Leaning towards pump, or......

ironman · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:15 PM

I have been on Lantus for about a year, and I think im going to switch to the pump. Can someone who has a pump tell me, dont you feel, whats the word, "attached" to the pump while your walking or somthing? Dosent the tape keeping the tube in you bother you at all? Any help would be appreciated it. Thanks

ricardo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:50 PM

No, the set's don't bother me. I can't feel them at all. I don't mind being "tethered" to my pump. It's a godsend. Try almost 20 years of shots with high A1c's and you'll gladly trade for the extra benefits pumping provides! I had a few infections over the years at the sets, but hardly any during the past 3-4 years. If a set starts hurting or gets itch, take it out. You can safely leave them in for 3 days. Some folks go longer, but it isn't recommended by most endos.
Ricardo

Clint · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 07:37 AM

Like Ricardo, I wouldn't trade my pump for anything... I was on MDI for almost 6yrs and have been on a pump since January of this year and its the best thing....

I don't feel my sets either... the only time I feel 'attached' is when I am changing clothes...

jeggeman31 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 07:41 AM

What I have done is spent time going over each thread on this forum. I also have not started the pump yet, nor have I ever thought of the pump before I found this forum. Great deal of info on this forum.

And welcome to the board.

jeggeman31 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 07:43 AM

Ironman

Go get This Book and read it. It is a few years old, however it helped my wife out trying to understand me wanting the pump.

rzrbks · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 08:25 AM

Quote:

ironman

I have been on Lantus for about a year, and I think im going to switch to the pump. Can someone who has a pump tell me, dont you feel, whats the word, "attached" to the pump while your walking or somthing? Dosent the tape keeping the tube in you bother you at all? Any help would be appreciated it. Thanks

Many of the people who have switched to the pump are in love with what it has done for them and their control of B/G.

Others of us who have not, even though we've been prodded that way by CDEs and Dr.s are leary of the very thing you're talking about.

Read posts by those who are on them---you'll see they are, as a group, thrilled and any qualms they have/had have mostly been put to rest.

Zokes · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 06:31 PM

I had the same question/fear about being tethered 24/7. After reading this forum, I said "Screw it, I'll give it a try. Worst case is I'm out a few thousand bucks, and I go back to MDI"
Not that a few thousand isn't a lot of $$ but I felt it was worth the gamble. Well, 2 months later, I know the gamble paid off. You really do get used to it FAST. And the increase in control makes it real easy to overlook some of the minor discomforts. (can't pull my pants down too quick or I feel the "tug" and other stupid tether-related issues).

We are lucky that technology has given us this opportunity. I was dx'ed over 25 years ago when you got your bg checked twice a year.

I say give it a "shot".

koblenz · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 06:41 PM

I don't even feel the tape or infusion set at all. I too LOVE having a pump over MDI.

You might try and ask your doctor (or call one of the pump or infusion set companies) to give you an extra infusion set. Cut off the cannula, and tape it to you tummy for a few days. Maybe for fun, duct tape the other end of the tube to an old cell phone or pager and see what you think.

archimeech · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2005, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzrbks

Many of the people who have switched to the pump are in love with what it has done for them and their control of B/G.

Others of us who have not, even though we've been prodded that way by CDEs and Dr.s are leary of the very thing you're talking about.

Read posts by those who are on them---you'll see they are, as a group, thrilled and any qualms they have/had have mostly been put to rest.

3 VERY IMPORTANT THINGS IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THIS:

1. IF MDI WORKS FOR YOU, FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHY WOULD YOU EVER CHANGE.

2. YES, THE TUBES AND TAPES AND PUMPS, OH MY! THEY ALL BOTHER YOU. SOME YOU GET USED TO, OTHERS YOU DON'T

3. IT'S A PERSONAL DECISION YOU HAVE TO MAKE. DECIDE WETHER OR NOT THE PUMP "MIGHT" BE RIGHT FOR YOU. DO THE PROBLEMS WITH BEING ATTACHED TO SOMETHING OUTWEIGH THE BENEFIT OF USING ONE TO HELP YOUR SUGARS OR VICE VERSA. ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE.

and d. In the end it's really just another **** shoot in life!

overclock · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2005, 12:51 PM

I love my pump. Lantus stinks. Okay, it doesn't stink but it burned me like crazy upon injection. OUCH!

One thing I love about the pump is I always have insulin with me. If I want to go to the movies and get some popcorn or junior mints I am set. How many times was I over at a friend's house and they offered me something to eat. I don't wear an "I'm a Diabetic" banner with me. My health problems are my concern so few people know I am an IDDM. Not even my boss at my last job knew but I did tell a coworker. And being on a pump makes it even easier to conceal my disease. I went down to the 4th of July fireworks in Washington DC and sat next to a family from PA. I noticed the dad was getting up with a BG meter looking case and heard the tell-tell sound of the strips rattling and sure enough he was IDDM also. I love the anonymity the pump gives me.

As for the infusion sets...When I lived in Maryland the humidity didn't bother the tape at all. I even used the IV prep wipes and they stuck great. Now I live in New Mexico and the humidity is considerably lower and now I have the worst luck with the adhesive. I stopped using the IV prep wipes. No matter what I do the adhesive drives me crazy. I soak the set in the shower stream during every shower now and I still get these large hickey looking marks everytime I pull out the set. I have even gone to defeating some of the adhesive using lotion or neosporin, something with an oily residue and that doesn't always work.

I do not feel tethered to my pump. I wear it discretely in my pants pocket and only use the 43mm tubings. I haven't looked back in my almost 2.5 years on it.

I say go for it.

Zokes · #11 (**permalink**) 05-19-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archimeech

1. IF MDI WORKS FOR YOU, FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHY WOULD YOU EVER CHANGE.

Meech,

In one word: FREEDOM

archimeech · #12 (**permalink**) 05-20-2005, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zokes

Meech,

In one word: FREEDOM

Well Zokes, my friend; you answered that question in favor of the pump. I said if MDI works for you. If you want more freedom then obviously, you are somewhat unhappy with injections and would rather be on a pump. I am also on a pump and love it, however, we need to be understanding of the individuals on this board that are either not interested in or can't use a pump. That's why I posted what I did above. I don't want anyone feeling as if we bully people into getting a pump.

It's all good, as long as we're healthy and happy for as much of our lives as possible.

dixiepixie64 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-20-2005, 06:36 AM

Speaking of how much we love our pumps, I have to mention the kick-a$$ week I have had with my BGs. My five day average is 124. I have NEVER had five days like that in the past ten years. I haven't been above 150 all week and have dutifully checked my BGs 37 times total over the past five days...

Gosh I love my pump.

archimeech · #14 (**permalink**) 05-20-2005, 07:34 AM

that's awesome, Dix'! Congrats.

BobP · #15 (**permalink**) 05-21-2005, 09:25 AM

Ironman,

Far and away, any misgivings I had about being tethered to another machine (felt like a Borg when using my iPod) were trumped by the profound increase in control and flexibility the pump gave me (my A1Cs have been 1+ point lower since moving to the pump).

"Pumping Insulin" by John Walsh is a good, no-nonsense reference and will give you a fair idea of what pump therapy entails.