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Pen to Pump

ivm18

Well-Known Member
Messages
129
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone, so my son was diagnosed couple of months ago, he's currently on MDI, his endo suggested that if we would like him on pump. My son likes the idea but I'm a bit worried because his BGL were in range on MDI regime (5-6.5) most of the time except sick days. I read couple of stories that when on pump your level might be in everywhere. anybody who can give me advise?
thank you.
 
Hi IVM18.

Something like this came up not long ago. I'll tag @noblehead because he's recently changed over and has some good info.
 
I'm about to start pumping on Monday 18 May after over 52 years of injections,yes I am a bit apprehensive,but after reading pumping insulin and a lot of research I'm ready to go.
 
52 years on MDI? wow! you're amazing! I mean, living with D for more than half a century. I salute you sir!
all the best!

ivm18
 
Swapping from one delivery method to another may cause a few odd blood sugar results, but that's just while appropriate pump dishes are being sorted out. Obviously, your son's team would err on the side of caution.

I swapped from MDI to a pump 11years ago and haven't looked back since. I was lucky enough to have one-to-one pump training and to have my pump doses set up very well so I only had a few highs. From memory, I think it only took a week or so to get my levels correct. My basal rate was spot on from the start.

If you're in any doubt, you could maybe delay the decision for a few months and use that time to research pumps further. I have children but they don't have diabetes (touch wood). However, if they did get it, I'd encourage them to get a pump. Pumps can adjust to your lifestyle so much more easily, I find. I've had less hypos and more freedom.

However, they do require work. I'm not sure how old your son is but he or you would need to be committed to make the pump work for him, and be prepared to do lots of blood tests and count carbs.
 
Hi, my son is 14, I just want to give him a bit freedom since MDI regime is quiet strict to manage. Wish Pump company has free trial.
 
14 should be plenty old enough to manage a pump. If it was me, I'd make sure he'd read a lot about them and had a good understanding of what's involved - that is, the fact it's not a magic answer and will need work.

What country are you in? Would you have to buy a pump for him yourself?
 
He is more than willing to learn how to manage a pump. I'm from the Philippines,fortunate enough that my husband's insurance will cover at least 50% of pump cost. And, school here will resume less than a month, I have so much what ifs in my mind right now.
 
ivm18 said:
Hi, my son is 14, I just want to give him a bit freedom since MDI regime is quiet strict to manage. Wish Pump company has free trial.
Click to expand...

Some companies do, certainly Ysomed who make the Omnipod Pump send out free Pods for people to try.

Moving to a pump is a big decision but if the consultant thinks your boy will benefit from one then I'd go along with his recommendations, they take a week or two to set up when you first use one as you have to get the basal rates right, get use to the settings on the pump and deal with things like set changes, but after a short time you do get the hang of it.
 
yingtong said:
I'm about to start pumping on Monday 18 May after over 52 years of injections,yes I am a bit apprehensive,but after reading pumping insulin and a lot of research I'm ready to go.
Click to expand...


That's been a long-time coming Yingtong as it seems ages ago since you got the approval, good luck for Monday and hope all goes well
 
That sounds really promising then, ivm18. He's obviously pretty committed to get such good blood sugar results on MDI.

Only you know your son, but it does sound like it may very well be a good thing for him. If he's really keen and understands what it would involve then perhaps you could let him try if you agreed. Don't forget there's the cost of the pump supplies as well as the pump itself - that is, cannulas, tubing, batteries, etc. These would be a regular ongoing cost.

If his endo knows any other young people with pumps, perhaps he could speak to them. Or, failing that, there's pkenty of information online and even videos on YouTube.

If it's only the scare stories about bad sugar levels that are putting you off, I wouldn't worry. There are far more people on MDI with not so good control than on pumps. Your son sounds like he's committed enough to work with his specialist to get his levels right.
 
Hi noblehead, I'm afraid Omnipod is not yet available here so as animas,though Medtronic pumps is. School will about to start 3 weeks from now,and as you guys said it will take time to get the pump settled and those corrections on I:C ratios, carb counting, infusion sites etc, etc.
My worries are what if he's in school and pump don't work or what if the infusion site went bad. or what if he gave too much insulin?
Good Lord! I am so sorry for many questions and worries.
 
He can carry an insulin pen as a back up in the unlikely event his pump doesn't work. They're normally very reliable. My pump has never broken.

Infusion sites are more likely than that to cause problems (although, again, normally they don't). You could choose the timing of the site change so he would be at home and you could watch it for a few hours rather than him changing it just before he goes to school.

As for giving too much insulin, well he could do that now with a pen. I'm sure he's careful to check. The pumps themselves are very reliable. When I first had mine I worried about letting a machine give me the basal insulin but they're highly engineered electronic devices and if you choose an approved pump then it should be fine.
 

All this will be discussed with you and your son nearer the time, not sure what the diabetes care is like in the Philippines but usually for the first few weeks and months of moving onto a pump you will be in close contact with the pump clinic (well this is the case here in the UK), for back-up in case of a pump failure its advisable to still carry insulin pens with you at all times as a back-up, just take your time making the decision and read as much information as you can on the pro's and con's of insulin pumps.
 
Diabetes care here is quiet poor. Not much support from the Goverment. Diabetes awareness is also poor and left behind especially type 1. That is why when my son was diagnosed, I've no one to turn to during our struggles and i after some researched i found this amazing site and members helps us a lot. Anyway, I had a talked with pump rep. and he's willing to address everything if problem occurs. Our health team is supportive as well.
Thank you for all your advices and opinions.
 
yingtong said:
I'm about to start pumping on Monday 18 May after over 52 years of injections,yes I am a bit apprehensive,but after reading pumping insulin and a lot of research I'm ready to go.
Click to expand...
good luck
your never look back
 
noblehead said:
That's been a long-time coming Yingtong as it seems ages ago since you got the approval, good luck for Monday and hope all goes well
Click to expand...
Yes noblehead,it has been a long time,I have been waiting for the Medtronic 640g and approval for a cgm which I have now got.The one consolation is have given a lot of research time,so hopefully I'm ready to go with confidence.
 
Oqfficially pumping! Medtronic Paradigm 754.
Hoping for a positive outcome.
 
Update : 4 days on pump, 6 infusion set changed.
no insulin delivery, BG skyrocketed 230-240 (12.7-13.3)
We've done everything troubleshooting with the help of our pump re., but unfortunately same thing happens everyday.
I feel very dissapointed and sad for my son because he really wanted being on pum, more freedom on when and what to eat, definitely less injections. But this thing happened so maybe we will take a break on pump this week.
 
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