Hi, All (long post)

[dixiepixie64]

Hi to all of you! :D I am a new pumper (Minimed 515) and have been thrilled to find the camaraderie, great tips and information on the internet from other people struggling with the same condition. My first encounter with diabetes occurred while I was pregnant in 1992 and I hoped I had seen the last of it after the birth of my child. In August, 1995 at age 30, it returned with a vengeance. My endo and I mused for years whether I was type 1 or type 2 but never tested to see. I never had good control with MDI & my A1c was constantly around 8.5. I would go for periods where I tried really, really hard to get control and then fail (my basal needs vary quite a bit and with the exercise thrown in there to boot, Lantus never quite worked), get disgusted and become ambivalent. I guess coming up on my ten year anniversary was a wake-up call to me. I am still healthy and want to stay that way! My endo had been planting subtle suggestions to me to try a pump and after much consideration, I finally agreed in October, 2004. We began the rounds with the insurance company and I was tested and discovered I am type 1 so I was approved pretty quickly for 80% coverage. I have been pumping since 12/10/04 and things are just getting better and better for me. I feel great not being on the BG rollercoaster - more energy and the mental fogginess that hung over me at times is gone. The only thing I regret is waiting so long to try a pump!

My main recreation/hobby is running. I am one of those oft-misunderstood people who actually enjoys running! This year, my plans are to set a new personal best in a local (2500 participant) 10 mile race in April and then a half marathon over Labor Day. I have raced those distances before/pre-pump. My big goal is to participate in my first marathon in October (Marine Corps. Marathon). I'd love to chat with any of you runners out there on your race day BG management! It is tricky.

I have one daughter from my first marriage and a stepdaughter with my new husband. We are newlyweds, just married in June, 04, and I am lucky to have a supportive family. For example, today my hubby measured & packed my breakfast including a little post-it note of carb counts of the contents. I was so touched. I am very excited about my future with the pump.

[HeatherP]

Welcome Dixie. Congratulations on your new marriage and parenthood. I'm sorry the Diabetes came back. I'm T1 myself, for 13 years, on MDI. It sounds like you're doing a great job of taking control - I'm glad you like your pump. You'll find many pumpers here to exchange ideas with. I hope you'll visit often and make some new friends!

Nice to meet you,
HeatherP

[Clint]

Welcome Dixie!

I am a new pumper as well. I have been T1 since 1999 and I just started my pump this week. Like you, I already feel so much better and the mental haze is gone too!

I hope you enjoy your stay here...

I also joined a mailing list for pumpers - www.insulin-pumpers.org

[am1977]

Welcome!

Diabetes is a struggle for a lot of us. I definitely have times that I struggle controlling my diabetes and it really used to (and sometimes still does) get to me. Now, there are days where it still bothers me, but I try to stay level headed and calm, instead of becoming an emotional mess! I know that gets me no where and probably causes me more problems. I realize now that when I see high numbers (which typically is my problem) that it is probably due to my own doing. Those highs are probably due to my overeating or underestimating what I eat. At least knowing this is helping me become more observant and careful.

As a type 1 also (dx'ed over 2.5 years ago @ 24), I am also on the pump. I really thought that it would take care of all those highs and lows. When it didn't do that, I was quite disappointed. :mad: And then when I had problems with my infusion sites/sets, I was almost ready to throw my pump against the wall and say the **** with it. I actually had better control on MDI. I probably shouldn't have been surprised, my Endo. did say that my control wouldn't improve much . Of course, I thought to myself "what are you talking about, of course it will" . But he was right!

I was doing "The Untethered Regimen"...using Lantus along with the pump, mainly for security reasons, but I am now using just the pump. So far, so good ;) . I still have days where my control could be better, but I guess I am doing ok overall. My last a1c was 7, which I felt "blah" about. I know there's room for improvement and I will keep at it.

Well, i don't know how my welcome turned into my life story ( ha ha ha :rolleyes: ) but I really did want to welcome you here and, hopefully, make you feel at home here. I think it's wonderful that you are doing so well on the pump and hope things only continue to get better for you. I think that it's also great that you enjoy running so much. I think exercise in generaly provides so many positive things for us physically and mentally. I try to go to they gym everyday myself and know that it really helps me to control my sugar levles and deal with stress in my life. As for support, having your family and loved ones behind you is so important. I think your husband deserves a big gold star for being there for you and supporting you the way he does. :thumbsup: .

Well, let me conclude this post before it bores you any futher :whistling:. Please know that you are welcome here, like I said, and feel free to post anytime.

Take care ;)

[nantomsuethom]

Dixiepixie, welcome to the forums. :)

I am happy to hear that you are doing so good with your pump. My son has been on a pump for a year now and is doing really good.

Congratulations on your new marriage. Your new hubby sounds like a keeper.

Also, good luck with your marathons.