I've had a pump coming up two years, had a few bad hypos and was told I might not survive another, went on to the pump shortly after and did worry about it being attached 24 /7 and what if it goes wrong when I'm asleep, but I'm glad i decided for the pump as my control is a lot better with no night time hypos, it does take a bit more work but i find it well worth it.
Yeah it does make me a little nervous. Have to say that yesterday was the first day in maybe four years that I haven't had a mild hypo or massive hyper between 15:00-19:00 so that was a new experience. I didn't realise how tired it made me as I had so much more energy yesterday evening, I believe as a result but too soon to really tell!Thank you @eabhamurphy, what you've said is very reassuring, especially from someone so new to a pump - it must be a fantastic feeling to be so in control; and very interesting that you're now more concerned about having no insulin at all, rather than too much! Yes, I suppose keeping a close eye on it is key, as is having supplies and a backup pen.
I used to use the Libre, but now use the Dexcom G5 - I prefer it, as you can set an alarm to go off when your sugars reach a certain (user-defined) level. I got the Dexcom to warn me of sugars going low - but, if you're worried about a lack of insulin (i.e. while sleeping) the Dexcom would sound an alarm when your sugars reach a pre-defined high - which in turn could allow you to check that the pump is delivering insulin correctly - a bit more expensive, but worth a thought perhaps?
Your comments about the advantages of a pump echo those of many others who have kindly provided me with advice on this forum - I think my problem is over-thinking things (can't help it, it's just the way I've always been!) - and the question of "What if it malfunctions is some way" is the only barrier; however, as with most things in life, I suppose I'd feel differently once I actually try it.
Again, I'm sorry to hear of your traumatic hypo - can I ask, did that experience cause you to worry about actually injecting insulin at all? For me, my hypo made me paranoid about even small doses (like 2 or 3 units) - for example, I'd worry about the possibility that all the insulin would act immediately, rather than over a few hours (illogical I know - but couldn't help the constant feeling that I accidentally hit a vein or something); also, when sugars did go a little low, instead of thinking "Oh, no problem, I'll just have a little Lucozade" - I would instead think "That's it, I'm going to pass out and go into a coma - there's nothing I can do to stop it - I'd better text my family" (!) - strange I know, and irrational - how the mind works in mysterious ways!
Ah what you say about higher doses having longer duration of action makes a lot of sense that would help explain why he gave me 3hrs 15mins and it actually seems accurate in my limited experience thus far! Thanks for that!Hi @eabhamurphy - it sounds like the pump has been a godsend for you - fantastic that you've not had a hypo/hyper, and that you're feeling much better now. Your comments re the libre and CGM make perfect sense - plus, no need to change anything when it's clearly working so well! Insulin duration does change with dosage (i.e. the higher doses absorb over a longer time); I haven't bought it yet, I'm definitely going to get that book, everyone highly recommends it. Please do stay in touch, and let us know how it goes with the pump!
Ah what you say about higher doses having longer duration of action makes a lot of sense that would help explain why he gave me 3hrs 15mins and it actually seems accurate in my limited experience thus far! Thanks for that!
Keep us posted on what you decide to do re pump. Good luck!
Ps would you not believe how much I have managed to get done today, I did not realise how much energy hypos and hypers were zapping me of!
Hi all,
I'd be really interested to hear any thoughts from people who used to take insulin injections, who have moved to using a pump. It's something I'm considering, after having taken injections for 15 years - I've spoken with my diabetes team, who are excellent, and have learned much about pumps and the various advantages they have over injections. I already wear a Dexcom G5, so am used to having something attached to me (albeit smaller than a pump). I'm not concerned in the slightest about body-image issues, or the social or practical side of wearing a pump.
A year ago, I had a very bad hypo, which changed my approach to managing my diabetes, and to insulin; in particular, I developed a severe hypo-anxiety, and for quite a while, I ran my sugars very high to avoid the possibility of lows. I lost 10kg over the year, and I think I'm only now on the road to recovery. I have since started a low carb diet to limit the amount of insulin in my system at any one time, which I'm much happier with, and my sugars are now thankfully under much better control; however, the (perhaps irrational) worry of hypos, although to a lesser extent, is still very much part of my life.
A pump sounds like an excellent idea; but the anxiety about hypos causes me to worry about being permanently connected to a reservoir of fast acting insulin - my mind just defaults to thinking about what would happen if the pump malfunctioned in some way and delivered too much insulin in one go. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has worried about this, and how those worries were overcome; I know this must sound quite silly to experienced pump users, so my apologies, but any thoughts would be most welcome!
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