On the waiting list for first pump...

[T1Matt92]

Hi everyone, newbie here and first post...

I've been a T1 for 6 years, diagnosed at 26, and been on various insulin ever since, currently on Lyumjev and Fiasp. Also had Libre 2 for the majority of this time, as well as some tests with different Dexcom's. After always being somewhat against pumps, after finding out they are now wireless and not much ****** than a CGM, I'm on the waiting list for an Omnipod 5 (hopefully start in October/November).

I'd love to hear people's experience from transitioning to a pump. I'm definitely nervous as injecting is all I know, but I can see the advantages of switching and ultimately I want to better my control.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Nicola M]

Hi, firstly welcome to the forum!

I transitioned to my first pump in 2015 after 17 years on injections, although for at least 10 of those years they were done by my parents.

But anyway, I think as an adult it is definitely easier and there are a few things I do like to tell people who are transitioning onto a pump for the first time. I’m sure your diabetes team will have gone through the basics of making sure you still have pens,needles and insulin for pens incase of pump failure so won’t go into that but other things to note are; Don’t be disheartened if your blood sugars are not “perfectly” within range straight away, it can take a while to get your insulin rates sorted and fine tuned to you.

Also, insulin pumps usually do come with a lot more supplies than you would have with insulin pens I don’t know about anyone else but I made sure to have a designated area to put all my new supplies.

Don’t be afraid to ask your diabetes team many questions even after your initial training. They’ve probably heard it all before and are there to help the transition be as smooth as possible.

If you travel at all make sure to get your team to write you a letter saying you have an insulin pump and supplies for the airport (have never actually had to use mine but better to be safe than sorry) Each pump manufacturer has different rules for whether you can go through x-ray etc but that should be in the manual or on their website.

Can’t think of anything else on the top of my head but there are many people who use pumps on these forums who will also be able to give some good advice!

 

[Juicyj]

Hello Mat,

Absolutely normal to feel nervous, my best advice is to keep expectations low to start with, the transition isn't always to everyone's expectation, some assume control will be great first off, it isn't, there is a bedding in period of tweaking and adjusting which can take a good few weeks and it's easy to feel disillusioned during this period. Stick with it, good readings take time and work.

I was super keen for one and then felt my confidence go when I started, handing over control to a pump was a worry, and it took a while to find my feet. Around 7 years into pumping now and would never ever give it back.

 

[In Response]

Like others, transitioning to a pump was a good but not painless experience. It took quite a few months to get my head around the various different configuration, sort out different basal patterns for different occasions, learn when to use the different bolus patterns and more. But it had been worth it.
However, if you are expecting a pump to give you “control”, you maybe forgetting that diabetes will always have a mind if it’s own when you least expect it.
The Tour of Britain cycle race is on at the moment and provides a great analogy to diabetes management. A cyclist could have the best bike, his team could have the best trainers, dieticians, doctors and mechanics. But that does not stop the cyclist from having a bad night’s sleep or the weather to be too hot/cold/wet/windy or for another cyclist to fall in front of them or, … The cyclist who wins is the one who can cope with all these unpredictables. The same is true for diabetes management, the best pump will not give you the best TIR even with perfect carb counting (as if there is such a thing). The best TIR will come with knowing how to use your pump when the unexpected happens.
Your 6 years of injecting will not be wasted. Sadly, pumps my fail or your body may react to the pump ( one of the downsides to a patch pump like OmniPod is that you have no choice or cannulas). So you need to be able to revert to injecting at short notice at the most inconvenient time when you haven’t done it for years.

 

[Richard F]

I've been using Omnipod for a few yrs now, the flexibility from MDI is a revelation, I'm now on 5 with HCL libre 2 plus sensors.

You'll soon get used to the tech side of things, a pretty straight forward OS.

One thing though, carry a spare pen away from base, they can fail. Plus during exercise and warm weather I found the pods coming unstuck from my abdomen, I have some stickers which help.

Good luck.

