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Insulin Pump: Pro's and Con's

bri281295

bri281295

Well-Known Member
I went to my diabetes check up appointment today and because I'm doing so well my specialist has suggested perhaps going on a pump. I don't know much about how it works, I'm researching now but I was just wondering if any of you could help me weigh out the pros and the cons and your experiences with pumps.
 
I have a question about pumps ......why is it ...so it seems ...that people who are good only get these pumps...what bout people who hate the needles and the whole testing lark,,,,,why not them also ?.

I mean y not let all T1's have the option to have pump.?.......no ??
 
bri281295 said:
I went to my diabetes check up appointment today and because I'm doing so well my specialist has suggested perhaps going on a pump. I don't know much about how it works, I'm researching now but I was just wondering if any of you could help me weigh out the pros and the cons and your experiences with pumps.
Click to expand...
Hey Bri281295,

So I've been on the minimed pump for about three years now and I can tell you there really isn't much of a downfall to it. I love it. I am able to better control my bgs. You have more control over how much insulin you're getting through the day and it keeps track of it for you. You can set reminders and even do a delay release for like if you're eating at a buffet or something. If I had to find a downfall I'd say the cord can get caught on things, and I've had it torn out of my body lol.

I know it can be scary for the first little bit. And it can get stressful trying to figure out how much to set your basal rate to; but trust me when I say that once you have that figured out, it is smooth sailing and an excellent decision to make.
 
@bri281295, if you have a good read around the Insulin Pump section of the forum you will find similar threads where members are asking about the pro's & con's of pumping insulin, but the following website also has some great information and advice too on insulin pumps, the process involved in getting one and users feedback on different pumps available:

http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/
 
I have an omipod and love it. I would say a pump purely has its disadvantages or not by your life style. It's helped me lots but I make sure not to be come dependant on it as it's just technology that can stop
 
MrBloominggrumpy said:
I have a question about pumps ......why is it ...so it seems ...that people who are good only get these pumps...what bout people who hate the needles and the whole testing lark,,,,,why not them also ?.

I mean y not let all T1's have the option to have pump.?.......no ??
Click to expand...
If someone is not disciplined enough to test and inject he will never do well on a pump. Its a hard work, huge commitment and requires lots of testing. You need to prove you are serious about taking care of your diabetes before they give you this quite expensive device
 
MrBloominggrumpy said:
I have a question about pumps ......why is it ...so it seems ...that people who are good only get these pumps...what bout people who hate the needles and the whole testing lark,,,,,why not them also ?.

I mean y not let all T1's have the option to have pump.?.......no ??
Click to expand...

Because a pump involves more commitment and understanding.. And it still involves putting a needle in your body. If someone can't commit to injecting and testing tbey ade less likely to succeed with a pump which is about £3-£3500. Why should the NHS just throwmoney away on people that are not 100% in their attempts to control their diabetes?? Commitment from patients is more than the money and red tape for not getting a pump...
 
bri281295 said:
I went to my diabetes check up appointment today and because I'm doing so well my specialist has suggested perhaps going on a pump. I don't know much about how it works, I'm researching now but I was just wondering if any of you could help me weigh out the pros and the cons and your experiences with pumps.
Click to expand...
Pump is great for me and my levels improved a lot. I enjoy flexibility it gives me when it comes to exercise/walks etc. The downfall is that it is attached to you all the time.
If you are doing great on injections and you dont need that flexibility I would stay on injections. Or maybe take a pump and try it for few months. you can always go back to injections:)
 
donnellysdogs said:
Because a pump involves more commitment and understanding.. And it still involves putting a needle in your body. If someone can't commit to injecting and testing tbey ade less likely to succeed with a pump which is about £3-£3500. Why should the NHS just throwmoney away on people that are not 100% in their attempts to control their diabetes?? Commitment from patients is more than the money and red tape for not getting a pump...
Click to expand...

Err thought the whole point of pump was to have better life ....just coz we don't inject or eat all the time they tell us to, don't mean we don't get it or understand it ....
My point is ....surly more in use make cheaper ...surly more using means a better life than sticking your fracking self 5-8 times a day to 2-3 times a week

Why should just people who show good records be only looked at ....I don't record my bgs results ...they dont ask for em ....so don't bother ....but don't have hypos offen....only when do extra phys work .....and sit from 8-13 on ave

What am saying is ,....surly people who have issues with whole living with T1 and injections ...contrast **** of it and end up depressed could be better of with pump instead as it's not a constant drain on u .....

So...why just for those and not consider using for use to tackle people who
Can carb count can understand it all....but just don't want to do the whole lifestyle not being on pump means ......

Am I making sense ???? Prob not
 
Here are the NICE guidelines for getting a pump. I think the OP may be fortunate as having very good diabetes management is not one of the criteria. In fact, the opposite. If someone already has great control, why spend £3500 ? I agree with others though, a pump requires a lot of commitment.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta151
 
ewelina said:
If someone is not disciplined enough to test and inject he will never do well on a pump. Its a hard work, huge commitment and requires lots of testing. You need to prove you are serious about taking care of your diabetes before they give you this quite expensive device
Click to expand...

