Comments on: is pumping for me?

By: Judith Church

Judith Church — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 03:43:18 +0000

Hi, sorry for not properly introducing myself. I’m Audra, female, Type 1
diabetic since 1958, using small pens for many years, not
pumping, yet.

Thanks for all replies! Yes, I will "calm down." Yes, I will buy John Walsh’s
book on Pumping Insulin 3rd. Ed. Yes, my insurance covers
the pump and supplies. Yes, I am willing to work at this.

By: Krystal Jesica

Krystal Jesica — Sat, 24 Sep 2005 14:34:33 +0000

Hi there, A Noble, I’m in the Toronto area too (Brampton). I have been
pumping almost 2 years now and have been thru the bogus Endo routine. I can
probably help you. All I can say about the pump is I WILL NEVER GIVE IT
UP!!
E-mail me privately if you like, maybe I can show you a few shortcuts.
Crisis center? hmmm, Trillium may have one. I presume you’re a type .
I know some "pro Pump" endos, as I call ‘em, too.
fp

By: kirby_170

kirby_170 — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:15:22 +0000

I understand your reluctance to several shots a day. After only a couple of
months on an oral agent, I told my doctor to put me on the shots. That was
about 15 years ago. Anyone who knew me knew that that was a major decision
on my part because I had always been totally afraid of shots.

I started with two shots a day. By the time I decided to go on the pump this
past June, I was having to take about 6 shots a day if I were to keeps things
normal. As one can imagine, that is a rough regime when you teach and seldom
have any privacy.

I have found the pump to be a source of freedom for me as opposed to the
injections. I no longer have to go look for a private spot, or go back to
the bus early before anyone else gets back.

If you are willing to test several times and to analyze with your end, etc. I

would highly recommend the pump to anyone. I have told many that it seems to
be a better regime than injections and maybe should be a first plan of
treatment for many.

As with all good things, there is one drawback to the pump. I do feel I am
constantly attached, which of course, I am. But, I soon got used to it.
There will be times you can disconnect if you follow proper precautions. Any
prolonged disconnects need to be accompanied by injections.

Good luck,
Bart

By: colin_140

colin_140 — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:00:22 +0000

Hi: What’s your name????
Welcome to the list…..first, most of us are going to tell you to invest in
John Walsh’s book on Pumping Insulin 3rd. Ed.
Can get it via Amazon.com.
Sounds like you should start educating yourself and then make your decisions.
That’s why you’re hear.
One of my favorite sites for information is
www.diabeteswell.com
Next, pumping is expensive. Find out what your insurance is going to cover.
First step.
If you’ve been using insulin for 42+ years, then hypertrophy of tissue is not
unusual, so you may have absorption problems that affects your glucose
levels. Find different sites…talk to your endo about using a moderate
acting insulin like NPH in the am & pm, and using a rapid acting like humalog
inbetween.

You can get insulin pens now so that taking insulin is very discrete, and
allows you better control.
Invest in a newer glucometer. Far more accurate and many require less blood
sample. You have to look at doing bg s as you taking control for you and not
just to inform your endo about what you’ve been doing.
Next is…..calm down.
Time to take baby steps…relearn what you should know.
other website resource
www.cdc.gov - from there, you can link to the niddk - national institute of
diabetes, digestive and kidney disorders.
Nutrition - learn about the glycemic index of foods….also can link up
through www.diabeteswell.com
Some carbs digest slower than others…..process of observation over a period
of time.
Fats affect absorption too. High fat intake can shoot glucose off the roof
for some, or slow down absorption for others.
Other resources:
books by Bannerman & Toohey - written for us about us.
And fp - on our list, I believe is up your way, so hopefully, he’ll give his
two cents too!
Have faith, don’t be so afraid, there are things that can still be done to
make life less topsy turvy, but your patience will receive a reward in the
end.
Take care and keep sending your questions….Joan:))))

By: Sharlene Latia

Sharlene Latia — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 23:55:15 +0000

As previously mentioned the "Pumping Insulin" book is the acknowledged
authority here…. I might also point out that though Dr. Bernstein makes a
very solid case, for what would be for most diabetics a very radical diet
(protein based), the essence of continuous insulin therapy is about
awareness of carbohydrate intake.

> Hi. I’m new to this conference, but not diabetes. I’ve been
> diabetic for, oh, 42.5 years. I live near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

By: Olin Ok

Olin Ok — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:49:20 +0000

It seems to me that you are a good candidate for a pump; but, keep in
mind that it is no magic bullet. It takes lots of work, discipline,
lots of testing (and adjusting after each test!) to be successful.

I would recommend reading the book ‘Pumping Insulin’ by Walsh (available
at many places, even Amazon.com, I think. Virtually every question you
pose is tackled in this book, with definitive answers.

David