for those of you on an insulin pump...

[ej0820]

I was just wondering how the pump is. The nurses at the hospital when I was diagnosed with CFRD told me that it would probably be really good for me, but I'm still just doing the constant injections. Is it easier? How exactly does it work? Do you keep it on always...while sleeping, showering, etc.?

thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ej0820]

I was just wondering how the pump is. The nurses at the hospital when I was diagnosed with CFRD told me that it would probably be really good for me, but I'm still just doing the constant injections. Is it easier? How exactly does it work? Do you keep it on always...while sleeping, showering, etc.?

thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ej0820]

I was just wondering how the pump is. The nurses at the hospital when I was diagnosed with CFRD told me that it would probably be really good for me, but I'm still just doing the constant injections. Is it easier? How exactly does it work? Do you keep it on always...while sleeping, showering, etc.?

thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[rotandroll]

I've been on a pump for about a year and a half and I love it. It has cut my A1C in half. I was doing up to six injections a day and now I only have to change the infusion set every 3-5 days. The pump works by injecting a short acting insulin in a basal rate (a few units every couple of hours, give or take, to be determined by your doctor) and a bolus rate that you control when you need to carb count. The easiest part of it is the bolus wizard, a feature that will calculate how many units you need to cover your blood glucose and what you are eating. It takes away any confusion, "Am I taking too little insulin? Too much?"

My only complaints about the pump are that it has to be worn all of the time (I take mine off to shower/bathe, and occasionally if I'm working out, etc) and while it's not really bulky, I usually carry it in my bra between my breasts, so when I wear a tight or lowcut top or a slinky dress it's hard to hide.

I'm surprised more CFers aren't pumping. It has completely changed management of my diabetes by simplifying everything.

 

[rotandroll]

I've been on a pump for about a year and a half and I love it. It has cut my A1C in half. I was doing up to six injections a day and now I only have to change the infusion set every 3-5 days. The pump works by injecting a short acting insulin in a basal rate (a few units every couple of hours, give or take, to be determined by your doctor) and a bolus rate that you control when you need to carb count. The easiest part of it is the bolus wizard, a feature that will calculate how many units you need to cover your blood glucose and what you are eating. It takes away any confusion, "Am I taking too little insulin? Too much?"

My only complaints about the pump are that it has to be worn all of the time (I take mine off to shower/bathe, and occasionally if I'm working out, etc) and while it's not really bulky, I usually carry it in my bra between my breasts, so when I wear a tight or lowcut top or a slinky dress it's hard to hide.

I'm surprised more CFers aren't pumping. It has completely changed management of my diabetes by simplifying everything.

 

[rotandroll]

I've been on a pump for about a year and a half and I love it. It has cut my A1C in half. I was doing up to six injections a day and now I only have to change the infusion set every 3-5 days. The pump works by injecting a short acting insulin in a basal rate (a few units every couple of hours, give or take, to be determined by your doctor) and a bolus rate that you control when you need to carb count. The easiest part of it is the bolus wizard, a feature that will calculate how many units you need to cover your blood glucose and what you are eating. It takes away any confusion, "Am I taking too little insulin? Too much?"

My only complaints about the pump are that it has to be worn all of the time (I take mine off to shower/bathe, and occasionally if I'm working out, etc) and while it's not really bulky, I usually carry it in my bra between my breasts, so when I wear a tight or lowcut top or a slinky dress it's hard to hide.

I'm surprised more CFers aren't pumping. It has completely changed management of my diabetes by simplifying everything.

 

[coltsfan715]

Hi there,

I just started using a pump about 2 months ago. Like the other poster said it releases a fast acting insulin at a basal rate - for me mine varies throughout the day. Some hours I get up to .7 units given and others I only get .4 units given. It has been adjusted over the past few months to a level that is best for my body.

I use the Animas IR1250 Insulin Pump. It has a computer program that you can use to modify the menu items listed within the pump. It offers a menu for all sorts of foods and has all the carb information along with portion sizes. It helps alot in that regard with figuring out how much insulin to give yourself at meals and such. You can also adjust your carb to insulin ratio for your boluses. If you are interested in it your docs office should set up an education meeting for you to learn all the specifics.