Sounds as NICE and the NCCG. Have it all wrapped up in bull to me .....the Ida that just coz some one don't inject all time as they don't eat three times a day ,.but fully gets carb counting and getting levels right when needed
Still would not be able to have is utter **** .....


Injection take up time so dose testing ..... A better life it seems is to be on pump ....less stabs less testing .......

An are u sure ....bottom line to the gov is ....what cost more ...nothing to do with the rules they made up for it .....that's just there to prevent u having it and giving locations and local CCGS to blag us all off and say no......


Sorry but it just seems to me like always ...if u want a good life when **** hit fan ...u pay priv and get it done as NHS would just fob u of with bull and bull rules

I get that they should know how to count and be H aware ......but come on.....
You must see there is bull on .the rules for having to this


No???....
 
MrBloominggrumpy said:
Sounds as NICE and the NCCG. Have it all wrapped up in bull to me .....the Ida that just coz some one don't inject all time as they don't eat three times a day ,.but fully gets carb counting and getting levels right when needed
Still would not be able to have is utter **** .....


Injection take up time so dose testing ..... A better life it seems is to be on pump ....less stabs less testing .......

An are u sure ....bottom line to the gov is ....what cost more ...nothing to do with the rules they made up for it .....that's just there to prevent u having it and giving locations and local CCGS to blag us all off and say no......


Sorry but it just seems to me like always ...if u want a good life when **** hit fan ...u pay priv and get it done as NHS would just fob u of with bull and bull rules

I get that they should know how to count and be H aware ......but come on.....
You must see there is bull on .the rules for having to this


No???....
Click to expand...
Erm I think you have the pump usage totally wrong. It's a lot more testing. Also a lot more work involved as well. Perhaps as you do not have the concept that's why you haven't got a pump?
It doesn't matter how often you eat on MDI or a pump you still test.
 
noblehead said:
@bri281295, if you have a good read around the Insulin Pump section of the forum you will find similar threads where members are asking about the pro's & con's of pumping insulin, but the following website also has some great information and advice too on insulin pumps, the process involved in getting one and users feedback on different pumps available:

http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/
Click to expand...

On this link Noblehead provided ...there is info on the way they say yes...an one of them states that if your bgs is 8.9 and over call the time even though you DNS show you have been testing and dosing to correct you still maybe able to have one ......

But they don't offer it ....why ...if you understand the counting and the trans of glucose to E and the factors to control it but still not working ....but they say it's coz u don't eat three times a day surly ...u can see that they are just picky at hairs .....just don't make sense to me sorry .....
A pump is meant to give you freedoms and a better more flexible life ...not this regimented ****
 
CarbsRok said:
Erm I think you have the pump usage totally wrong. It's a lot more testing. Also a lot more work involved as well. Perhaps as you do not have the concept that's why you haven't got a pump?
It doesn't matter how often you eat on MDI or a pump you still test.
Click to expand...
And I don't have pump as only found out am T1 in late April
I eat maybe twice a day if that ....so know they won't offer to me ...I just think the rules to offer are full of hoes and covered in BS and wanted to know this ...for next time I go to see DNS in new year
 
MrBloominggrumpy said:
On this link Noblehead provided ...there is info on the way they say yes...an one of them states that if your bgs is 8.9 and over call the time even though you DNS show you have been testing and dosing to correct you still maybe able to have one ......

But they don't offer it ....why ...if you understand the counting and the trans of glucose to E and the factors to control it but still not working ....but they say it's coz u don't eat three times a day surly ...u can see that they are just picky at hairs .....just don't make sense to me sorry .....
A pump is meant to give you freedoms and a better more flexible life ...not this regimented ****
Click to expand...
They do offer the pump with a low lower A1c's I have not had an A1c above 7 for about 20 years. No idea where you are getting this idea about meals from. IF you are on MDI then you can pick and choose when you eat. I only eat twice a day and quite often only once and still have a pump.
Again I don't think you understand the guidelines for pumps or there usage nor either MDI.
 
CarbsRok said:
They do offer the pump with a low lower A1c's I have not had an A1c above 7 for about 20 years. No idea where you are getting this idea about meals from. IF you are on MDI then you can pick and choose when you eat. I only eat twice a day and quite often only once and still have a pump.
Again I don't think you understand the guidelines for pumps or there usage nor either MDI.
Click to expand...

They said to me as part of the showing your control you must be eating an injecting 3 times a day depending on need ....that an other factors ....would let u be selected for pump......and r u telling me u r on pump...how long u been of injections....cos if u not had anything lower than 7 but coz ur on pump.......

Oh why am I bothering ....sorry ....but u missed point of my question...that is
Why not use pump as means to help people who don't do well with regiments of injections ......as the stress of it all can puss people to the edge ....


Any way......leave u to it .....AGAIN back to org .post ...
Good luck with pump !!!! Hope is great for u
 
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