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Insulin Pump as a Circus Performer??

jaymieleigh1412

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm hoping to get some insight from others that are using the pump and may be in a similar situation to me.

I am a type 1 diabetic and have been offered the pump a few times, but have always turned it down as I'm a circus performer and have always thought it wouldnt work having it connected to me while training and performing. After doing some research, I can see that the pump would be so much better for my health as it acts more like a pancreas and you have so much more control.

I am an acrobat and so my job is very similar to gymnasts and cheerleaders. I also do aerial work, where i often have to wrap the silk around my body and waist and hang from it. This is what I am most concerned about. I know that you can disconnect the pump for about an hour, but that you still have the infusion part left in the body. When this is disconnected, is this easy to get ripped out if it is covered? Also would it be painful when pressure is applied to it (pressure from the material being wrapped around it and hanging from it). My thoughts are that this wouldnt work, but I have no experience with it and also dont have any diabetic friends to ask.

Another thing is about hiding the pump when wearing tight costumes, as sometimes I am required to be on stage for a whole show, not just my act.
 
There are some great pumpers on here
have tagged a few of them for their input
@noblehead , @tim2000s , @Debloubed

Hoping to get a pump soon myself
you should check into the omnipod -it is tubeless !
 
Hi @himtoo, I'm honoured that you thought I pump, but sadly, I'm MDI as I too struggle with the "your control is too good to qualify for a pump" issue!
 
I think it may be difficult with a wired pump in some aspects.

My pump goes under really tight clothes no problems. However ut depends where you wear it a d whether its long sleeve or dhort sleeve. Etc. I wear mine on my arm. I can't see that it would be easy to wear on your waist in performances such as yours.

On an arm wouldn't be ideal if wearing short sleeves as mine is held in place with 2 layers of cashmere arm support and a layer of tubigrip over the top.

You would also need to consider one with a remote control so that you didn't have to remove the pump for bolusing etc.

An omnipod may be worth considering but I don't know authig about these at all.

You certainly wouldn't want to have a pump with wires without a remote control.

I am physically active but not in the same degree as you and I don't know whether an insurance company would cover it for accidental damage in your orofession either.
 
tim2000s said:
Hi @himtoo, I'm honoured that you thought I pump, but sadly, I'm MDI as I too struggle with the "your control is too good to qualify for a pump" issue!
Click to expand...
Oops !
 
himtoo said:
Sorry I missed you in the great pumpers list !
was not sure but will remember you going forward
Click to expand...
Ok I will let you off just this once
 
The Omnipod would be ideal as its tubeless, when your bolusing you have to be within 5 feet of the PDM (this is the hand-held control that operates the Pod) but you can move away from it and not have it close by and it will still deliver your basal insulin as the Pod is already programmed.

The Pods, once applied are really hard to dislodge and when you do a Pod change you will see why, so provided no hard force is used against the Pod itself it may be suitable for your occupation, have a chat with Ypsomed care-line who manufacturer the pump and they will say if it would be suitable in your profession, but much will depend on what options your hospital gives as to what pump you will end up with. Good luck.
 
Thanks guys! I'm not so sure about the omnipod as it is larger and cannot be removed? I like the fact that the other pumps can be disconnected and the cannula that is left is very small. I have recently found that you can get a harness that fits the pump on your back in between the shoulders which would be perfect
 

The pods are really small, a lot smaller than they were when the Omnipod first came out, but go with the one that best suits your own needs.
 
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