New not on pump but considering one.
Ive just joined the group today after my wife suggested that maybe
joining a email list would help me make up my mind.
Im 31 and have had Diabetes since age 2 and have been happy on the
shots however over the last few months i have been wondering if maybe
i would be happier on the pump.I have been working with kids with
diabetes about 70% of whom are on the pump and where alot of the
staff who have diabetes are on it too.
I was offered the pump years ago but my insurance at the time didn’t
cover it and i knew no one on it and i always thought being on shots
is so much easier.
The last few months observing how easy it is and gaining an idea of
how my diabetes managenment can be even more simple.
The only effect that im worried about is how im going to react not
giving myself shots it’s so much apart of my daily routine im worried
that it’s going to hard switching after 29 years of doing one thing
im cocerned how im going to handle a different routine.
Marcus
March 10th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Oh, but Marcus, you’ll quickly adjust and will wonder why you didn’t do it
I had one shot a day for 31 yrs, then 2 a day the following 2
sooner!
years and it didn’t bother me to give it up. My pump delivered in whole units
only and had one basal rate back then, too. My first one was the size of a
checkbook box and I used it for 6 wks until the new *small* one the size of a
king-sized pack of cigarettes came out. I used that the following 9+ yrs until
the company quit mfg. them and I could no longer get supplies (rechargeable
batteries, etc.). The pump I have now (#4) is the size of 3/4" stack of
business cards and the Teflon canula is literally not felt even though I’m
hooked to it 24/7.
Your wife is right - talking to users will help a lot. Welcome to the list and
sorry we have to meet under these circumstances.
March 11th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Marcus,
I am 30 years old and I have only had diabetes for 3 1/2 years, I have been
on the pump for 4 months now. I love it!!!! It has given me so much more
flexibility and freedom. The only major difference for me is that instead of
testing my blood sugar minimun 4 times a day I am testing minimum 8-10
sometimes even more depending on the day or the situation. I have better
control of my diabetes and I am using only half of the amount of insulin
that I was using before. I have a full time job and I am a part time
student in grad school, I am not sure that I could have handeled it without
the pump due to being on such a strick schedule for meals etc. THe best
advice that I can give you is to ask lots of questions and check out the
different pump web sites etc. Have you seen the minimed video? In June I
met a woman who went on the pump in May, she has had diabetes since the age
of 7 and is 37 now, she had the same concerns that you do. She said that
she likes the flexibility of being able to go back to shots if she has to
(like when she goes to the beach for 2 weeks etc) she did end her
conversation with going on the pump is the best thing that she has ever
done. On that one I would have to agree with her, at least for me anyway.
This is a great group and I am sure you will get lots of good advice and
support if you do decide to go on the pump, even if you don’t. There are
people here that have been pumping a lot longer than I have and can probably
give you better advice or words of wisdom. Best wishes!
What kind of work do you do? Just curious because I am very interested in
working with people with diabetes. I am working on a masters in social work
with the goal of being certified as a diabetes educator.
Chera (Pa, pumping for 4 months and loving it!! )
>>>
>
>
March 11th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Marcus,
I can only concur on the opinions already expressed to you about why you should
go with the pump.
I would also add that it will give you a dramatic improvement in personal
freedom; you will not be so constrained that you are frequently looking for
places to give yourself an injection, and you can safely alter your schedule at
will without fear of complications.
Since you seem to already be in contact with many pump users, they are probably
the best source of information to confirm what we are saying.
Now that I look back on when I was on multiple injections (over 11 years ago
now) I cannot imagine not being with the pump. Go for it!
David
March 11th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Marcus, I was the same way, only I took shots for 39 years. I’ll admit it
did feel a little odd at first, like when you know you’re forgetting
something. After a couple of weeks, though, those feeling disappeared, and
now I can’t imagine NOT having a pump.
Patrick
March 12th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
<< The last few months observing how easy it is and gaining an idea of
how my diabetes managenment can be even more simple.
The only effect that im worried about is how im going to react not
giving myself shots it’s so much apart of my daily routine im worried
that it’s going to hard switching after 29 years of doing one thing
im cocerned how im going to handle a different routine.
Marcus >>
Hi Marcus: Welcome to the list. I’m sure you are going to "hear" a lot of
things from all of us.
