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Is switching to an insulin pump worth it?

T

Tymeklimek13

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Insulin
Right now I am on insulin pens , but my good friend with diabetes type 1 is saying that insulin pump is good choice . Is it true ?
 
Tymeklimek13 said:
Right now I am on insulin pens , but my good friend with diabetes type 1 is saying that insulin pump is good choice . Is it true ?
Click to expand...

It depends really.
Most people who have switched (including me) think pumping is great.
However, as pumps are more expensive, in the UK, it is usual for those of us on pumps to have had challenges with injections.
For me this was managing my BG during exercise. For some people it was managing Dawn Phenomenon and others, especially children, need smaller doses of insulin than you can take with a pen.
I believe you still need a good justification for getting a pump although this is becoming easier.

There are downsides to having a pump depending upon how you feel being connected to a machine 24x7, your ability to understand and configure machines (there are far more variable to tweak and if you are going to get the most out of a pump, you will be tweaking) and how you cope with machine failure. Ok, this is rare but it will never ever happen at a good time so you need to be able to calmly revert back in injecting remembering what you doses are with injections.
There are also sartorial issues which may or may not be an issue for you: I really struggled at first because I felt my diabetes was on display all the time and I didn't like it. I could put my pump in a pump belt but, being small, it always left a bulge. OK. I accept it, I am vain.

So, is pumping better. Yes it is for me but it takes no less effort (maybe more) and you have to learn how to manage your diabetes almost from scratch again (whilst not forgetting what you learnt before).
I am looking forward to closed loop but again, things can fail so I am glad I have time to get used to not having it.
 
Tymeklimek13 said:
Right now I am on insulin pens , but my good friend with diabetes type 1 is saying that insulin pump is good choice . Is it true ?
Click to expand...
Both injections and pumps are good options, a lot depends on personal preference and on what is available.
I'm on injections by choice.

According to your profile, you'r on Lantus insulin only, is this correct?
Lantus is a long acting insulin, and if you don't need a quick acting insulin with your meals I don't think a pump would be very helpful.
 
Antje77 said:
Lantus is a long acting insulin, and if you don't need a quick acting insulin with your meals I don't think a pump would be very helpful.
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Some people, especially those on larger doses of insulin, do only use their pumps for basal insulin. Whilst this is provided through fast acting insulin, it is still providing the same function as Lantus ... only more variable to suit the body's needs if they vary throughout the day due to things like exercise and Dawn Phenomenon.
Therefore, for some people a pump for only basal can be incredibly helpful.
This may not be the case for someone only needing basal but I would not rule it out for that reason.
 
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