Pen to Pump

ivm18 said:

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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Don't give up on the pump yet. I also recently switched to a pump from MDI. I live in Turkey where there is little support, apart from my own doctor (private hospital) so I bought my pump and pay for the infusion sets and reservoirs every three months. I also use a Medtronic, but I think an even older model than your son's.

It sounds like you are either a) having a problem with insertion/stability of the infusion set, or b) basal rate is set much too low. For the infusion set, you need to get the rep or doctor to check how your son is inserting it. Possibly he needs a different cannula type. Or maybe you just need to stabilize it by putting some medical tape over the tubing close to the infusion set, so it doesn't get tugged on/dislodged so easily.

For the settings of basal and bolus rates and how to manage the whole experience, I recommend that you buy three books:
1. "Think Like a Pancreas" by Gary Scheiner. Very easy to read and understand and this is the book that will really help your son to take control of his diabetes for life. Scheiner has Type 1. This book covers pumping and MDI regimes.
2."Pumping Insulin" by John Walsh and Ruth Roberts. This is THE book for insulin pumpers. It is not as easy as the first book, and takes some time to read and digest but it has everything you need to know. More than your endocrinologist will ever be able to convey in appointments.
3. 'Diabetic Athlete's Handbook" by Sheri Colberg. Because he's a teenager and so I am sure he is physically active or wants to be. This is the book I needed when I was a teenager, but came out twenty years too late for me! Also deals with pumping and MDI.

For me the insulin pump has meant precisely that I can be physically active without all the hypos which freaked me out so much when I was a teen.

I say not to give up. You should know that it may take a few weeks to get everything set up on the pump but it is so worth it. It is so flexible as a system of control. When I was a teen it was precisely the lack of flexibility in my daily MDI regime that made me hate having diabetes.

Good news hope he feels more comfortable with it, I am about to change over to pump after 49 years of injections. To stop highs, but I imagine it does take time to get used to.

Thank you for your kind comments while before I responded, unfortunately still waiting for ordered pump, so injections continue
. Please send your son my regards and best wishes. I have always said and believed that if a person controls their Diabetes they feel good, if it begins to control you/ cause problems then it controls you. It is a healthy way of life to live with it, as if one try's to fight/ ignore it they will lose. Kind regards.

Hi everyone. My brother is 29 and has had type 1 diabetes for about 12 years now but hasn't been able to keep it under control. he's averaging at least a couple of hypos a week and quite a few close calls a month, luckily he lives with my mother who only works two minutes away so she can check on him every couple of hours. But that has put a heavy weight on my mother. I'm not sure if his high metabolism would be one of the reasons he stuggles to keep it stable.
Basically over the years it has become clear that he can't look after himself.
Do you think a pump would work for him?

Thank you,
Nikita

Sounds like his insulin doses are too high. Diabetes nurse should be able to advise, unless he doesn't eat or enough food following insulin? Again he would have to be thought suitable has he done the Daphne course can he work out carbohydrate of foods re insulin as this would be needed. Hard to advise really but you have to educate yourself and learn to live with it. Hope it improves.

nikitawatson said:

Hi everyone. My brother is 29 and has had type 1 diabetes for about 12 years now but hasn't been able to keep it under control. he's averaging at least a couple of hypos a week and quite a few close calls a month, luckily he lives with my mother who only works two minutes away so she can check on him every couple of hours. But that has put a heavy weight on my mother. I'm not sure if his high metabolism would be one of the reasons he stuggles to keep it stable.
Basically over the years it has become clear that he can't look after himself.
Do you think a pump would work for him?

Thank you,
Nikita

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Often, bg testing fairly often can often prevent hypos before they take hold badly. Two hypos per week is not that bad if they are only mild but if assistance is needed from someone else regularly administering glucose through the mouth along with lucozade, then closer attention needs to paid to the type of insulin used and the amounts of carbohydrate eaten and timing before considering seeing a consultant about having a pump.