I see a lot of posts from pumpers who say it has changed their lives, HBA1c dropping from 11 to 6, etc. What I would like to know is do any of you struggle to it right? I have been pumping for 15 months now on the Accucheck combo. I am managing to get HBA1c in the mid 7s. This is done with a lot of highs, corrections and hypos. I can never tell what my bg is going to be with any confidence. Not much diferent to when I was on MDI but without the injections. One way or another my HBA1c comes out normal. I know the theory of it so I would appreciate no advice about getting my basal right first. Just tell me I am not unique!
Anyone struggling to get it right?
- Thread starter johnny37
- Start Date
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Yep me....consistently.
Had done a good long list of how I find it a challenge on a consitent basis...not just because of the pump.
You are not unique.
By the time I had finished how hard I find it. My message was gone, and I had to relog in....!!!!
Not going to type it all up again.
HOWEVER, apart fromn the quantity of injections, LIFE is just the same....consistently having to check levels...I haven't gone a day with less than 9 since pumping. Yes. I do log more details...all my foods etc, exercise etc far more than on MDI when all I had to record was levels and units.
I DO NOT LOVE my pump.....and I also feel very strange against the people that say they do, as I definetely do not...however, I am more responsible, I do care for myself more than I have ever done, so this has got to be a good thing compared to injections.
It is significantly better at giving better results, but it does as far as I am concerned need more bloods, more details, and thankfully gives more flexibility than injections....
I DON'T love my pump...but would I go back to injections.....NO!!!!
Had done a good long list of how I find it a challenge on a consitent basis...not just because of the pump.
You are not unique.
By the time I had finished how hard I find it. My message was gone, and I had to relog in....!!!!
Not going to type it all up again.
HOWEVER, apart fromn the quantity of injections, LIFE is just the same....consistently having to check levels...I haven't gone a day with less than 9 since pumping. Yes. I do log more details...all my foods etc, exercise etc far more than on MDI when all I had to record was levels and units.
I DO NOT LOVE my pump.....and I also feel very strange against the people that say they do, as I definetely do not...however, I am more responsible, I do care for myself more than I have ever done, so this has got to be a good thing compared to injections.
It is significantly better at giving better results, but it does as far as I am concerned need more bloods, more details, and thankfully gives more flexibility than injections....
I DON'T love my pump...but would I go back to injections.....NO!!!!
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
You know what I love about the combo though...I don't have to worry about calculating.....and the remote is unique at giving me discretion....and it does hourly changes....being an adult I don't need really small quantitys of insulin so it enables me to fiddle around with the right size dosage to tweak on an hourly basis....that helps me so much....
Some people call the remote a brick....but it isn't. The remote alone does give me so much more felxibility and info. I am so glad that I can just turn on the remote and check back what my bolus and stuff was in the last couple of days...and the fact that I can see whether I have bolused or not!!!!!
I wouldn't swop it of r a different pump, let alone going back to injections....however it is not easy, and it definitely takes for me, more consideration and responsibility than MDI ever did.
It is a good means to an end...it is the best that is available currently and for that I am actually very grateful to my DSN and PCT for enabling me to get one without a fight. I will never forget my life and problems last year, and the switch over to pump has given me my life back in a strange sort of way.
Some people call the remote a brick....but it isn't. The remote alone does give me so much more felxibility and info. I am so glad that I can just turn on the remote and check back what my bolus and stuff was in the last couple of days...and the fact that I can see whether I have bolused or not!!!!!
I wouldn't swop it of r a different pump, let alone going back to injections....however it is not easy, and it definitely takes for me, more consideration and responsibility than MDI ever did.
It is a good means to an end...it is the best that is available currently and for that I am actually very grateful to my DSN and PCT for enabling me to get one without a fight. I will never forget my life and problems last year, and the switch over to pump has given me my life back in a strange sort of way.
jopar
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,222
You need to do some basal testing while fasting to see how to adjust to suit
Here's a link to Gary Shceiner site where he tells you how to basal test http://www.diatribe.us/issues/13/learning-curve.php he does have a book called think like an pancreas, that deals with both MDI and Pumping, But a good book that totally dedicated to insulin pumps and know as the pumpers bible is Pumping Insulin by John Walsh (this is the one I have)
I also use the Accu-chek combo and the before that the older blue Accu-chek spirit pump, my experience with pumping is possitive one I find it a lot easier than MDI more so now I've got my remote as a lot of information that I used to mentally crunch to work out my dose with the spirit pump I don't have to now..
