What's the worst that can happen when you go onto pump?

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Permalink Reply by Riette on March 1, 2009 at 5:25am

What line were inserted? Was is for the insulin pump or something else? Did they do an insertion for you?

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Permalink Reply by lev on March 1, 2009 at 6:23am

i am almost certain that pumping in of it self, can not cause death (which is what "code blue" means) any more than mdi can. when you deal with insulin at all there is an inherent risk (i know that you know all of this). a pump is just a needle stuck in all of the time, more comfortable and all, but none the same. pumpers also have heart attacks like anyone else and they have other issues

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Permalink Reply by MichelleStu on March 1, 2009 at 6:45am

I honestly tried to think of the worst, and came up with nothing. I have been on the pump for 8 years now and I can say it has always been one of my best decisions in my health care. There are several factors to a situation you describe, "My thoughts and prayers are with this guy" but I too don't feel the pump would be one of them. I know you will come to be very glad with your decision to become a pumper. It'll give you much greater control and freedom as you go through each day with diabetes. Happy pumping!

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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on March 1, 2009 at 7:23am

The only pumper I know who has ever had bad things happen to him does it all to himself. He doesn't test enough (maybe once or twice a day tops), he eats totally garbage and doesn't carb count well, skips eating all day sometimes, and doesn't have his basals set right. His work had to call 911 twice last month because he went so low he passed out. After being revived, he tells the EMT "oh, i guess I took my insulin and then forgot to eat". So his issues with the pump come from very poor self care.

If you follow your doctor's advice and take care of yourself, your risk of a code blue is really not there (at least not from the pump). You will love the freedom of a pump. It is nerve wracking when you start off but you will get the hang of it!

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Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on March 1, 2009 at 7:40am

I just started on the pump this week. One thing that worries me a tad is that on MDI's I had Lantus in my system most of the time, even if I forgot to take my Humolog with me somewhere.....I just couldn't eat carbs, but would be OK. Conversely, if I forgot to dose my Lantus, I could still bolus. On the pump, if I find myself without insulin due to pod failure or forgetting to change my pod,or whatever, I am without any insulin and that is potentially very dangerous I am told. That scernario is unlikely but a new concern none the less. It would seem that any problem with pumping would be user error.....not having what you need or not using the tools properly.

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Permalink Reply by lev on March 1, 2009 at 8:29am

i assume that you are on the omnipod.. so am i. i always carry insulin, and syringe with me just in case of something like that. i have my little test kit case with spare meter, strips (both meters are freestyle) finger poker and vial of insulin and a syringe. you are supposed to carry two extra pods with you, but i am hardly ever so far from home that i need to.

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Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on March 1, 2009 at 9:36am

Thanks, lev. I need to get pod savvy and put together my traveling kit. It would be nice to think we could be able to come and go carefree, but it's not to be....at least at this point. My purse is heavy....I don't know what you guys do.

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Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on March 1, 2009 at 10:06am

Just thought of something.....does your insurance allow you both insulins? I don't think mine will cover the cartridges and the vial. Do you end up throwing the unused cartridge out and replacing it every month?

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on March 1, 2009 at 5:53pm

You could get your doctor to say that you need more insulin per month so that you would have an extra bottle of insulin for emergencies. You know, old school, with the bottle of insulin and a regular needle. ;) That's what I do with my Ping, any how.

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Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on March 2, 2009 at 5:40am

Lauren, do you carry the insulin and pens around with you? Back up pods aren't all that effective without insulin either.

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Permalink Reply by kimberly on March 5, 2009 at 10:10am

better yet, get a 90 day RX; you'll always have some on hand. you can refill 2 weeks prior to next RX date.

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Permalink Reply by lev on March 3, 2009 at 3:28am

with the omnipod you take insulin from the vial and inject it into the pod... so it is just the one kind

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