Hi,
I tried posting this earlier and wasn’t sure if it went through to the proper group location. I was wondering if there were any “Needle Diabetics” that were previously on the pump and now are on insulin pens. I have never been on the pump, but use insulin pens (Lantus and Humalog on a sliding scale). I have considered going on the pump, but am not sure if its the right choice for me due mostly to financial reasons, but also think it may be more of a hassle for me. I also have Gastroparesis, so I want to be sure it will be a good option for me before I add another task to my regular list of health routines. I appreciate all your feedback. Thanks!
Hi Margaret…
I did consider a pump last year, but my Nephrologist said no. She though I was doing good with my current syringe/pen routine. I switched to the pen about 18 months ago for my humalog, WHY, I took humalog by mistake instead of Lantus one night. So half a days basal worth of Humalog convinced me I wanted to try a pen instead. I still use a vial/syrenge for the Lantus to AVOID that mistake again. I do love the pen, its so much easier and convient as well. I considered pumping because a few people i knew went to pumps and loved it, better control, I even ran into one of my old docs I had a couple decades ago and he asked it I was pumping…
For me COST would be a problem/factor and there are some hastles involved. IMO it would be more of a PERSONAL decision. Asking others about experiences is a great way to get some idea before trying a pump.
(&( GOMER sez GOOD LUCK!
Thanks JDavid for sharing your story an opinion on the pump.
I’m actually worried about that same mistake JDavid. I am taking Humalog pens and Levemir syringes- but thought the idea of Levemir pens was awesome, so I have ordered some. I have yet to try the Levemir pen as I still have half a bottle of it left with syringe.
i’m worried that I’m gonna flub it up and take one instead of the other. The only thing I can think to do is keep them in different compartments in my meter bag. There’s a “tube” compartment that I currently kep my Humalog pen in, and I use the front pocket for my Levemir vial and syringe. I’m hoping the Levemir pens will fit in that front compartment too, to keep the two separate.
It’s scary to think about. 
I used to be on a Minimed pump. It was very useful and actually got me out of my D slump. I was in Burnout for a while, but when I went on the pump, I had a chance to look and feel “normal”. There was only the boluses to worry about and it was very simple.
The thing that turned me off of it was the clogging of the catheter. The first few months on the pump I had no issues whatsoever. But, a mixture of complications made it so the catheter would clog and I’d have the stress of having to change my site and correction bolus constantly throughout the day- hard to fix these issues during a work day! I always carried extra supplies on me, including my vial of Humalog and my syringes.
There were times when I’d throw my pump across the room just because I didn’t want to deal with it anymore.
I have a rare case where I’m actually allergic to the catheter- I later found this out- which was partly causing my tubing and sites to clog. I also have a strong resistance to short acting insulins, so I had to come off the pump to start taking the long acting Levemir again- to cover.
I also, due to these two things, went into keotacidosis because I slept through the pump alarm that was telling me there was no delivery. I went for six hours without insulin- and that is without the “coverage” that is offered by long actings like Levemir. If you do go on the pump, you have to be aware that you no longer have any insulin in your blood- except for what the pump gives you. If your pump breaks, or stops delivering for any reason, you no longer have any insulin in you whatsoever- no coverage. You have to be careful.
Overall, the pump was a very good idea. There were complications that prevented me from using it- in the end, but it was something that got me to believing that I am “normal”. Even though it didn’t work out, I needed it- it helped my view of myself a lot.
Feeling NORMAL…
After nearly 3 decades of spike-dive roller-coaster with NPH & regular, going to basal/bolus with Lantus and Humalog, and 5 shots a day…well for the first time in a long time I felt STRANGEly NORMAL again. Of course damage is already done…but… could be a lot worse, so I guess I better count myself lucky.
(&( GOMER
I haven’t even considered a pump until this year (after 35 years) I’m on Novolog and Lantus pens and love them over the vials. They look different so confusing them isn’t a problem. I’ve had some issues with the Novolog Flexpen and prefer the Humulog pens but my insurance will only cover Novolog. There is going to be a new tubeless pump out this year (hopefully) called the Solo by Mendingo. It’s seems like a great design and seems better in many ways to the Omnipod. You can send for samples of both thru their websites.
After taking injections for 40 years I was a burnout. Four injections a day was just to much. So I switched to a pump 13 years ago. I am a Disetronic/AccuChek user and loved the pump. It gave me more freedom to eat. So after 13 years I am giving my body a rest from catheters. From an eating standpoint I eat less. Why? With the pump I could pop something in my mouth and take a few units. With pens I am hesitant to pop something in my mouth as I have to take an injection. A cracker or injection I don’t love food that much. So for me using pens will help me lose some wait. And these pen needles are incredibly small. I take Lantus and Apidra.
I never even considered being allergic to the catheter. I am thinking about a pump, and am planning on asking my doctor about it the next time I’m in the office. I keep hearing all these great things about it from everyone, but I worry about 2 things. 1- the money. I already have a hard time affording the pens, what am i going to do when the supplies i need cost more than that? and 2- even on the pump I’m going to have to keep the pens and needle around and on me, so why go through double the stuff? I haven’t made up my mind yet, I keep leaning towards pumping, but the allergy thing gives me cause to pause. I had piercings that infected and aggravated with metals and plastics, even the supposedly “bio-friendly” stuff. And I’m allergic to most adhesives that they use on bandages and band-aids. They leave rashes and welts. Maybe I should just stick with what’s working…
I considered going to a pump little over a year ago. Doc said I was doing SO WELL with what i was doing 2 basal shots/day hbd hmalog w/meals,NOT to change.
I am comfortable staying on vial/syringe for basal & Humalog pens. I did request to change to pns for the humalog after taking humalog by mistake on evening…(over dose of rapid insulin). I realized it AFTER taking the shot when I went to place the syringe back down on the nite stand. That purple top hit me like a brick!
My A1Cs tend to run in the upper 5s to lower 6s…and I am as stable as I would be on a pump. The KEY is knowing how to test and adjust your insulins. I got my basal down so my BS level was stable for 5 hrs with no food or exercise and my ccarb ratio figured properly. I seldom have to take a correction dose, added to meal insulin most of the time when i need to.
GOMER 