Once you've got your basal on tract the rest will come a lot easier..
Here's a link to Gary Shceiner site where he tells you how to basal test http://www.diatribe.us/issues/13/learning-curve.php he does have a book called think like an pancreas, that deals with both MDI and Pumping, But a good book that totally dedicated to insulin pumps and know as the pumpers bible is Pumping Insulin by John Walsh (this is the one I have)
I also use the Accu-chek combo and the before that the older blue Accu-chek spirit pump, my experience with pumping is possitive one I find it a lot easier than MDI more so now I've got my remote as a lot of information that I used to mentally crunch to work out my dose with the spirit pump I don't have to now..
Once you've got your basal on tract the rest will come a lot easier..
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Sorry, Jopar, but the one thing that Johnny37 didn't want was lectures about getting basals right, and you have ignored his request.....
He just wanted reassurance that he wasn't the only one who doesn't 'love' pumping. As much as I like the pump, I have put a few notes on this forum since going on a pump asking whether other persons find they are having to tweak machines pretty much consistently, and other postings stating that I don't actually love my pump.
I go along with Johnny37's thoughts.....I don't want lectures about basals etcccc......I too, just need assusrances that I am not the only one thinking the way I do.
I whole heartedly agree that it is a great thing, but loving it no...living with it yes.....better levels on the whole yes...but not loving it...
He just wanted reassurance that he wasn't the only one who doesn't 'love' pumping. As much as I like the pump, I have put a few notes on this forum since going on a pump asking whether other persons find they are having to tweak machines pretty much consistently, and other postings stating that I don't actually love my pump.
I go along with Johnny37's thoughts.....I don't want lectures about basals etcccc......I too, just need assusrances that I am not the only one thinking the way I do.
I whole heartedly agree that it is a great thing, but loving it no...living with it yes.....better levels on the whole yes...but not loving it...
Hi
I have to agree with donnelly......i have had my pump for 9 months and i dont love it at all. I think that you are like lot of people johnny37 who dont like the problems that go with the pump but are willing to have it to get better control of their diabetes. I know that was the reason i had it. I have to admit that before i went on pump my Hba1c was 7, three months after pump it went up to 9, so am having to constantly tweak it.
I understand that some people do love having it and fair play to those who do.....but i think that they could see that there are those who dont love them and dont want to be lectured about the "right" way to do things with a pump. some people need to let out frustrations about them.
I have an appt to see my dsn about coming off mine for a couple of weeks cuz all this week ive had 10 hypos ( 5 in one night) and 3 occasions when my bs is too high. Ive changed sets and the cartridges and done everything possible to the pump to try and and stop them but no luck.......so feel only option is to come off for a couple of weeks to try and sort it out.
Josie
I have to agree with donnelly......i have had my pump for 9 months and i dont love it at all. I think that you are like lot of people johnny37 who dont like the problems that go with the pump but are willing to have it to get better control of their diabetes. I know that was the reason i had it. I have to admit that before i went on pump my Hba1c was 7, three months after pump it went up to 9, so am having to constantly tweak it.
I understand that some people do love having it and fair play to those who do.....but i think that they could see that there are those who dont love them and dont want to be lectured about the "right" way to do things with a pump. some people need to let out frustrations about them.
I have an appt to see my dsn about coming off mine for a couple of weeks cuz all this week ive had 10 hypos ( 5 in one night) and 3 occasions when my bs is too high. Ive changed sets and the cartridges and done everything possible to the pump to try and and stop them but no luck.......so feel only option is to come off for a couple of weeks to try and sort it out.
Josie
Do a person's expectations pre-pump determine their feelings post pump?
Not sure what your pre-pump expectations were, did you know it would be more work and more testing? Did you know that you will still get hypos and hypers, but hopefully with the right set up they will be less frequent and less extreme? It's just a simple question, not trying to be difficult or anything, just curious to know if you were led to believe the pump would fix all your problems and make life easier for you. Before we got Jess on a pump I had a very clear understanding that the pump would require more work, and more testing but the health benefits would make it worthwhile. Some of the staff and Jess' school somehow believed that the pump would be plugged in and that would be it, life would become easy with little testing and perfect results all the time. I had comments in the first few weeks, whilst we were tweaking all the settings, that it was a shame that the pump didn't work and solve the problems like we had hoped it would! My expectations of the pump, and theirs, were very different and in the early days they thought the pump was a failure and waste of time whereas I could see the benefits would be very favourable.
