with the pump, and if changes need to be made delivery-wise, I can make them "on the fly." Those are all advantages I Never had with shots.

Another advantage is if I want to take 75% of my basal in the form of Lantus or another long-acting insulin (though I'd prefer Ultralente only), I can do that & still use the pump for the other 25%. This way, I could cover should a set go bad. To me, the advantages are endless!

Each person is different, and I know that pumping doesn't benefit everyone. Like everything else, it's a matter of "what works for one..." :)

It'll be interesting to see what others have to say.

[Subby]

On my couple months pumping, variable basals wins out, it has brought the promise of a whole new level of control, and as a diagnostic tool, has finally made a little sense of why my bg's are so hard to control. It has given proof that background variability is a huge factor, and a imminently more useful tool to try and deal with that.

I would sneakily include "temp basals" as a function of variable basals, they are fast becoming very useful for me.

So many other issues are great and really it seems a bit wrong to pick one out. But, if I had to choose one feature and drop the rest, I think it's programmable variable basals.

And what about you, Funnygrl?

[amccrazgrl]

I voted "no shots".

Most people on this forum had to take numerous shots a day. I was lucky that I only took two shots and day and my A1C's were like 6.5. I still rather just stick myself every three days or so.

I also like having insulin always on me. Just don't forget to wake up and look at how much is left in your pump before you go out to lunch. I did that with 9.9 units left so we had to go all way out to lunch and all way back home just so I could get some insulin for my pump. I don't carry any extra supplies because I'm not usually more than 45mins away. In my car I do keep an extra infusion set.

[Funnygrl]

And what about you, Funnygrl?

I'm still thinking about it before I cast my final vote. I kind of want to see what others say first, though I'm leaning toward variable basals. Bolus options is important to me to though, and I sometimes wonder how I ever did it without bolus calculations.

So hard to choose just one...but that's kind of the point.

[Jan B]

I voted "variable basals", although not having to have insulin came in very close behind. Like Dewey said, it's so much more though. I used to not want to be hooked up to something. But, by being hooked up, I'm always more aware of taking care of myself. I guess I needed that, even though one reason for not wanting to be back on the pump was the same -- always being more aware of the D. I have found this is a good thing ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF YOU so I don't feel alone in the venture!

I'm very excited about getting my next A1c. I haven't admitted what my last one was in December. Horrible. 8.0. I attribute a big part of that to desperately needing those variable basal rates. I had so many fearful lows (including 2 sleepwalking episodes in the night, out of my house and down the street), I just let myself run too high for protection. Now I don't have to do that at all.

[Funnygrl]

I guess I don't consider not having to carry insulin as an advantage, because at the very least in terms of extra supplies I had a syringe, vial, and batteries in my meter case. I usually have a spare set and extra reservoirs too. I've had too many sets fail and pumps break too.

[notme]

I had to post "other" because there is no single one thing that makes pumping better for me. I am scattered sometimes and there were many days that I forgot to take insulin with me. Variable basals helped keep me on an even keel, where lantus did not. Dual wave bolus is a God send. Having a history has helped me go back and remember if I bolused or not (hey I am old), and the Bolus Wizard has helped me calculate IOB. I am not a math wiz.

So....I voted other. Basically everything has made my life easier with a pump.

[Subby]

Jan, I know how fundamentally hard and exhausting and demoralising being f'ed around by blood sugars can be. I suspect your 8 was a good result for the challenges you faced. Now it's evident you already know your control is better: you don't need a better A1c to validate that right? But at the same time, enjoy it when it does happen, anyway. :)

Which suggests the single best advantage to pumping: better bg control ;) But I suppose we can just assume that one yes?

[Jan B]

I guess I don't consider not having to carry insulin as an advantage, because at the very least in terms of extra supplies I had a syringe, vial, and batteries in my meter case. I usually have a spare set and extra reservoirs too. I've had too many sets fail and pumps break too.

It's funny about not having to carry insulin -- because now I always do!! I always carry an extra set change and batteries too. Pumping has made me more prepared for anything. Before pumping I would forget my vial of insulin (always had tons of syringes in my purse), and end up way across town with someone waiting to eat lunch, and me not wanting to admit to not taking better care of myself.

[Jan B]

Now it's evident you already know your control is better: you don't need a better A1c to validate that right? But at the same time, enjoy it when it does happen, anyway. :)

Which suggests the single best advantage to pumping: better bg control ;) But I suppose we can just assume that one yes?

You are so right! I already know I'm much better off, but the A1c test will still be fun to see.

[Funnygrl]

Which suggests the single best advantage to pumping: better bg control ;) But I suppose we can just assume that one yes?

Yes..........................

[xMenace]

For me variable basals alone has been worth it. The rest are great too but are really just bonuses.

[barbarac]

If I could ever get the basal part down pat, I think the big advantage for me would be not having to be on such a tight schedule with eating. Can be late or early, or even skip a meal without things going crazy.

[Jan B]

If I could ever get the basal part down pat, I think the big advantage for me would be not having to be on such a tight schedule with eating. Can be late or early, or even skip a meal without things going crazy.

