[June91]

I've found a statistic that says only 3% of people (in the US) go back to MDI once they've tried pumping, and out of that approximately half because their insurance won't cover it, financial or other reasons, not out of choice.

So I'd like to know if there's anyone here who has gone off the pump by choice and if so, why?

Btw, I'm hoping to use bits of info like that to become the best pump trainer the world has seen!

[duck]

Jen_SLC and Mark-TN are both pump-traitors, turn-coats, benedict arnolds...

[Funnygrl]

The reasons I typically hear are infusion set problems, not liking being tethered, and risk of DKA.

[June91]

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

The reasons I typically hear are infusion set problems, not liking being tethered, and risk of DKA.

You see, that's why I ask REAL people. Those are the reasons usually listed as problems in manuals and stuff written by doctors. Apologies if this is something you heard from the above mentioned real people (sounds so ridiculous, I know).

[duck]

That's not why the two traitors here quit...

[rzrbks]

My CDE was pushing a pump at me from day one of insulin school

She always says the same thing when we meet:

"What's you last A1c?"

My response is always 5.7 5.8 or 5.9(whatever the last one was)

"You're having a really long honeymoon. You'll be going on the pump soon."

Sorry, I like my MDI. I do not want to be tethered 24/7.

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by June91

You see, that's why I ask REAL people. Those are the reasons usually listed as problems in manuals and stuff written by doctors. Apologies if this is something you heard from the above mentioned real people (sounds so ridiculous, I know).

I know Jen stopped because of infusion set issues. Someone who's blog I read stopped because of the being tethered bit. So those are real people.

[MamaCat]

Recently I ran into a Type 1 friend I hadn't seen in a while. I had heard she was on the pump but got off, so I asked her why. She said that it "was alarming all the time." The kind of pump she had and why its alarm kept going off, I don't know. But she did say that after two years she was back on the pump again, a Minimed, and was happy with it this time.

[EdnaDeel]

the only reason that I would ever get off of the pump would be because of insurance reasons...the tethered part dont bother me...it just reminds me to try to care of myself better if I want to see my boy grow into a man. and yes you do have the occasional set problems but it is by far better than taking 6-8 shots a day...IMHO

[spike]

Originally Posted by June91

I've found a statistic that says only 3% of people (in the US) go back to MDI once they've tried pumping, and out of that approximately half because their insurance won't cover it, financial or other reasons, not out of choice.

So I'd like to know if there's anyone here who has gone off the pump by choice and if so, why?

Btw, I'm hoping to use bits of info like that to become the best pump trainer the world has seen!

Well, you can't please ALL the people ALL of the time, as the famous saying goes, so I guess the 3% that stop pumping is actually a very low number when all is considered. I wouldn't stop pumping until they put me in the grave. I had a bunch of set issues crop up all of a sudden, earlier this year that had me complaining to MiniMed that if they couldn't solve my problem, I'd have to switch pump companies after a series of kinked cannulas. They resolved that issue for me nicely by making available a newcomer to the "set" scene: the Sure-T. I didn't learn of them from MM; I found out about them in a forum. when I called MM to inquire, they were more than happy to send a number of samples.

I could see that if someone had repeated problems with either DKA or with failed infusion they would be gunshy. My problems have never lasted long enough to get me into much trouble because I test a lot. several of my failed sets sent me well over 300 in short order.

Being "tethered" is a non-issue for me and my pumping wife.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by EdnaDeel

the tethered part dont bother me...it just reminds me to try to care of myself better if I want to see my boy grow into a man. and yes you do have the occasional set problems but it is by far better than taking 6-8 shots a day...IMHO

I agree fully. I used to take 4 - 6 shots a day, with little or no control. I'd Never go back to that, and like Spike said, they'd have to put me in the grave (or come up with something a he** of a lot better, and even then I wouldn't) before I give up my pump.

