?????

Faerie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 02:42 AM

Hi guys

Thanks for the info about pumps. I contacted someone about it and I'm planning on finding out a bit more. BUT, I'd rather hear your opinions about it (for obvious reasons). The docs have the knowledge, but they don't have the experience. Now that I know what it is, I'd like to know how you guys feel about pumps? Do you have better control. It it convenient? In the way? Too much trouble? Less trouble than injections? And how OBVIOUS is it?

As you can see, I'm pretty cluless!!!

UpNorth · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 06:17 AM

I had really good control on MDI but got onto a pump due to having my right hand+thumb in plaster for 3 months. And believe it or not, my control got even better with the pump!

First A1c on pump was 6.5! It had gone down from the 7's in just a few weeks

I also lost quite a few kg's thanks to pumping. But having a pump connected 24/7 can be quite annoying sometimes. The tubing can get stuck nowhere and everywhere- especially doorknobs loves pump tubing lol And my pump likes to do bungeejumping out of my pocket

And not to forget, waking up in the middle of the night just to realise you're sleeping on the pump

I'm back with MDI over summer now. We've just had a 3 weeks long heatwave with tempereatures reaching the 30's (kinda unusual for sweden), and the infusionsites were itching as soon as the temperature reached low 20's because i was so sweaty. And who wants white spots on abdomen anyways

I can swim with my pump because it is waterproof (Animas IR1200) but i wanted to be able to wear a bikini over summer without worrying about getting a funny tan

Of course, people ask when they see the pump, i've had quite a few asking if it is a cellphone lol I tend to reply, "Yeah, and it has a handsfree that is connected to my abdomen!" But most people don't even notice the pump, and they're so small these days so they're quite easy to hide under clothes. I usually have mine in a pocket or in my bra.
Hope this helps a bit anyways. I haven't been pumping for very long and haven't had D very long either. Was diagnosed in october last year

duck · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 07:18 AM

There are a bunch of us here who are otherwise docile, happy, well-adjusted people who would %*#^$^@* kill anyone who tried to take our pumps from us. My pump changed my life, I'll never give it up.

archimeech · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 07:31 AM

Faerie,
there are a few threads from the last couple of months that deal with all of our experiences and opinions on Pumps. search the board and you'll find plenty of info.

Starlight · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 09:11 AM

If the pump is sooo good why on earth isnt it a first hand option? Everyone can be suited to it, and it will lower the A1c's meaning less chance of complications! Bringing up the pump to the endo, they act as if its a foreign choice, and only for uncontrolled people...um hello?

duck · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starlight

If the pump is sooo good why on earth isnt it a first hand option? Everyone can be suited to it, and it will lower the A1c's meaning less chance of complications! Bringing up the pump to the endo, they act as if its a foreign choice, and only for uncontrolled people...um hello?

Here's my take: If your endo is older than...45, then yeah, they'll be vehemently opposed to pumps because of their "old school" traning. And if your endo has ever said anything silly like "take two shots a day and eat three times a day", then you need a new endo.

Also, pumps are expensive, and initially very intensive in that there is a learning curve to deal with...Endos have a hard time getting their patients to comply with standard treatments, why would they believe their patients would comply with intensive pump treatments?

Third, when pumps first came out there were different issues, but from what I can tell it was more because of lack of training/lack of understanding how to live with a pump than from the actual pumps.

And last, many endos and docs are still in bed with pharmaceutical companies. I know there have been many laws passed recently to kill that practice, but drugs are BIG money, and those with money will continue to find ways to make mo' money.

Even though this is a pump-centric site, pumps are not necessarily for everyone (I had to throw that disclaimer in).

Faerie · #7 (**permalink**) 07-16-2005, 04:28 AM

Thanks for the info. It really helped, so I'm gonna go see the doc and think about it. It just seems as though t makes your life a little bit easier.

duck · #8 (**permalink**) 07-16-2005, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faerie

Thanks for the info. It really helped, so I'm gonna go see the doc and think about it. It just seems as though t makes your life a little bit easier.

There's a steep learning curve when you get put on one of these things. I don't know what kind of support you have in S.Africa, but support (especially initially) will be critical to your success.

There's a book you can get from Amazon called "Pumping Insulin" by Walsh. I would highly advise if your doc thinks it is a good idea to get on a pump, at least reading that first. It will probably convince you even more to get a pump, but it will also educate you about many things you would not otherwise think to ask.

amccrazgrl · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2005, 10:32 AM

My endo asked me if I wanted a pump a year ago I was dead set on NO I dont want one. Then all over a sudden after seeing the nutrionist a few times and her giving me the pump info to look at, I was like eh why not. So I've had my pump a whole 1week 1day. Its been fine. Its just like carrying a cellphone with you the whole time with a tube connected. I keep getting caught on drawers and such thats the worse part. Then you have inquiering minds (5 and 7 yr old cousin) they are always wanting to see my infusion site. It also forces me to check my BG every 2 hours after my meals, I'm good at before meals though.
I have to Cozmo and the reasons I choose it are.
1. Its a newer pump
2. Its easy to use
3. The pump is waterproof althought the bg monitor/meter isnt
4 The built onto bg monitor/meter

mickeem · #10 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 07:43 AM

I never ever wanted a pump. The thought of being connected to something 24/7 was just alarming to me. I have this just unmder two weeks, now, and can't imagine ever going back.

I did so much research on these before Ii even went to the Endo. There is sooooo much information about all the brands, and everyone seems to have their favorites. I was aiming for a Cozmore, but went for a Minimed, due to various reasons, and I love it.

Most people think its a pager, it looks just like one. And the tubing, just slips into my pants or shorts. Not a problem for me...

I took it to the beach this weekend, and had no problems, I took it off, slipped it in a ziplock, while I was in the water, and popped it back on when I was done.

Even if it was waterproof, I cant imagine swimming with it, like swimming with a phone, or pager hooked up to you, kind of weird.

Anyway.
Talk to your Endo, see if any of the companies you are thinking about talking to provide classes, I went to a mininmed one before I chose a pump, and it was all people in my area on pumps, and a few who weren't, so i could actually talk to people who use them. I think Cozmore does this too, in certain areas.

Tons of advice and info about his out there, dont be afraid to ask!

_______________
Traci