[sprzepiora]

Hello All, I am a new T1, I just found out I was a T1 last Friday. Up until that point my Dr thought I was a T2. At any rate since the news has settled in and I am on lots of shots per day ( it seems that way to me ) I have been thinking about pumping.

I called my insurance company today and they told me to get my Dr to start the process. I was calling to see if they had specific models they would cover as I have been looking at a few for the past couple of days.

I will see my endo at the beginning of June and ask about pumping then. I have yet to make an appointment with a CDE, but that is on my list for tomorrows calls to make.

I like the idea of pumping, mainly the ability for better control and I hate taking that many shots per day, my stomach looks like a pin cushion

I guess my question is, am I rushing into pumping? I hear so many good things about it on this forum, surely there must be downsides to pumping. I would like to be able to think of it as my little mechanical pancreas.

Thanks for letting me ramble on.

[Gordonm]

I have been a type 1 for 34 years now. I can't calculate how many shots I have taken over the years but it is a lot. I started pumping 1.5 years ago and now wonder why I waited so long. For me there is no downside to pumping. The benifits and ease of pumping is great. Carb counting is a must when pumping. I don't think you are rushing into it just do your research and take some carb counting classes.

[notme]

I think as long as you do your homework, you should do just fine. I don't think there is any steadfast rules on when a person should begin pumping except understanding and knowledge.

Each insurance company will be different. Some will cover just about any pump you chose and others can be bent on you owning only one brand. Go the the pumping section of this board and look at all of the threads with pump comparisons and then call the pump companies and demo them.

I started pumping insulin 7 years ago and I learn things here daily. I would hate to go back to MDI, but I think I could do it much more successfully now that I have been on the pump.

Good luck and let us all know how it goes for you.

[RobiJo]

Originally Posted by Gordonm

I have been a type 1 for 34 years now. I can't calculate how many shots I have taken over the years but it is a lot. I started pumping 1.5 years ago and now wonder why I waited so long. For me there is no downside to pumping. The benifits and ease of pumping is great. Carb counting is a must when pumping. I don't think you are rushing into it just do your research and take some carb counting classes.

. Any "downside" is far outweighed by the benefits to me. I started pumping in 2000, but had a model that didn't have any of the features of other brands (at the time that was the only one my insurance would cover) It's important to know what your getting and how to use every feature to your advantage. The pump companies are good about dealing with your insurance. They have pre made form letters and get help you get what you want. You'd have to pay me a LOT of money to give up my pump now. (And then I'd still use the money to go buy another one!) Good Luck.

[sprzepiora]

I have been able to keep my levels very normal except for a few times, mostly on weird days like Sunday where we have breakfast and dinner. Dinner usually consists of a nice pasta dinner ( wife is Italian, man I love her sauce), salad and home made bread.

I usually go high and then try to slowly adjust, pasta just acts weird in me worse than pizza.

I am still adjusting to how I react to certain foods, but my endo said I was doing very well for being diagnosed for three weeks.

My A1c when diagnosed was 14.7, and I have another scheduled for later this month.

[Funnygrl]

Yes, I would say you're rushing it.

I know a lot of people don't agree with my point of view, but I waited 6 months and felt like that was too soon. I wished I had waited longer.

When I did start pumping I realized I hadn't really accept my diabetes much at all, and that made for a lot of depressed feelings in the process.

Further, my rates changed too quickly for me too keep up with with honeymooning issues, and I got feeling like I would never have control.

A lot of people didn't know I was diabetic yet and only found out when I went on the pump.

I think it's a good idea to be comfortable with your diabetes, comfortable with carb counting, comfortable with MDI, and overall accepting of things.

And no matter what you think- 1 month isn't enough for all of that.

[Keezheekoni]

I think it might be best for you to be very comfortable with MDI first, including calculating your I:C, and having down your basal. If your A1c is around 6.5 or lower, that's my endo's threshold for allowing pumping. They want to see that A1c number twice before they'll do the paperwork.

