Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pump?

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

Really interesting dicussion, however I would not wish to go onto a pump for anything. I hate the idea of walking round with a little machine clipped onto my jeans and a tube attached to me, A friend of mine has a pump and won't take his tshirt off on holiday, go swimming etc. and as for "adult activity" I have no idea how he copes! - to me a pump would make me feel like I had some sort of disability, which (unlike a lot of other people) I don't believe type 1 is...I'm sticking to needles thanks!

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

I had similar views before I made the switch, it took me a year to decide that I really would be better on a pump after 41 years on insulin. I too had a hang up with having something attached to me 24/7.

But now I would not go back to 5 jabs a day, the pump is my way forwards

I do many things either attached to my pump, or with it removed - for swimming you can take if off (for an hour or so) - I go white water kayaking too with no problems wearing a pump - caving - climbing etc.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

diabetes51 said:

Unfortunayely GPs will be in charge of funding from April and mine does not approve of the pump. I do not detect hypos until my BS is below 1.9mmol/l but he just thinks I should take less insulin.

1. Having a consultant and care team in your area qualified to care for people on a pump, may be one barrier against anyone having one.

2. Having a GP that is willing to give up bonus payments and power into the hands of a consultant is another. I personally believe the problem is that, if I am placed in the care of a consultant who is qualified to look after patients on pumps, then my GP will no longer get the bonus payment for doing the famous 9 tests that are supposed to eliminate all our problems. My GP appears to believe that if the 9 tests are all within normal limits, there is no need for discussion or help with any problems experienced, a total Wally.

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Sounds to me as if you need a new/different GP. He obviously does not have your best intrests in mind.
My GP fought tooth and nail to get the PCT to fund my pump. (He succeded)

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

i am currently on injections - which works for me. although my GP has recommended i go on a pump due to my problems with hypo awareness. going to see the hospital today to get the low down on it, just not looking forward to it

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

THINK I would like to be on a pump. Have been type 1 for just over 58 years and am seriously beginning to run out of places to inject. Know people on pumps and they seem to be very happy. Only problem is that am not sure whether Lente Insulin is suitable for pumps, don't do it for pens!!
Serious question for clinic in November.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

I was offered a pump 10 years ago but being a teenager and self sonscious refused. I've now had mine for 18 months and my quality of life has improved massively. Previously hypos were part of my everyday life and I'd never gone a full calendar year without an ambulance but this year I've not needed one and haven't had any severe seizure liek hypos where I've needed someone else to help me.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

djp said:

THINK I would like to be on a pump. Have been type 1 for just over 58 years and am seriously beginning to run out of places to inject. Know people on pumps and they seem to be very happy. Only problem is that am not sure whether Lente Insulin is suitable for pumps, don't do it for pens!!
Serious question for clinic in November.

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Hi djp,
lente can not be used in a pump as it's a long acting insulin, but what ever bolus insulin you use can be used in a pump. I use bovine neutral in mine with no problems.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

My diabetes nurse suggested a pump about a year ago, but like many have already said, the thought of having something attached to me constantly makes me feel a little sick! Since then my BGs have increased even more, and whilst I still really wouldn't want a pump, I am starting to wonder if I NEED one instead...

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

This is something that I've been giving some thought into lately. I saw some pumps on this site, and really liked the concept of one, which measures tissue sugar levels and then injects an amount of insulin based on what the sugar reading was.
To me that sounds like an external artificial pancreas, which in effect could result in living almost like I didn't have diabetes.
The down side would be being connected to a gadget , which may be inconvenient at times. However the upsides I would imagine would likely outweigh the downs.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

Millerite said:

This is something that I've been giving some thought into lately. I saw some pumps on this site, and really liked the concept of one, which measures tissue sugar levels and then injects an amount of insulin based on what the sugar reading was.
To me that sounds like an external artificial pancreas, which in effect could result in living almost like I didn't have diabetes.
The down side would be being connected to a gadget , which may be inconvenient at times. However the upsides I would imagine would likely outweigh the downs.

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I can assure you there is no pump on the market that does that yet.
I suspect either you have mistaken what a cgm and pump combined can do or have read about the closed loop system which is very much work in progress.
A pump will only deliver what you tell it. Nothing is automatic except the basal which you set yourself after a lot of testing to get it right(you hope). The pump is set to your own personal needs, correction, durration of insulin carb ratio, basal pattern, and it then works out what you need in the event of a higher than normal blood sugar or a meal bolus based on your blood sugar. The delivery is not automatic though you have to OK it or override the result.
Some pumps have meters which combine with the pump and it then recommends a correction or bolus
. This insulin is not delivered though until you give the pump the say so.
A couple of pumps can be used with cgm and the result goes to the pump but again you have to tell the pump to deliver the extra insulin after a finger poke as cgm is not 100% reliable.

