decided to make the leap finally

[willie4004]

Well when i found out my insurance was going to cover 100% for the pump with no deductible, I really could not pass it up. I guess I am not completely sold as I still have doubts of basically adapting to pump life, i.e. sleeping, exercise. Everyone I know has sworn by the pump once they get it. I decided to go with the Mini Med. It seemed to be the most user friendly, but then again it was all new to me. Some had features that other did not. I am actually looking forward to trying it out. I am just glad I have the board here if I have any questions. I wish i would have found this site a while ago. Any comments would be greatly appreciated

[Coppernob]

Bob, I've been diabetic for 40 years and have been on the pump for the last 7.5 years. Going on the pump is one of the best things I ever did for myself. The advantages of leading a normal life where I can eat when I want, don't have to locate the bathroom in every restaurant, don't have to wake to eat when I am really sick - I could go on at length - far outweigh the disadvantage of having something attached when I sleep and when I am exercising. Go for it - I adapted to it very quickly and felt in better shape almost immediately, others adapt more slowly so it is a very individual thing. Good luck - look forward to hearing how you are getting on. :)

[kgm0612]

Great news that your insurance company will pay 100% of your pump!

I've been pumping for 2.5 years and absolutely love it! The freedom & flexibility is what I love the most. If I feel like eating, I do, and if I'm not hungry, I don't have to eat.

Karen

[CrazyGramma]

I hope you like it and stick with it. There are many who want one but simply cannot afford it. I have been pumping for 100 years.... I mean 20. In my early 20's I went thru a time of non-compliance and eye problems that led me to a pump. I would never give it up. The flexability is so worth it. I am new and have found that the people on this forum are so knowledgable and take good care of themselves. Keep us posted!

[Gordonm]

I have been a type 1 for 34 years. The last 1.5 on the pump. Why did I wait so long. I had the same reservations about the pump as you have. Exercise sleeping and swimming are not even a consideration now. Exercise is so much easier now. I use to have to carb load now I just adjust the pump settings. The lack of carrying around all the supplies and having to inject at every meal is just great. Being able to eat when I want is great. You will become quite easy with the whole idea of it very shortly. I would not give it up now that I have it. The flexability of a pump is very nice for active people. Good luck with it. It took me a good solid month before I had it really well programed. The first week was real tough. It got much easier after that.

[RobiJo]

Welcome to the club!

24 years of D/ 7 1/2 on pump. I don't think there is a monetary amount that could get me to go back to life before pumping.

It's like using a cell phone. Once you figure out the features, very simple.

[LCD]

What are some of the factors in deciding whether to change from insulin injections to using the pump? Better control of numbers? continuous insulin advantages? Lifestyle? Severity?

[Gary_W]

Congratulations on the potential pump, Bob. I've now been doing it for a week and it is great.

I had the same reservations of being plugged in to something constantly. Sleeping with it (as a concept) really concerned me. Night one felt awkward for a very short time but nothing too bad. Night two less so. From night three onwards, I really haven't noticed it.

Wearing it feels natural already. I have to stress, this side of things was a major weird-out for me, and it just hasn't been an issue.

LCD - the major factor for me was that a once per day basal injection just wasn't working any more. It is supposedly flat in response. It isn't. Even if it was flat, my body's needs are anything BUT flat. A pump can easily respond to those needs. Another factor is the fact that my body re-writes the rules on how much insulin it requires on a very regular basis. This is VERY tricky to alter with MDI. It still has its moments on a pump, but when you just have to adjust short acting insulin, it reacts very quickly to changes. Long acting basals take a few days to alter and by that time you're body has changed again... Many other pros as well (smaller, more accurate dose, convenience, 1 needle every 3 days vs 15+ every 3 days, easier to cope with high fat foods due to extended bolus, alarm reminders to test etc).

Gary

[xMenace]

If it was a football game it would be Pump 42 - MDI 3.