Comments on: cost difference

By: patience_15

patience_15 — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:59:43 +0000

<< I also have
developed gastroparesis which really plays havoc with control, but life is
much, much easier for me with the pump. I have been on an insulin pump for
19 yrs.
>>

I have the same thing and agree w/Gail. Ive been pumping about 1 1/2 yrs.
Chrissy

By: colin_140

colin_140 — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 09:03:54 +0000

<< I am new to this list. My mother is a diabetic and I am collecting
information on her behalf. Could someone relay their feelings about the
benefits of using the insulin pump versus injections. Also, which is most
cost effective to the diabetic? So much of this is new to us and we have
several questions. Thank you for any assistance you can give.

Jenny >>
Hi Jenny: when looking at the cost of being a diabetic and just what the
benefits are of pumping…..injections are cheaper, yes, but pumping and the
education involved in learning to take control of one’s diabetes, quite
honestly, is priceless. Not every person is a good candidate for the pump.
It takes a great deal of personal motivation and the want to take control of
ones life….I’m sure everyone else is going to jump in….Joan:)))

By: Randolph Fawn

Randolph Fawn — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:55:08 +0000

Here is the list:

HERE’S A TOP-10 LIST OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE PUMP:

(compiled by a 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.

By: Carlos Kiara

Carlos Kiara — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 05:35:30 +0000

Suzanna,
Most dmers are like you. DM is an autoimmune disease and thus most DMers
have other AI diseases and treating all of them is a full time job.
I have had DM for 44 yrs and learn more each day about myself. I also have
developed gastroparesis which really plays havoc with control, but life is
much, much easier for me with the pump. I have been on an insulin pump for
19 yrs.
Gail

By: patience_15

patience_15 — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 04:35:17 +0000

Hi Jenny,
Jan just recently posted something about the benefits of pumping. All the
reasons on there I agree with. Maybe she could post it again. Ive been
diabetic for 33yrs and been pumping a little over a year. I love it. No
more schedules to stick to as far as eating. I dont end up in the hospital
everytime I get sick cause I can go w/o eating if I need to. When people
have a summer picnic at 2 or 3 in the afternoon IT DOESNT MATTER!!! cause I

dont have to eat on a schedule. I can sleep in on the weekends. If Im not
hungry I dont have to eat. If Im craving a sweet I can have it. I dont have
to stick myself as many times as before. I dont have to excuse myself from
the table to go take my insulin…I just push a few buttons. As far as the
expense I think that depends on your insurance. Mine paid 100% for the pump
and the supplies (except the batteries). So its definitly cheaper. I hope
this helps. Chrissy

By: Xavier Roseanna

Xavier Roseanna — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 14:13:43 +0000

The benefits of Insulin Pump therapy is that you do not have to take
multiple injection to achieve tight control. A more flexible schedule for
the diabetic. You can take action faster if your sugar is out of control,
easy to manage your blood sugar when you are ill.
It is cost effective if the insurance company will pay for the supplies.
Cost of supplies and the Pump are very expensive but if better control is
achieved the patient and the insurance company will benefit in the long run.

By: Raymond Melendez

Raymond Melendez — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 01:44:22 +0000

Hi Jenny! Welcome to the group!

I think that there will be more questions for you than feedback just
now…Is your mother type 1 or type 2? Newly diagnosed? Current
treatment?

Generally pump therapy is more expensive than injection therapy in
day-to-day cost, but it is an excellent long-term investment because
the improvement in control affects the general long-term health in so
many ways.

Are you in the States? What kind of insurance coverage does your
mother have to help pay for treatment? (Medicare has some
restrictions on availability, but will cover pump therapy, if that’s
the situation)

Also, don’t take my long, complicated posts as any thing close to
typical for pumpers…I have a complicated mess of problems, and have
never been considered or treatable as a "typical" diabetic patient.
So don’t allow my questions/concerns, situations to color your
impression of pump therapy.

I’m sure the wonderful, knowledgable folks in this group will be a
great resource for you!

suzanna