Insulin pumps

Hi, I've had a pump for 2 years now, have never felt happier with my control.

I wasn't overly keen on getting one when it was first mentioned to me but my friend has one and I saw how good his control was with his and the freedom he had with it, I had a trial with one before I had to make my decision but I knew within 24 hours it was the way forward for me.

I suffered terribly with DP and this got the highs from that ironed out within a week (I was lucky that the basal rates I was set barely needed any tweeking) obviously over time basal has change especially at the minute as I'm pregnant but I find it very easy to know where you are going too high & too low as long as you test enough and can adjust, it does take hard work it's not like you get one and it magically just 'works' but once you find the dosages that are right for you your pump can become your best friend..

I had problems with the types of cannula's I first used as the plastic ones just didn't work for me they would kink and I would get some high bg readings because of that, which was extremely frustrating and made me want to throw the pump out the window but again once I found what worked for me (steel cannula's) I was good to go again

Sorry I feel like I've rambled a bit there, but basically, I think insulin pumps are ace! X

My own experience has been very positive from discussing it with my DSN & Consultant through to the present day @BlondeMonkey

A few features of a pump that stand out is the ability to have different basal rates for different times of the day. the bolusing options allow you to bolus for difficult meals like those that are high in fat and the opportunity to increase/decrease basal rates in times of illness or when exercising, there's many more but that's just a few.

BlondeMonkey said:

I'm just concerned it will make me more self conscious about myself and about my condition

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On that specific point, @BlondeMonkey, I find I'm actually much less self-conscious about it. I came to pumping from a very obsessive existence in terms of my diabetes management, and pumping is for me - and everyone else around me - a much less stressy affair.

Yes I still work incredibly hard at it all, but I am finding I can these days actually fit other things into my life, rather than it being 'all about the diabetes'.

Yup, I needed to get a life! And d'you know what, I'm beginning to feel as if I'm getting a life.

Hi @BlondeMonkey
my little story about pumping......................

I was offered a pump originally about 12 years ago but my thought was -- "why fix things if they're not broke"
my control was good and I was in a routine. I said No.

move forward to august 2014 and my consultant again offered / suggested a pump -- my control still good but hypo awareness slightly impaired and starting to be an issue --
i made the decision to try to get one and 13 months later began wearing the omnipod patch pump.

first few days i was ready to throw it in the bin - My DSN had put me on quite a low level of basal to start and my BG's were running in the teens pretty much all day.
but within a week or so we together were making adjustments and over the next 6-8 weeks I put a lot of hard work in doing the basal testing and now after 6 months I would never wish to go back to MDI.

it is really very liberating being on a pump - i still generally keep to routine but on the days I don't and either miss a meal or eat very late my bloods stay flat .
Hypos have been reduced substantially to only about 1 or 2 per week ( down from pretty much every day )
the ability to match bolus doses to carb intake is pretty amazing too , along with the actual calculating the pump does for you as regards your settings in achieving target BG.

HbA1c is up to 49 ( 6.6% ) from 42 on MDI so my consultant is chuffed to bits

BlondeMonkey said:

I'm happy to do the hard work that is necessary to get things right however I'm just concerned it will make me more self conscious about myself and about my condition

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I've never been self conscious about my diabetes however I find the pump less noticeable than having to get an insulin pen outta my bag, depending if you had something like an omnipod which is wireless you would never need for it to be on show as you would just control with the remote, I have a Medtronic pump which has tubing but the cannula is in my stomach and I run the tubing up the side of my body and have it tucked into the side of my bra, it is completely unnoticeable. You do get a clip with it as well to clip to your waist band etc but I found that bulky so removed it and just wear it this way, I need to take it out when giving my bolus so I can press the buttons which takes all of 15 seconds then just pop it back, if you didn't feel comfortable doing that in public obviously you could go to a bathroom away from people but I think because it doesn't actually look like something medical people wouldn't know, my husband says mine looks like a pager lol

Hope that helps

BlondeMonkey said:

After years of using injections and still not having the best control over my sugars, I'm starting to consider a pump. I've got an appointment with a nurse to go through it all but would like to hear other people's experiences on it and their recommendations or criticisms!

