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Hopefully getting a pump

J

JoJoS

Member
Messages
13
Location
Hertfordshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello!

After many years of trying, I think I am one step nearer to getting a pump. I have the dawn phenomenon and just want to feel better!

What are the realities of living with a pump like? On one hand I am excited, but on the other I feel very apprehensive. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks xx
 
Hi @JoJoS That's good news - do you know how long it will take and have you been given any indication as to which pump you'll get ?

The realities are that with some effort your control will become much tighter, exercise is easier as you can create exercise settings or adjust insulin flow more easily, it becomes almost invisible very quickly as you learn to wear it and adapt very quickly with it, if you know which one then more can be explained about what features are available on that model ?
 
The realities for me are:
On the plus side:
- tighter control
- exercise is much easier
- pizza eating is better
- less paraphernalia to carry on a day out
- quicker to take insulin dose
- no worries about forgetting to take basal
- easier to handle time zone changes
On the negative side
- more to configure so more to get wrong
- site changes are a faff
- more paraphernalia to take when going overnight
- longer discussions at airport security
- after 2 years, I'm still not used to carry a "pack of cards" around with me at all times. I am slim and have no where to hide it. A tubeless pump may be easier.
 
JoJoS said:
Hello!

After many years of trying, I think I am one step nearer to getting a pump. I have the dawn phenomenon and just want to feel better!

What are the realities of living with a pump like? On one hand I am excited, but on the other I feel very apprehensive. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks xx
Click to expand...

The only real disadvantage to me is placing sites, which is getting harder after years of pumping. Make sure you rotate sites often and always change them every 3 days. I didn't always do this in my first few years and it cost me in the long run. Other than that, there is almost nothing I like better about shots vs the pump. The fears about being attached, etc. go away rather quickly. I will say it's probably easier being a guy on a pump since I'm always wearing pants, shorts or jeans with pockets and can easily store/hide the pump in my right pant pocket.

I tried MDI for the past few months and hated it for many reasons. One of them was that I found it impossible to eat almost anything as I could only dose in units of 0.5 or 1 and had no ability to extend boluses over time to help with post-meal spikes, delayed digestion from fat, protein etc. I find almost everything I eat has an affect later and it's very difficult to dose for this on shots alone.
 
Last edited:
JoJoS said:
Hello!

After many years of trying, I think I am one step nearer to getting a pump. I have the dawn phenomenon and just want to feel better!

What are the realities of living with a pump like? On one hand I am excited, but on the other I feel very apprehensive. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks xx
Click to expand...
I think you will have only one big regret, that you didn't do it sooner. There are a few people that don't like a pump, but they are in the minority. I have been on a pump for almost 2 weeks and I love it. I had concerns and I was worried am I doing the right thing before I got it. It's still being adjusted, but my control is amazing, I have reduced my insulin consumption by over half, it maybe psychological, but I feel so much better with more energy. Being on a short leash doesn't worry me at all. Sleeping with it is not a problem and I kick and turn in bed. I'm totally unaware it's there at all times. This thing is the best thing I have had. Hint wear a CGM at least for the first few weeks. Go for it.
 
Thank you for all your help.

I think the pump I'm getting is the Medtronic 640G.

Just want to get started.
 
JoJoS said:
Hello!

After many years of trying, I think I am one step nearer to getting a pump. I have the dawn phenomenon and just want to feel better!

What are the realities of living with a pump like? On one hand I am excited, but on the other I feel very apprehensive. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks xx
Click to expand...
I too suffered from the dawn phenomenon and I have been using the pump for about 8 years. Personally I like it and it has certainly sorted out the highs in the mornings. My hbA1c has improved but it takes work initially to get your settings right etc so be prepared for fasting and testing blood sugars two hourly overnight a couple of times. All this said it is worth it ! Good luck
 
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