My primary doc is different. She'll let me do/prescribe to me anything I want. She knows how OCD I am about my diabetes care, so when I told her I wanted CGMS she signed the paperwork that day, for a new pump and the CGMS. She's kindo OCD to and likes to enable me as much as possible. (I'd only had my other pump for 18 months or so...)

Certainly giving shots is a PITA, but you do have to know how to do it in case your pump malfunctions (which is rare), but I had that problem while on vacation once and easily dosed myself accordingly.

Good luck! You may not like it, but I agree with Funnygrl above.

[SGT Shoutmore]

In SOME sense, I am opposed to the "You're rushing it" sentiment as insulin pumps offer the very best in BG control and quality of life to insulin dependent diabetics, logic dictates the very best treatment for ALL illness should be available to the ill, period. Being a "Brand new DX'd" insulin dependent diabetic is crushing to the mind enough without considering so many other factors and this is going to be MUCH to digest all at once, and in that sense, it is reasonable to expect it shall be TOO MUCH for you to grasp at once. Sweet Jesus! You just got told you have the "BIG D" and have probably had the potential disasters associated with it dumped in your lap and are scared out of your mind. You've much to learn, but since you are ON MDI now, you are not ona "DEADLINE" to start pumping, although pumping is a VERY smart progression in TREATMENT. But lets get some things straight, while you're here, and here is very much the right place to be. You are about to become acquainted with some brilliant diabetics, and have already done so (Me excluded, of course ) and your adventure thus begins. Now, grab yourself something cold and sugar free, low carb, take a swig and read on.

Caveat, rushing into SELECTING a pump without serious consideration of each and every insulin pump available, pros and cons of each pump, features and of course, personalization capability constitutes rushing it. Failure to thoroughly investigate what will be required of you as a pumper to safely pump, effectively pump and developing the required diciplen to impliment all of these things can result in consequences ranging from "Non compliant diabetic" to disasterous, this is no different in THAT aspect from MDI.

However, one can never FULLY appreciate the quality of life a pump provides until they have endured MDI, this is subjective though.

I would direct you to speak VERY frankly with a certified diabetic educator, you MUST learn to count carbs, there is NO way around it, you must condition yourself to do this regardless of you remain on MDI or pump insulin to truly gain control over your diabetes and you must do so zealously.

You must also throughly ACCEPT that you are in fact not just a diabetic, but an insulin dependent diabetic, realisticly for the rest of your life, come to terms with it and prepare yourself to do all what is necessary to increase both quality of life a well as quantity of life.

You must be willing to test your blood glucose levels frequently, on schedule, routinely, upon waking, pre and post prandial, before bed, and often, in the middle of the night and everytime you exersize, anytime you feel "odd" or "unusual" or the LACK of feeling odd or unusual, you must forever play detective with your blood glucose levels, be ever vigilant, too much glucose is your enemy, too little glucose is your enemy, and both are quite serious, hypo being a more rapid danger.

You must be willing to learn to adapt to a new way of living and thinking, for the rest of your life, and, you must be ready to accept that things in life will surprise and effect your blood glucose levels and you must learn to be always prepared to ACT decisively. Hospitals and morgues alike are filled with non-compliant diabetics for various secondary reasons, once you come to terms with that, you decide to not be one of them, and it is then, you are ready to choose to pump insulin, once that is accompliished, you do some more research, make inquiries from pump manufacturers, and more than one, never settle on the very first contact, learn what questions to ask, get an idea os what YOU need and want in a pump, measure those factors against each pump, armed with information, you choose, and must choose wisely for yourself, it is a long term investment, you don't get to choose a new one for some years.

Regardless of those members I disagree with, they are VERY knowlegable about their respective pumps and take very good care of their diabetes, all, experienced pump veterans and new pumpers alike have important information to give to you, begin asking questions here, the resources available to you are vast.

Also, make an insulin pumping friend if at all possible. I wish I had one, especially when I first began exploring pumping, for some time, I felt over my head with so many questions and no one to ask at that moment when I needed information.

