Will soon be pumping!!!

radar38701 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:04 AM

Hi everyone,

Just got a call from Medtronics, and my pump will be shipping out today. Insurance approved it on the first call. Thank goodness I will only be out 10% out of pocket. I will be getting the X2200 series Paradiem. As soon as I get it and get an appointment at the endo for training I will be pumping away to a whole new world hopefully. Is anyone familiar with this pump? Any information will be appreciated.

spike · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar38701

Hi everyone,

Just got a call from Medtronics, and my pump will be shipping out today. Insurance approved it on the first call. Thank goodness I will only be out 10% out of pocket. I will be getting the X2200 series Paradiem. As soon as I get it and get an appointment at the endo for training I will be pumping away to a whole new world hopefully. Is anyone familiar with this pump? Any information will be appreciated.

I've not heard of that model. Are you not in the US?

Christmas is coming early for you this year!

radar38701 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:18 AM

Yes I am in MIssissippi. That is what the rep told me this morning. Maybe I wrote something down wrong.

spike · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar38701

Yes I am in MIssissippi. That is what the rep told me this morning. Maybe I wrote something down wrong.

The models are 522 and 722. Paradigm, by Minimed (Medtronics)

radar38701 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:22 AM

Maybe she said 722 instead

radar38701 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:24 AM

I guess in all my excitement I misunderstood. 722 is the model she told me I am sure of now. Can't wait.

spike · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar38701

I guess in all my excitement I misunderstood. 722 is the model she told me I am sure of now. Can't wait.

COOL! I've got a 515 and my wife has a 522 which is identical to your 722 except it holds less insulin. You are getting an exceptional pump! What color did you order? My wife got the purple one quite recently. The pump will also act as a receiver for the CGMS (continuous glucose monitoring system), but neither of us will be using that option in the near future. Insurance doesn't cover the cost of the CGMS and sensors, which is considerable.

HAPPY DANCE FOR YOU!!!

radar38701 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:35 AM

I also ordered the purple one. They recommeded the 722 because of the amount of insulin I take. I take 141 units of Novolag 70/30 a day. I too enquired about the CGMS. I could probably afford the initial out of pocket expense, but when she told me the supplies are about $350 a month, I figured I could hold off till insurance will help out. I am glad to here a real person say this is an exceptional pump. I can't say enough how excited I am to get this. From everything I have read and have been told, this will certainly help me to lower my BG and have a better handle on it.

spike · #9 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 09:49 AM

It should bring down your A1c, depending on the level it is at now. What's your A1c lately? What pumping did for me was give me a nearly normal life after terrible problems with 18 years of MDI. I have DP so strong that MDI couldn't cover my nighttime bg's anywhere near normal, so I'd end up in the 20-30's some nights, and other mornings wake up at 300. I'd take Regular (there was no fast acting insulin then) to cover breakfast, but it wouldn't bring me down until about 10 AM, at which time I'd crash hard. I couldn't take less insulin or I'd be well over 300 for many hours, so I was stuck with the midmorning crash. That's why I love pumping so much. Accurate bolusing, variable basals, etc make my DM much easier to integrate into living. Eating is easier, but I guess that's also due to Humalog vs the old Regular that I took back then. When I started pumping I used Velosulin which isn't fast like Humalog/Novolog. Oh, BTW, I also use Novolog and find it makes no discernible difference but you should discuss that with your doctor (of course) if you are considering all your options for insulins.

You'll have to tell us all about first day on the pump. Are you scheduled with a pump trainer yet?

radar38701 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:23 AM

My A1c 2 weeks ago was 9.8. I was diagnosed with diabetes 8/99 and was able to get it in control with diet, glucophage and exercise. I did real good until 8/2003 I had a heart attack and have not been able to control it. I have just recently changed endo and have learned so much more in 3 months with him than in 4 years with the other Dr. It is because of my new Dr that I am getting the pump. I have been on insulin since 10/03 but have never had any luck with keeping it down to any kind of normalcy. Although I never really had anyone explain things to me and I just did what the Dr. said. I have only been low one time and that was during the night. It woke me up out of a sleep. I am always too high. 2,3, and 400 hundreds with an occasional HIGH on the meter because it can't register it. I am so fortunate to have found this site. I am just like a sponge absorbing all this new information. I already have a ton of questions for the Dr. when I go back. I have an appointment with the dietitian on the 6th of Sept. to learn to count carbs and hopefully I will have training that same day. I live about 150 miles from my endo, so I hope he will consider that and do everything the same day.

poodlebone · #11 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:25 AM

Congratulations on getting your pump! I'm using the 715, and the pump is basically the same as your 722 except it can't receive readings from the CGMS. The pump functions are exactly the same, though. I should have received the 515 when I got my pump last year, though, because I don't use a lot of insulin. I was using more back then (lost a lot of weight since, thanks in part to the pump!) but the 715 was still overkill. However, it does mean I only fill/change the reservoir and tubing every 3 or 4 cannulas instead of every 3 days. I go 10-12 days with one reservoir.

spike · #12 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar38701

. I have an appointment with the dietitian on the 6th of Sept. to learn to count carbs and hopefully I will have training that same day. I live about 150 miles from my endo, so I hope he will consider that and do everything the same day.

That 9.8 will come down. May I make a suggestion? Pick up a copy of the excellent "pumper's bible" book by John Walsh--Pumping Insulin and read it as many times as it takes to understand all the pumping concepts. I did that while waiting for my first pump to arrive and I ended up needing no other training. the MM trainer just showed me how to install a set and remove the bubbles. She didn't need to explain much else, as the videos I watched, the Walsh book, and the MM pumping book gave me everything I needed to get started on the right path. Counting carbs is vital to utilizing your pump.

Mitochondria · #13 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 11:11 AM

Congrats on getting the pump. I just got hooked up to my first pump yesterday and I couldn't be happier. The nurse came to my house to train me and she was very nice and informative. Im using the Quikset with an inserter and I didn't even feel the needle go in.

I got hooked up fairly late so ive only tested my sugar six times since I inserted but my sugar has been lower than it normally would have been at each of those tests. I hope your experiance getting hooked up and using the pump goes as smoothly as mine has so far!

radar38701 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:00 PM

Thanks Spike. Suggest away. I will try to find the book locally tonight. I will have the whole Labor Day weekend to read it.

Poodlebone: I hope my pump ends up being overkill. I am looking forward to slimming down some on my body and the amount of insulin I use.

Mitochondria: Me too. I have a very positive attitude about this so maybe my experience will be as good as yours.

Have a good day all.

spike · #15 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar38701

Thanks Spike. Suggest away. I will try to find the book locally tonight. I will have the whole Labor Day weekend to read it.

Have a good day all.

I suppose you are aware being a T2 puts you in the majority of diabetics, but a definite minority when it comes to pumpers. It's cool that you got approval--there are very few T2 pumpers. I'm sure you will find the Walsh book highly illuminating. If I was "in charge" I'd make it a requirement for all new pumpers to purchase that book.