I have seen many times when I was researching pumping and I absolutely agree that a pump is not necessarily for everyone.
Not sure what your pre-pump expectations were, did you know it would be more work and more testing? Did you know that you will still get hypos and hypers, but hopefully with the right set up they will be less frequent and less extreme? It's just a simple question, not trying to be difficult or anything, just curious to know if you were led to believe the pump would fix all your problems and make life easier for you. Before we got Jess on a pump I had a very clear understanding that the pump would require more work, and more testing but the health benefits would make it worthwhile. Some of the staff and Jess' school somehow believed that the pump would be plugged in and that would be it, life would become easy with little testing and perfect results all the time. I had comments in the first few weeks, whilst we were tweaking all the settings, that it was a shame that the pump didn't work and solve the problems like we had hoped it would! My expectations of the pump, and theirs, were very different and in the early days they thought the pump was a failure and waste of time whereas I could see the benefits would be very favourable.
I have seen many times when I was researching pumping and I absolutely agree that a pump is not necessarily for everyone.
Hi sophiaW,
My pre-pump expectations were that it would make it easier to control my diabetes and i would have a bit more energy to do things with my children (i could go out with my kids and not have a hypo). This week my hypos have been occuring with out signs so not catching them until my bs is 2 and my hypers have all been over 33.
I was not led to belive that the pump was a fix all but my hypos have become as severe as before the pump so may come off it for a couple of weeks to have a break.
The OP wanted reassurance that he is not unique in not lovin his pump and i just agreed with him as i dont love mine.
Im not trying to be horrible but would you know if jess hated wearing hers? Just because the pump is making it easier for some people to control their daibetes doesnt mean that you have to love wearing one and to be honest i dont love mine!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josie
My pre-pump expectations were that it would make it easier to control my diabetes and i would have a bit more energy to do things with my children (i could go out with my kids and not have a hypo). This week my hypos have been occuring with out signs so not catching them until my bs is 2 and my hypers have all been over 33.
I was not led to belive that the pump was a fix all but my hypos have become as severe as before the pump so may come off it for a couple of weeks to have a break.
The OP wanted reassurance that he is not unique in not lovin his pump and i just agreed with him as i dont love mine.
Im not trying to be horrible but would you know if jess hated wearing hers? Just because the pump is making it easier for some people to control their daibetes doesnt mean that you have to love wearing one and to be honest i dont love mine!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josie
Not a Type 1 but do read all posts on this forum.
I have always been fascinated by the Pump and have a friend who has one. He feels that not enough was explained to him at the beginning and it was put forward as the answer to all his hypos, erratic readings etc. He admits that it is not easy to master and he is learning all the time. There are days when he could happily throw it a mile. He is now 10 months in and says he has a lot to learn.
Perhaps it is the advertising hype and the fact that some professionals quote from text books as opposed to having to wear one and finding out for themselves that it is a challenge?
Perhaps a poll would be the answer, I would love to see what you all think?
I have always been fascinated by the Pump and have a friend who has one. He feels that not enough was explained to him at the beginning and it was put forward as the answer to all his hypos, erratic readings etc. He admits that it is not easy to master and he is learning all the time. There are days when he could happily throw it a mile. He is now 10 months in and says he has a lot to learn.
Perhaps it is the advertising hype and the fact that some professionals quote from text books as opposed to having to wear one and finding out for themselves that it is a challenge?
Perhaps a poll would be the answer, I would love to see what you all think?
MushyPeaBrain
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 647
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Johnny you are not unique and I think the success of the pump can depend on what sort of diabetic you are but this is not something that any DSN would ever take into account. Some diabetics just have an "easier" time of it than others as it seems their control is not so sensitive to changes. From an early age my parents struggled to get my diabetes controlled, knowing full well how to handle the condition due to numerous diabetics on both sides. I was referred to a specialist who diagnosed brittle diabetes. He explained that this was the most severe form and would always be the most difficult to gain control of. We could literally put me in a controlled enviroment where I ate, exercised and did everything the same but my sugars would swimng about due to the brittle aspect. Now I am not saying that's what you are (back then the figures were less than 2% of diabetics actually are) but compare this to a diabetic friend of mine. She was only diagnosed a few years ago and was put on a pump due to being sporty, not because she met the high HBA1c criteria. She has literally perfect control day in, day out. Has had one hypo in the last year and runs her HBA1c at 5.2. She admits she is almost a borderline diabetic. With this in mind she can do almost anything and yet keep incredible control.
