Hi
@KimmyT
I really like my pump but agree it is useful to do some research first.
I have had two pumps - a tubey one which is no longer available and a Medtrum patch pump.
Regarding your questions
Do the lines get in the way of daily life?
When I had a tubey pump, I was able to tuck the tube away and never had an issue of catching it on a door handle which I was afraid. of beforehand.
You have to think about the tube when you get dressed but after that, it is no bother.
Does the cannula etc have to get changed every day when you shower?
You can unclip a tubey pump when you have a shower. The cannula remains (you can add a cap if you want) so you just clip the tube back in when you get out of the shower.
A patch pump, remains attached all the time.
Cannulas are changed every 3 days.
Does it get tangled during sleep?
When I got my first pump, I was told I could let it roam free in bed. Whilst teh tube never got tangled, the pump would always migrate to just under my hip bone and I would wake up when I shifted.
I invested in a HidIn Pump belt which I wrapped around my upper leg during teh night and kept my pump under control.
(The pump belt was also good during the day)
Where do users put their pump daily? (e.g. a belt or holder)
With a tubey pump, I either clipped it to my waistband, used a pump belt or made a small hole in my trouser pocket to feed the tube through and kept the pump in my pocket. The latter approach worked for baggy trousers but not great for something more tailored.
Some women, keep their pump in their bra or suspend it from the lower bra strap.
How did you decide which one to go for?
With my first pump, I had no choice.
When it came up for renewal, I was told, again I had no choice. However, as I am petite, I always found it difficult to hide my pump. It was either completely on display or I had a weird square bulge. This was affecting my mental health as I felt I was always "announcing my diabetes" so made an impassioned plea for a smaller pump. Initially, I was told "tough" but, luckily, Medtrum approached my clinic to do a trial of their pump and I was selected as the guinea pig and have been using it since.
If I was to choose today, the first step is to find out what your clinic offers. I was incredibly lucky to get a pump which was officially not on offer and suspect I was "allowed" to go off piste because it was not my first pump. There is little point investigating a pump which your clinic does not offer. You are very likely to be disappointed.
After that I think the thinsg to consider are
- size of cartridge. Most are 200 units. If you use more than about 60 units of insulin per day (basal and bolus), you will haveto change your sets every other day unless you have a bigger pump
- does the size of pump matter to you? As I emntioned, being small, meant it was difficult to hide the pump.
- how do you want to control your pump and give yourself a bolus dose? Many pumps have the controls on teh pump. So you will need to get it out to give yourself a bolus. This is not ideal if your pump is stuffed down your bra. Some pumps have a separate PDM (I think of it like a remote control). This is great because your pump can stay in place but it is soemthing else for me to lose. Finally, some pumps can be controlled via a phone app. This is great if you have a compatible phone which you always have charged.
- do you want the option for closed looping. YOu may not get a CGM with your pump but you may be able to fund one yourself.
Any rugby/contact sports players on a pump how do you find ease of use is during training and games?
I do not do contact sports but am pretty active. In fact, sport was the main justification for a pump. My levels plummet when I exercise With a pump, I am able to suspend my basal and stop the hypos. With a tubed pump, you can disconnect the pump, enjoy a game/half of rugby, avoid the hypos (without the need for carb stuffing up front) and then plug back in when you have finished/
I did read of someone who does karate with a pump. She wrapped her pump in bubble wrap before a "fight" (?)