I will say I was starting to doubt the benefit of the pump as my Hemoglobin A1C is higher now than it has been in the past, BUT being that I am still getting my rates adjusted and have had some difficulty with lows and being afraid of giving myself too much insulin. I am starting to see my sugars even out now though - in the past few weeks. It has just taken a little while to get things situated and get myself at the right doses.

One thing I really like about it is that when you check your sugar you can enter the reading into the pump and it will tell you how much (if any) insulin is still working in your system from your last bolus and if you need to give more insulin to lower your sugars how much you should give.

One thing I don't like is the fact that it stays on at ALL times. I do take it off when I shower (even though it is water proof so I technically could wear it in the shower or swimming or anything). I just don't find it very comfortable to wear while I sleep. I toss and turn alot and I roll over on it if it is attached to me in any way. Then if I take it off and set it on the bed beside me I end up wrapped up in the tubing lol. I am getting used to it a bit but it is an adjustment.

Good luck with your decision. It took me about 7 years to decide to go to the pump and I only decided because I was having to give so many shots during the day to keep my sugars in line - up to 8 shots some days.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Hi there,

I just started using a pump about 2 months ago. Like the other poster said it releases a fast acting insulin at a basal rate - for me mine varies throughout the day. Some hours I get up to .7 units given and others I only get .4 units given. It has been adjusted over the past few months to a level that is best for my body.

I use the Animas IR1250 Insulin Pump. It has a computer program that you can use to modify the menu items listed within the pump. It offers a menu for all sorts of foods and has all the carb information along with portion sizes. It helps alot in that regard with figuring out how much insulin to give yourself at meals and such. You can also adjust your carb to insulin ratio for your boluses. If you are interested in it your docs office should set up an education meeting for you to learn all the specifics.

I will say I was starting to doubt the benefit of the pump as my Hemoglobin A1C is higher now than it has been in the past, BUT being that I am still getting my rates adjusted and have had some difficulty with lows and being afraid of giving myself too much insulin. I am starting to see my sugars even out now though - in the past few weeks. It has just taken a little while to get things situated and get myself at the right doses.

One thing I really like about it is that when you check your sugar you can enter the reading into the pump and it will tell you how much (if any) insulin is still working in your system from your last bolus and if you need to give more insulin to lower your sugars how much you should give.

One thing I don't like is the fact that it stays on at ALL times. I do take it off when I shower (even though it is water proof so I technically could wear it in the shower or swimming or anything). I just don't find it very comfortable to wear while I sleep. I toss and turn alot and I roll over on it if it is attached to me in any way. Then if I take it off and set it on the bed beside me I end up wrapped up in the tubing lol. I am getting used to it a bit but it is an adjustment.

Good luck with your decision. It took me about 7 years to decide to go to the pump and I only decided because I was having to give so many shots during the day to keep my sugars in line - up to 8 shots some days.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Hi there,

I just started using a pump about 2 months ago. Like the other poster said it releases a fast acting insulin at a basal rate - for me mine varies throughout the day. Some hours I get up to .7 units given and others I only get .4 units given. It has been adjusted over the past few months to a level that is best for my body.

I use the Animas IR1250 Insulin Pump. It has a computer program that you can use to modify the menu items listed within the pump. It offers a menu for all sorts of foods and has all the carb information along with portion sizes. It helps alot in that regard with figuring out how much insulin to give yourself at meals and such. You can also adjust your carb to insulin ratio for your boluses. If you are interested in it your docs office should set up an education meeting for you to learn all the specifics.

I will say I was starting to doubt the benefit of the pump as my Hemoglobin A1C is higher now than it has been in the past, BUT being that I am still getting my rates adjusted and have had some difficulty with lows and being afraid of giving myself too much insulin. I am starting to see my sugars even out now though - in the past few weeks. It has just taken a little while to get things situated and get myself at the right doses.

One thing I really like about it is that when you check your sugar you can enter the reading into the pump and it will tell you how much (if any) insulin is still working in your system from your last bolus and if you need to give more insulin to lower your sugars how much you should give.

