Improvements since going on pump besides BGs?

[sierradawn]

Hi,

I just started the pump a little over a month ago and am LOVING it! It far outweighs the hassle of wearing it 24/7 and the tubing.

I wanted to find out from you fellow pumpers if you have noticed any positive changes since going on the pump other than your BGs. I didn't have very good control for over ten years on MDI. My feet feel a little different as well as being very dry, and the scrapes/injuries to my body were a little slow to heal and left scars. I am hoping that over time my body will start to heal with better BG control and function more normally.

Have there been others that had any or minor complications prior to the pump and then noticed a healing?

For me, so far, my moods have been way better. Emotionally I am no longer as generally depressed about diabetes, have a much more positive outlook (especially about having babies!) and am more proactive about my health. My libido :love: has also has increased (hubby loves this!!). I am hoping that in time, my feet won't be so dry and cracked, and that my bodily injuries will heal better.

I look forward to hearing what other stories you have to tell!

Sierra
Type 1 - 15 years
Minimed 515 - since 3/17/06

[duck]

My wife and family claim I am less moody...

[Lynne1]

I remember to test & correct when I should now that I have alarms reminding me. I find inserting the infusion set is less painful than shots. I am now modifying my diet more because having accurate basal rates allows me to see exactly what foods raise my blood glucose and to what extent. I've also lost some weight. All good so far!

[kgm0612]

I had very good control prior to going on the pump back in mid-December, but the reason for that was because I was on NPH & 70/30 and had to watch every bit of food I placed into my mouth. I was constantly hungry and at times, very moody.

At first I was very frustrated with my new pump. My blood sugars were running a bit higher than what I was used to and I wasn't liking that one bit. It took a good 6-8 weeks of "tweaking" basal rates, insulin to carb ratios, and insulin sensitivity to finally get it right. I am now LOVING my pump!

I am less moody, have the freedom to eat when and if I want to, and changing one site every 3 days beats taking 2-3 shots a day!

Karen

[Doetsch]

Hi,

I just started the pump a little over a month ago and am LOVING it! It far outweighs the hassle of wearing it 24/7 and the tubing.

I wanted to find out from you fellow pumpers if you have noticed any positive changes since going on the pump other than your BGs. I didn't have very good control for over ten years on MDI. My feet feel a little different as well as being very dry, and the scrapes/injuries to my body were a little slow to heal and left scars. I am hoping that over time my body will start to heal with better BG control and function more normally.

Have there been others that had any or minor complications prior to the pump and then noticed a healing?

For me, so far, my moods have been way better. Emotionally I am no longer as generally depressed about diabetes, have a much more positive outlook (especially about having babies!) and am more proactive about my health. My libido :love: has also has increased (hubby loves this!!). I am hoping that in time, my feet won't be so dry and cracked, and that my bodily injuries will heal better.

I look forward to hearing what other stories you have to tell!

Sierra
Type 1 - 15 years
Minimed 515 - since 3/17/06

The happiness you feel is probably the Endorphines of Change :)

I have noticed an overall Health Increase. I feel like I can take on any task and I am not lazy anymore.

I don't take as long to heal from abrasions but it is not a huge enough change to be writing home about it.. (Wait I am writing about it) Maybe it is noticable enough :)

Other than that it just feels great to be pumping and I would never go back to MDI unless a Radioactive enomaly destroyed every Pump on the planet and the Companies that make them mysteriously disapeared. So I think I will be pumping until we find a better treatment whatever that may be.

I am glad that you are feeling better and I am sure that sooner than later you will start noticing more. Especially if you were in that bad of control previous to pumping. Good Luck :)

[sierradawn]

The happiness you feel is probably the Endorphines of Change :)

I have noticed an overall Health Increase. I feel like I can take on any task and I am not lazy anymore.

I don't take as long to heal from abrasions but it is not a huge enough change to be writing home about it.. (Wait I am writing about it) Maybe it is noticable enough :)

Other than that it just feels great to be pumping and I would never go back to MDI unless a Radioactive enomaly destroyed every Pump on the planet and the Companies that make them mysteriously disapeared. So I think I will be pumping until we find a better treatment whatever that may be.

I am glad that you are feeling better and I am sure that sooner than later you will start noticing more. Especially if you were in that bad of control previous to pumping. Good Luck :)

The happiness I feel is not so much change as it is seeing more numbers below 120 on a consistent basis than I have for a LONG time. Seeing a number below 120 two hours after a meal was rare for me in the past. It literally makes my day!

That is encouraging to me that you've noticed a faster healing with your wounds. Even if it may seem small to you, it IS an improvement!

