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CURIOUS ABOUT THE INSULIN PUMP

T

tilly456

Member
Messages
9
I have been introduced to the insulin pump.... However my diabetic nurse had said I would have to complete a few assessment based on carb counting and diabetes in general
Is it just me ?
Are the assessment difficult ?
Should I be scared ?
What are the disadvantage + advantages on having the pump ?
 
Not just you. Most people need to be assessed on their carb counting skills prior to pumping, usually complete dafne. Not always, but most. This is so that the user has a broad knowledge of carb counting, adjusting for exercise etc, abe also understand how to test basal levels , this so so the user gets maximum benefit from pumping, as it takes alot of effort to get set up at the start of pumping.
The major benefit of pumping is bring able to adjust the basal every hour, as opposed to 1/2 injections of it each day. Allows for greater stability of your basal because of this. No injections, just a cannula in you every 2/3 days. Usually leads to better control if its all set up correctly.
The downside is its with you 24/7. Not too long ago, did have enough of carrying my little friend around so what back to injecting, lasted 4 days before I got fed up of injecting again and worse control.

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I had to do a DAFNE type course before getting my pump too in order to learn how to carb count.

Advantages:
Adjust basal hourly (as Brett said)
Able to give much smaller doses of bolus insulin.
Easy to adjust the basal insulin if you do more exercise than usual or are ill.
Only need to change the cannula every 2/3 days (although I believe some people find they need to do it every 1/2 days)
Better control

Disadvantages:
With you all the time (which can on occasion be annoying, but not enough to get rid of it).
Quite a few things to carry around with me in my bag - spare cannula, insulin, and insulin cartridge as well as my two pens (in case the pump should fail, which it has never done).

A pump is worth considering and finding out about. It might feel a bit scary to get a pump at first as it is a change from injections, but I'm definitely glad I got one!


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Hi Tilly,

I started a pump in Nov 2013, I had done my local area's carb counting course and I was offered a referral to Kings as my area had no funding for pumps. So I went saw Professor Amiel who said needed a pump a month later I started on one. I WOULD not change it. It is so much better, I love it my 1AC has dropped to near normal levels on Fri it was 7.6%, down from 8.3%. I have a lot more energy, my blood sugars are a lot better. I am so glad I got a pump.
 
No, don't feel the canula at all. On occasion it can be inserted incorrectly and get a nigly/scratchy feeling there, very rarely tbh. If that happens its a sign its gone a bit **** up and start again

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