The point I'm trying to make is that you can do everything perfectly and still not get it right. I have a love hate relationship with my pump. With my sugars being so fickle I can act very fast to regain control and as a needle phobic I prefer less injecting. I hate the cannula insertion and when it fails my sugars spiral. It is absolutely much more work and some days I miss the security of an injection and knowing the insulin is in me. However I was given a life expectancy of 40 and the pump might give me more time so it's a hardship I feel is worth it (most days anyway!). I can see that overall I have better control but in my case it will never be amazing, just managed.
The point I'm trying to make is that you can do everything perfectly and still not get it right. I have a love hate relationship with my pump. With my sugars being so fickle I can act very fast to regain control and as a needle phobic I prefer less injecting. I hate the cannula insertion and when it fails my sugars spiral. It is absolutely much more work and some days I miss the security of an injection and knowing the insulin is in me. However I was given a life expectancy of 40 and the pump might give me more time so it's a hardship I feel is worth it (most days anyway!). I can see that overall I have better control but in my case it will never be amazing, just managed.
josie38 said:
I think as Jess' mother I'd know if she hated wearing a pump, no she doesn't hate it. It has made a huge difference to her independence and lifestyle and she often says to me how much she prefers the pump to injections. As for "loving" a pump, well I don't think she loves having diabetes and having to take insulin for it. Although she does say that she doesn't want a cure for diabetes because it's part of her and she can't imagine living without it, she feels she wouldn't be the same person. Fact of it is that she has diabetes and must take insulin, given the two options i.e. injecting or pump, the pump wins hands down from her view and mine too. As much as we like the pump and it has been life changing for both Jess and myself, I don't think we will ever say that we love it (although Jess may disagree with me). I'd much rather see my daughter free of diabetes than want her to wear a pump. But given the choice, for us, the pump is better.
I didn't think this thread was about "loving a pump" but rather about struggling to get the pump working right. This is why I was interested to know what people's expectations were from a pump. If they had been told that you set it up and then it works perfectly 100% of the time without needing tweaks every few weeks then they have been mislead and no wonder it's disheartening because it's never going to be a one time fix, it's only a tool to try and help get better control. I believe, and have read, that for some people as a tool it's not all that helpful and that's why those people go back to injecting. I get the impression that there is tremendous pressure on people to make the pump work and not to go back onto injections. I believe that injections and pumps are only a tool available to try and manage diabetes best as possible. Whichever tool works best for the individual is the one to use, there should be no guilt or pressure associated to "going back" if that's what someone feels is best for them.
jopar
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,222
When I read Johny's post it stood out that one of the reasons he didn't love his pump was because he was struggling and it wasn't fullfilling all what might have been promised! Giving him support and where to find helpful information might actually go a long way to helping him out..
Sophia you are right in that a insulin pump is only another method of delivering insulin just like a pen or syringe.. And here lays our problem..
People are being given pumps to over come MDI managment problems but in a lot of cases, they are being given before it's been established where the management fault lays, is it the equipment (as in my case) that making MDI fail or does the problem lay with the management skills of the diabetic?
If you take a look at those who succeed and those who fail with pumps you will find in a lot of cases, those who succeed are the individual who faught for their pump in the first place, and those who had the time of starting the pump could explain why MDI was failing!
Those who tend to have a very hard time both at the begining and as they go along are the ones, who didn't understand how to control their diabetes under MDI or those that fundementally failed under MDI who couldn't be bothered to put the work in to enable good management!
As to 'loving' the pump I wouldn't say I love my pump, I do enjoy the freedoms and level of control it give me, which I couldn't gain with MDI due to DP,EP, insulin sensivtivity, monthly hormone changes, pen and syringe doses abilities can't meet these needs a pump can..
For me management input is indentical for how I used to Managed MDI and now my pump in fact I would say my pump is less managment intensive against my mdi but then I did battle for 3 1/2 years to get a pump, did hoordles of research into both pumps and MDI management which I don't do so intensively now..
