for Toronto diabetic
Wow, could I identify with everything you mentioned! After 41 years with
no complications, I couldn’t see why 3 shots would make my life better
– and told my husband, "I’d rather PUMP than do THAT."
This group was (and still is) tremendous at providing all the pumping
input you could ever want. But what really resonated with me was your
feeling of, "look, I’ve been getting by just fine for a long time so why
rock the boat?"
As much as I appreciate the pump, I _miss_ that feeling of long-time
competence (although frozen shoulder’s my only complication so far, and
I learned about THAT from this group). But it’s astonishing how much new
information is out there, which long-timers don’t always get because
we’re so used to taking care of ourselves and having more years of
experience than the doctors.
After so many years of getting by just fine, starting a new regime feels
strange. That said, I think it’s also worth it…but wanted you to know
that if you feel weird about becoming a virtual beginner all over again,
you’re sure not alone!
Laurie in Phoenix, T-1 since age 3 in 1955 and pumping since June 2000
www.authorspotlights.com/campbell
September 28th, 2005 at 1:28 am
<< After so many years of getting by just fine, starting a new regime feels
strange. That said, I think it’s also worth it…but wanted you to know
that if you feel weird about becoming a virtual beginner all over again,
you’re sure not alone!
>>
That is definitly true. Ive been diabetic for 33yrs and been pumping about
1yr and talk about routine change!!! But it is definitly worth it. The
freedom you get from the pump is great. There are still things that change
even w/the pump as I have been learning. When I first got on the pump and
had all my settings/ratios etc it was great. I felt wonderful had more
energy etc. Then just recently my BGs have been all over the place. Come to
find out that the "great settings" dont always remain the same. In other
words your needs can change. So I did a basal fast and found out where I
needed to change my basal rates. Also learned how to do a square wave and
dual wave bolus. I have had gastroperesis for a long time so the square wave
hopefully will help me w/my BGs also. I’ve only tried it twice so far and
since Im fine tuning everything dont know yet how it is doing. I talked to
my CDE today and she helped me adjust my basal rates. They are:
12mid - 0.6
3am -0.7
7am -0.6
5pm -0.7
8pm -0.6
I also found out that my insulin sensitivity is 1unit insulin will drop me
around 55-60 points. It was orginally set for 1unit insulin would drop me 43
points. But I was having some lows. I love my CDE she is also an insulin
pumper and has gastroperesis. She is very sweet and knowledgeable. Her name
is Lori. I told her about this group and another one I am on. Hopefully she
will check us out. Oh do any of you have the 508? I have the 507c and I
found out that on the 508 you can bolus even if you have a square wave going.
On the 507c you have to stop your square wave if you need to bolus during
the 2hrs I set the square wave for. Then you restart your square wave after
the bolus if finished. I guess on the 508 you can do them at the same time.
I dont know if I will be able to upgrade or not but Im going to check it out.
My CDE gave me the names of two people from Minimed to check with. Sorry
this has been so long, just had alot to say. Take care you all. Chrissy