[spike]

Hi,

I just started the pump a little over a month ago and am LOVING it! It far outweighs the hassle of wearing it 24/7 and the tubing.

I wanted to find out from you fellow pumpers if you have noticed any positive changes since going on the pump other than your BGs. I didn't have very good control for over ten years on MDI. My feet feel a little different as well as being very dry, and the scrapes/injuries to my body were a little slow to heal and left scars. I am hoping that over time my body will start to heal with better BG control and function more normally.

Have there been others that had any or minor complications prior to the pump and then noticed a healing?

For me, so far, my moods have been way better. Emotionally I am no longer as generally depressed about diabetes, have a much more positive outlook (especially about having babies!) and am more proactive about my health. My libido :love: has also has increased (hubby loves this!!). I am hoping that in time, my feet won't be so dry and cracked, and that my bodily injuries will heal better.

I look forward to hearing what other stories you have to tell!

Sierra
Type 1 - 15 years
Minimed 515 - since 3/17/06

I'm less stressed since getting off of the MDI roller coaster. Pumping rocks!!

[jeggeman31]

Wife and kids say I am less moody
Less Lows at night
More Energy
Sleep less at night (good thing)
And I have to be above 180 prior to sex or I go Hypo....

[poodlebone]

Since I started pumping I have been able to lose weight. I gained a LOT of weight on injections. I was always feeding lows and would go low quickly with any physical activity. In the past 13 months I've lost over 110 pounds and am now back down in the normal weight range for my height. I probably would have not been able to do that without the pump.

I just feel better in general, test my BG a lot more and watch what I eat since I'm careful about counting carbs.

[Cinnabon]

GREAT post...
I have less Hypos
lost weight
better skin
freedom of eating when I want...
SO much.....

[Cyborg]

Lost 30 pounds in 2 1/2 months
Diabetic depression completely gone
Neuropathy in feet seems to be disappearing
Big reduction in night time lows
I can eat carbs! And lots of them...
Overall freedom


I'll never go back to MDI if I can avoid it. I'm so much happier with the pump. :)

[EdnaDeel]

In the past 13 months I've lost over 110 pounds and am now back down in the normal weight range for my height. I probably would have not been able to do that without the pump.




:congrats:
congrats on the weight loss . sure hope if I can get the pump that I will be able to lose some extra baggage my self

[Michael R Zeigl]

I have been on the pump 3 years after 42 years of insulin injections. The first thing I noticed was an increase in overall energy. Without the highs and lows you get with injections, my energy levels were constantly higher. I also was able to easily lose weight while maintaining better sugar levels. You still get occasional highs and lows, but overall you blood sugars are more level.

[kidvid]

I exercise more on the pump. It's great being able to just dial down my basal to match my physical output. So I think I'm gaining some of my lost strength back.

Joe

[Grammylami]

I started pumping the end of Feb. My A1c was 7.6. Just had it tested on Thursday. It went down to 6.7. WOW:dancing2:
Hi,

I just started the pump a little over a month ago and am LOVING it! It far outweighs the hassle of wearing it 24/7 and the tubing.

I wanted to find out from you fellow pumpers if you have noticed any positive changes since going on the pump other than your BGs. I didn't have very good control for over ten years on MDI. My feet feel a little different as well as being very dry, and the scrapes/injuries to my body were a little slow to heal and left scars. I am hoping that over time my body will start to heal with better BG control and function more normally.

Have there been others that had any or minor complications prior to the pump and then noticed a healing?

For me, so far, my moods have been way better. Emotionally I am no longer as generally depressed about diabetes, have a much more positive outlook (especially about having babies!) and am more proactive about my health. My libido :love: has also has increased (hubby loves this!!). I am hoping that in time, my feet won't be so dry and cracked, and that my bodily injuries will heal better.

I look forward to hearing what other stories you have to tell!

Sierra
Type 1 - 15 years
Minimed 515 - since 3/17/06

[Cyborg]

I started pumping the end of Feb. My A1c was 7.6. Just had it tested on Thursday. It went down to 6.7. WOW:dancing2:

It's mind-blowing! I also started in Feb, the 14th actually. My a1c went from 7.5 to 6.2 in 2 1/2 months. Now I'm pushing to get into the 5's. I would never have imagined I could do this... And to think when I first heard of an insulin pump it was horrifying! Now I consider it one of the best decisions of my life.

[spike]

It's mind-blowing! I also started in Feb, the 14th actually. My a1c went from 7.5 to 6.2 in 2 1/2 months. Now I'm pushing to get into the 5's. I would never have imagined I could do this... And to think when I first heard of an insulin pump it was horrifying! Now I consider it one of the best decisions of my life.