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For 29 years I had absolutely no intention of getting a pump, but read "Sugar Surfing" and started micro dosing with injections, and this got me thinking about the level of control that is possible with a pump. I also read Pumping Insulin, which has a section of things to consider before deciding on whether to start pumping or not. For me, it may well be the geek in me, but I am proud of the pump, and love to show it off. I also take great pleasure in the knowledge, that at this moment in time, I have not had a single insulin injection in 6 weeks .... that's well over 200 injections saved! I have only tried the Animas Vibe, but am over the moon with it. The integration with the Dexcom CGM is amazing, and the ezCarb/ezBG functionality is simply amazing - My life has been transformed. Seriously, I wouldn't go back to MDI for anything.

I've been on an OmniPod for about 4 months now, and would personally say if you can get one, do it. It's worth the try as it might be exactly what you need. I've got quite an active lifestyle with work and exercise, and being able to change background rates on the fly, or suspend it to get rid of a hypo is great. It's more discreet than getting out needles and pens and everything when eating out at places too, as you just tap into the handset what insulin you want. It's personally made me feel less self concious as most people wouldn't know what you're doing, unlike injecting yourself.
The only drawbacks I've ever had with it is when it falls off, or malfunctions. This doesn't happen often at all, but if it happens in the night it's a pain to sort out.
Hope this helps

Good luck @BlondeMonkey, keep the thread updated on your progress.

I have had two pumps in my life. The first one changed my hbc from 12 to 7 in two months!!! But there were negatives to it. I now am on an omipod and it's awesome!!!! Why? No wires, it's light and barely noticeable. It also is so pratical . I would encourage to think about what you health wise need from it but also personally. For example when I first went on the pump one lady in my group decided against it as she felt it made her notice her diabetes aloy and that was something she did not want. The second time I am a big sports fan and am trying to get there, anywho having no wires or weight on me gives me so much more flexibility and also less equipment than my previous pump. I would also encourage they are good but are only technology they break down not intentionally obviously so knowing your press and having them is still an awesome idea so if you do t feel well but don't know why you can go back to pens to ensure the pump is working but not to scare you as there is lots of support tec and support if it may go wrong

Hi.
I've had a pump for 4/5 years now and would not be without it.
I was told by diabetes specialist for about 2 years prior to starting that I needed one but refused as didn't want the constant reminder of having diabetes. It felt bad enough injecting and testing blood sugars without having some form of machine attached!!!
In the end I had no real choice as was having severe reaction's to the long acting insulin. Started the pump and despite wanting to chuck it out the window for the first year (mainly as still getting used to it) it's the best thing I ever did. It is a lot of hard work but it is well worth it when you get use to it.
Just be prepared for regular blood glucose testing to monitor.
Best of luck x

Hi, I have been type 1 diabetic for 25years and my control is ok, (not amazing but not bad!) I have been reading the comments on pumps but know nothing about them and have never been offered one, are they mostly given to younger people or could I still get one at 50!!

You can still get one at 50. I didn't get diabetes until I was 50 - and I got my pump at 54.

I was 66 when I got my pump and would not go back to MDI.

Sarah louise said:

Hi, I have been type 1 diabetic for 25years and my control is ok, (not amazing but not bad!) I have been reading the comments on pumps but know nothing about them and have never been offered one, are they mostly given to younger people or could I still get one at 50!!

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I was 41 and diabetic for 29 years when I got my pump. If you are interested in a pump, check out the nice guidelines as that lists the criteria and then work out whether your DN or specialist are likely to support you, as if you fail on either side, you have an uphill battle, and you need to work out how to get around it. My last specialist was hopeless, and would never give me one. I changed clinics and now have an amazing Dr and DN who supported me unbelievably an I had one within 2 months. The CCG funding works off a checklist, and so long as you fulfil one of the criteria, you are in good shape. This can be anything from an A1c of over 58, frequent hypos, phobia of needles, too many injections due to microdosing etc etc. Feel free to ask whatever questions you'd like as it seems to be a common issue to actually get a pump.

Thanks for all your comments, I'm definitely going to look into it.

I got my Pump aged 74 after being Type 1 for 52 years on MDI. I LOVE IT