Curious about the pump?

[Chloesnavy]

Hello all. I've been a diabetic now since
I was 6. (24 now) I've always have problems controlling my diabetes. The control isn't TERRIBLE, but it's not exactly good. My kidneys are leaking protein, and I'm a bit scared. I'm on lisinopril to protect them. I've never had anything mentioned to me before about the pump. Who here is on one? Is it any good? Does it help you control your diabetes? I think maybe I need to get one but literally don't know anything about it ha! Thank you

 

[catapillar]

A pump works by drip feeding you fast acting insulin all the time. The constant drip feed is your basal rate, then when you eat you tell the pump how many grams of carbs you are eating and it works out a bolus for you.

The pumps just another tool for managing diabetes. The user still has to do all the thinking and tell the pump what to do.

It can be a bit of work to get basal rates right and to get your head around different bolus options from a pump.

I think the work is worth it and a pump does offer more options for diabetes management as you can set a basal rate exactly how you want it hour by hour (great if you have dawn phenomenon) and you can make much more accurate use of insulin to carb ratios as pumps go up/down in much smaller increments that half a unit, mine does 0.05 units, I think some pumps do 0.025 units, so you can do micro bolusing for corrections. And it's always on so always handy for bolusing. Then there's temporary basal rates that make the basal much more flexible to what you need.

Here's a page of info on pumps - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/how-insulin-pumps-work.html

There's a pump section in the forum too

 

[Chloesnavy]

A pump works by drip feeding you fast acting insulin all the time. The constant drip feed is your basal rate, then when you eat you tell the pump how many grams of carbs you are eating and it works out a bolus for you.

The pumps just another tool for managing diabetes. The user still has to do all the thinking and tell the pump what to do.

It can be a bit of work to get basal rates right and to get your head around different bolus options from a pump.

I think the work is worth it and a pump does offer more options for diabetes management as you can set a basal rate exactly how you want it hour by hour (great if you have dawn phenomenon) and you can make much more accurate use of insulin to carb ratios as pumps go up/down in much smaller increments that half a unit, mine does 0.05 units, I think some pumps do 0.025 units, so you can do micro bolusing for corrections. And it's always on so always handy for bolusing. Then there's temporary basal rates that make the basal much more flexible to what you need.

Here's a page of info on pumps - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/how-insulin-pumps-work.html

There's a pump section in the forum too

Ah okay thank you. I literally don't know anything about it. Have you got the pump?
I feel like I just suck at it and need more help

 

[Gaz-M]

It may help you and there are so many video's on youtube that would help you learn about them, I have been on one since December 2015 and overall control has improved but by no means perfect. A pump is only as good as its user and the work you put into keeping your levels good

 

[Medusa41]

Hi - agree with @catapillar & @Gaz-M - still some work with it but I love my pump. Got it last Apr & my HBA1C has come down. It's v flexible - being able to change basal rates hour by hour is fab. Good luck

 

[mentat]

Hi Chloesnavy,

The main advantages of the pump are:

• Ability to control your basal levels at different hours of the day (e.g. more basal at night, less basal during the day)
• Ability to temporarily change your basal levels (which helps to deal with exercise)
  
• Inbuilt dosage calculator (you have to tell it carbs and your BG)
  
• Convenience and discreetness of bolusing

This can all really help to improve your control, and even have a more flexible lifestyle. Having your basals set up correctly makes it much easier to vary the time at which you eat, or skip meals, for instance.

You can ask your clinic to loan you a pump to try out.

 

[Chloesnavy]

It may help you and there are so many video's on youtube that would help you learn about them, I have been on one since December 2015 and overall control has improved but by no means perfect. A pump is only as good as its user and the work you put into keeping your levels good

Thank you. I think I need one now tbh. I'm struggling over here haha. Feel so stupid.

 

[Chloesnavy]

Hi Chloesnavy,

The main advantages of the pump are:

• Ability to control your basal levels at different hours of the day (e.g. more basal at night, less basal during the day)
• Ability to temporarily change your basal levels (which helps to deal with exercise)
  
• Inbuilt dosage calculator (you have to tell it carbs and your BG)
  
• Convenience and discreetness of bolusing

This can all really help to improve your control, and even have a more flexible lifestyle. Having your basals set up correctly makes it much easier to vary the time at which you eat, or skip meals, for instance.

You can ask your clinic to loan you a pump to try out.

Do you reckon they would loan one? I hope so. I really think I should get one, because I'm starting to struggle a little bit and just heard it's a lot of help.
What about f you have showers, etc? What happens to it? So many questions haha

 

[Chloesnavy]

Hi - agree with @catapillar & @Gaz-M - still some work with it but I love my pump. Got it last Apr & my HBA1C has come down. It's v flexible - being able to change basal rates hour by hour is fab. Good luck

Thank you! I hope I can get it

 

[novorapidboi26]

It helps to have some carb counting and dose adjustment experience under your belt.....A lot of clinics wouldn't give you one without it....And this would suggest that despite using all the knowledge learned on dose adjustment etc you still can't gain better control and therefore would qualify....

First step is ask your team, get a discussion going....

When used properly they are brilliant....

 

[catapillar]

Thank you. I think I need one now tbh. I'm struggling over here haha. Feel so stupid.

What is it you're struggling with @Chloesnavy ? Why do you think a pump will be the solution?

 

[JimC]

Hi, what others have said are spot on, I've been on a pump for about 6 months now and have to say it's been the best thing! There was a little tweaking to start with to get the best basal rate but now that's sorted things are going great, there is a little blip now and then but most of the time in my case that's down to the cannula site so once changed all good. Carb counting was a bit of a pain mainly for my wife when cooking fresh stuff but there are apps and tools that have helped her with that as it's like second nature to me now lol

 

[paulliljeros]

I started on a pump about 11 months, and CGM 14 months, and both have changed my life in ways I couldn't have imagined, but it isn't the best solution for everyone. As suggested, check out you tube, and consider reading "Think Like a Pancreas" and/or "Sugar Surfing" and/or "Pumping Insulin". These 3 books give various insights into controlling diabetes, and will help you think about the considerations you need to make.
Personally, I had terrible BG/diabetes control before I even considered a pump, and by pure chance, I sorted that out, and that in turn, gave me the foundations to build on when starting the pump. I would consider asking your DSN/consultant about pumps, as that conversation will give you a insight into whether they are likely to support you. Even if not, you can ask the first question, which is "What do I need to do to make myself eligible?". Do not get disheartened if they do not seem supportive, there are numerous ways around it, and I am sure people will be happy to advise once you have done a little more investigation. Good Luck

 

[Leejjay]

I've been on a pump since 29/02/16. It's fantastic. I was what my DSN called a Hypo Junkie. So this has sorted me out no end. So speak to your DSN, it's not as hard as people make out.
I have been told by my nurses that I can (and I do) disconnect for up to an hour. So showering, swimming, sex (always important) are all easy!