You brought up my favorite reason for getting those basals down pat. I am not one to love strict schedules on eating. My DE (trainer) had me eating snacks to keep from going low with just one and then two basal settings. I made it to 8 basal rates and never had to snack (yippee) and was very level.

However, now that the weather is getting warmer and I'm dog-walking more and active both earlier and later in the day, it's time to adjust basals downward -- both in number of rates (it looks like) and amount of insulin.

[Mich]

For me, it's always having a bolus at my fingertips, no muss, no fuss. But as everyone else has said, it's so many things that make my life better.

I don't miss IOB calculations. Since I eat little bits here and there, I was always "stacking doses" and having to remember where I was in the big picture.

I like being able to select different basals to fit my life.

I like having access to my history at all times.

I feel healthier with a steady drip instead of Lantus. I keep my eye on how my set and pump are working at all times--it is a machine, after all.

[w5wjp]

It's funny about not having to carry insulin -- because now I always do!! I always carry an extra set change and batteries too. Pumping has made me more prepared for anything. Before pumping I would forget my vial of insulin (always had tons of syringes in my purse), and end up way across town with someone waiting to eat lunch, and me not wanting to admit to not taking better care of myself.

Jan carries her whole house in her "purse", I know, I have seen that monster!

[Lloyd]

2 point drop in A1c, from 6.9 to 4.9. Much of this is from the ability to control Dawn Phenomenon

[stlduckhunter]

My overall reason "Better control"

[Funnygrl]

But better control and a lower a1c aren't a gurantee just cause you went on the pump. They're a result of how well you use the features that are listed there. So not fair- that wasn't a choice on purpose!

[palefacegirl03]

Variable basals are great. Being able to bolus and not have to get out a needle and insulin or leave the table is wonderful.


Bigest disadvantage I have found is the amount of money I have spent finding different cases to carry my pump in, I change them out more often then I do my purse,LOL
I have 6 or 7 of them that I use now.:D

[gettingby]

Variable basals are wonderful !!!!!!!!! :D :D
I also love the bolus calculations and the correction calculations. Especially knowing what my IOB is in order to dose more precisely.

[barbarac]

As far as cutting back basals with walking the dog and all. They keep telling me to set a temporary basal--like -10% or
-20% if I am doing something more than usual--like yard work, running after grandkids, etc. I also did a +20% when I had to sit in the car on a 14 hour trip. I do try to go to temporary basal, but to tell the truth I very often forget.

If they haven't said anything about temporary basals, ask them.

[johgn]

No shots, especially for a tiny little snack.

[Lloyd]

But better control and a lower a1c aren't a gurantee just cause you went on the pump. They're a result of how well you use the features that are listed there. So not fair- that wasn't a choice on purpose!

True enough. But for me the most important factor is the end result, which in my case is greater than the sum of its parts.

[KAnderson]

I voted for variable basals, but really it boils down to the control the pump has helped me achieve. I never want to go back to MDI (5/day).

Ken

[Jan B]

Bigest disadvantage I have found is the amount of money I have spent finding different cases to carry my pump in, I change them out more often then I do my purse,LOL
I have 6 or 7 of them that I use now.:D

But isn't it fun???? It makes putting everything together after a shower and getting dressed more fun. Charlotte, I LOVE, LOVE the quality Hello Kitty case you gave me. The other one too, but the pink HK case makes me so happy! Yesterday I wore my HK diamond (uh crystal) necklace to coordinate w/my pump case.

[Cyborg]

For me, the single best advantage is tighter control. The pump has so many features that help contribute to this that it's impossible to single out a single one. In a general sense, having the ability to take your insulin when you want/need it, in various ways and at anytime is the key.

[SugarLife]

I feel more in control of my life and my body. Also I feel better because of the balance (or being closer to that), both physically and emotionally, as my sugar levels always affect how I feel.

Please tell me how I say 'sugar levels' in English, and how it's measured - I live in Holland and here it's measured in mmol/l (millimol per liter), and should be between 4.0 and 10.0.

[UpNorth]

I voted for Temporary Basals... It's a very helpful tool when being sick or having a high or low day... Takes longer to make adjustments with the basal on MDI... Nevertheless, i do prefer MDI because it doesn't get caught on doorknobs :T And it doesn't fail ya in the middle of the night:mad:

[Subby]

Sugarlife, blood sugar is fine, some call it blood glucose too.

mmol/l is also fine, most of the world uses it, the US uses mg/dl. There are many converters on the web between these two. I'll try posting a link here but I am having trouble with links showing up. Do a web search for "converter mmol/l mg/dl".

You can provide the mg/dl of a reading as well if you want to be really helpful to people, but don't lose the mmol/l, it's nice for the rest of us not to convert all the time for once :)

[SugarLife]

Thanks Subby! I found this: 'To convert mmol/l of glucose to mg/dl, multiply by 18. To convert mg/dl of glucose to mmol/l, divide by 18 or multiply by 0.055.' Hope that helps anyone who was interested to know :).