As to 'Loving' my pump I would say I 'Love' my pump. it's a fanstastic piece of kit that I enjoy having access to and no I wouldn't be without it... But as a diabetic I have to use insulin so need the best delivery method I can get to achieve good control for me that's the pump..
Sophia you are right in that a insulin pump is only another method of delivering insulin just like a pen or syringe.. And here lays our problem..
People are being given pumps to over come MDI managment problems but in a lot of cases, they are being given before it's been established where the management fault lays, is it the equipment (as in my case) that making MDI fail or does the problem lay with the management skills of the diabetic?
If you take a look at those who succeed and those who fail with pumps you will find in a lot of cases, those who succeed are the individual who faught for their pump in the first place, and those who had the time of starting the pump could explain why MDI was failing!
Those who tend to have a very hard time both at the begining and as they go along are the ones, who didn't understand how to control their diabetes under MDI or those that fundementally failed under MDI who couldn't be bothered to put the work in to enable good management!
As to 'loving' the pump I wouldn't say I love my pump, I do enjoy the freedoms and level of control it give me, which I couldn't gain with MDI due to DP,EP, insulin sensivtivity, monthly hormone changes, pen and syringe doses abilities can't meet these needs a pump can..
For me management input is indentical for how I used to Managed MDI and now my pump in fact I would say my pump is less managment intensive against my mdi but then I did battle for 3 1/2 years to get a pump, did hoordles of research into both pumps and MDI management which I don't do so intensively now..
As to 'Loving' my pump I would say I 'Love' my pump. it's a fanstastic piece of kit that I enjoy having access to and no I wouldn't be without it... But as a diabetic I have to use insulin so need the best delivery method I can get to achieve good control for me that's the pump..
I think having diabetes is a daily battle of getting things right regardless whether you are on MDI or pumping.
We are only 1 week into pumping! I'm testing my son every hour both night and day so am shattered, but compared to MDI we feel this is going to make our lives easier in the long run.
I agree with Sophia about expectations. We were battling with MDI so for us pumping just had to be better despite having to get to grips with a new device and go through all the additional testing and monitoring. So many friends of mine said 'so you won't need to weigh all his food any more' . If only!!
It's a shame that that some of you aren't as pleased with your device as we are. Hopefully your DSN can give you some support. Our pump has so many features that I think it will tAke me sometime to get my head around it!
We are only 1 week into pumping! I'm testing my son every hour both night and day so am shattered, but compared to MDI we feel this is going to make our lives easier in the long run.
I agree with Sophia about expectations. We were battling with MDI so for us pumping just had to be better despite having to get to grips with a new device and go through all the additional testing and monitoring. So many friends of mine said 'so you won't need to weigh all his food any more' . If only!!
It's a shame that that some of you aren't as pleased with your device as we are. Hopefully your DSN can give you some support. Our pump has so many features that I think it will tAke me sometime to get my head around it!
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
I totally disagree with Jopar assuming that those people (me) that didn't have to fight for a pump, are more likely to fail, and laying blame at the management being done by the diabetic themselves.
As with all varying different types of diabetes, and any disease in our short periods of time that we are here for-some people try **** hard to manage their conditions (not just diabetes).
I try **** hard to succeed with my diabetes, and all the way along I have said -that I would not hand my pump back, and that it is a good means to managing our diabetic lifes's just that some people do not find it easy sailing to establish consistent, normal levels with peaks and troughs, and whereas some people can go weeks without hanging anything on their pumps, some of us can't.
Some people seem to be taking offence that some of us aren't finding pumping to be easy, and that we struggle with getting levels balanced on a consistent basis.
I think without a doubt that despite struggling, the vast majority of us are actually happy to have a pump, but would like to be able to get those better. consistent levels that others seem to get.
All Johnny37 wanted to know was -is he the only one that struggles....is he unique....and from my point of view he isn't unique.
As with all varying different types of diabetes, and any disease in our short periods of time that we are here for-some people try **** hard to manage their conditions (not just diabetes).
I try **** hard to succeed with my diabetes, and all the way along I have said -that I would not hand my pump back, and that it is a good means to managing our diabetic lifes's just that some people do not find it easy sailing to establish consistent, normal levels with peaks and troughs, and whereas some people can go weeks without hanging anything on their pumps, some of us can't.