[butterflykisses]

Originally Posted by spike

Well, you can't please ALL the people ALL of the time, as the famous saying goes, so I guess the 3% that stop pumping is actually a very low number when all is considered. I wouldn't stop pumping until they put me in the grave. I had a bunch of set issues crop up all of a sudden, earlier this year that had me complaining to MiniMed that if they couldn't solve my problem, I'd have to switch pump companies after a series of kinked cannulas. They resolved that issue for me nicely by making available a newcomer to the "set" scene: the Sure-T. I didn't learn of them from MM; I found out about them in a forum. when I called MM to inquire, they were more than happy to send a number of samples.

I could see that if someone had repeated problems with either DKA or with failed infusion they would be gunshy. My problems have never lasted long enough to get me into much trouble because I test a lot. several of my failed sets sent me well over 300 in short order.

Being "tethered" is a non-issue for me and my pumping wife.

Why is it that when you call minimed and tell them you're having issues with their sets kinking or bending do they not suggest something like the sure t's or bent needles???? I don't get it!!! Never, not one time did I ever hear of any other choices other than the quick sets and the sils. Ticks me off that you have to visit message boards (not that I hate visiting )to get answers! BTW, you were quite helpful with this issue...just lost my way back to my original post. Thanks, to you, and every one else for your help.

[spike]

Originally Posted by butterflykisses

Why is it that when you call minimed and tell them you're having issues with their sets kinking or bending do they not suggest something like the sure t's or bent needles???? I don't get it!!! Never, not one time did I ever hear of any other choices other than the quick sets and the sils. Ticks me off that you have to visit message boards (not that I hate visiting )to get answers! BTW, you were quite helpful with this issue...just lost my way back to my original post. Thanks, to you, and every one else for your help.

Actually, I don't experience the same thing as you with MM support. they immediately offered me 2 things when I called about QS problems: a free Inserter, and sample sets--the dreaded Silhouettes. Tried one, it hurt like the devil for 3 hours and then I ripped it out. YES, I would have been happier if they'd also suggested the Sure-T's but I think they were out of stock or were just coming to market with them when I had the first conversation with them early this year about a kinked cannula. IF the Sure-T's were available at that time, then of course I wish that they would have mentioned them.

[tcc123]

I have been trying to find cons to the pump too. you see I just got my pump in the mail today and lately have been having second thoughts about pumping (which I am guessing is natural). When I ordered the pump I was just happy I would be done with 4 injections a day, which I have now gotten used to and that I wouldn't have to eat in multiples of 30 or 50 carbs for meals.
Now that I have it the only thing that is worrying me is how people see you differently when you are on the pump. I know this sounds bad. But I feel like other people will think I am actually "sick" because I have something connected to me. Whereas on injections so far my classmates in my major (whom I have almost every class with now) don't even know I am diabetic. Haha they sure will be surprised to see a tube coming out of my pocket here in a few weeks. It is not that I am ashamed in any way to be diabetic. Its just I don't want people constantly reminded of it.
Any advice would be great. And I hope my comments might have been of some use to June91.

[spike]

Originally Posted by tcc123

I have been trying to find cons to the pump too. you see I just got my pump in the mail today and lately have been having second thoughts about pumping (which I am guessing is natural). When I ordered the pump I was just happy I would be done with 4 injections a day, which I have now gotten used to and that I wouldn't have to eat in multiples of 30 or 50 carbs for meals.
Now that I have it the only thing that is worrying me is how people see you differently when you are on the pump. I know this sounds bad. But I feel like other people will think I am actually "sick" because I have something connected to me. Whereas on injections so far my classmates in my major (whom I have almost every class with now) don't even know I am diabetic. Haha they sure will be surprised to see a tube coming out of my pocket here in a few weeks. It is not that I am ashamed in any way to be diabetic. Its just I don't want people constantly reminded of it.
Any advice would be great. And I hope my comments might have been of some use to June91.

I don't know of anyone who sees me "differently" in the 10 years I've been pumping. On the off chance that someone did see my "differently" either I don't care, or they see me as smart enough to take care of myself properly by availing myself of current technology. No matter what, I WIN!!!