One thing I don't like is the fact that it stays on at ALL times. I do take it off when I shower (even though it is water proof so I technically could wear it in the shower or swimming or anything). I just don't find it very comfortable to wear while I sleep. I toss and turn alot and I roll over on it if it is attached to me in any way. Then if I take it off and set it on the bed beside me I end up wrapped up in the tubing lol. I am getting used to it a bit but it is an adjustment.

Good luck with your decision. It took me about 7 years to decide to go to the pump and I only decided because I was having to give so many shots during the day to keep my sugars in line - up to 8 shots some days.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[Liamsmommy]

I have a 2 year old that is a type one diabetic. She has been on pump now for just over a year and we love it! it hs given her freedom back when it comes to food. I like the fact that She can eat what she wants when she wants and i just bolus her for it. I also like that it takes all the guess work out of corections. We have the pump that comunicates with the BG monitor and it is able to have constant glucose moniterion. So when i check her sugar before a meal or snack it send the info right to her pump and then ill enter her food and it will tell me what she needs and if i dont agree i can change the amout but if i agree then i just say ok and then she gets what she needs./
I also like that it has the CGM its another site but with this it will moniter her blood sugar 24 hours a day for 3 days and then i have to change this site. But with this it will alarm when her sugar is going out of target range which helped us getting everything sorted out when it came to what she needed for a basile rate.

Things that I dont like about the pump is just that im always having to make sure no one is grabing at it (which is something that will change when shes old no more worry)

Good luck while thinking about it. If i could sugest anything if you are really wanting to look at getting pump I would contact at least 2 pump reps and have them come out and meet with you show you what each pump can do so that you can really think about what you want and what you want in a pump..


Good luck
Shawna

 

[Liamsmommy]

I have a 2 year old that is a type one diabetic. She has been on pump now for just over a year and we love it! it hs given her freedom back when it comes to food. I like the fact that She can eat what she wants when she wants and i just bolus her for it. I also like that it takes all the guess work out of corections. We have the pump that comunicates with the BG monitor and it is able to have constant glucose moniterion. So when i check her sugar before a meal or snack it send the info right to her pump and then ill enter her food and it will tell me what she needs and if i dont agree i can change the amout but if i agree then i just say ok and then she gets what she needs./
I also like that it has the CGM its another site but with this it will moniter her blood sugar 24 hours a day for 3 days and then i have to change this site. But with this it will alarm when her sugar is going out of target range which helped us getting everything sorted out when it came to what she needed for a basile rate.

Things that I dont like about the pump is just that im always having to make sure no one is grabing at it (which is something that will change when shes old no more worry)

Good luck while thinking about it. If i could sugest anything if you are really wanting to look at getting pump I would contact at least 2 pump reps and have them come out and meet with you show you what each pump can do so that you can really think about what you want and what you want in a pump..


Good luck
Shawna

 

[Liamsmommy]

I have a 2 year old that is a type one diabetic. She has been on pump now for just over a year and we love it! it hs given her freedom back when it comes to food. I like the fact that She can eat what she wants when she wants and i just bolus her for it. I also like that it takes all the guess work out of corections. We have the pump that comunicates with the BG monitor and it is able to have constant glucose moniterion. So when i check her sugar before a meal or snack it send the info right to her pump and then ill enter her food and it will tell me what she needs and if i dont agree i can change the amout but if i agree then i just say ok and then she gets what she needs./
I also like that it has the CGM its another site but with this it will moniter her blood sugar 24 hours a day for 3 days and then i have to change this site. But with this it will alarm when her sugar is going out of target range which helped us getting everything sorted out when it came to what she needed for a basile rate.

Things that I dont like about the pump is just that im always having to make sure no one is grabing at it (which is something that will change when shes old no more worry)

Good luck while thinking about it. If i could sugest anything if you are really wanting to look at getting pump I would contact at least 2 pump reps and have them come out and meet with you show you what each pump can do so that you can really think about what you want and what you want in a pump..


Good luck
Shawna

 

[Mathews]

I have had the pump for over two years and love it!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I will never go back to shots. I highly recommend it to anyone (adult or child).

 

[Mathews]

I have had the pump for over two years and love it!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I will never go back to shots. I highly recommend it to anyone (adult or child).

 

[Mathews]

I have had the pump for over two years and love it!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I will never go back to shots. I highly recommend it to anyone (adult or child).