Some people seem to be taking offence that some of us aren't finding pumping to be easy, and that we struggle with getting levels balanced on a consistent basis.
I think without a doubt that despite struggling, the vast majority of us are actually happy to have a pump, but would like to be able to get those better. consistent levels that others seem to get.
All Johnny37 wanted to know was -is he the only one that struggles....is he unique....and from my point of view he isn't unique.
Hi Johnny I totally agree with you. Every health care worker I meet seems to think that having a pump is such a wonderful thing especially now that I dont have to inject! The fact is that having to inject 4x a day wasn't such a problem compared to the 10x a day blood test. Since being on the pump my bs go up and down so erratically that I have no other option but to test so often. I remeber when I swapped from using needles onto using a pen (18yrs ago) and I also remember then that they were supposed to be such a wonderful invention, I'm getting a sense of deja vu now with the pump. Dont get me wrong I appreciate being able to have a pump but I think it should be made clear that it isn't as black and white as the healthcare professional would like to think. Most days I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. Sorry if this post goes on with me moaning but i'm not having such a great day with the pump and my bs
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
And...in addition-saying that those who don't fight for a pump have harder times managing them....is actually knocking the fantastic hospital and staff that I have - that are so forward thinking ahead of their game, that they can and DO help people with their diabetes....making people fight for a pump is wasting NHS money, time and putting people's health more at risk. I find fsuch a comment from Jopar quite derogaratory towards my hospital and my HCP's who are so well organised...and making assumptions (wrongly) about how I have tried to manage my diabetes for the past 26 years....
Hi,
Just read this thread and found it quite interesting so i thought i'd post my view.
I first sumbled upon the idea of a pump on this forum, i then researched it as i found it all quite interesting. I found there can be very mixed views on pumps.
I decided that i was definately pro-pump and set on my mission to get one, however long it took.
I asked my GP about it and he told me that i would have to ask my diabetes consultant, so i did. I was told i was a good candidate for one but it would be a long journey, first i had to do the DAFNE course and show i could carb count well.
At this point pre-DAFNE my hba1c's were never below 12.1% because i couldn't grasp or understand being told 'take this many units per meal' in result of just being told this very poor information i hated diabetes, it was my worst enemy and because i was failing so badly at controlling it i decided i really didnt care, then i read about pumps and the DAFNE course, and thought BRILLIANT someone will finally explain it all to me in a logical way!
On the DAFNE course i already knew my aim was to get a pump, so when the nurse showed it all one i immediately said 'that's what i want' the other people i was on the course mostly said they wouldn't want one, and my thoughts were 'why the heck not' it seemed brilliant to me!
anyway.. i waited over 18 months to be finally 'hooked up' i was told repeatedly, 'this is NOT a quick fix' the pump WILL NOT do the work for you. So at no point did i think i was in for an easy ride..
And it hasn't been, up at 3am many nights to check my basal's, thinking i had it all right and then i would hypo all the time, a slight tweak and i'd be hyper all the time.
But i can honestly say i do LOVE my pump, because it really has changed my life, on MDI it was bleak, horrible and i just couldn't get it right no matter how hard i tried, and that was after DAFNE. i applied all the logic i was taught and put 150% effort into it, but it just wasn't working.
With the pump it's still up and down sometimes, it's definately not perfect. It's definately more work than MDI for me. I know some people will happily stay on MDI because it works really well and i dont see a probem with wanting to stay with MDI if it works for you.
I think by when i say i love my pump is that i have diabetes, and any which way i look at it, i need insulin, i need to test, even though the pump is hard work, it gives me the control i've always wanted. and thats why i love it. It is a pain in the backside i will agree on that one.
I would never willingly go back to MDI not because i think the pump is better. Just because the pump is better for me
Just read this thread and found it quite interesting so i thought i'd post my view.
I first sumbled upon the idea of a pump on this forum, i then researched it as i found it all quite interesting. I found there can be very mixed views on pumps.
I decided that i was definately pro-pump and set on my mission to get one, however long it took.
I asked my GP about it and he told me that i would have to ask my diabetes consultant, so i did. I was told i was a good candidate for one but it would be a long journey, first i had to do the DAFNE course and show i could carb count well.
