well, drat — this is hard
Help…I need somebody to tell me this is all worthwhile! I did the
saline start Thursday, and the other guy who was starting at the same
time said, "Wow, this is great — I came in here expecting it to be
awful, and it’s WAY better than I expected." I had exactly the opposite
experience — I expected it to be paradise (i.e. no pain at inserting
the needle, no difficulty fitting the parts together with long
fingernails) and was disappointed.
I know it’s my own fault for having set my expectations unrealistically
high, but darn it, right now I’m tempted to scrap the whole project and
just stay on shots. This ISN’T easy, this ISN’T totally pain-free, this
isn’t what I thought it was gonna be.
Can anybody who now loves the pump tell me how much they hated it at
first, or am I the only one who’s ever experienced this?
Laurie, teetering on the brink of discouragement
www.authorspotlights.com/campbell
July 20th, 2004 at 11:00 pm
I started on May 23 with Saline and went live on May 30. I had no
problem with workig the pump but did have difficulty with inserting
the infusion sets the first few times. It’s less than 2 weeks since I
went ‘live’ on the pump and would never willingly go back. Aside from
not taking 4 shots a day, my BG’s are far more stable and predictable
than they have ever been - even though I still have adjustments to
make. Stick with it!!
Peter
July 21st, 2004 at 9:14 am
Subject: [Insulinpumpusers] well, drat — this is hard
Laurie,
You got to remember that "painfree" is not the reason to be on the pump…..
Stable bloodsugars are the main reason and that reason should pay-off in
your longterm health.
I am just getting ready to hookup also. Friday, if all goes well. I am
running saline right now with a Minimed 508.
I didn’t experience that much pain using the "softserter", but I may try the
softset micro, as I am thin and the penetration should be less.
Scott
July 21st, 2004 at 5:20 pm
Hello Laurie
I’m going on 4 years now of pumping and I’m not going to tell you it is a
perfect system but I think it is the best system we have available to us
right now. If you had pain with the insertion maybe the set that you are
using is not right for you. Don’t panic, don’t jump to a fast conclusion,
you are not the first one who had pain while using saline solution. I
believe a few people in the group felt burning while they were using the
saline solution.
Laurie what set did you use? Talk to you pump team before scrapping
anything. Please be patient.
July 21st, 2004 at 11:31 pm
I remember the first time I used glucose test strips. I was appalled; thought
this was a process that I would reluctantly do for a week or so, but couldn’t
fathom doing it regularly. In short, the idea was painful, and awful!
That was 20 years ago. Now I do Bg’s 8 times a day, and have overcome the
pain, don’t even notice it any more. The other day, my meter broke, and I was
in a state of panic for a few hours, wondering how I would survive without it!
What is my blood Bg now? High or Low? Help!
I think that you will have the same reaction to the pump after getting used to
it. I have been using it for over 10 years, and now couldn’t fathom any other
method. In short, it works, works better than any other method, and makes my
life so close to normal that I forget about the fact that I have this problem.
Don’t give up now!
David
July 22nd, 2004 at 7:36 am
Laurie,
I started pumping in February. Had a very bad start, but I was pretty
desperate and kept at it. Some wise people had told me that it takes time and
they were right in my case. Didn’t start with saline, but I heard someone
else say they hated it.
Had to switch infusion sets and that made a huge difference for me since I’m
thin and the ones I started with were uncomfortable. The micros (miniMed)
made such a difference to me. I love it now, several months later. I forget
where I’m inserted even. The first few days I missed those shots because I
was so used to it. Had a technical problem with my pump, but the customer
emergency line was so helpful and took care of the problem - pronto. Haven’t
had technical problem since.
I’m sure the pump isn’t for everyone, but I would give it time. It wasn’t
easy at first, but I have much more freedom now and it is SO much easier.
First HA1C was 5.6 and my dosages weren’t even set just right over that time.
Looking forward to learning more about how to use it.
Anyway… good luck, and write me anytime.
Beth H.
MiniMed 508 since FEB 2000
July 22nd, 2004 at 3:45 pm
Laurie,
Life is hard by the yard; but a cinch by the inch — 42" tubing. Since it
is almost 17 years for me to be pumping, I don’t recall (Hillary Syndrome) a
lot of the newbie stuff. I do remember the checkbook-size pump I wore for 6
weeks until the king-size pack of cigarette sized one became available. We
only had straight needle sets and bent them ourselves. I put them in my legs
sometimes and it felt like fire at the site - sometimes couldn’t take a
step. But none of this deterred me enough to want to give up. There wasn’t
anything like a saline start then - but I was hospitalized for 5 days to get
my ONE basal set, that was delivered in whole units whenever the pump
figured out the timing. Stick with it - things are so much more advanced
today and more *tools* are offered. I was doing visual BG checks (no meter)
then, too. We have a wide array of meters, Humalog, and several styles of
infusion sets. Something will have to work for you. 8^)
Jan (61 y/o, T-1 11/5/50) and Bluda Sue (MM 507C, 3/99)
July 23rd, 2004 at 3:19 pm
Laurie,
As you have read from many of the regulars here, DON’T GIVE UP. I use the
Minimed Micro and Minimed Softserter. The Softserter removes some of the "I
am ready to push this thing in?" and just inserts it. Rapidly like it is
supposed to be. A lot less pain. I now have no more discomfort than when I
took shots. I have been pumping 4 1/2 years and I took shots for 32 years
before that. So I can easily say that I would stick with the pump. The
lifestyle change has been unbelievable. The ability to get my blood sugars
under control faster has been dramatic. What would take me several days to
recover from before takes a couple of hours now. (I used to be called a
"brittle" diabetic.)
July 24th, 2004 at 7:27 am
It does get _so_ much better. It really does.