You ARE now on MDI, so you are already experiencing the gravity and complexity of this life long boat anchor called DIABETES. IF, again, IF you are dilligent in your research, you will attain a deep and thorough understanding that will form the foundation of your diabetic knowlege base, which will make your self initiated treatment effective and grow closer to perfecting that treatment to make every drop of insulin count, having done that, the years ahead are not so filled with peril and it is not unreasonable to expect to grow quite old, with fingers and toes intact and without dialysis, blindness and increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction and some other little nasty adventures that await the poorly or uncontrolled diabetic.

Write your questions down, so you will not have to be concerned about forgetting what questions you want to ask, you have NO IDEA how many times I have forgotten to ask a question because I was too darned lazy to write them down, and they were important questions.

[melissata]

I know of a few parents that started their kids on pumps almost immediatly upon diagnosis. One of them started at 6 months of age and he never used MDI's at all. We used exchanges until just before starting the pump, and it is more accurate, but you CAN use a pump without carb counting. Until the last few years, it was even covered in the pumping books. I think what people fail to consider is that it is just a different way to give insulin. Sure, you can fine tune everything with a pump, but nothing says that you have to in order to have success with one. At this point in time, it may be difficult to get an endo to start you on a pump without carb counting, but it certainly is possible. Sometimes I think that we scare people away from pumping making it sound SO difficult. You don't have to learn everything in the beginning as long as you have a good trainer and support.

[Funnygrl]

For a kid, especially a 6 month old, it's a totally different ball game.

[notme]

Melissata and I really agree on this subject. There is nothing mysterious about using a pump. It is just another way of injecting insulin. Diabetes is complicated no matter how you learn to inject. Some people are technical enough that pumping will just make sense from day one. Others may just need more time to accept and understand what they are up against.

I was resistant to the pump when I first heard about it. I definitely needed to take my time and understand how it worked. Heck, when I first heard about the pump, I thought it was implanted! I was appalled to find out that you had it implanted right at your dining room table!

I think if you are interested in pumping, it should be something to explore even in the first months. Many say you should explore each and every pump before you decide what is right for you. The first pump, no matter what you choose, will work just fine for the amount of knowledge you have. Even the most educated first timer will put on their pump and learn new things. The second pump you chose will probably be the one that you actually KNOW what you need and want. It is the fine tuning that makes the difference in what pump you choose. The differences in the pumps are small, but make a big difference for those that know how to use all the options.

Talk to and educator. Make sure you have a good support system. Read about pumps and the pro's and con's. If you still decide that is what you think is right for you. I think you should go for it.

[Lloyd]

I went from 70/30 directly to pumping without MDI, and have been successful at pumping since day 1. I do think that the fact that I counted carbs (not exchanges) for 13 years first, while on orals, then lantus, then 70/30 had a lot to do with the success.

If you are ok with technology, are good at counting carbs, have patience, and are a problem solver rather than a person who panics, you have a good chance at success.

-Lloyd

[Kat]

Hi! I'm Kat, I was diagnosed with Type 1 about 2 and a half months ago in February 25th. What a BIG and challenging road I've traveled since then. Getting diagnosed has in some ways been a good thing in my life, giving me a different way of looking at myself and how now I believe that I am strong and have strength to deal with what life throws at me if I have to.
Well anyways,
I was thrilled to get the news today that I was approved for the pump and will be getting it on friday and then soon after learning how to use it. I know alot about it becuase i wrote a research paper on it for college and it was perfect timing for that paper!

The point of me writing this is I don't really know many ppl with Diabetes that I can talk to and be friends with and ask questions to. So joining this forum is great =)

I am wondering if anyone has any advice for me starting the pump =) Like at night when i cuddle with my boyfriend or toss and turn where do I put it? How does it not get in the way. What about wearing a swim suites...stuff like that and whatever else you all think might help this excited new to be user!!
Thanks to everyone and I greatly appreciate all your input!
Kat