Pump’s here!
Hubby’s pump arrived, and he’s seen the CDE once. He seems to have
difficulty understanding need to get to the proper screen to do an
action. He was told to try to set some random bolus amounts, but has
yet to try this. Think it will be a while before he even gets to the
point of using the pump with just saline. Any suggestions ???
January 31st, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Can he use a computer?
If so, maybe try some similarity exercises…Also, the flow chart in the Minimed
manual might help….
David
February 1st, 2006 at 4:22 am
Have you and he watched the video that came with it? It is boring, but it will
answer some Q’s and can be backed up and replayed. Keep us postsed.
February 1st, 2006 at 12:17 pm
It will totally up to him to take the plunge. I was reluctant myself, at
first. But now that I have started pumping, I wouldn’t go back!! Just
encourage him and take an interest in his well being!!! Maybe that will help
him to get motivated.
February 1st, 2006 at 4:43 pm
You leave some unanswered questions; is there some sort of disability that is
inhibiting him from following the instructions? Maybe a radically different
approach is needed.
I sense that something is missing here; could you offer more info? I know that
this could be a sensitive issue, but relevant facts are important to
understanding what is going on!
David
February 5th, 2006 at 8:24 am
— In Insulinpumpusers@y…, " David Lytle" <dlytle@m…> wrote:
> You leave some unanswered questions; is there some sort of
disability that is inhibiting him from following the instructions?
Maybe a radically different approach is needed.
>
> I sense that something is missing here; could you offer more info?
I know that this could be a sensitive issue, but relevant facts are
important to understanding what is going on!
>
> David
David,
Sorry for the delay in responding, but really busy the past two
days.
To answer your question, no there is no real disability, just I
think a fear of "modern technology."
Today, he tried to do some bolus input, but was having a problem
getting to the proper screen, then when he did, remembering to hit
the "act" button quickly enough. I think he got really frustrated
then just gave up.
I suggested that maybe he could just practice getting to
the "bolus screen" and not worry about trying to input any amount
yet. I reminded him of how hard it seemed to use his first glucose
monitor many, many years ago (boy, was it big, and all the steps and
timing, etc, not like the ones today!), yet he was able to learn that.
Any suggestions, comments are really appreciated. All of you are
so great!
Marj
February 6th, 2006 at 6:17 am
> To answer your question, no there is no real disability, just I
> think a fear of "modern technology."
I *think* the real question here is, why did he get a pump? Is someone
insisting or forcing it upon him?
Jan °Ü°
February 6th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Jan,
The decision for the pump was his alone. However, both his primary
care physician and his endo told him they felt he would get much
better control with a pump, and the phrases "if you go on an insulin
pump" and "…when you get on the pump" have been used frequently by
both physicians.
Marj
February 6th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Oh,
Was he enthusiatic? I’m including a list by another pumper that you may want
to *review* with him:
HERE’S A TOP-10 LIST OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE PUMP:
(compiled by another pumper)
1. I can sleep until noon on the weekends without doing anything special and
when I wake up I’m 115.
2. I can skip a meal, eat later, eat earlier, or eat sporadically all the
live-long-day and just change my boluses.
3. I can give an exact amount of insulin (tenths of units aren’t available
with shots).
4. I can decide to exercise at the spur of the moment and just change my basal
rate without having a severe hypo
5. I can decide what I’m going to eat when I see it instead of trying to
predict what I’m going to feel like eating four hours from now.
6. I don’t have ANY night hypo’s anymore. (I used to pop out of bed 4-5 times
per week).
7. I don’t have daily hypos anymore & I don’t have to stay over 150 in order
to do it.
8. I don’t get headaches all the time from the roller coaster of going from
387 to 43 in one afternoon.
9. No brainer: no more shots.
10. I feel good/optimistic about tight control for the first time EVER.
February 9th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
I had a conversation the other day with a high tech person who is
developing a radically new type of pump. I mentioned to him what you
said, and he responded that there are many people out there who have
this problem, so don’t feel that you are all alone here!
He also added that the younger people who have been brought up with
computers do not seem to develop this problem.
I would think that repeated practice is the solution, and maybe sometime
when you are changing infusion sets that would be a good time to
practice with the pump empty.
David
February 12th, 2006 at 12:28 am
<< Sorry for the delay in responding, but really busy the past two
days.
To answer your question, no there is no real disability, just I
think a fear of "modern technology."
Today, he tried to do some bolus input, but was having a problem
getting to the proper screen, then when he did, remembering to hit
the "act" button quickly enough. I think he got really frustrated
then just gave up.
I suggested that maybe he could just practice getting to
the "bolus screen" and not worry about trying to input any amount
yet. I reminded him of how hard it seemed to use his first glucose
monitor many, many years ago (boy, was it big, and all the steps and
timing, etc, not like the ones today!), yet he was able to learn that.
Any suggestions, comments are really appreciated. All of you are
so great!
Marj
>>
Marj: would be good to just have him sit down with the owner’s manual
without anyone looking over his shoulder and just start playing with the
pump, one page at a time. The "learning curve" for us adults can be longer
than kids. Especially coordinating carb counting, calculating basal rates,
and bolusing. It might take hime about 2 - 3 months to truly become a pro
at using the pump. Let him hang in there….after a while, he’ll find out
how much easier it will get….Joan:))