 

[T1Matt92]

Thanks to everyone that responded. I've picked up some really useful advice

The sentiment seems to be it will take quite some adjustment but the results the other side are worth it!

I'll certainly be keeping a pen with me at all times just in case, and be sure to keep an eye on it losing it's stickiness.

Hopefully wont have to wait too long to get going...

Thanks again!

 

[SalRead1]

I started with the Omnipod 5 in February and there’s no way I would ever go back to injections. I never wanted the pumps with cannulas and am delighted with how the Omnipod 5 works. Their customer service is great and they will always replace any faulty pumps, which is reassuring. I’m now using Fiasp again as I had uncomfortable sensations with Lyumjev. With regards to travel, most airlines will allow you to take a separate bag for all your necessary medicines free of charge. I find this particularly helpful. Recently at the security screening at airports I have had to be taken away to a private room to have my pump scanned, but if you are wearing a t-shirt or sweater that you can discreetly lift up they will scan it in the “public area”. I was warned not to be surprised if my HbA1C increased but it has consistently reduced, which is encouraging. The bonus is fewer injections - I count putting on the pod as one injection even though it isn’t really. Moving sites every 3 days is a minor inconvenience considering all the benefits. Enjoy it!

 

[In Response]

Thanks to everyone that responded. I've picked up some really useful advice

The sentiment seems to be it will take quite some adjustment but the results the other side are worth it!

I'll certainly be keeping a pen with me at all times just in case, and be sure to keep an eye on it losing it's stickiness.

Hopefully wont have to wait too long to get going...

Thanks again!

I do not find I need to carry a pen with me at all times. It would be a waste of insulin because pumps don’t fail that often.
I carry a syringe with me for day trips and pens (you need basal and bolus pens) when I stay overnight.

 

[T1Matt92]

I started with the Omnipod 5 in February and there’s no way I would ever go back to injections. I never wanted the pumps with cannulas and am delighted with how the Omnipod 5 works. Their customer service is great and they will always replace any faulty pumps, which is reassuring. I’m now using Fiasp again as I had uncomfortable sensations with Lyumjev. With regards to travel, most airlines will allow you to take a separate bag for all your necessary medicines free of charge. I find this particularly helpful. Recently at the security screening at airports I have had to be taken away to a private room to have my pump scanned, but if you are wearing a t-shirt or sweater that you can discreetly lift up they will scan it in the “public area”. I was warned not to be surprised if my HbA1C increased but it has consistently reduced, which is encouraging. The bonus is fewer injections - I count putting on the pod as one injection even though it isn’t really. Moving sites every 3 days is a minor inconvenience considering all the benefits. Enjoy it!

Thanks @SalRead1

It’s exciting to hear such positive feedback. I’ve only been on Lyumjev for a couple of months but I’ve reacted really well to it. I didn’t dislike fiasp, it just didn’t quite work quick enough for me, so with a pump, who knows..

The travel aspect is fine, I probably only travel 5/6 times a year so not an issue.

Moving injections sites that frequently isn’t ideal, but like you say, a minor inconvenience to enjoy all the other benefits

 

[T1Matt92]

I do not find I need to carry a pen with me at all times. It would be a waste of insulin because pumps don’t fail that often.
I carry a syringe with me for day trips and pens (you need basal and bolus pens) when I stay overnight.

This is reassuring! Noted to take both pens for overnight travel

 

[Chas C]

This is reassuring! Noted to take both pens for overnight travel

And an spare Omnipod ..... ;-)

 

[T1Matt92]

Just read online that the Omnipod 5 app is not currently available on iPhones/App Store... can anyone confirm this?

 

[Richard F]

Just read online that the Omnipod 5 app is not currently available on iPhones/App Store... can anyone confirm this?

Currently Omnipod 5 comes with it own controller for Europe.

 

[T1Matt92]

Currently Omnipod 5 comes with it own controller for Europe.

No app for Apple OR Android?? Having to carry a controller with me all day really puts me off!

 

[Richard F]

It's a minor thing compared to all the paraphernalia one has to carry, for me better than the alternatives.