When I first started pumping I would have to budget an hour and a half to change
a site - never mind the time to psych my self up for the "event". I would go to
an empty room in the house, make sure the dog and neither cat were in there with
me and make sure my partner knew not to look for me until I came out.
Now my best time is seven minutes for a complete change. I’ve done site changes
on the couch in the living room with two other people in the room, a couple of
cats terrorizing eachother, my 110lb. dog at my feet and while watching the best
show on television (the Practice). I’ve even done site changes in hotel rooms
and the board room at my company.
Its still not my favorite time of the week, that’s for sure. But I’d still be
pumping even if it continued to require the 90 anxiety filled minutes it did
just a few short months ago. While its not brain surgury one is performing on
one’s self, changing a site simply is not a simple procedure. You _can_ do it.
Just give yourself a little time and credit.
-John
July 25th, 2004 at 12:43 am
<< The micros (miniMed) >>
Hi my name is Chrissy and Ive been on this list for awhile but havent
responded to anything. Im type I for 32yrs. Im on the MM508C. I
highlighted the micro thing you were talking about. What are they? I use a
siloutte and I like it but if there is a smaller needle that would be great.
I’ve been on the pump approx one year and I love it. Has anyone used the
waterproof thing yet when you swim? I like it but its kind of a pain to put
it on. BTW I’m 45yrs old, married 21yrs w/two adopted boys who are 10 and 5.
July 25th, 2004 at 4:53 pm
Chrissy,
I’m new too and to the pump as well. Micro infusion sets are used with
Sofserter and are smatter I thin than the Ultimate, which I started on. They
are less uncomfortable for me. The Sofserter is the blue thing that came with
the pump. Well mine is blue and has white button that you press to insert.
Sofserter freaked me out at first since I hate those machines that prick
finger for bg testing. Anyway… I really like it and doesn’t hurt the most
of the time. I had thought I would probably want to use silouettes but
haven’t so far wanted to change.
21 years for me w/ diabetes and pumping w/ MiniMed since Feb. 2000.
Married and mom to active toddler 18 mo.
July 25th, 2004 at 8:28 pm
Hi Chrissy,
I am 48 and have been on the pump for almost 19 yrs. and have had diabetes
for almost 44 yrs.
I love the pump and would not dream of going back on injections. Matter of
fact that is my worst nightmare.
Yes I have used the waterproof container, not alot but a few times. You
have to be careful putting it on, so as to keep the pump water proof. I
have had my new 508 for one week. Love it, especially the remote control
and the vibrating signals. I am legally blind and with the vibrations I can
pump in anytime. I have had four differnet pumps over my 19 yrs.
Gail
July 26th, 2004 at 9:10 am
DEAR Laurie:
Please be patient!!! like any new skill to learn, things take time.
Yes, until you get the hang of using the infusion sets, finding the yes and
no spots that are good sites on your body, it’s all experimenting.
I would suggest trimming the nails a bit until you get the a handle on using
the infusion sets and handling the pump. Which one did you get?? the Minimed
or the Disetronic???
Each has its good and bad points…..give yourself a month….YES, a month.
Once I started , i only used saline for a day. Then just jumped into the
default menu on my Disetronic and started from there. It really isn’t any
worse than getting a dull needle out of the pack once in a while…..If you
give us more specificis in terms of your problems with the pump, we’ll all
load you up with advice, so dig in….patience will be greatly
rewarded…..Joan
July 27th, 2004 at 1:25 am
for anyone interested, Bayer makes a nice finger-pricker - The Microlet.
Gentle, and very little kick…comes with the Bayer Glucometer Elite, Elite
XL, and Dex meters. I have been giving sample meters to my patients in the
family practice where I teach and do diabetes education and management. Not
pushing one particular product, just like the idea of giving up less blood
each time. Doing 6-10 bgs per day when the glucose is up. Laurie, if you’re
interested, give it a try…I’m always into anything that’s less pain!!!
Joan :)))
July 27th, 2004 at 11:02 am
Laurie-
You can’t possibly have been good at everything the very first time you tried
it! I admit, I WANT to be, and tend to not want to do things that I have to
start out as a rookie at, but you have to give yourself a chance! I, too,
was surprised at how much the first insertion of the infusion set hurt–but
since when has a little pain been a big deal? I test 6-10 times a day and
the little prick of the finger used to seem like it hurt a long time ago–I
don’t even feel it anymore. Anything good is worth working for, and the
control and freedom you can get from a pump is way beyond good. Give it a
little time and suck it up–it didn’t hurt THAT much! Really–relax and cope
with being new to the game and you’ll be a pro in no time. I feel like
pumping is just as natural and simple as shots were and I’ve been at it for
about a year and a half now. My only regret is that I didn’t switch to
pumping sooner–give yourself a chance to feel that way too. Best of luck
and keep your chin up!!
Janet
July 28th, 2004 at 11:08 am
Laurie,
if you absolutely hate the pain and don’t want to do the insertions, try the
rapids they don’t hurt and you can’t feel them once they are in and nothing
to remove after insertion
use it just like an injection
my daughter loves them and reuses to use the others as they hurt. and the big
needles coming out scares her.
Kathy
mom to
Maria 21 graduating college this year
Jonathan 15 adhd and bipolar
Veronica 14 my helping hand
Alisha 10 add dx 2-2-98 pumping since 1-6-00
and grandma to
Paige 2 1/2 my little sunshine
July 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
You can also try Emla Cream it will numb the area prior to insertion.
July 29th, 2004 at 2:12 am
Laurie,
For what it is worth, I have used the bent needle for 8 years, and it feels
just like inserting a regular hypo, virtually no pain. And, I don’t ever
(hardly ever) feel the thing for the entire time it is installed.
Also, they are cheaper, easier to insert, and you can recover from a goof
without loosing the set.