I’m a type 2, a nurse, diabetes educator, and been on insulin about 10 years,
(not as long as you), and on the pump 2 1/2 years. It’s no contest! You are
still inserting your administration set, but instead of taking multiple
shots, you do one every couple of days. Quite honestly, it will take you
about two days to discover that new freedom….not being attached to the
kitchen and food. You’ll see…..Joan:)
March 13th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Marcus.
I am on a Mimi Med 508. I have been pumping for almost 20 yrs. I have been
a dmer for 45 yrs and will be 50 tomorrow. In all that time I have had to
make a lot of changes in my dem treatment. I have been able to switch over
to all of them and I find after getting use to it, they are much better. I
had to adjust to carb counting. I even went through boiling needle and
syringes to disposable. Urine test, to visual blood test to meters.
I think once you changed and adjusted you will wonder why you waited so long.
Gail
March 13th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Gail,
Hear Hear!!
I remember also the boiling of glass syringes, the urine tests, the
wiping strips and color matching, and of course, the one shot a day of
NPH, that was supposed to solve all your problems!
Go with the flow, and adapt!
David
March 15th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Hi Marcus,
I have been a type one diabetic for almost 22 years, was diagnosed when I
was 8. I have had no real problems to speak of, only having been very
recently told I have extremely mild retinopathy.
When my doctor suggested I go see Endo about getting on a pump I was
completely aghast! I told him no way did I want to be tethered to a thing
24/7 and the thought of having a needle in my skin was positively creepy.
When I went to Endo and they started me on carb counting and explained to me
the advantages of pumping. Still wanting no parts of it I reluctantly took
home the information they gave me and shared with my husband. He was so
excited, he thought it sounded wonderful and persuaded me to sign up for
pump training. He said I had nothing to lose because if I really didn’t like
it I could always give the pump back to the Navy and wouldn’t have lost
anything.
Well I am now about 2.5 weeks away from getting my own pump and I am so
excited! Despite what I thought wearing a pump was no big deal. I got to
take home loaner pumps and use them for a couple weeks and was amazed at how
little I noticed having it on, it was just part of me. Putting in an
infusion set is not much different than giving a shot (depending on the set
you chose) and I didn’t notice it in at all, it was very comfortable . I
know there will be a period of adjustment, but in the end I will finally get
to have a semi-normal lifestyle back.
I am thoroughly convinced that this will be one of the best decisions I will
have made for myself and for my family, I just wish I had looked into it
sooner.
Have a good evening and God bless,
Julia
> shots however over the last few months i have been wondering if maybe
> i would be happier on the pump.I have been working with kids with
March 17th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
M and M,
So nice to read your letter. Seems, to me, like it wasn’t anytime ago you
were having problems. Remembering how to use the buttons. You have really
progressed in high speed. I know it probably doesn’t seem so to you, but to
us it does.
I am happy it is working out so well for you.
Gail
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
<< The last few months observing how easy it is and gaining an idea of
how my diabetes managenment can be even more simple.
The only effect that im worried about is how im going to react not
giving myself shots it’s so much apart of my daily routine im worried
that it’s going to hard switching after 29 years of doing one thing
im cocerned how im going to handle a different routine.
>>
You can do it. Oh BTW Im Chrissy. Type I for 33 yrs. I know what you mean
about changing your routine. I knew nothing about carb counting or pumping
when I first started. It was overwhelming. But Im glad I did it and dont
want to go back. Go for it. You will adjust and Im sure you will love it.
Good luck. Chrissy
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:39 am
Hi Marcus,
I have been on my pump for a month now I am a Type 1
diabetic and have been for 33 years. I became diabetic
at 3. I refused to go on the pump even though my Dr.
felt it was the best choice. I finally gave in after a
reaction that almost sent me to the hospital. I
started pumping almost immediately without the test
run that people talk about. I am very active. I lift
weights, run and excersize alot. I have had problems
with the insertions coming out during workouts ect.,
frequently.
The morning after I did my initial insertion I was in
the shower and I had this overwhelming feeling of not
being in control of my diabetes because I had not
drawn up my insulin and injected it. I have gotten
over that sensation. If you aren’t used to carb
counting it can be a little overwhelming at first. But
as I have gotten used to it I marvel at the cosistancy
of my glucose readings. The pump was the right
decision for me but it is taking some getting used to.
=====
March 26th, 2007 at 7:03 am
<< I even went through boiling needle and
syringes to disposable. Urine test, to visual blood test to meters.
I think once you changed and adjusted you will wonder why you waited so long.
Gail >>
I remember all of that. Look how far weve come. Hope it keeps getting
better! Chrissy