A couple of questions about pumps

Hiya, this is my first post as I have only had my pump a few weeks, so will share my experiences with you. I didn't have a choice on the pump that I was aware of, and because I didn't really know what to expect I went along with what I was given, but I know different trusts have different practices. I have now been given the choice of a pump with the remote control which I am going for. The pump I have delivers background basel every 3 mins then when I eat it delivers the bolus's-this is all novorapid, there is no need for long acting insulin. As to the training I had initially an hour with the diabetes nurses and got to bring the pump and canula's home with homework!! then went back for a whole morning of training and then came away with it attached. The handbook I have is really good which was given to me by the hospital. It has to be worn pretty much 24/7 I was told you can take it off for up to an hour. In bed I wear a band around my tummy to keep it near to the canula, but when its been so hot I have just tucked it in my Pyjamas and have had no problems, I have read that some just tuck it under the pillow. I have only once had a pulled out and that was by an excited dog that jumped up, otherwise its been fine even through my kids getting their feet caught in it at the park!!!
Hope this gives you some idea as to the pump, I really like mine, I was really nervous at first but it had slotted in to my life really well, and don't find it uncomfortable.
Hope to hear from you again soon

Liz

I can answer some of those. My 12 mnth old son is on a pump - diagnosed 4 weeks ago.

1. Can you choose which pump you have on the NHS?
No, I was told which one it was. But to be honest, looking at some of the other pumps available, they are all very similar. Your PCT might let you choose though.

2. Does a pump only deliver bolus insulin?
No, it does basal and bolus. You can set the basal rate to be different every half hour of the day on the pump we have. Very controllable.

3. How hard is it to get the hang of working the thing? Do the diabetes 'specialists' train you?
I got a 2 hour training session with DN a great instruction booklet, and lots of help over the phone. They are not that difficult to work out and I got the hang of it very easily. It is very similar to mobile phone menus. The problems/nervousness I had was with loading the reservoir and putting the infusion set in (but I'm putting it on a baby, so it's a bit more stressful!)

4. Do you have to wear it at night and if so, does the tube get tangled/pulled out often?
Yes you have to wear it 24/7 unless you disconnect for a bath/shower/swimming. You can top up insulin when you reconnect up if you've been disconnected for a while. Tangled - not really, my baby is very active, and he has a bum-belt carrier. It's never pulled out because the infusion sets are very strong, and it's even dangled and pulled and still not got pulled out.

Overall, I would recommend at least trying one. The pumps are brilliant IMO - my son can pretty much eat what he wants when he wants, and I can give him tiny amounts of insulin to match what he has eaten (for example 0.1 of a unit). His basal rates change 4/5 times a day - he's on tiny amounts during the night (0.075 of a unit per hour) and 0.2 during the day with a few other tiers in there. Go for it.