Hi
@suk,
I have been on insulin for 51 years in Australia. Complications only minor like cataracts and as well as my diabetes the sun here can be fierce and is known to hurry cataracts along.( at least that is my 'excuse '. Plus I have had carpal tunnel and trigger finger releases.
What I most wish to say is that
at the 45 year mark on insulin I was on basal/bolus doses (short-acting insulin Novorapid before each meal and usually up to 2 extra doses at other times plus my long-acting insulin, Levemir, twice daily.
Despite this degree of control (and all the finger pricks)
I was experiencing hypos, mostly at night.
My HBA1c was about 50 BUT because of the hypos I was at risk of losing my driver's license, an important part of my ability to continue working and with all that a curtailment of my freedom.
In 2011 I
was switched to an insulin pump and that has enabled me to keep working til retirement in 2014. Much fewer hypos, good HBA1Cs, more flexibility with lifestyle.
If you are
struggling with keeping HBA1c to whatever your doctor quotes as the ideal (mine says 45 to 50), and
if hypos are a problem you might wish to ask your doctor about the pros and cons of insulin pumps.
In Australia, though
we do have a saying that 'If it 'aint broke, don't fix it'. So
if you and your doctor are happy with your level of control then their may be no need to change anything yet but it could be a thought for future.
Like any treatment pumps have their quirks and the health authorities have their regulations about who can use them etc but technology has advanced so much over the last 40 + years with the continuous blood sugar monitoring devices etc.
Best Wishes and welcome. Please keep posting about your journey !
