New to pumping

djjenko

Member
Messages
16
Hi Pumpers,
Just had my appointment last Thursday 10th September 2009 to see if i am suitable candidate for a pump, after an hour with the specialist i was granted funding for a pump and chose the Accu Chek spirit.
I have been type 1 for 34 years but in that time have developed a few diabetes complications but had trouble with my control.
I have not been given my pump yet but the doctor said i would be on the pump within 4 weeks.
I have to do a 2 day course for the pump awaiting the date to attend but do you get the pump sent to you or do you get them on the course?

At present i am on 5 shots a day with Novorapid then 1 shot of Lantus before bed.

The only thing i am concerned about is the size of the needle, i use with the pen 6mil needle size but the doctor said the pump needles are 13mil, that is my only worry, other than that i am looking forward to Pump therepy.

Any advice most appreciated.

Taken 12 months to be approved for funding.

Cheers

Shaun
 

kegstore

Well-Known Member
Messages
771
Dislikes
Unnecessary rudeness, and any PC
Shaun

You'll find the infusion sets come in several needle sizes and tube lengths, as well as different functional designs, so you should be able to find one that suits you. And at least it's only one jab every 3 days?!

Good luck
 

jopar

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,222
I have the Accu-check spirit pump myself 15months now...

The infusion sets do come with different needle sizes, two different angles, 90 & 45 degree angle (the 90 degree one you can get an insertion gadet for)you can also have a d-link set, metal or Teflon needle the tubing also comes in several different lengths as well, 45cm, 60cm and 80cm's..

I use a 13mm Teflon 45 degree insfusion set, I'm pretty skinny and I self insert I don't find it a problem to do or wear.. I was using 5mm needles when I was injecting...

It sounds as though your training is going to be similar to what I did, two days with diabetic nurse and Trainer/Rep from Accu-check Rouche...

My two days went along these lines, first day got there Rep had a load of different infusion sets, straight, angled metal and teflon in all different lengths... And different lenghts of tubing as well, we discussed these had a good look at them choose the one you wanted to try..

Then given our pumps, it was like christmas as with the pump, you get a very plush black leather case to carry your spares, a plastic holder/clip for you pump, a posh leather holder/clip also another case/holder that you can either thread a belt through or hang it around your neck and a velcro strap that can be worn around the waist or thigh to hold your pump using one of the pump cases... Also a carb counting book (gem style one) we also had a postcard thing, so that we could send off for a free set of Rosmary Conelly's electric scales, which are very nice indeed...

We were shown how to set the basic settings on the pump, how to fill up the cartridges, insert the infusion sets and were up and running on live on insulin by dinner time... At the end of the first day we had arranged what time the diabetic nurse would phone us at home to check how we were doing, given a mobile number to call if we were worried about anything for the first night.. then returned the next day Which in the main was going over the aspects from the day before, and any conerns that we might have... The rep himself used an Accu-check pump so was able to give us a lot of tips..

If you give a shoot to what sort of information or concerns that you might have, I more than willing to help of I can..

good luck
 

djjenko

Member
Messages
16
Many thanks for the advice will take that to the 2 day course, now i know there are differant size and differant types of needles and tubing i am not to worried now.

My only one other concern is that i am visually impaired have sight in left eye but no sught in my right eye, i like the look of the spirit and i also like Accu chek but having a sight prob hope the spirit is ok for me, i have seen other model with bigger screens but i do like the Accu chek spirit.

Once again

Many thanks

Shaun
 

iHs

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,595
Hello Shaun

People get a bit worried at the thought of putting an infusion set in, but seriously, there is very little to it. The sets with an inserter are the best. They go in so fast that you don't have time to feel anything 8)

If you click on http://www.infusion-set.com/index.asp?pageID=H58 you will see some of the sets that are currently available. You can follow a step-by-step guide on how to put a set in, so you don't even need someone to show you.

Some people keep sets in for about 3 days before taking them out. Others can leave them in for longer.