Don't push too hard, or one day we might not see "Cyborg" posting here any longer. All things in moderation and that goes for DM control. Too much too soon can lead to disaster. Have you ever had a bg around 20?

[Cyborg]

Don't push too hard, or one day we might not see "Cyborg" posting here any longer. All things in moderation and that goes for DM control. Too much too soon can lead to disaster. Have you ever had a bg around 20?

I've been down to to the 30's a few times and it wasn't fun, but I didn't end up in the hospital. I am very cautious now, much more so than on MDI.

Didn't you know the Borg are invincible? ;)

[spike]

I've been down to to the 30's a few times and it wasn't fun, but I didn't end up in the hospital. I am very cautious now, much more so than on MDI.

Didn't you know the Borg are invincible? ;)

:) Then perhaps you should donate your pump to a deserving and less invincible diabetic than yourself.

[Cyborg]

:) Then perhaps you should donate your pump to a deserving and less invincible diabetic than yourself.

Give away my core component? I would no longer be Cyborg... If you remember correctly, I started on this forum on MDI. I was transformed with the pump. I could never go back. I'll be inserting infusion sets on my back before I quit pumping! My implant(s) have made me the borg that I am. We are now 1, we are the collective, we are inseparable. :nerd:

[spike]

Give away my core component? I would no longer be Cyborg... If you remember correctly, I started on this forum on MDI. I was transformed with the pump. I could never go back. I'll be inserting infusion sets on my back before I quit pumping! My implant(s) have made me the borg that I am. We are now 1, we are the collective, we are inseparable. :nerd:

There's no turning back to pre-pumping h*ll for me, either! They'll have to pry my pump from my cold dead hands...

[Cyborg]

They'll have to pry my pump from my cold dead hands...

lol... They probably will! :rofl:

[rudi]

I met with a new Endo finally after waiting five months and he wants me on a pump. I was scared at first, but now I can hardly wait for it to happen. This forum has answered a lot of pump questions for me and I thank you all. My energy levels get so screwed up with lows, as my job is very active and I find that aging is certainly changing my ability to bounce back. So, my new Doc says that the Medtronics are the best. What can someone tell me about them? Thanks, Rudi

[Cyborg]

So, my new Doc says that the Medtronics are the best. What can someone tell me about them? Thanks, Rudi

Run. Run away. Run away fast. Run away very fast.

Kidding aside, you may want to read some more posts and get some reps to show you some of the other pumps before you jump onto the MM bandwagon...

[poodlebone]

I met with a new Endo finally after waiting five months and he wants me on a pump. I was scared at first, but now I can hardly wait for it to happen. This forum has answered a lot of pump questions for me and I thank you all. My energy levels get so screwed up with lows, as my job is very active and I find that aging is certainly changing my ability to bounce back. So, my new Doc says that the Medtronics are the best. What can someone tell me about them? Thanks, Rudi

I have a Minimed pump and I love it. I knew nothing about pumping when my CDE suggested one last year. She said she'd take care of everything and before I knew it, I had a MM pump. After I got it I started to do reasearch/reading and discovered there were other options. So, don't get something just because your doctor says so. Try them all, talk to reps from all of the companies and decided which one YOU like best. Having said that, I do love my MM pump. Sure, the others might have a feature I'd like but mine has stuff that the others don't.

[Cyborg]

I met with a new Endo finally after waiting five months and he wants me on a pump. I was scared at first, but now I can hardly wait for it to happen. This forum has answered a lot of pump questions for me and I thank you all. My energy levels get so screwed up with lows, as my job is very active and I find that aging is certainly changing my ability to bounce back. So, my new Doc says that the Medtronics are the best. What can someone tell me about them? Thanks, Rudi

When searching the forum, here (http://www.diabetesforums.com/105579-post1.html) is a recent thread that says alot...

[JediSkipdogg]

Actually, the link would be This One (http://www.diabetesforums.com/pumping-insulin/9479-pump-poll.html)

Your link was just one single post. Medtronics are good pumps, but their customer service is VERY lacking as many members on here have found out. I don't know if I'd call them the best, but they are a decent pump.

[Cyborg]

Actually, the link would be This One (http://www.diabetesforums.com/pumping-insulin/9479-pump-poll.html)

Your link was just one single post. Medtronics are good pumps, but their customer service is VERY lacking as many members on here have found out. I don't know if I'd call them the best, but they are a decent pump.

Oops... Thanks.