My experience with moving to pump

dkm000 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-16-2007, 09:31 PM

Hi. This is my first post on this forum. I have been type 1 for 38 years now and recently moved to the pump. It has been an interesting experience, too long to describe here so I have started a blog. If you are thinking of the pump, my experience might be valuable to read.
Derek's Diabetes Blog

shabbie6247 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 06:24 AM

thanks for posting derek, your story is certainly of interest. i was particularly interested in the changes in your basal requirements from mdi to pump.

i start pumping in a couple of weeks, my basal rate is currently around 30% like yours was. so i am prepared about making quite dramatic changes once i start.

i hope you will share with us again.

Olidus · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 06:46 AM

Derek,

I am not pumpin yet - but plan on moving over to it eventually.
Your blog has alot of information and is great for MID'ers who plan on taking the step towards a pump.
Thanks and welcome to DF.

palefacegirl03 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 11:14 AM

Great blog, as I will be starting with my pump , I found it to be an interesting read.

Welcome to DF.

gettingby · #5 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 06:11 PM

Hello Derek and Welcome.
Wonderful blog. I look forward to reading more from you.

xMenace · #6 (**permalink**) 09-19-2007, 08:42 PM

Interesting process. I'm rather curious whether you experienced any nighttime hypos after upping your lantus. Your basal pattern is similar to mine -- low, high, low, high -- and I experienced some awful hypos in my nighttime lows.

Have you tried and specific basal testing? I didn't ready any, just a lot of 'work'. If you've never done it, the theory is skip your meals and test often to determine whether you stay flat. Setting basal is very subjective any other way I've tried.

dkm000 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 05:38 PM

I did have a couple of early morning hypos after upping Lantus but less than expected.
As for setting basals, yes I have frequently done the process of skipping breakfast and testing every hour. Lunch once or twice but actually not dinner yet - should still verify that.

DanG · #8 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkm000

I did have a couple of early morning hypos after upping Lantus but less than expected.
As for setting basals, yes I have frequently done the process of skipping breakfast and testing every hour. Lunch once or twice but actually not dinner yet - should still verify that.

I do not know pumping, but as you say lantus, I am thinking the pump handles the humalog, but you still need to do the lantus?
If so, you might try as I did when I got fed-up with the low early AM stuff due to night-time lantus dose.
I now do lantus at breakfast - no split. The one time I tried split, I had the paramedics over here at 3 AM. I went to only one dose of lantus (24 units), in the AM and no more early AM low. I can go to sleep at 150 and wake up at 90 which I consider quite nice. If I am at 90 at sleep time, I eat several triscuit crackers with peanut butter and am good to go. No more early AM lows for me. I suggest that you consider that scheme, if you like.

dkm000 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 03:39 AM

You don't use Lantus on the pump - only short acting insulin (I use Humalog). Thats the beauty of the pump as long acting insulin is very unpredictable. The Lantus hypos I was referring to was in the process of adjustments before I went on the pump, as explained in my blog. Before pumping I never tried doing Lantus at breakfast rather than before bed - it may have worked better for me. But I am now happy on the pump and would not give it up.

Gordonm · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 04:30 AM

Your blog sounds a lot like my life. I started with all this in 1974 and remember the tape and the diastix for checking urine. I was on 1 shot a day for a long time. I made the decision to go on the pump last Oct. Best thing that I did. Why did I wait so long. I had very similar experiences that you have had. Good to see someone else with good results. I just came back with an A1c of 6.0. Been in the sixes and a few high 5s for the last 8 years. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress.