That one thing about your pump?

[SherwoodT1]

Hi all.

I've recently been told by my care team that they are happy to move me to pump therapy, and will organise training etc.

I'm not sure what pumps they offer yet, but I thought it'd be useful to ask everyone:

'If there's one thing you wish you'd known about your pump from the beginning, what is it?'. Good or bad.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone says!

 

[Nicola M]

I don't think this is necessarily something I wish I knew about my particular pump as I went in there knowing what I didn't want in a pump and I had pretty limited options anyway at the time but rather something I wish I knew about pumping in general, I've been pumping since 2015 so I have a fair bit of experience in pumping.

I started pumping when I was 18 and it was during a time when I was struggling with my diabetes and burnout anyway I wish I had known at that time how much work an insulin pump actually is, it's not as straightforward as putting in some settings and letting it do its thing, a lot has to happen to get you to a point where your sugars are consistently stable and even then your settings may need to be adjusted regularly. I'm 9 years in now and I still make tweaks here and there. My biggest piece of advice to anyone starting pumping is don't be disheartened if your sugars aren't where you expect them to be right away as fine-tuning everything can and does take time.

 

[Chas C]

As mentioned, it can take a few weeks to settle down.

The things I'd look for are specific to me I guess and more than one question - sorry:

Does it loop and will I get CGM support with it too.
Is it waterproof.
How much does it weigh when full of insulin (I keep mine in a shirt pocket).
Does it or will it soon have phone remote support for bolusing (mine doesn't yet).
Can its supported CGM share BG readings to phone, watch, car play, Pad, Computer (some share to third parties too like family but I don't need this).

Most of the management items like specific profiles are pretty common now across the range of pumps so not bothering to mention these.

 

[SherwoodT1]

Thank you both for the responses.

I'm anticipating a very bumpy road as I transition to pumping which will take a lot of effort to iron out. But god being able to dose by less than half units sounds magical.

I'm still wrestling with what pump I'm hoping to get. But, I'm currently leaning towards a patch pump.

I suppose I wondered about things you'll never see in a manual, like how customer service is, how it is to travel with supplies. Experiences like that.

Definitely a lot to consider!

 

[CE1965]

I have used three different pumps and by far the best is my current T Slim. The main thing to remember, is to remember. That is remembering to use it properly and to its full capacity as it was designed.

 

[In Response]

The most important "feature" of any pump is that it is available for you.
There is no point researching various pumps and setting your heart on a pump or type of pump when your clinic does not offer it.
Some clinics have a long list of pumps to chose from but, for example, my clinic offers Medtronic only. There is no choice of a patch pump unless you can make an incredibly good argument for it. And my understanding is they will be less likely to allow a deviation from their normal for your first pump because they need to be able to support you.

 

[EllieM]

In New Zealand you have a choice of medtronic 780 or tandem tslim, and you have to fund your own cgm. (Crazy priority imo, better to fund cgms for all T1s and fund no pumps, but that is where we are at the moment.)

My single piece of advice is that if you should go on holiday take a spare glucometer as well as all the spare pump and cgm supplies. I had spare batteries for my glucometer but had to buy a cheap US one when mine broke, and was then unable to test for ketones. (Slightly scary when I had a bad cold at end of the holiday, and my bg went up ... and up.)

 

[pierre.jay.]

I've started on a closed loop pump system as of this January. I've almost doubled my TIR and it significantly reduces how much I think about diabetes. Particularly for me, I used to be thinking about it constantly while trained at the gym, and now it hardly enters my mind.

The only thing I would say though is be prepared to rotate the sites and if possible, place the pump where you have more fat tissue. I've had problems when putting it on my legs and arms with infections and scar tissue building up.

 

[Smetana]

Hi all.

I've recently been told by my care team that they are happy to move me to pump therapy, and will organise training etc.

I'm not sure what pumps they offer yet, but I thought it'd be useful to ask everyone:

'If there's one thing you wish you'd known about your pump from the beginning, what is it?'. Good or bad.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone says!

I have been using an Omnipod for about four months now, hoping to move up to Omnipod 5. They are not infallible & can fail ( blocked cannulas or poor adhesive to name a couple) Ensure you have a supply if other insulin delivery devices particularly if away. What I have found is the end of injection site lumps, but not the end of low Blood sugar, that’s still in the future. But persevere when you get it. No tubes on the Omnipod

 

[IanRA]

Pumps are great, infusion sets are not. Unless you have ample adipose tissue prepare for set failures. If you deliver more than 150 units during the life of the set, prepare for tunneling failures (ie leakage of insulin out of site). Site hygiene is vital. If you use CGMs prepare for adhesion failures. Over patches are almost mandatory with some brands of CGM. What is great, is when it's all working. But that is not always the case.

 

[briepayne]

Am on an Ypsomed pump and Dexcom cgm for past 4 months but used several different pumps since pregnancy in 1985. The best thing I have found is how great they are at night after years of unexplained highs and lows. So smart ! Feels like a new lease of life after broken nights for so many years.

 

[steveo4]

I was told when I was first offered my t slim pump that the app to give bolusses would be available in about 3 months time. 2 years on and it's still not available. This was the main reason why I chose this pump. If I knew then what I know now I would never have chosen it I would have gone for the ypsomed pump in stead

 

[molby14]

Am on an Ypsomed pump and Dexcom cgm for past 4 months but used several different pumps since pregnancy in 1985. The best thing I have found is how great they are at night after years of unexplained highs and lows. So smart ! Feels like a new lease of life after broken nights for so many years.

Can't agree more. If theres one clear and obvious thing its helped with, its the night time level. Mine have be so steady within range over night with the Ypsomed pump, compared to regular 7-8 hours of highs unknowingly over night.

 

[SherwoodT1]

Thank you all for the replies. I can't wait to shift to the pump. I know it'll be a rocky road. But the past few weeks have only cemented how much a pump will help me!

It's been great to read everyone's experiences on pumps.