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Insulin pump??

B

-beckyb93-

Well-Known Member
Messages
101
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hey everyone, I was wondering - for those with a diabetes and on an insulin pump- did you get advised off your consultant to have the pump or did you ask to have the pump?
Also do any of you know the pros and cons of having the insulin pump? And would it be advisable for someone who is highly active, camping, walks etc?
Thank you - Becky x
 
Hi Becky

I've just started on the pump after a couple of years of pestering from loved ones.
My nurse was great just said i had to do a local version of the dafne course then look at getting the pump.
After giving in to my loved ones, one of the main reason for getting the pump is to have better control when out exercising.


Richard
 
Hi Richard - thank you for posting and getting back to me ) I'd love to have the pump! Is it true they stick out like a sore thumb?
I would love to have the pump but I want my sugars to be under control - I've been on the novo rapid and lantus insulin programme for 6 years in October and I can sill say my sugars are better now but no where near they should be :/
I love my outdoor activities and adventures! So I was wondering! Could I get that if I saw my gp who specialises in diabetes because I don't have a diabetes nurse or consultant anymore as thy constantly messed me around with my diabetes and my appointments- put blame on me for hypos and hypers and for getting diabetic ketoacidosis!

Sorry rant over! I shall ask on Tuesday when I go see my gp. Do u think the pump is better than the injections?
 
Hi Becky, sorry to see you've had such problems with consultants etc. speak to your GP about going onto Insulin Pump Therapy, make sure you know what criteria you meet and how you think it'll benefit you and if you are ever told no, make sure you challenge it and have a legitimate answer (they can't be denied through lack of funding).

They don't stick out at all, though you might be self conscious because you know it's there, but that depends on the individual. (And sometimes the clothes you wear) you can buy holders to attach it to your leg, waist or arm and these are reasonably discreet under clothing (obviously if you have on tight clothing than you may be able to see it), in my experience most people don't really notice it.
The pump itself isn't too big, I'm on the Medtronic Veo and that's about 2/3 the length of an iPhone and a little thicker.

Best of luck!


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Hi lucypieee. Thank you that has given me reassurance! I have an appointment on Tuesday so I shall discuss it with him them! I've read that the insulin pump is great if I are an active individual which I am u said the punp can be used in the arm and leg; can the pump be used in the stomach! And. I do tend to wear tight fitting clothes well skinny jeans and vest tops and cardigans so i don't know :/ it's alot to think about really - we shall see
Thank you
 
When speaking to the rep from Roche when applying for the pump they said that women are alot more inventive in finding places to hide/wear their pumps, one example give was a bride put her's up in her hair!
Were as the men will either put it in a pocket or on a belt, yet to hear or find another place to put it.
As for the cannula that can be placed on the abdomen, arms and legs. The abdomen was the most recommend place for me.
Hope that is of some help.
 
I wear skinny jeans, it's easy to just slip in a pocket or hook onto your bra.
You can place the cannula anywhere you can inject. I've only used my stomach and legs so far, but I will be trying my arms soon.


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Thanks guys so the pump isn't actually attached to the skin? It can go in a pocket and such?
I'm getting all excited now hahaa! Seeig the gp on Tuesday morning so will ask what he thinks - my diabetes has been alot better these last few months now I see my gp - even if it is every month or two x
Thank you x
 
The part that is attached to the skin is a small cannula, the pump is attached to the cannula via tubing, you can order different lengths of tubing and different size / style cannulas to suit your personal need.


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Fair enough. Best of luck with it, the pump isn't for everyone same as injections aren't for everyone. But if injections work well for you and you're happy with it, then brilliant.


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Best thing that happened to me, had it for 4 years and six months and kn ow one is going to have it back.
Gives me freedom as I use the bolus wizard, better night control and overall very happy.
took me two years, an dafne course and trip to talk to a shrink.
 
hi- I had to fight for my pump as I was on pig insulin but I meet all the criteria and so in dec I started. I got on so well I have now changed to apidra and am very happy - my control has never been so good.
What I wanted to tell you is that I have a waterproof one. I have recently worked on a children holiday camp with children who had learning disabilities. I went abseiling, canoeing, kayaking, walking miles a day - drop wires, fencing trampolining . The pump did not catch stick out , get broken or get noticed by the children who were in need of lots of physical help with these activities.
you will need to be referred to the pump clinic but ask. It is well worth it.occasionally iot can be seen but people are used to pagers and phones etc so don't even bat an eyelid. I had months of appointments to get one and had it on 6 months trial at first. I am off trial and now I get to keep it.
what area of uk are you in- I am in Bristol.
 
No fight for mine.. Offered it immediately after a hypo driving incident.

Very active being a gardener as job, but slightly different muscle usage to walking.. However, I have brilliant control with my pump...best thing that I've had for being so active...
 
I had the pump for 2 years and my diabetes centre gave it to me because my control was so bad. I've had diabetes for 8 years and I was put on the pump when I was 12-14. I hated it and after a few months of good control, I got a lot worse and acted like I didn't have a serious health condition anymore. It has left scars all over the bottom half of my torso and after 2 years, they took the pump off me. It has its negatives, like the scarring and the impossibility of wearing a dress but it has its positives. It's fab when you're out for a meal or somewhere where you don't want to get out all your injection kit and its also handy at school if you're a little shy. A lot of people think it is a mobile phone. Hope all goes well!


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To Daisy - I've never had an issue wearing a dress whilst on the pump... In fact, I mostly wear dresses. You can clip it most places, on your bra, top of your dress etc.
you can also get leg, waist and arm holders for your pump.


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Hi Becky,
my daughter was advised to have the pump by her diabetic doctor. At first she was afraid. She got the pump for three days to wear (with water) so she could try if she likes it.
Now she never would give it back.
Good things about the pump are:
You can eat when you want, you have to change the canula every three days, you can´t forget your insulin, the pump can calculate how much insuline you need (there is a special programme you enter the carbs and/ or the bloodsugar),
it looks a bit like a mobile, so you can inject the insuline where you want,

difficulties:
you have to be very exactly to calculate the carbs,

I think there are more things to say. Hope this is helpful to you
Vera
 
Yeah I am quite active myself ..horses quads p.e etc I wear it nearly all the time there are clips for the pump and you can put it anywhere that suits really...one thing I would say is the doctors/nurses/consultants etc can see your every move ..so when you have those off days(or weeks) they will annoy you so much over things like this..for example I had a sleep over the other week and we were up all night watching movies eating and gossiping but I took insulin at 2:45 for the food I had ate and they completely blew up over it.."what do you think you were doin getting up to eat at 2:45 ?! " even though I had just explained why it was like that !! Rage !! I do like the pump however too though ..it saves the injections and fiddling with thing assoc. with them in different situations e.g on buses etc . It is still completely up to you though..

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