What benefits does the pump have if I'm doing great with needles?
Hi guys, I was diagnosed with T1 not too long ago and I am now on the search for the right pump!
I have been hearing a lot of praise about pumps and how many prefer them over needles, but I'm worried that this "praise" has become the sole basis in my decision to start pumping. Also, transferring over to the pump seems to be "the norm" once you've mastered carb count & control with needles.
If my numbers are within target range 95% of the time(70-120) with needles, then what other benefits will the pump provide me?
I understand that we have more control with the pump, but is all this fine control necessary? My endo said I should be between 70-120. If my numbers are in that range then why sacrifice more to get 100. Does that 10-20 mg difference mean that much?
From a personal stand point, I feel that being attached to a tube 24/7 and the expenses of the pump may get in the way sometime in the future. This whole pumping gig seems like too much work and of course, very time consuming. On the other hand, I can definitely see myself getting used to all of this as well. I can definitely understand the importance of a pump for toddlers/infants but how do these benefits amplify to grown ups? I'm using pen needles now and it's not bad at all. The pump clearly has greater control but does that justify the extra work involved? Many on the forums keep complaining about pump malfunctions, waterproof or not, pod getting in the way,changing infusion sets, etc. Are all these inconveniences really worth it?
I'm confident many will know exactly how I feel as I'm sure many of you have been where I've been, and have much more experience. I would just like to remind everyone that I'm still very interested in the pump and will be on one soon, but would just like to get more educated and have more reasons thrown at me to justify my decision.
Thanks..
I have been hearing a lot of praise about pumps and how many prefer them over needles, but I'm worried that this "praise" has become the sole basis in my decision to start pumping. Also, transferring over to the pump seems to be "the norm" once you've mastered carb count & control with needles.
If my numbers are within target range 95% of the time(70-120) with needles, then what other benefits will the pump provide me?
I understand that we have more control with the pump, but is all this fine control necessary? My endo said I should be between 70-120. If my numbers are in that range then why sacrifice more to get 100. Does that 10-20 mg difference mean that much?
From a personal stand point, I feel that being attached to a tube 24/7 and the expenses of the pump may get in the way sometime in the future. This whole pumping gig seems like too much work and of course, very time consuming. On the other hand, I can definitely see myself getting used to all of this as well. I can definitely understand the importance of a pump for toddlers/infants but how do these benefits amplify to grown ups? I'm using pen needles now and it's not bad at all. The pump clearly has greater control but does that justify the extra work involved? Many on the forums keep complaining about pump malfunctions, waterproof or not, pod getting in the way,changing infusion sets, etc. Are all these inconveniences really worth it?
I'm confident many will know exactly how I feel as I'm sure many of you have been where I've been, and have much more experience. I would just like to remind everyone that I'm still very interested in the pump and will be on one soon, but would just like to get more educated and have more reasons thrown at me to justify my decision.
Thanks..
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by lindanu on -
With needles you are only suposed to bolus every 3 hours, so you have to eat your desert with dinner or wait 3 hours for desert. with a pump you can eat anything anytime and bolus as you go.
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Permalink Reply by Lila on -
Personally my problem is that exogenous insulin takes at least 2 hours before it does anything in my system. A pump would not help me with this right?
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Permalink Reply by ultravires on -
my understanding is that the insulin provided by the pump is faster-acting. i'm not sure if this is because of the chemical properties of the insulin itself or because the cannula goes deeper than a subcutaneous insulin injection into adipose tissue, which absorbs insulin more slowly.
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Permalink Reply by Gerri on -
I don't think insulin delivered by a pump is faster. When people with pumps can't bring down highs, they're told to inject.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on -
Hello Gerri:
A pump is NO faster than injecting in any way. And you're completely right pumpers DO inject.... -S-
Stuart
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Permalink Reply by Jon on -
I don't inject. I simply bolus when I need it. Since a pump uses fast acting insulin, I'm sure the deliver for the bolus would be the same as with a needle.
When I want a slice of pizza....I just bolus for the carbs and extend the bolus out for approx 1.5 hrs. and correct very easily. I can stop a bolus or give additional anytime I feel it necessary.
Is it easier with a pump....for me. Yes! Is it expensive?..Yes! If I didn't have insurance....I will would go back to the needles.
By the way, I don't have a tube. Using Omnipod
Oh and by the way, I can lower my basil if I miss eating. Couldn't do that with Lantus.
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Permalink Reply by Lois on -
I hate to poke a hole in your balloon, but (in my case), my insulin take up to 3 hrs to get into my system. It is Humulin 500, which is more concentrated than others. My conclusion (in my case) is that it is the insuliin.
Lois
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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You were never told that "rule" because it is completely false and just plain wrong!
Stuart
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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on -
For dessert, I include the dessert 'bolus' with the dinner bolus. It can get a bit dicey but this can work. I'm not sure about with a kid though. With some kids dessert can become a ritual that may be easier to do without? I'd never heard that particular rule. It may be that they are trying to avoid lows that stacking insulin doses can cause but if I am at a party or something like that, I seem to get much better results doing multiple boluses for what I'm eating than guessing with extended boluses and all that?
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Permalink Reply by Lois on
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One way to avoid this "stacking" dilemma is to use the Medtronic Minimed 722 with the Bolus Wizard. When I enter that program, it asks for the BG reading, then the carb intake. From there it is programmed to calculate how much it needs to cover the carbs and just how long and how much your last bolus was taken. This all depends on how your meter is programmed to your personal needs. If needed, it subtracts any insulin that may be left in your body so that you can't overdose. Sometimes it doesn't allow another dose. Sssssswwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttt!!! LOL
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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on
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I have one those but you can still keep piling it on the stack....
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