At this point pre-DAFNE my hba1c's were never below 12.1% because i couldn't grasp or understand being told 'take this many units per meal' in result of just being told this very poor information i hated diabetes, it was my worst enemy and because i was failing so badly at controlling it i decided i really didnt care, then i read about pumps and the DAFNE course, and thought BRILLIANT someone will finally explain it all to me in a logical way!
On the DAFNE course i already knew my aim was to get a pump, so when the nurse showed it all one i immediately said 'that's what i want' the other people i was on the course mostly said they wouldn't want one, and my thoughts were 'why the heck not' it seemed brilliant to me!
anyway.. i waited over 18 months to be finally 'hooked up' i was told repeatedly, 'this is NOT a quick fix' the pump WILL NOT do the work for you. So at no point did i think i was in for an easy ride..
And it hasn't been, up at 3am many nights to check my basal's, thinking i had it all right and then i would hypo all the time, a slight tweak and i'd be hyper all the time.
But i can honestly say i do LOVE my pump, because it really has changed my life, on MDI it was bleak, horrible and i just couldn't get it right no matter how hard i tried, and that was after DAFNE. i applied all the logic i was taught and put 150% effort into it, but it just wasn't working.
With the pump it's still up and down sometimes, it's definately not perfect. It's definately more work than MDI for me. I know some people will happily stay on MDI because it works really well and i dont see a probem with wanting to stay with MDI if it works for you.
I think by when i say i love my pump is that i have diabetes, and any which way i look at it, i need insulin, i need to test, even though the pump is hard work, it gives me the control i've always wanted. and thats why i love it. It is a pain in the backside i will agree on that one.
I would never willingly go back to MDI not because i think the pump is better. Just because the pump is better for me
I agree with you all. I was so excited to get the pump, as a needle phobic I thought this would solve everything, the first year was great, eventually got to grips with it, did all my adjustments, HBA1c came down and I got some control back in my life, however, during this second year of having the pump, I've had nothing but problems, constant hypo's from excersise, even just walking to the shop and back, I can't dance without having a hypo and I love to dance. The other problem that some of you are aware of is cannula changes, 1 in 4 go in - the rest kink, don't penetrate the skin leaving my sugars at 27+ everytime then of course it's back to the good old faithful injections.
I do love having the pump when it works as my control is a lot better than it used to be, don't get me wrong its not perfect, normal weeks I can run between about 6-12 but when the pump fails me I absolutely hate it with a passion! Take today for example, I've had about 3 hours sleep as I woke up in the middle of the night high, realised it was the pump, changed the set, gave a correction by needle and then woke up again with a severe hypo - twice! (my own fault probably by giving to much insulin) but when this happens I definitely contemplate going back to injections. I'm just not sure. Sorry for the rant all, i'm a bit deflated today Wonder when they'll cure us all ey??
I do love having the pump when it works as my control is a lot better than it used to be, don't get me wrong its not perfect, normal weeks I can run between about 6-12 but when the pump fails me I absolutely hate it with a passion! Take today for example, I've had about 3 hours sleep as I woke up in the middle of the night high, realised it was the pump, changed the set, gave a correction by needle and then woke up again with a severe hypo - twice! (my own fault probably by giving to much insulin) but when this happens I definitely contemplate going back to injections. I'm just not sure. Sorry for the rant all, i'm a bit deflated today
Wonder when they'll cure us all ey?? Thanks for all the replies. I dont hate my pump. On balance its probably better than injecting. Its just that my control is not much different to when I was on MDI. Testing 10-15 times a day, including during the night. Lots of highs, lots of corrections and hypo at least once a day. I was 2.2 at 3am today, 8.2 yesterday and 12.9 the day before. My endo say I am insulin sensitive. Probably not all the time. People who are not 'sensitive' I guess are more tolerant and it does not matter if they are one or two units out on the dose.
Some of the comments above ring a bell with me, eg the one about hypoing on a simple shopping trip.
Definitely not a magic solution for me but your comments give me some confidence that I am not expected to get it right all the time.
ps my pump nurse is definitely not an expert either! She's got to learn somewhere!
Some of the comments above ring a bell with me, eg the one about hypoing on a simple shopping trip.
Definitely not a magic solution for me but your comments give me some confidence that I am not expected to get it right all the time.
ps my pump nurse is definitely not an expert either! She's got to learn somewhere!
