Type 1 Insulin pump

[Vicky19]

Hi I was wondering if anyone could give there honest thoughts on having a insulin pump. Did it make your levels more controllable and not have many highs or lows? And is it easy to use?

 

[In Response]

Yes a pump made my levels more controllable.
It was not easy to use at first - it was like learning to manage diabetes all over again. But, like injecting was, pumping is now second nature.

The main benefits are
- ability to change my basal every 30 minutes. This means I can plan for Dawn Phenomenon and suspend my insulin when I exercise.
- much smaller doses. I can give myself 0.05 units of insulin. This gives me much finer control to bolus.

 

[searley]

I have the tandem and dexcom... I have the best hba1c that I've had in the 10 years since diagnosis

So yes more controlled BUT it takes more effort than mdi

If you qualify for a pump.. and have been offered it.... and are willing to put in the effort then its worth it

 

[Soplewis12]

Definitely worth all the effort it needs to get the dosages correct. The specialist team will indicate one month to get there but it takes much longer. I'd say 4-6 months before I was comfortable with settings, a lot less hypos as can set temporary basal when more active. I'll be honest I despised it to begin with, I was ready for giving up but Support from the forum made me sit down & assess the improvements it has made for me. Worth sticking with. I have the omnipod dash.

 

[searley]

Definitely worth all the effort it needs to get the dosages correct. The specialist team will indicate one month to get there but it takes much longer. I'd say 4-6 months before I was comfortable with settings, a lot less hypos as can set temporary basal when more active. I'll be honest I despised it to begin with, I was ready for giving up but Support from the forum made me sit down & assess the improvements it has made for me. Worth sticking with. I have the omnipod dash.

Nice to hear you've gone from hating it to accepting it

The thing I hate the most is realising 3 days have past... so set change day

 

[Vicky19]

Thanks everyone. my diabetic nurse has asked me to have a think about trying the pump out. I didn’t want the libre senor at first but now that’s made my life so much easier. So I think I will feel the same
About a pump once I get used to it

 

[h884]

Hi Vicky19

I agree with comments above. I also have the Omnipod Dash. In particular the time it takes to get used to the pump and get basal rates correct.

Getting to handle a pump and try out the cannula or Pod would be helpful. I had real difficulty doing set changes on the Medtronic due to arthritis in my hands

Good luck

 

[Soplewis12]

Nice to hear you've gone from hating it to accepting it

The thing I hate the most is realising 3 days have past... so set change day

Thanks Searley.