Type 1 - Injections and Pump, Where next?

[JaylaP]

I am new here and made a post introducing myself on the introduction section.

I could sit here all night and type loads but I want to get to the point so I will try not to babble.
I was diagnosed in 1997, a year after being diagnoised age 9 my life turned and was hell.

My body basically hated insulin, although I need it to be alive my body didn't want.
throughout my primary school years I missed a lot of school due to been in hospital suffering ketoacidosis every day.

I later in 2005 something - I can't remember exact dates. got told that because my body only reacted to insulin via the drip, I would be able to ask the NHS for a pump.
The area I lived didn't do this or have anyone on a pump, so I went to the near city after a year of fighting and been refused by the NHS and got a pump. ( we ended up getting this funded by the NHS as my family and local area fundraised and offered to pay for it as I was so ill, the NHS saw this and I opened the gateways for many people in my area to get pumps)

Last year 2016 the sites I have been using for the last 10 years become so sore and painful the pump was a nightmare, it made be become scared to site as I knew the pain, after lots of consideration and talks with Pump specialist and diabetes team I decided to have a break, very daunting as I knew how ill this could make me.

So I went back to Long acting morning and evening and fast acting with meals and correction. this was in December 2016.

In February this year my sites became sore and damaged through the amount of injections, so as my pump sites had a break I decided a few week ago to go back on the Pump.

The dilemma being all my body is sore, injections aren't absorbing the pump sites that I'm currently using are sore which obviously means bloods are all over.

All the time I have had diabetes I have never been below 9 HBA1C (old terms)

I talk the diabetes team and they say there's nothing that can be done, I feel low, surly there is, I can't live like this.... is anyone been in same situation and found a solution?

I've been wondering if metformin would be considered?
I've seen some specials products that you have injected once a month to help absorb insulin?

I am going to make an appointment with the Professor Specialist but just would like to know any suggestions and advice from people who have had same issues.

Thanks

 

[azure]

Hi @JaylaP

I've used a pump,for 13 years and was on MDI before that

Can you explain a little more about your sites? Is it that they hurt or do you have problems with absorption?

 

[iHs]

Although it's not for everyone.....Roche the pump company created the Diaport

 

[robert72]

If your sites are really that bad, it would be worth asking about a diaport
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org.uk/diaport/

 

[JaylaP]

Hi @JaylaP

I've used a pump,for 13 years and was on MDI before that

Can you explain a little more about your sites? Is it that they hurt or do you have problems with absorption?

Of course.
They are bruised, sore, scared and lumpy.

My pump sites because of this get infected every set change because of the tissue damage.

Right now nothing is absorbed, it's just a nightmare.

Everything I see the nurse she says, 'well you need insulin' which I don't think is the point as I'm not getting the insulin due to sights.

 

[noblehead]

They are bruised, sore, scared and lumpy.

That is a shame and I'm assuming you've tried all infusion/injection sites on the body @JaylaP ?

Since pumping I've been using my sides which I never used on MDI. if you've not tried it its worth a try.

 

[azure]

I second the advice to look for a new body area for sites (if you haven't already) @JaylaP You could also try a change of needle/cannula to see if that helps. It might not be perfect, but it might help a little.

Which pump do you have and what sets do you use?

 

[JaylaP]

Yeah used all the sites.

Ran out of sites. I asked about using the top of boobs, seen people do that before.
They've highly recommended I don't.

I'm on the accu chek combo and use the flex link 8mm.

I can't use the rapid Ones I've tried them before.

I also need to use Ones with assist device as I have a phobia of infecting since the sites became painful.

 

[azure]

Perhaps the Diaport is something to discuss then? It sounds very difficult for you : (

 

[donnellysdogs]

Speak to Lesley Jordan at INPUT or join up to the diaport Facebook page to find out more.

I tried 3 times with pump after 5 years great results with it, it just fails constantly with the new cannulas. No cannulas work for the first 15 hours at least.

There are a few people in UK with the diaport. It definitely isn't for me as I am intolerant to sweeteners, preservatives and lots of things, so there is no way I can see my body accepting a piece of artificial tubing in it... That's me... I'm back to MDI. Not finding it easy at all as I have to wake 4.30am each morning for my first correction bolus to stop DP, and then again an hour before I get out of bed... Not easy going.... I was considered for a diaport but there is no way that my body will tolerate it.

 

[TheBigNewt]

Diaport sounds like the deal for you. I never heard of it either. Sounds like it's equivalent of intravenous insulin, which is what they use for DKA in hospitals. Except you use it all the time. I'd look into it. It's probably not expensive to put in, sorta like a glorified PICC line of sorts. Then what you do, just hook up the pump to it? Makes sense to me.

 

[tim2000s]

I'd add to the chorus to go and ask about the Diaport. It drips insulin directly on to the liver and is incredibly fast.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Weigh up all pro's and con's.

It defnitely is not an easy option, although it is definitely an option.

My hospital were looking for their first guinea pig to have for the operation.. others had proved to be using pump incorrectly.

I cannot face having something artificial in me when everything artificial that has been tried has been rejected.

Please seriously weigh up options...