New member here! hey everyone! :)

[firemangtp]

Hey all, just wanted to say whats up and introduce myself :)

Im a 25 year old firefighter paramedic who's been a diabetic for about 10-11 years now. Been on the pump for roughly 5 years...(Mini Med 507 and 508)

I am all about excersise and diet... but then again ...what diabetic can turn down a double stuff Oreo?? :1eye: :D

I live in SW Florida but am in the process of trying to move to North Altanta area. (if I can get the **** department docs up there to "medically clear a diabetic fireman.. thats a WHOLE nother story though) :(

Aaaaand, I just got married a couple weeks ago! So that's good. :)

Anyway, thats me in a nutshell....

How many people here are about the same age?

(I just realized I have like a thousand questions for everyone) :D

Also wondering if anyone has tried any of the other pumps besides MiniMed (especially if you had a Minimed too) How do they compare?

I have the 508 but want to upgrade to the Paradigm..(just got to figure out how).. (make that Question #3) :p :)

Anyway, thats all for now. Mostly just saying "HI!"

~dan

[firemangtp]

p.s.-- anyone know theres an "intruduction" forum? (whoops!) :stupid:

[Dewey]

Hi Dan, And welcome aboard! :thumbsup: Congratulations on your recent marriage! :) On your upgrade question, it may be helpful if you have your doctor write a letter of medical necessity, saying that a pump with newer features would be very beneficial to you (well, that and hopefully decent insurance coverage). This way, the ins. company may more readily cover an upgrade (not saying they Will, but it's worth trying). I used to be on the Paradigm 512, but have switched companies for numerous reasons. I'm now on the Deltec (and have an Animas 1200 as backup), and I love thse models. The Deltec has a 3ml reservoir and you can use luer lock infusion sets, whereas with the Paradigm, it's proprietary. The 515/715 models seem to be pretty nifty, but ultimately, you should go with what will suit you best. There are some great sites to check out on comparing current insulin pumps, one of which is:

The Diabetes Mall (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php)

You can do a side-by-side comparison to see which one would suit your needs best. Here's hoping that your move to Atlanta goes well, and hope to "see" ya around the forums often! :thumbsup:

P.S. It's ok, they'll probably move the post to the Introductions section for ya...;)

[HeatherP]

Welcome Dan! I'm glad you found us! My, that's a lot of questions but then again, you'll find a lot of answers here: odds are if you've thought of it somebody around here's been through it too. Congrats on your new marriage, I hope that you and your new wife have many many happy years together. I was 24 when dx'd, but that was quite a few years ago. I suspect Dewey might be just about be our most experienced pumper so I'd listen to her if I were you, lol! I hope we'll see you around often and get to know you better.

Nice to meet you,
HeatherP

[Harold]

Hi Dan, and Welcome to the forums!

p.s.-- anyone know theres an "intruduction" forum? (whoops!) :stupid: This I can take care of. :nerd:

[Belinda]

Hi and Welcome....

No you don't have lots of questions.....you will find that they will be answered. I upgraded from a MM 507 to the 715 that was the best choice for me. You guessed it ....pump choice is an individual choice of what works for you. Look through the older post and you might find some answers to your questions (this could take some time since there is MUCH info here). Once again welcome

[David]

Hi Dan. Welcome and congrats on your recent marriage. I recently changed from a 508 to the Cozmo. I especially like its IOB function for correcting. Like the 508, it has a 300 unit reservoir if that's important to you. There are a few things I don't like about it (all minor to me). I chose it over the Paradigm mostly because I want to be able to choose what sets I use. I'd be limited to using Paradigm's proprietary sets if I had a recent Medtronic pump.

David

[nantomsuethom]

Hi Dan. Congratulations on your recent marriage :) and welcome to the forums family!

[buzzborne]

Hi Dan, and welcome to the 'family' glad that you decided to join us!

As I am on MDI I cant answer questions about the pump, but I see that a few pumpers have already started to answer! But also have a look through the pumping insulin section as that may be able to help.

Congrats on you recent marriage :thumbsup: that is wonderful news!

Hope to ''see ya' around :)

[Cinnabon]

Hey Dan....

CONGRATS on your marriage. Another SW Floridian (Miami), Diabetic here!!
This forum is great.. and they will be EXTREMELY helpful.... Good luck and hope you stick around.

[archimeech]

Welcome Dan,
search through the threads on here, most of your answers can be found in previous postings. The rest we'll deal with as they come up. Congrats on the newlywedism, too.

Now, I have a question for you:

What would posess you to move to Atlanta? lol, the coast of Georgia is so much better. :)
Meech

[firemangtp]

WoW! Lots O' responces! :D Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and tips! :)

archimeech,
Are you on the coast somewhere?
Well.. the reason to move at ALL is my fiance *cough* whoops WIFE *cough* :- is from there.

She was raised in the Kennesaw/Acworth area and moved to Florida when she found a huncky fireman (thats me) :D haha.

Anyway, she has lived here about 1 1/2 year now and we finally started talking about moving her "back home". I have lived in the sauna here for 25(almost 26) years now and I think I am ready for somthing new. I LOVE how nice the weather is up there. Did you know there are SEASONS!??! ;)

Her family and freinds are still in the same area so thats why we are moving there (hopefully). I HAVE heard about how pretty it is in the East on the coast though. :)

Anyway, thats why. :D

~Dan

[firemangtp]

Hey Cinnibon,

Thanks, That's cool that you're near here. Some of the guys I work with live in the Lauderdale/Miami area too! :)

[camjen1]

Aaaaand, I just got married a couple weeks ago! So that's good. :)

~dan


Gosh darn it. Oh well, welcome to the forum. :whistling

[am1977]

Welcome, Dan! :)

This is an awesome forum and has really helped me tremendously. I think you will find the same if you stick around.

I am also Type 1 on a MM 511. There are days where I am ready to throw the pump against the wall and say the **** with it, but that's usually only when I have run into problems with sites/sets. But mostly, I am very happy with the flexibility and freedom the pump allows me. That part I would have a very hard time giving up ;) . When the time comes to upgrade, i plan on doing some research on my own on the other pumps out there. It's always good to see what the other options are. I'm sure Dewey and others will be able to help you and advise you as to what features other pumps have.

Anyway, welcome to the forums again. (and congrats on getting married ;) ).