Insulin Pump Nerves

[LauraNoraLoo]

I feel really really nervous about getting an insulin pump, ive never actually said yes to having one but it seems to be going ahead anyway.

By nervous i mean i feel sick at the thought. Its not that i dont want one - i know that it will probably help my control in the long run but i already feel different from all my friends by taking injections, let alone having something attached to me at all times

does anyone else feel the same or am i being stupid?

 

[becki]

Hi,

No your not it is a big change

however after being on the pump since mon it is so much better, you have to put the work in and be prepared to check levels during the night. but compared to injecting the pump is nothing.

You can hide the pump, i've had it on my waistband and to be honest it doesn't bother me if anyone sees it but today i've had it inbetween the cups of my bra clipped on and no one could see it, my 2 boys who are very observant told me i was in trouble because i'd forgotten it.

It is usual, don't worry, BUT it is your decision and if you don't like it you can always hand the pump back but i don't think you would

good luck

becki x

 

[donnellysdogs]

Agree totally with Becki.

I have a pump with a remote control, and people take no notice if I take that out-whereas with injections people can make a big deal out of it.

Once I have my pump on my arm, I don't take it off until either having a bath/shower or changing the cartridge. Ok, because it's on my arm, I have to make sure when buying clothes that I can get my arm in-(some clothes have really small upper arms!), but apart from that nobody knows I have it on. They may look at me during the summer when I wear my vest tops, but it doesn't bother me at all.

It is harder work than MDI, in so much that so far I am still doing loads of testing, and still altering basal rates. Perhaps somebody using a pump more than 12 months could let me know how often they blood test and change basals etc, as I am 6 months in to it....

I think you should see it as a positive that your hospital think that you could manage one......

 

[spideog]

does anyone else feel the same

Yep.

or am i being stupid?

I don't think so, but ask me next week once I'm plugged in.

I'm half feeling a bit scared of the pump and the concept of being attached to something kind of permanently, but any time I think about it logically it's all potentially good. Just the change to what we are used to I think is part of what makes it a bit scary.