Yet another 'tell me about your pump!' thread

[DeusXM]

It's possible that I might be one of the lucky few in Britain that gets to go on a pump and get everything paid for me. I'm slowly coming round to the idea of the pump after resisting so long but I'm very aware that I know next to nothing about how they work, features etc.

I know I could probably do all this through Google but I'd much rather get people's personal experiences, because they're much more interesting.

Basically as a couple of starter questions:

How exactly do pumps attach to you?

What insulins do they work by? I was told by my consultant that Lantus and Levemir aren't used in pumps, which I felt sure was wrong.

What sorts of features do different pumps offer?

How durable are they? If I go on a drunken night out to a club and dance the night away, or go to a gig, am I basically going to have the thing ripped out of my side?

What do you do when you're wearing a pump and you want to play sport?

What are they like to sleep with? (now, now...)

Given that pumps seem to be based heavily around knowing ratios and working on set infusion rates according to time of day, how flexible are they when faced with a very drastic change, such as illness or changing timezones dramatically?

Does anyone here use the 'unteathered' approach, and how effective is that?

I know it's a lot of questions, but the last couple of weeks or so have resulted in both me and my care team significantly re-evaluating my options and I'd like to know what I can expect. Thanks in advance for anyone who answers - unfortunately I bet I'll just have even more questions for you!

[spike]

It's possible that I might be one of the lucky few in Britain that gets to go on a pump and get everything paid for me. I'm slowly coming round to the idea of the pump after resisting so long but I'm very aware that I know next to nothing about how they work, features etc.

I know I could probably do all this through Google but I'd much rather get people's personal experiences, because they're much more interesting.

Basically as a couple of starter questions:

How exactly do pumps attach to you?

What insulins do they work by? I was told by my consultant that Lantus and Levemir aren't used in pumps, which I felt sure was wrong.

What sorts of features do different pumps offer?

How durable are they? If I go on a drunken night out to a club and dance the night away, or go to a gig, am I basically going to have the thing ripped out of my side?

What do you do when you're wearing a pump and you want to play sport?

What are they like to sleep with? (now, now...)

Given that pumps seem to be based heavily around knowing ratios and working on set infusion rates according to time of day, how flexible are they when faced with a very drastic change, such as illness or changing timezones dramatically?

Does anyone here use the 'unteathered' approach, and how effective is that?

I know it's a lot of questions, but the last couple of weeks or so have resulted in both me and my care team significantly re-evaluating my options and I'd like to know what I can expect. Thanks in advance for anyone who answers - unfortunately I bet I'll just have even more questions for you!

You are right: you asked a LOT of questions.

Lantus is NOT used in a pump. Use either Novolog or Humalog (quick acting)

Here's just ONE link on pumps.
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/insulin-pumps.jsp

Look at the MiniMed, Deltec, and Animas pump sites. Call them for brochures.

If you get serious about ordering a pump, get and read the John Walsh book on Pumping. "Pumping Insulin" You should be familiar with the concepts BEFORE getting your first pump so you'll know HOW to pump.

You can place a pump in a lexan case if needed, for contact sports.

Sleeping with a pump is not a problem. I just toss it beside me in bed. others keep them clipped to their pj's or undies. It's just not much of an issue.

Pumps are the ideal way to deal with illness or exercise as you can quickly change the basal rates.

All the top pumps work quite well. Preference seems to be the main factor. I prefer the "biopace" bolus feature of MM pumps and I like the physical design. Pretty much everyone will "stand up" for their pump choice, but I feel that all the major brands will do the job.

[spike]

It's possible that I might be one of the lucky few in Britain that gets to go on a pump and get everything paid for me. I'm slowly coming round to the idea of the pump after resisting so long but I'm very aware that I know next to nothing about how they work, features etc.

I know I could probably do all this through Google but I'd much rather get people's personal experiences, because they're much more interesting.

Basically as a couple of starter questions:

How exactly do pumps attach to you?

What insulins do they work by? I was told by my consultant that Lantus and Levemir aren't used in pumps, which I felt sure was wrong.

What sorts of features do different pumps offer?

How durable are they? If I go on a drunken night out to a club and dance the night away, or go to a gig, am I basically going to have the thing ripped out of my side?

What do you do when you're wearing a pump and you want to play sport?

What are they like to sleep with? (now, now...)

Given that pumps seem to be based heavily around knowing ratios and working on set infusion rates according to time of day, how flexible are they when faced with a very drastic change, such as illness or changing timezones dramatically?

Does anyone here use the 'unteathered' approach, and how effective is that?

I know it's a lot of questions, but the last couple of weeks or so have resulted in both me and my care team significantly re-evaluating my options and I'd like to know what I can expect. Thanks in advance for anyone who answers - unfortunately I bet I'll just have even more questions for you!

let me add, you should be willing to check your bg's often to make a good pump candidate (more than 5 times a day). You should not be intimidated by technology. Weight gain is a common byproduct of pumping, so a bit extra will power will be needed to avoid temptations.

