Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amy M on November 8, 2012 at 12:18pm

I was diagnosed in January 2008 and started pumping in October of 2008. At the time I was planning to have a baby so being on the pump was the only way I could keep my bs under the tight control necessary for pregnancy. At first I planned to just go on the pump before and during pregnancy but I loved my pump so much that I ended up staying on it. At the time I was really concerned about being connected to a device 24/7. But honestly I don't really notice it anymore and I got used to the tubing pretty quickly. I have a minimed 722 and I love it! I have had really good experiences with customer service also. My first pump got a crack in it (after 3 years) and they over nighted me a replacement which I have been very happy with. Good Luck with your pump research!

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Permalink Reply by JLemon on November 8, 2012 at 2:20pm

I am glad to hear from you - My husband and I are planning on starting a family in the next year or so, and that is another reason why I was considering. That is also one of the main reasons I joined this site!

Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Amy M on November 9, 2012 at 11:14am

Its never too early to start planning! I went on the pump in October and allowed myself a good 3 months or so to get used to the pump and get my settings in order. I had an AWESOME diabetes team whom I was in contact with every day during the beginning of my pumping days. It takes a while to get basals set up and just get used to the settings in general.

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Permalink Reply by christy on November 8, 2012 at 2:47pm

I used pens/injections until about a year ago. I have been diabetic 28 years and I can tell you one thing. Switching to a pump is the BEST decision I have ever made and I only wish I had done it a lot sooner.

I have a Minimed Revel. Love mine.

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Permalink Reply by Laddie on November 8, 2012 at 3:52pm

One thing to also consider is future pumps as well as current pumps. I have a Medtronic Revel pump which I love, but I hate their CGMS. So I use a Dexcom and have to carry two devices. I'm not too excited about the Animas Ping, but Animas will be the first pump integrated with a Dexcom CGMS. That pump, the Vibe, has already been released in Europe. My current pump is out of warranty, so I will most likely buy an Animas Ping knowing that with a $99 upgrade fee, I can get the Vibe when it is released in the USA.

Most insurance companies will only let you get a new pump every four years. So don't get paralyzed so that you can't make a decision. But do your homework before you make your decision. Remember that this is your pump, not your doctor's pump. So listen to his/her advice. But make up your own mind.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Carter on November 8, 2012 at 5:18pm

Just thought I would add a counter-point to the pro-pump opinions here.

I used a pump continuously for over a year (24 years with T1D), and found it tedious; I was always having to 'deal with the pump' at awkward moments. You decide you want a shower after coming home from work? Disconnect your pump, then reprime, reconnect etc after. In the mornings, at bed time and for every change of clothes, having to figure out how to manage the tubing and where to put the pump was a pain. I do a lot of hiking (7-9 days), and pump failure/immersion/flat batteries is not an option. Just extra things to go wrong, and more kit to stow in each car, work location etc.

Before you try a pump, try using ManageBGL.com. It provides the same calculators as a pump, and you need to enter your BGLs, carbs and insulin into ManageBGL in the same way as a pump. If you find you don't like it, then you've saved yourself $5000 or more.

Note - having a carbs to insulin ratio calculator on your pump will not help you count carbs better! It sounds like overnight lows are an issue for you, and a pump can definitely help here.

The new pendiq insulin pens allow 0.1 increments to be dialed up (0.5 minimum). I am going to check them out. With this + ManageBGL.com you could potentially get the same results as a pump - and not have to carry anything extra, you generate less medical waste landfill from your pump consumables, and no need to dynamite pump infusion sets into you.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by T1mommy on November 9, 2012 at 11:24am

I was diagnosed 4/2011, started with pens then switched to Medtronic pump late last year when I was pregnant. I switched back to the pen this summer for a few reasons. I didn't like the tubing and was never comfortable wearing the device (I'm only 5'1" and have a small frame). Also, I left my job and was very active swimming this summer with my 4 yr old so was constantly detaching. And finally, I still think I'm honeymooning so don't require that much insulin (12-14 basal and anywhere from 0-8 bolus total per day). All of that contributed to changing back.

I'm glad that I tried it though, and now I have it in case I want to switch back. If I do switch back though, I may want to try the tubeless option down the road. Good luck!

Amy

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Permalink Reply by Daisy Mae on November 13, 2012 at 2:54pm

there is nothing better than the pump, in my oppinion. the pump not only gives you 24/7 insulin, but you have soooo much more flexability with it. you can eat when you want and eat almost like a non-D person. you dont get the same kind of control with the pens. the pens are just like a modified syring. the pump is like having a working pancreas that sits outside of your body. i would NEVER go back. i've been on the pump for 11 years and have had D for 25+ years. CANT wait for the next discovery to come along!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by JLemon on November 13, 2012 at 7:19pm

Thank you, everyone!

Your feedback has been very helpful. I have an appointment tomorrow and I will be talking about my options. Hoping to try the pump out!

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Permalink Reply by Clare on November 15, 2012 at 5:59am

I still have not started pumping after 37 years. But I did recently get a Dexcom4 CGM and it is really eye opening. Here is my first discussion about whether to switch to a pump or not, there are some really good answers from a bunch of pumpers and some non pumpers as well. http://www.tudiabetes.org/forum/topics/thinking-about-a-pump-for-th...

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Permalink Reply by drewgolden on November 17, 2012 at 12:44pm

I've always been fairly tightly controlled MDI (many tests a day) and thought the pump would be a refreshing way to simplify control.

While it does offer some benefits (press button, get bolus, cool!) there are also some negatives I personally had found. 1.) Cost, the pump stuff needs to be changed every three days and the "stuff" that is uses is not cheap. 2.) For me, having press button control was cool - and my goals of getting closer to an A1C of 5 were closing in, but I also found I was having more lows. Lastly, 3.) having a "tube" under your skin creates scarring, and those sites take a LONG time to heal and become re-usable. So if you do not rotate sufficiently - you can plug your pump into a bad spot and find out 3 - 4 hours later you are not getting any insulin!

For me, MDI was a better deal. The Lantus (or whatever you take) provides a nice baseline coverage, and then the nipping out to a dark spot to take shots is still a MDI disadvantage over the pump (really liked pressing keys and getting insulin) but it's something I would tell you to explore and find out your thoughts on your own.

PERSONALLY, the BIGGEST bang for the buck and most revolutionary aid to my diabetes has been the Sensor - with the sensor I can glance down and see a fairly accurate reading of my blood glucose whenever I want. It was the biggest revolution in my (25+) years of type 1 diabetes.

Sure, the meters got faster and the insulin got faster, but the sensor changed everything for me.

Personally, Pens and Needles are fine and are easy enough to deal with for me. I don't mind them. I still think the needle provides the most accurate delivery of insulin, Pens are a little sloppy and can be a tad off, and the pump is a cool invention, and has helped a great many struggling diabetics.

Enjoy exploring the pump - it potentially can be as life changing for you as I found the sensor to be for me!

Best regards,
drew

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