One More Reason To Switch To A Pump

mweber · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2003, 01:01 PM

The other night I got called back into work,so I ate a late meal took 10 units of novo log went to take my lantus for bed time and needed a new bottle,and by not paying enough attention grabbed another bottle of novo log not lantus and took my injection (44 units) total of 54.Luckly I noticed right away what I did.Needless to say what a feeling,I wont get into everything but make sure you dont only take fast acting sugars like the doctors said.And one of the thoughts I kept thinking about was why am I still taking 2 types of insulins?

donstevens · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2003, 02:09 PM

Doctor said she'd change me over to the pump next week. hope there is no delay, I'm really looking forward to it. Sounds like the freatest thing since toilet paper.
I'm on lantus and novolog, first I can remember glucose running below 200 in many years. even started gaining weight. up to 142 now from 136. in 2 weeks.

kemist · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2003, 02:29 PM

I didn't like the pump for a few reasons:

- Weight gain
- Poor absorption of insulin from infusion sets in almost all areas of my body except for abdomen.
- some people might tend to increase eating habits knowing the insulin is only a button away (although this was not the reason for my weight gain).

If it works out, great! but It didn't for me, so i returned it.

kemist

Vic L · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 10:37 AM

Close call huh? I just recently switched to a pump and I like it. I hated being diabetic before but now I have a more pleasant thought about being diabetic. Its there, deal with it in the way that works for me. That is the important part.

Belinda · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 07:09 PM

I like your attitude "it is there deal with it" I have the same one. I won't let diabetes run my life. The pump for me works well as for the weight gain I did the same thing because when your sugar is in controlled state you feel better and eat more not to mention I had to catch up on all the foods I gave up ohhh so many years ago... it was like oooooohhh I haven't tried that yet and getting to order dessert in a restaurant what a joy instead of watching everyone else eat cake I got to too.

notme · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2003, 05:15 PM

I am also a pumper. I have been using a MiniMed 508 now for two years and I love it. I didn't gain any more weight on the pump than I did with multiple injection when I tried to get control. I wasn't eating more, just not right. I have since dropped 15 pounds and get at least an hour of exercise a day if not a lot more. I have had to learn to be active to keep the weight off. Diet alone won't do it for me.

The pump for me has taught me that I can exercise without having a low. I can eat when I am hungry and not feed an insulin reaction. It was not an easy adjustment for me. I am now on year two and just now starting to realize the real benefits of pumping.

The pump won't change your life.....only you can do that. But, it does make life a little easier when you have diabetes.

Nancy

michelle20 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2003, 11:16 AM

Hey I am on the pump and love it alot. it has been the best thing that could have happend to me. It does make things a lot easier and no shots!!

I have gained some weight but I really don't care when my A1C went from a 7.9 to a 6.0!!! I feel a lot better and can eat so much more to.

Andrea · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:25 AM

Wow, that would be scary. I only injected the wrong insulin once when i was on shots and luckily it was the other way around - i took 5 or 6 units of NPH instead of R before dinner one night. It scared me since i had only had diabetes for a few weeks at that point, but i quickly learned that i would have been in much bigger trouble if i had made the mistake the other way around!

Anyway... Pumps. I have been on a pump for almost 3 years and wouldn't give it up for the world. I lost weight when i started pumping because i was finally able to decrease the number and severity of my lows. I was no longer feeding my insulin. I can now exercise without fear not waking up the next day due to severe hypos.

Another advantage is of course that you only use one kind of insulin and you never forget it at home when you go out since it is attached to you at all times. Now the pumps that are coming out (Deltec Cozmo and Minimed 512) have remider alarms so that you don't forget to take your bolus insulin before a meal too.

The pump doesn't do it all for you though. There is still work involved in managing your blood glucose levels. But the bonus is that the work pays off so much more easily when you use a pump than when you are on injections.

Andrea