Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pump?

[Millerite]

Thanks for that CarbsRok,
I've only recently started looking into pumps, and from what you've described, I believe that was what i'd been looking at, however it would seem I'd misunderstood what it actually was that the pump did.
It was http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-products/pumps/medtronic-paradigm-insulin-pump.html that I was looking at.

[CarbsRok]

Thanks for that CarbsRok,
I've only recently started looking into pumps, and from what you've described, I believe that was what i'd been looking at, however it would seem I'd misunderstood what it actually was that the pump did.
It was http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-prod ... -pump.html that I was looking at.

Hiya, glad you have reread the info the other pump is the Animas Vibe. Only problem with both the pumps is the cost of sensors.
Aprox £60 each I think, and the NHS do not fund them in many cases. So unless the user of either of those pumps can afford the sensors, they function exactly the same as the other pumps.

When people start to look into pumps they are very dubious/worried about the concept of being attached 24/7 I was too and that was after something like 43 years of using needles. I took to it like a duck to water and after less than a day I just did not notice it at all.
The quality of life is completely transformed on a pump. They are a lot of hard work though and you only get out of it what you put in. Some people have a very rude awakening when they find it's not a plug and play toy.

[lizychinemerem]

i will prefaer d pump, i wont mind as long as my sugar is in control,bt dis like d first time am hearing of it.advice me on hw to
get it pls in my country nigeria.

[AMBrennan]

It probably depends on your control though - if you have no issues with MDI, then I can't see a pump completely transforming quality of life. I'd only consider a pump if I had specific problems with MDI that a pump might solve (non-constant basal rate, very low insulin doses, etc); since I don't, I prefer MDI for now.

[michellem]

I'm desperate to go on a pump. My control is good but it would give me so much more flexibility. It would also be great for my running.
Got an appointment with the pump doc at the hospital in 2 weeks so fingers crossed I get the right answer!

[dwibley]

Many years ago when I was a young teenager it was suggested to my parents to put me on a pump in order to regulate my diabetes better. Unfortunately they had to pay for it which was around £500 if memory serves me right which was a HUGE amount back then.

Luckily over the years my diabetes has improved and my HB1AC has been below 7 for a while so it wouldn't be worth trying it now. Also, needles are so fine now and wit the handiness of pens, the 4 injections a day are a doddle.

I think for teenagers today who are finding it difficult it may be a wise decision but the cost is a big factor, I suppose it depends what area you live in at the end of the day.

[michelereid2002]

Would a pump help me my blood sugars r all over the place and have been for a while I have done DAFNE sometimes I struggle to make ends meet 5~7 guide blood sugar levels I just can seem to win would a trail. On a pump work for me but I don't want to go on something so expensive then find it doesn't work for me my head is all over the place to pump or not to pump

[donnellysdogs]

I have a pump and a cgm..

I am very, very active.. Being a gardener for my living.

2+ years ago I never would have said I love my pump...

BUT I DO LOVE IT AND MY CGM.

I have my life back totally... I actually feel non diabetic now.....

For me being a very, very active person there is nothing that can outdo my pump and my cgm.

I truly feel the best about my life since being diagnosed 26 years ago....I do consider myself pretty much non diabetic.. Because of the pump and cgm combined is fantastic..

[Mileychick18]

My blood sugars are always good and have been for years now but im switching onto pump therapy because I work in a school and I am constantly moving around and dont often get time to sit down, being on a pump makes this a lot easier plus I dont appreciate the stares I get from doing my injections in puplic im just out of university so ive had a lot of people giving me judging glances, I personally think its an easier more convenient option.

[Jools.Sparkle]

I've been diabetic for 32 years now (I was 2 years old when I went type 1 diabetic) and it was only a few years ago I went from 2 injections a day to 4. My diabetic specialist (who is great - but don't tell him I said that!) managed to convince me, after a stint of trying the inhaled insulin, that 4 a day injections would be better for me. I took to it quite easily actually and my HbA1Cs are a lot better now. However, my DS has been trying to convince me a pump would be a good idea.

The idea of it makes me feel sick though! The idea of having to carry it around with me everywhere and having it stuck in me practically 24/7 is my idea of hell. I'd be petrified of knocking the needle - especially as I have 2 cats and dogs who like to jump up on my lap whenever I sit down.

As a 13 yr old I had a massive argument with a diabetic specialist nurse - I don't even remember what it was about - but I said to her 'I'm a human being first - not a diabetic!' and she shouted back 'That's where you're going wrong. You are a diabetic first and foremost and don't ever forget it!'. If I had an insulin pump, I'd feel like I was diabetic and nothing else. I'd probably feel better having a neon sign attached to the top of my head saying 'Beware Type 1 Diabetic Approaching - Hide Your Mars Bars'!!!

I understand the pump works really well for some people, and most of my issues with the idea of going onto it are in my head and I'm being a first-class wuss, but I'm now on a regime that works for me. What's the point of trying something that only on the off chance might work a weeny bit better for me?!

By the way, this is my first post on this forum, so I'm looking forward to chatting with everyone on here and getting to know you all.

Julie =]

[ashleyk2552]

Hi my name is Ashley I'm 17 and I got diagnosed with type one diabetes when I was two... I was on injections all my life until my diabetic nurse introduced me with the insulin pump!:') I though why not? A few months it was going great, then I got sick!Sick of wearing baggy clothes to hide it, sick of people staring at me and strangers asking questions. I also kept pulling the canula out all the time which really hurt sometimes! I though if I was to ever wanted to get a boyfriend I couldn't because I had this big machine attached to my side! I got bullied at school, getting called a robotic freak. So I stopped caring and started forgetting to do my insulin! So I went into hospital with my bloods been 56.0! I was ill and that's when I came off it and went back on injections where my bloods are perfect I carb count which is great!:')

[Danaemac]

I am unsure whether a pump would suit me or not , I currently take 3 fast acting injections and a long lasting every day, I work in a fast food restaurant where there is a lot of banging into each other and a lot of hours means the hba1c isn't where I needs to be I believe I would benefit from a pump but unsure whether it would be safe in the environment I work any one have any thoughts ?

[Geri]

I prefer injections - have been offered a pump but just dont like things being attached to me as I'm quite petite and still active. I'm happy to inject when I need to, taking around 5 - 6 jabs a day of minute doses of insulin, thats fine with me.

[VeroIsHere]

Type 1 for over 25 yrs Injections for 24 yrs and Medtronic Insulin Pump for 18 months
My HbA1C Has never been so BAD On the last 10yrs off Injections ranged from 6.8-7.9
I have suffered a lot of stress in the last 2 years and believe more than anything that this has caused the flutuation in Blood Sugar Control
My HbA1C has been over the last 18 months has been 7.9-8.4
So the Pump has not helped my Fluctuation In Blood Sugar Control
But the Flexability and ease of use of the Pump Has Been Excellent and I have never thought of going back on MDI
24yrs MDI 5 out of 10
Nearly 2yrs on Pump 8 out of 10

GREAT GO 4 IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Deb1744]

I'm on a pump and have been for over nine years. It was the best thing I have ever done. Quality of life changed, energy went up. My doctor was pushing me for years, but I didn't want to be attached to something all the time. I was always a brittle diabetic since I was diagnosed at three. When I got pregnant my numbers were all over from 25 to 400 within an hour. It was the only way to stabilize. In the US a pump can run between 3000 and 7000 US dollers. Thank God my insurance covers the cost. Changed my life, I'll never let it go.