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Pump for a LADA an overkill?

cz_dave

cz_dave

Well-Known Member
Messages
450
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
When I last saw my endo, he told me that he could get me a pump if I wanted. I was a bit surprised as I thought I do not qualify as a LADA.

What does everyone think? Would it be an overkill to go on the pump for a LADA? (My control is pretty good but very slowly deteriorating. I am currently on MDI + low carbing).
 
I don't see why it's overkill :) LADA is late onset Type 1 so if you qualify and want a pump, go for it!

My control was very good when I got my pump but it helped smooth my sugars a lot, and has made a big difference to my life. I'm only on small doses of insulin and the pump is perfect for that.
 
If you didnt think you were eligible and now someone is saying they can get you one i'd go for it, might not get the chance again
 
I have no doubts that the pump is a much more efficient tool for delivering insulin than MDI. What I am not sure about is what it's like to have to carry around the device all the time on one's body, sleep with it, etc. I have watched videos, read a number of posts but it is still not easy for me to have some conclusive opinion on this.
 
cz_dave said:
I have no doubts that the pump is a much more efficient tool for delivering insulin than MDI. What I am not sure about is what it's like to have to carry around the device all the time on one's body, sleep with it, etc. I have watched videos, read a number of posts but it is still not easy for me to have some conclusive opinion on this.
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If you're bothered about it, grab a dead old mobile phone, stick it in a hip holster and carry it with you. That's where mine is all the time. And at night it sleeps next to me.
 
Thanks for the tip, @tim2000s . I'll do that. And I will use my Dexcom receiver for that simulation.
 
cz_dave said:
I have no doubts that the pump is a much more efficient tool for delivering insulin than MDI. What I am not sure about is what it's like to have to carry around the device all the time on one's body, sleep with it, etc. I have watched videos, read a number of posts but it is still not easy for me to have some conclusive opinion on this.
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I don't even notice my pump. I usually have it clipped on my waistband or tucked in a Tubigrip on my thigh. Sometimes I oanic and feel for,it, thinking I've forgotten to put it back on after my shower - that's how unnoticeable it is.

At night I put it in a case on a night belt or just clip it to my nightclothes. I honestly don't ntoice it at all : )
 
That's encouraging, @azure . And is it possible to sleep on the infusion set? I mean if it is inserted on your back, can you still sleep on your back?

I cannot sleep on my stomach as that's where I have my Dexcom sensor. The compression would launch an alarm. So I wonder if there is any such limitation wothe the pump.
 
cz_dave said:
And is it possible to sleep on the infusion set? I mean if it is inserted on your back, can you still sleep on your back?
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I sleep on mine all the time. I can't speak for steel sets, but the teflon ones don't cause me any issues.
 
I put my set in my bum or thigh and I sleep on it fine. I use both Teflon and steel cannulas. I usually sleep on my side or back, and I'm not aware of the cannula at all. If you woke me up and asked me where it was, I'd have to feel around to find out : D

If you did press it really hard or something, it wouldn't affect the pump. It would just be a bit uncomfortable.
 
Thanks @tim2000s and @azure for clarification. That sounds encouraging.

And one more question, related to site rotation: Would you say that skin gets more worn out on MDI or pump? I suppose you still have to rotate sites on the pump (once every 2-3 days). But would you say that the risk of any skin issues such as lipoatrophy is lower/same/higher on pump vs. MDI?
 
I'm not sure @cz_dave I always rotate my sites, so I can't say really. I tend to use one body area for sites for a few months, rotating around that area, and then I move to another body area and rotate around that for a few months. That's worked well for me. I can usually tell when a body area is getting 'tired' as my sugars go slightly higher, particularly my fasting sugar.

The reason I dont jump from area to area each time I change my cannula is that I have slightly different basal rates for each area, and use different sets.

Other people may have a different method as we all have different body compositions. You'll find what works for you. :)
 
I've been pumping for a year @cz_dave and I have been rotating from spine to spine and up and down in a zig zag fashion for that period. This means that it takes between two and three months to get back to the same spot, which I'm happy with. I've no idea on how it affects risk of lipohypertrophy. Sorry!
 
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