I’m pretty tired of sticking myself 4 times a day with syringes. I’ve been considering an insulin pump for months. What’s your opinion?
I’ve been pumping for 4.5 years and it’s the best decision I ever made. I would never go back to shots. My control is SO much better with a pump (I personally didn’t mind the shots; I went on the pump solely for better control).
Wouldn’t be without my Ping, it’s a life-changing piece of tech. Basals are pre-programmed, boluses are easy. Love the remote so I don’t have to pull out my pump every time. There is a learning curve - it’s not a magic fix - but makes life a heck of a lot easier! I have much better control with varying rates throughout the day.
Wouldn’t go back to MDI’s. Pumping has it’s own “problems” (bad sites, getting all adjusted when beginning, mine is not waterproof so I can’t just jump in the pool, sometimes hard to wear dresses if you pump with one with tubing) but the benefits (lower A1c and way more level blood sugars, it’s connected so I “don’t leave home without it”, can adjust rates on the fly so if your activity level changes you can make immediate changes instead of having to worry what the last shot is going to do, did I say better control that has to be the biggest reason for pumping) have made to much of a difference in my diabetic world to ever want to go back to MDI’s.
I’ve always been a reluctant pumper. There are things I like about it, things I love about it, and things I hate about it. BUT, the things I LOVE about it override anything I really hate about. The worst part is being connected to something 24/7. Yes, sometimes the tubing gets in the way and it can be hard to disguise under clothes. And you have to really stay on top of things, because without basal insulin you can go into DKA fast.
BUT…
There are SO many things I love about it. It gives me far more flexibility in my schedule and what and when I eat. I am very active and the ability to adjust basal rates on a fly is invaluable to me. I am also very insulin sensitive and the ability to give myself such small doses means I get overall better control, because I correct more (something I wasn’t doing a lot on shots). Also, despite the fact that you have to worry about concealing it under clothes, it is very discrete. I like to go out to eat, especially when I’m at work, and it’s so nice to not have to excuse myself to the bathroom to give myself a shot. With the pump, I can discretely bolus and no one even knows. Also, in today’s cell-phone-saturated world, most people don’t look twice at someone playing with a gadget at a table. They just assume it’s your cell.
There is a bit of learning that you have to do when first starting and basal rates are not automatically worked out overnight. BUT, once your comfort level with the device increases, it really does make life easier. My A1c has dropped so I know I’m doing a better job. Oh, I also find that while I still get lows, I don’t get as many of the wicked lows, you know, those ones where you come to and the EMTs are in your bedroom. I find that the pump allows me to catch the lows a lot sooner, possibly because of the smaller increments of insulin.
Finally, one thing that the pump has really helped me with is logging. I am a terribly logger, but Minimed’s Carelink software has really solved that problem for me. Every few days I upload all my data from my pump; the meter it comes with automatically sends your BG reading to your pump, and you can also sync the meter with your Carelink account. The reports this software generates are really helpful too; I use them all the time to make small tweaks to my basal rates.
Keep in mind that the pump is NOT permanent. You can always go back to shots if you don’t like it. But I definitely think you should give it a try. And try it for at least 6 months, because it will probably take about that long to work out all the kinks.
So let me be the contrarian. I am not a veteran like many around here. I only started insulin last december. I am on basically 4 shots day, just like you. But I am doing fine, my blood sugar is well controlled and I really don’t mind injecting.
So let me give you my Top 10 reasons for not using an Insulin Pump:
- Wearing an obvious pump brings attention to your being diabetic, something not all of us want.
- I am clumsy and I break stuff, and it really, really hurts (and $) to yank a tube or break a pump.
- A pump has to be worn all the time, and you may feel encumbered by wearing it all the time.
- It takes more time and effort to learn how to use a pump effectively (than injections).
- Pumping is thought to lead to more scarring.
- A pump is more expensive, even if you have good insurance.
- A pump requires more logistics, if you travel for a week, not only all your pump stuff (sites, vials, batteries, tape, …) but it is often prudent to bring a backup insulin method (like syringes).
- If you feel like your life is swamped by too many diabetes decisions during the day, it will only get worse with a pump.
- Pump failures of any kind (including just a bad site) can result in running dry of insulin, high blood sugars and even DKI within hours, something you would never see with a basal insulin like Lantus.
- If you already have good control, you won’t get much better with a pump.
I am not totally against a pump, and might consider one in the future. But using a pump is not necessarily all a plus.
I’m pretty needle phobic so that taking shots was a struggle for the 18 months that I was on MDI. As bsc said a pump isn’t a guarantee of better control but I can say that it has made my life much less stressful and more pleasant.
Maurie
I’ve been pumping for 23 years now and I LOVE it. ut the desision is yours.
LOVE IT, LOVE IT LOVE IT! Would never go back to MDI after 9 yeards of pumping. BSC hit the reasons for not pumping correctly, until you start to pump. Then the ease, control, and freedom of pumping can really make a difference in your current and future life. Yea, it is a lot of technology, but it is all good. Please consider it. Check to pump forum, as well as the flatliners. Pretty cool stuff!
I have BCBS, so hopefully if I consider the pump, it would cover all of it. I understand on how expensive it is as stated by bsc, but I need more control in my blood sugars. My dad used to be on the pump up until his insurance wouldn’t cover his supplies anymore, and he had to pay $600, and that’s after his insurance paid their portion. He had COMPLETE and TOTAL control of his sugars on the pump. I just need stability. However, I do believe everyone will react differently to the pump…my opinion.
Awesome, I’m glad it works for you!
I will keep that in mind…after all, this is why I am on this site. Thanks!