Type 1 Insulin Pump and weight loss

I'm about to start on a pump on the 25th

I think it could help a bit, but it will take a lot of effort.

For example, I go running after work. At the moment I have to have a snack before I leave to keep my BG up and prevent a hypo. On the pump it is possible to set a TBR which will (I think) eliminate the need for that snack and hence increase the benefits of the exercise.

Purely speculation though


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Hi there, some people find they put on weight with the pump. I've been told that this is generally because people eat more because they don't have to inject again. Have you been on a diabetes education course- we have DAFNE here..that can help with managing the low blood sugars. The rule is-I think- catch it as early as possible and have 15gs then test againand repeat if necessary. Weight loss and diabetes is hard; I've found running really helps. hale710; it's great on the pump- I just reduce my basal to 75% for an hour and it seems to keep me level.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to all!

Hi Jillyp

A pump, once you get the basal settings and the correct insulin to carb ratios sorted out should reduce the number of hypos you are having. My hypos on MDI were severe and I was over treating them with glucose drinks which are pretty calorific. My total insulin needs reduced after starting on a pump so there is less circulating insulin looking for work. If you can manage to get your blood sugars stable, reduce hypos and reduce total insulin onboard then that will all help. A pump will allow you to exercise without having to replace the calories burnt with hypo remedies as you can do a lot more to keep control such as setting temporary basal rates at reduced levels to prevent hypos.

A pump is a much more delicate controllable way to deal with blood sugars and you feel a lot more able to react to situations. Once you have removed rollercoaster blood sugars and having to treat so many hypos you will hopefully see the benefits of exercise. Good luck with starting on your pump, it takes a lot of testing and tweaking to get stable levels but well worth the effort.

hale710 said:

I'm about to start on a pump on the 25th

I think it could help a bit, but it will take a lot of effort.

For example, I go running after work. At the moment I have to have a snack before I leave to keep my BG up and prevent a hypo. On the pump it is possible to set a TBR which will (I think) eliminate the need for that snack and hence increase the benefits of the exercise.

Purely speculation though


Blogging at drivendiabetic.wordpress.com

Click to expand...

You will most likely still need to eat a small snack to prevent the hypo feeling until you get your bearings with the pump......there's a lot of trial and error.

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iHs said:

You will most likely still need to eat a small snack to prevent the hypo feeling until you get your bearings with the pump......there's a lot of trial and error.

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Click to expand...

No doubt! I've been told to expect 3 months of REALLY hard word, followed by another 3-6 of fairly hard work to get things sorted. Long term though the goal is to eliminate some of the additional snacks I have prior to exercise which are empty calories


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Jillyp83 said:

Hi wondered if anyone could help. I am about to be given an insulin pump, I have been having continuous hypos and my diabetes nurse said the pump will help. I am trying to lose weight as I had a baby a year ago and put on crazy amounts of weight and I am struggling to lose this. Do you know if the insulin pump will help with weight loss? I feel so down about my weight and I am trying everything I have a personal trainer but the weight isn't moving.

Thanks

Click to expand...

As long as you put the work in for setting up the pump (basal testing) then your hypos will reduce no end, thus no extra calories going in to increase your weight. So yes the pump does help
Do buy yourself the book pumping insulin by John Walsh as this will be you pump bible.

hale710 said:

No doubt! I've been told to expect 3 months of REALLY hard word, followed by another 3-6 of fairly hard work to get things sorted. Long term though the goal is to eliminate some of the additional snacks I have prior to exercise which are empty calories


Blogging at drivendiabetic.wordpress.com

Click to expand...

Pumps are hard work in figuring out what settings to use to deal with exercising.....a lot of trial and error with mistakes being made along the way. John Walsh discusses pumping and exercise in his book but he also mentions eating some carb as well to deal with the dropping of bg levels.

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