Insulin Pump Users

Gang, I’m sure everybody knows that tonight President Bush will announce his
decision concerning federal funding for stem cell research. As I’m sure you
all know, this issue has direct ramifications for us diabetics.

I strongly urge everybody to please watch his statement (9p.m. est), and let
your feelings be known, pro or con. As I’m sure you all know, it is very
easy to email the President, as well as your Senator and Representative.

Please, please, PLEASE! This is VERY important.

Patrick

I am on the pump for about 2 1/2 months. At the time I started on the pump I
was concerned about going on a cruise and not having a spare pump The D-tron
is sold as a single item. The sales rep, Brad Sacks said that he would supply
me with a loaner if I let him know a week before I was going. He stopped by
my house three days but made the mistake of having a pump, the H-tron, which
I knew nothing about. I declined to take this pump and instead immediately
called the Disetronic company and spoke to atleast three people leaving my
name and number.ALL THREE called me back! Lois Freeman actually sent out a
loaner D-tron by Fed-Ex next day rush delivery which arrived at my home on
Sat. the day before I was leaving.Lois actually took the time to care about
my concerns and at 4:30 in the afternoon stopped what she was doing and made
sure that the loaner pump was in the mail . I want to thank Lois and the
entire Disetronic family for going out of their way on a Friday afternoon to
help.

Who do I ask for help ?
Doreen , the computer idiot.

Hi everyone,
I am traveling to Europe for two weeks in September. What has been
the
experience with metal detectors at the airport and security checks?
Any info is always appreciated. After wearing my 508 for two months I
have finally settled into the routine. The pump was the right way to
go.

Thanks,
Charlie

Oh, gosh, Doreen, don’t feel bad! And if you run into Vicki on another
loop, tell HER not to feel bad either…it’d be weird if nobody EVER
decided the pump wasn’t working for them under a particular set of
circumstances.

I remember being impressed a few weeks ago when someone mentioned having
rheumatoid arthritis and David, who’s got his control down to a pretty
exact science, said something like "you got a bad deal. Rotten cards.
I’m sorry." (I’m paraphrasing like crazy, here.) But the idea that we
can’t always make things work for everyone, even if they’re working fine
for ourselves, really stuck with me.

Nobody failed here, nobody screwed up. If we were the kind of support
group that said "you have to stay on the pump or you’re a big stupid
jerk," THAT would be a failure…but I sure haven’t anyone saying that.
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I use a product called Op-site (I think that it is the same in the US), and
where I would normally just use the op-site to stick my safety loop on (in
fact I don’t do thta anymore), I cover the whole insert site with the
opsite. I have to say that if I have done that I change the insert site
after the day out, because I don’t like having the whole thing covered, but
it does mean that everything sticks tight, plus if it’s a slightly fluffy
area, I even get the benefit of complete hair removal for free ;). I use
the disetronic pump, and have been in the water most of the day with it
stuck in my swimsuit using the tappet,
Hope that you resolve the situation!
Cheers
Nicola

Hi,
I have only been on the pump for about 5-7 months and would like to be able to
participate in watersports like rafting, swimming, diving/snorkeling, hot
tubbing, etc.
How do I keep the tape from coming off when spending more than the time it takes
to shower in the water? I’m sure there are lots of water-active diabetics out
there that have conquered this problem…The manufacturer’s help desk didn’t
know what to do to improve adhesion of the tape in prolonged wet situations. If
I go rafting, I may be on the river getting wet for 4 hours…
Also, do you use one of the waterproof, plastic cases to keep your minimed pump
unit dry while playing in the water?
My pump rep. from minimed told me that he disconnects his pump and reconnects it
hourly to infuse his basal dose and keeps testing to see that his blood sugar
stays good. Does the case work well or is there another option?
I’d appreciate any help in solving this problem. Other than this problem, I
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Good morning all,
I just read Vickys last post and am really sad for her.All
of you were so supportive and helpful. I guess the biggest problem
was a basic lack of diabetes info [unbelievable that someone can have
this for years and be so in the dark ]and a poor medical support team
that did not educate her at all.When I think of how long we had to
wait for the drs. to fit us into their training schedule B4 starting
w/my daughter, I want to scream.We had to prove to them that we knew
what we were getting into and could handle it. I actually had the
pump sitting in my house for three months B4 actual hook-up.
I feel kinda responsible for sending Vicky here and
taking up everyones time. I found her post on a usenet NG and told
her to talk to all of you.As a group ,you really showed compassion
and concern. She can’t fault you for that.
Maybe when she is more prepared for it she’ll give it
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It is a yiddish expression meaning, well, feh!
I think it translates well to any language or culture. We’ve all
felt that way B4.[I’m fed up, sick of this, enough already]
Feh!
Later,
Doreen

I agree with you Vicky.Look, your health care team sucks but you
have this wonderous pump. You may not realize it right now, but it is
*the gold standard in diabetes care* You deserve the best!
Once you get somewhat stabalized, GET A NEW DOCTOR. Someone who
cares might make a nice change.
The days of calling diabetics "cheaters " is long gone. We
don’t have to put up with that.The amazing thing is that forever
people w/diabetes have been using "extra" insulin to cover high
sugars or eat something they want , for a change. Then comes this
guilt trip from the medical ppl. Now with the pump, it’s like telling
them that we were right all along! We can do what we want, eat what
we want, go where we want and not suffer the consequences of a high
suger. The pump will give you that freedom. Don’t let any dr. call
you a cheater!
BTW, I have an Endo apt tomorrow AM ,feh[kidding, I like my
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