Insulin Pump Users

Had my endo appointment today. I think I should charge HIM. He thoroughly
encouraged me to go for the KPTX. (The nephrologist is handling the
details.) He said I’d be a success story and they like that. If I wait until
I’m on dialysis to get listed, I may be too far gone by the time I’d get the
organs - and I’d be older. He also wants me to take notes for him at the
informational meeting so he’ll know what it’s about. No changes in my care,
no Q’s, or any stuff. { 8^) } He did listen to my heart and feel my throat.
I forgot to take my shoes off for foot check!
Jan (60 y/0, T-1 11/5/50, pmpg 8/23/83)

Thought I’d pass this tidbit on from Dr. Joe:

Did you know…
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America
September report said …
11 new medicines for diabetes have been developed in the past
10 years.
At least 19 additional medicines are in the pipeline.
Dr. Joe, the Diabetes Doctor

FP,
If you check the Pumping Insulin book by John Walsh, or perhaps your pump
manual, you’ll see about doing fasts to check your basals. That needs to be
done to see if your requirements need to be re-adjusted. Sometimes for
awhile, then back to where they were.
Jan

Footpprints,
You don’t suppose 2/29 threw things off and you’re now returning to your
previous requirements? <gr>
Jan

>continuous infusion of insulin means…a freedom you
>don’t realize yet until you start pump therapy.

This is intriguing! I’m trying to envision it…right now I only have to
deal with insulin calculations twice a day, during my morning and
dinnertime shots. But on the pump, aren’t you making constant
adjustments? Or do you just get so used to it that it doesn’t feel like
work? (Which is what happened within a few months of switching from one
shot to two…)

>don’t wear it near…a computer

I’m hoping this DOESN’T mean I can’t spend both days of every weekend
writing romance novels on my Macintosh. ?

(more…)

The MiniMed 507c instruction booklet clearly states to not expose it to any
of the above. I reprinted the info from the book and taped it to my
insurance card. It has saved me many arguments with techs who *know it all.*
My 507c that I got last March malfunctioned after a nuclear scan in
September. The microchips in the pump can be harmed with the magnetic fields
of those tests.
Jan

David,
Welcome to our group! As far as airport Xrays go, you wouldn’t take it off
and run it through (like a brief case or purse). When I got my MiniMed 506
(’93) my son who was in law enforcement at the time, looked it over and
remarked how it didn’t say what it was. It did say by Rx only. I told MM
and and when it went in for repair or something, it came back with a new
label on it. There should be no problem.
Jan (60 y/o, T-1 11/5/50, pmpg 8/23/83)

I am new to this list, but I just want to say that I love my pump, mainly
for the freedom. I have been a diabetic for almost 8 years, and I just wish
I would have had it from the very onset. My blood sugars are also in great
control since I went on it about 6 weeks ago. I just have one question for
those of you who have been pumping for awhile now. Have you ever had any
trouble at the airports? I already have a certified letter, from previou
(more…)

Laurie,
A very important thing in pumping is to make sure your endo or diabetologist
is pump friendly. If they are *behind* times, a pump will not be prescribed
for you. They haven’t caught up with *modern* times and are still stuck in a
time warp.
Jan

>my hospital lets people use loaners before they start the
>actually process of getting a pump.

Wow, Frank, that’s great! I was telling my husband this morning, "I wish
I could try it for a week and see how things go" — I’ll definitely ask
about that. Thanks!

Laurie

Laurie,
Now that insulin is purer than 15 years ago (Velosulin is now a human sort
and buffered, or Humalog), sites can last longer. Once years ago I did 10
days and got an infection. Now I last about 4-5 days. I’m a *frugal* person
and stretch what I can. I also do not use a disconnect set - too cheap of
me. Didn’t need it before they invented it, and can do without now. I’m one
of those also who changes the lancet for BGs once or twice a year.
Jan (60 y/o, T-1 11/5/50, pmpg 8/23/83)