In all honesty after a day or two most new pumpers have to keep checking to make sure the pump is still with them as it's not noticeable after this time.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

Thanks for that CarbsRok,
I've only recently started looking into pumps, and from what you've described, I believe that was what i'd been looking at, however it would seem I'd misunderstood what it actually was that the pump did.
It was http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-products/pumps/medtronic-paradigm-insulin-pump.html that I was looking at.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

Millerite said:

Thanks for that CarbsRok,
I've only recently started looking into pumps, and from what you've described, I believe that was what i'd been looking at, however it would seem I'd misunderstood what it actually was that the pump did.
It was http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-prod ... -pump.html that I was looking at.

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Hiya, glad you have reread the info the other pump is the Animas Vibe. Only problem with both the pumps is the cost of sensors.
Aprox £60 each I think, and the NHS do not fund them in many cases. So unless the user of either of those pumps can afford the sensors, they function exactly the same as the other pumps.

When people start to look into pumps they are very dubious/worried about the concept of being attached 24/7 I was too and that was after something like 43 years of using needles. I took to it like a duck to water and after less than a day I just did not notice it at all.
The quality of life is completely transformed on a pump. They are a lot of hard work though and you only get out of it what you put in. Some people have a very rude awakening when they find it's not a plug and play toy.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

i will prefaer d pump, i wont mind as long as my sugar is in control,bt dis like d first time am hearing of it.advice me on hw to
get it pls in my country nigeria.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

It probably depends on your control though - if you have no issues with MDI, then I can't see a pump completely transforming quality of life. I'd only consider a pump if I had specific problems with MDI that a pump might solve (non-constant basal rate, very low insulin doses, etc); since I don't, I prefer MDI for now.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

I'm desperate to go on a pump. My control is good but it would give me so much more flexibility. It would also be great for my running.
Got an appointment with the pump doc at the hospital in 2 weeks so fingers crossed I get the right answer!

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

Many years ago when I was a young teenager it was suggested to my parents to put me on a pump in order to regulate my diabetes better. Unfortunately they had to pay for it which was around £500 if memory serves me right which was a HUGE amount back then.

Luckily over the years my diabetes has improved and my HB1AC has been below 7 for a while so it wouldn't be worth trying it now. Also, needles are so fine now and wit the handiness of pens, the 4 injections a day are a doddle.

I think for teenagers today who are finding it difficult it may be a wise decision but the cost is a big factor, I suppose it depends what area you live in at the end of the day.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

Would a pump help me my blood sugars r all over the place and have been for a while I have done DAFNE sometimes I struggle to make ends meet 5~7 guide blood sugar levels I just can seem to win would a trail. On a pump work for me but I don't want to go on something so expensive then find it doesn't work for me my head is all over the place to pump or not to pump

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

I have a pump and a cgm..

I am very, very active.. Being a gardener for my living.

2+ years ago I never would have said I love my pump...

BUT I DO LOVE IT AND MY CGM.

I have my life back totally... I actually feel non diabetic now.....

For me being a very, very active person there is nothing that can outdo my pump and my cgm.

I truly feel the best about my life since being diagnosed 26 years ago....I do consider myself pretty much non diabetic.. Because of the pump and cgm combined is fantastic..

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

My blood sugars are always good and have been for years now but im switching onto pump therapy because I work in a school and I am constantly moving around and dont often get time to sit down, being on a pump makes this a lot easier plus I dont appreciate the stares I get from doing my injections in puplic im just out of university so ive had a lot of people giving me judging glances, I personally think its an easier more convenient option.

Re: Would you prefer to be on insulin injections or on a pum

I've been diabetic for 32 years now (I was 2 years old when I went type 1 diabetic) and it was only a few years ago I went from 2 injections a day to 4. My diabetic specialist (who is great - but don't tell him I said that!) managed to convince me, after a stint of trying the inhaled insulin, that 4 a day injections would be better for me. I took to it quite easily actually and my HbA1Cs are a lot better now. However, my DS has been trying to convince me a pump would be a good idea.

The idea of it makes me feel sick though! The idea of having to carry it around with me everywhere and having it stuck in me practically 24/7 is my idea of hell. I'd be petrified of knocking the needle - especially as I have 2 cats and dogs who like to jump up on my lap whenever I sit down.

As a 13 yr old I had a massive argument with a diabetic specialist nurse - I don't even remember what it was about - but I said to her 'I'm a human being first - not a diabetic!' and she shouted back 'That's where you're going wrong. You are a diabetic first and foremost and don't ever forget it!'. If I had an insulin pump, I'd feel like I was diabetic and nothing else. I'd probably feel better having a neon sign attached to the top of my head saying 'Beware Type 1 Diabetic Approaching - Hide Your Mars Bars'!!!

I understand the pump works really well for some people, and most of my issues with the idea of going onto it are in my head and I'm being a first-class wuss, but I'm now on a regime that works for me. What's the point of trying something that only on the off chance might work a weeny bit better for me?!

By the way, this is my first post on this forum, so I'm looking forward to chatting with everyone on here and getting to know you all.

Julie =]