You need to learn just a few basic concepts for pumping:

1. accurate carb counting and know the timing of bg rise from certain foods.
2. insulin to carb ratio (often lower in the morning)
3. correction factor (how much insulin to take to correct a high bg)
4. basal rate determination (that means some days you'll skip meals when first going on the pump)

The basal rate adjustments should be completed before nailing down your long term insulin to carb ratio(s), as wrong basal rates will affect the effect of your mealtime boluses.

'nuff for now.

[Belinda]

OMG...you are so lucky...here are my answers to your questions....

It is very durable....it won't rip out of you the tape is pretty secure and they also have some type of glue product if your are heavily into worries about it.

I just know that I never have to sleep alone again...j/k. I just put it on the PJ bottoms I am wearing or toss it in the bed with me if there are no Pj's invloved. As for the "other" bed activities...I usually just disconnect it and leave it on the bedside table or bathroom counter (keep in mind you just need to check BS and bolus to cover your needs....SEX is an physical activity so you may not need any insulin while your disconnected)

As for drinking...well you know how to do you MDI's the pump might give you more freedom.

It uses fast acting insulin due to the fact that it is like a constant drip of insulin that is set for you by your basal rates. I use Humalog in mine.

As for the kind you get.....depends on you. I have had 3 different Minimed/Medtronic ones and like them all. I really like my newest one a Paradigm 715. The bolus wizard is my best friend....I like the fact that I can check my BS 2 hours after I eat and see how much active insulin I have left or if I need to bolus again...cool feature.


You will love the pump once you try one I am sure of it....keep in mind that change takes adjustments and if you don't like it then so be it....if it cost you nothing...

Good luck and keep us posted
:joyman:

[Lynne1]

Hi There,

I'm investigating 3 pumps now...Minimed Paradigm, Animas 1250 and Cozmo Deltec. The companies will send you a nice info packet on the pump features including a DVD. Also, their websites have "Pump tutorials". All are valuable.

The info on this site is really helpful when trying to decide which features are the most used and useful. Definitely helped me identify what is important to me in a pump.

Good luck and congratulations on getting the approval for the pump!

[David]

How exactly do pumps attach to you?
Tubing is run from the pump to an infusion set. Most sets are flexible teflon but there are needle sets too. See here:
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/infusion_sets.php?PHPSESSID=4a8bd1694b393cd1d843d9 a729333696

What insulins do they work by? I was told by my consultant that Lantus and Levemir aren't used in pumps, which I felt sure was wrong.
Your consultant is correct. Pumps use Humalog, Novolog (aka NovoRapid), Apidra or Regular. A trickle of insulin called the basal rate takes the place of Lantus or Levemir.

What sorts of features do different pumps offer?
Different pumps have different bells and whistles. Most let you make various adjustments so you can get best use out of your pump. Some have a meter that will tell your pump what your BG is and calculate your correction. Most will now calculate your meal bolus when you tell it how many carbs you'll be eating.

How durable are they? If I go on a drunken night out to a club and dance the night away, or go to a gig, am I basically going to have the thing ripped out of my side?
They have a four year warranty, so if something breaks it, you'll get a replacement overnight. Ripped out of my side dancing? I've had more problems with doorknobs grabbing at the tubing.

What do you do when you're wearing a pump and you want to play sport? That depends on the sport and how long you'll be playing. You could disconnect if you're exercise is enough to keep your BG down or you could disconnect and test/correct periodically as needed. You can also stay connected for many sports.

What are they like to sleep with? (now, now...)
See answer above...Ohhh you're really talking about sleeping. You'll find your own comfort place for your pump. While I just toss it into bed next to me and let it roam, others will clip it to their clothing, blanket, pillow or something else.

Given that pumps seem to be based heavily around knowing ratios and working on set infusion rates according to time of day, how flexible are they when faced with a very drastic change, such as illness or changing timezones dramatically?
I have different basal patterns for work and off work days. It's very easy to change them. Just a couple of button pushes. For illness, you could either go by go by correction boluses or raise your basal rate, say by 20%, depending on the situation. For me, changing time zones just means changing the clock as I pass through them or when I arrive.

Does anyone here use the 'unteathered' approach, and how effective is that? No I haven't although it makes me think "whats the point?" If I'm using a pump, I want to take full advantage of it (just my 2c)

David

[jen_slc]

Don't want to keep bringing up the cons of pumping, but I think you should have all points of view. I recently posted my bad pumping experience:

http://www.diabetesforums.com/pumping-insulin/7976-pumps-vs-pens.html

If it's all for free, though, why not give it a shot?? Nothing to lose, etc, etc...