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To pump or not to pump

gymbob

Member
Messages
23
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, after more than 35 years on injections I'm debating going on to a pump. But I feel really squeamish about having something dosing me all the time, and concerned about malfunctions. Also a bit worried about things like how you attach it under dresses, in workout clothes etc, and how you detach it and keep stable when you want to get wet.

I'd love to hear experiences, positive and negative. Please not just "do it, it's great" I need some real, practical information to make a decision one way or the other. Thanks!
 
I had the very same concerns as you and if you'd asked me only a few years ago I would have said I wouldn't want a pump, but the truth is these fears and anxiety soon disappear once you start on a pump and you realise that you've been worrying needlessly.

Have you enquired about a pump with your diabetes team and do you know which pumps will be made available, this information will help with the replies that you get in your thread as some pumps you don't need to be detached from for bathing/swimming (Omnipod being one).
 
No, I don't know what's available here. If it's accuchek that will probably make up my mind in the negative, as, while I love the functionality of the aviva expert I find it horribly unreliable! However, knowing my health authority it will be the oldest, clunkiest,heaviest, and most awkward they can find! :-(
 
I've had the insight pump since last August and was concerned about having it connected 24/7 but to be honest I don't hardly notice it, I work as a plasterer and find the temporary basal rate a godsend when I've got a sweat on ( lol ) I use a lycra belt to carry it in and you can get flip belts off eBay which are ideal for sports, it can be a bit frustrating if the set isn't in a good absorption place but that's an easy fix, giving a bolus with a handset rather than a pen is a brill, it is a bit more work but once your rates are correct it's straightforward, 9 month's in and I'm not missing the pens. If I go swimming I just detatch the pump and clip on the cap to seal it and test after to see if I need any correction.
 
I'm the opposite. I really wanted one, mainly because I wanted to be able to dose small and frequently and I wanted the flexibility that I knew it would provide. I was less bothered by malfunctions and wearing it. I figured I'd just live with it.

So far I've had no occlusions and pulled two sets out in 6 months. I'd say that issues are fairly rare so far. I just detach when going swimming or to the gym (although I don't need to).

I do prefer not having a handset though, as I don't want an extra thing to carry around. It's really quite simple to use it all once you get going.


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Hi there! I will be getting my pump at 2pm today! I will be sharing my experience with the forum so you may find it useful? I am getting the Medtronic Minimed 640g. Watch this space, as they say and good luck with your decision making!
 
Thanks all for replies. Will have a chat to consultant today, but am tempted to give it a try and see how it goes. Would really like an omnipod, but not sure if they will be on offer in my area... IVF wasn't, CGM isn't, so probably won't get the pump I most want either!
 

Hi @gymbob - I've only had my pump 4 weeks so it's still fairly new! I love it. I was also concerned about wearing it but have found I barely notice - I do a few cardio classes & just have it attached under my top with a bra pouch. So many people wear gadgets to the gym these days that nobody bats an eyelid. So far, I really like the flexibility of temporary basals, extended boluses etc... I have the Accu Chek Insight. I wasn't able to get the Omnipod here. Best of luck -let us know what your Consultant says
 
Medusa41 said:
Ps I also swim twice a week & just detach it & clip the end.
Click to expand...

How does your blood sugar cope with that? I'm wondering whether a pump would make long (>1 hour) runs easier to manage too?
 
Waste of time then. Last time was told pump available to anyone, now I'm not eligible.
 
OMG, he was my doctor in London 20 years ago! Thanks for the link, will see what we can do... it's a catch 22 here... you can't have a pump until you show on a basal bolus regime that you are prepared to put in the work required to make it work. And the way you show this is by making your control so good that you are deemed to no longer need a pump!
 
gymbob said:
How does your blood sugar cope with that? I'm wondering whether a pump would make long (>1 hour) runs easier to manage too?
Click to expand...

Swimming has been okay apart from a blip Mon when I awoke at 15.9 (don't know why), swam & had hypo whilst swimming- 2.8. Normally it's steady after swimming. I haven't done a long run since having the pump but have done a couple of 5ks & again sugars have remained constant. The temporary basal is handy for longer runs. I hope you get some joy with Input. Please let us know how you get on.
 

Thanks. Called and left a message for my consultant today looking for clarification. I don't think I meet NICE guidelines, but I do meet some of the other recommendations eg number of injections per day (often 7-8) and my hypo awareness is sometimes a bit lacking!

Might the morning high ave been a rebound from a night hypo? I find after those I land up with a correction which overdoes it, and I bounce up and down for quite a while before it settles back.
 

Hi @gymbob - yes you're probably right. It was v weird tho. I hope you hear back soon from your Consultant. Keep us updated.
 
gymbob said:
Might the morning high ave been a rebound from a night hypo? I find after those I land up with a correction which overdoes it, and I bounce up and down for quite a while before it settles back.
Click to expand...
Night time hypos/morning highs can be quite problematic for me when I correct them, as an over correction can occur. This happens because the body naturally tries to correct the hypo with a liver dump, but then later in the morning, whilst the correction dose is lowering the blood glucose, the liver also tries to reclaim the lost stores, and hence another swing down ... for me, this can occur 18+ hours after the hypo, and so whenever I correct high BGs, I review CGM data for the previous 24 hours, and reduce the correction dose by up to 50% if I've been hypo.
 
Not heard from consultant, but keeping detailed records to show that a basal dose appropriate for overnight makes me hypo, every day, late afternoon...
 
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