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New pump user

Hattonma

Hattonma

Well-Known Member
Messages
82
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
So today I switched to a pump for the first time. After a lifetime of yo yo control I am really hoping this adds some stability. I must admit though, I have come away feeling slightly daunted by having to change my thinking and approach to trusting this little machine after 39 years on being a type 1.

Any hints or tips to help with this would be very welcome
 
Welcome to the pumping world, @Hattonma
I can understand your dauntedness. It is something new to learn.
What system do you have? Do you have HCL or standalone pump?

My advice would be to start with stand alone pump, get your basal right(ish) and then set yourself weekly learning schedule - temp basal this week, combo bolus next week, ....
 
Hi @Hattonma and welcome to pumping :)

Its definitely daunting at first and a big change - but a really great step forward for improving your life, and improving control (which also improves your life).

Take it slow and don't worry if its not perfect from day 1 - can be a bit of a lumpy ride till you get your settings right (and that takes a bit to learn, and be brave enough to make the changes needed).


Been pumping for 14 years and wouldn't go back - so much safer and easier with a pump.

Which one did you go for, and what CGM are you using? Are you on a HCL (loop) or straight pumping at the mo?
 
Hattonma said:
So today I switched to a pump for the first time. After a lifetime of yo yo control I am really hoping this adds some stability. I must admit though, I have come away feeling slightly daunted by having to change my thinking and approach to trusting this little machine after 39 years on being a type 1.

Any hints or tips to help with this would be very welcome
Click to expand...
I’m excited for you! I went to an integrated pump system over 5 years ago, after 20 years if MDI. It has changed my life! I feel so much better than on MDI. My body is very sensitive and staying stable has always been a struggle. My integrated pump (Medtronic 780) manages this well for me. It’s a huge relief mentally.

I would expect a transition period to get things acclimated. But, don’t get discouraged. It’ll be worth it. It’s a process.

I’ll look forward to seeing your posts. Best of luck with your progress!
 
Thanks everyone. I am on the t-slim closed loop system with the dexcom. Day 1 fully done. The next few days I think are tweaking as having quite a few lows but the diabetic team have been brilliant so far.

I can see the potential this can bring so fingers crossed
 
Hattonma said:
Thanks everyone. I am on the t-slim closed loop system with the dexcom. Day 1 fully done. The next few days I think are tweaking as having quite a few lows but the diabetic team have been brilliant so far.

I can see the potential this can bring so fingers crossed
Click to expand...
Snap! I've had mine since November and absolutely love it. Once you get it dialed in there's no looking back. Did you get the G6 or G7?
 
There are lots of great things from pumping (and more so with closed loop), on MDI I went through a time when I was apprehensive about going to sleep at night, as the lows were pretty risky.

On a loop I have a flatline 6 all night (late night snacking taken into account) - no fear of lows or highs - thats worth all the work to get the settings right, life-changing stuff
 
My biggest piece of advice is don’t be disheartened if your blood sugars aren’t where you want them to be straight away. HCL is amazing but it does still require work to get things where you want them to be. I’ve been on HCL (Medtronic) since December 2021, for the most part things are absolutely amazing but over the 2.5 years I’ve had it I’ve had to make some slight changes to my settings.

Overall HCL is the best thing I ever went onto and I never look back to how things were previously. Good Luck to you!
 
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