Reply to Thread

Guest, we'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the Diabetes Forum Survey 2025 »

Message: <blockquote data-quote="etmsreec" data-source="post: 2587139" data-attributes="member: 22426">Pumping, or Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) doesn’t make it easier, it just makes it different.  For one, it’s a steep learning curve as a lot of what one learns for MDI has to be relearned for CSII.  It’s a different paradigm.Advantages:- basal insulin can be adjusted for the time of day, so if one is repeatedly going high at a particular time then more basal can be programmed onto the pump;- exercise can be accounted for with a planned drop in basal an hour before the exercise, rather than needing to take extra carbs;- everything can be bolused for, whether it’s a small snack or a main meal;- no more needing to get needles and insulin pens out to jab before a meal;- greater flexibility, as no need to be clockwatching for basal injection timeDisadvantages:- only Omnipod presently available as a non-tethered pump;- tethered pumps need to be removed and then reconnected before showering, swimming, etc.;- limited capacity (e.g. 200u for Omnipod) which can be too little for some users;- only U100 is officially supported in pumps at the moment;- relearning about “my” diabetes;- there’s no long acting background insulin, so it’s possible to go into DKA more quickly if the cannula becomes blocked or if the pump runs out of insulin;- not all diabetes teams have a pump service;- the patient’s local ICS (the successors to CCGs) have to agree funding, and that funding is for four years.  Pump companies are still going with four year contracts, even though the initial outlay on devices like Omnipod is much lower;- pumps are not suitable for all patients, and vice versa;- closer monitoring and watching for patterns required, so it’s not less work than MDIIn my case, I was referred to the pump service in Liverpool, and they have been brilliant.  I see the consultant about once a year via a video call, but have appointments with DSN and dietician more frequently.  Both they and my consultant are available by email, too, so easy to get between appointment problems resolved.  They also arrange Pumpers’ Evenings - seminars either in person or (more recently) Zoom to bring us up to date on developments and upcoming news.  Recent ones have included feedback (pun not intended) on the Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) trial, and a presentation by Partha Kar.  The Liverpool pump service have quite a geographically distributed patient-base, and don’t just work “in area” - great for me as I’m in Cheshire rather than Merseyside.  Dr. Weston, my consultant, is one of the leading lights with the HCL trial/work.</blockquote>

Verification

Top Bottom

Search

Search

Reply to Thread