There are some pretty sweet pumps out there. I’ve been eyeing the T4 slim and Medtronic but I think I like the omnipod the best. I’m wearing a demo pod now and I forget I have it on, ofcourse there’s no needle in me.
Do you have a Cgm? Best thing I’ve ever done for my diabetes.
[quote=“Allen3, post:11, topic:54657, full:true”]
These work for me and I have no issues whatsoever anymore with DP unless I eat junk food then go to sleep after the wonderful sugar coma kicks in. 
[/quote]Great suggestions in Allen’s post, but this caught my eye.
I found that, FOR ME, the single biggest factor is what I do evening before eating-wise.
If I take my last bite of food no later than 6-7pm, have a moderate-sized meal, go easy on the carbs, I generally will not have to wrestle with significant DP the next morning.
If instead I have an indulgent meal, and/or pig out late night, etc., doesn’t matter how well I cover everything with insulin at the time… I WILL have a major, resistant DP the next morning, struggling to bring down 180-200 for 3-4 hours, pouring barrels of insulin in my bloodstream to seeming no effect.
@Allen3, I’ve been looking around the Web at pumps, and some are pretty cool. I don’t know what my insurance will pay for, though. As for a CGM, I haven’t worn one yet, and I’m conflicted about it, since I’ve read that the constant calibrations are a headache. I also saw pumps that come with a CGM, which sounds very cool, but again, what about having to calibrate the thing 4 times a day? The Omnipod looks great; I’m looking at their page right now. How does it work without inserting something?
Hey Charles,
Who said calibrating it was a pain? That’s not true at all it is the easiest thing in the world. With dexcom you do twice a day. The new G6 coming out you do ONCE. Without a Cgm you do 10 plus finger sticks a day. I love my G5 SO much and it’s the single best thing ive ever done for my diabetes. Its allowed me to tweak my basal perfectly and know exactly how foods and insulin affects me. I never knew my sugars were dipping so low at night. It’s small and I never feel it. And the phone app is so freakin awesome so no receiver but it’s great to have as a backup. Plus omnipod and tslim integrate with dexcom on the new versions. Even is you wore it for two weeks to tweak things and gave it up it would be well worth it in my opinion.
The omnipod inserts a canula into you. It does an auto insertion by pressing a button. I’m wearing a dummy one for fun. I’d rather not wear one cause it’s still something, it’s not big but it’s not tiny either. For me I like to do micro corrections during the day so having a pump might be better than constantly taking the syringe out 10 times. Haven’t decided yet for me. But the NEW omnipod system they are doing trials for will be closed loop. Will be a few years but he future is looking bright!
But honestly I think the biggest product impacts to diabetes has been the Dexcom CGM and Tresiba insulin. Having a steady basal cannot be overstated enough.
And non device wise I believe the new Novo ultra rapid acting insulin they’re developing will have the next greatest impact. I see it as the injected Afrezza. The only weak point I have in my diabetes management now (other than myself) is that Novolog and humalog just take too long to take affect.
Just remember Dr’s have free samples to try and if you try something and don’t like it you can try something else. That’s the only way you’ll know if it’s for you. Dexcom gives you 30 days to return. IMO that is way more important than a pump to me and I’ve had three pumps.
All the best.
Hey Allen, curious as to why u think the novo ultra rapid insulin would be big? If Afrezza is able to stay on the market, why would u prefer another injectable? Just seems much easier to take a toot rather then inject. If I could get the same result there’s no way I’d want the injectable. I do think having options is great, especially for those with issues that prevent them from using Afrezza, but I’m interested in why u would prefer the injectable as I know you’re trying Afrezza now? Thanks.
Hi mpg54,
It’s funny calling people by their screen name.
An injectable that basically mimicks the best aspects of Afrezza would be more accessible to people (with lung disorders, easier to get insurance for) and easily plugged into their current regimen if already using fast acting insulin. Pumps and shots, etc. I realize that Afrezza works a little different but I mean the end game results we are after, faster onset to eliminate prebolusing, maybe shorter acting but not as short as Afrezza imo.
I am still trying Afrezza, took a hiatus until my CGM had came in and was working on getting a titration pack. Afrezza might not be a good choice for me I’m finding out for a couple of reasons but since I’m still giving it a try as well as trying other options like going back on a pump, I won’t expand more on it just now. The last thing I want to do is knock what is a wonderful drug for a lot of people and I have to emphasize that everyone is different and these are just what I’m finding out for ME. I hope people will not hesitate to try it themselves!
I personally have no problems with shots and I think that is the least reason most people try Afrezza (except for kids in the future). The main reason I was drawn to it was the elimination of spikes ever happening after a meal and due to the fast onset and unique action on the liver itself.
Peace
No worries, I don’t mind the screen name at all, I know its me.
I agree there needs to be an alternative so I do see a need for an ultra fast injectable. Glad your still putting Afrezza through the gauntlet, please continue to share your findings as its super informative to all curious about Afrezza. More then anything thank you for sharing your personal experience, it’s greatly appreciated.
Hi Allen, I had been reading blogs from pump users, and many had said calibrating was what they liked the least about the pumps. Still, I think the pump has many advantages. Have you ever experienced issues with the insertion site, such as redness, swelling, itching, or other problems?
Confused… One doesn’t calibrate a pump. A CGM, yes, but not a pump.
Hi Charles,
I assume you mean calibrate the dexcom. I don’t see how two finger sticks a day is so difficult. Only thing with a pump is setting up basal rates initially.
I haven’t heard of anyone who doesn’t love the dexcom.
So I’m back trying out my old pump but on a totally different routine this time. I don’t like the idea of being only on fast acting for basal. Too many problems for me in the past when I had site issues. Soooo I thought, why do I have to? So here’s my routine which has been great:
So this way I get the best of both worlds. I don’t have to worry about being without basal due to site issues or if I want to take it off. So sometimes I take it off and use a shot if I want.
I also don’t sleep with my pump on. I worried about occlusions from not keeping insulin going through the site but hasn’t been any issue at all.
The main reason I wanted to go back to a pump to test was that I just get tired of taking a shot versus pushing a button. I do a lot of bonuses for food and lot of corrections. Plus I can take very small corrections easily now. It’s just convenient. Ofcourse you could do the same with the omnipod.
And yes I’ve had redness in the past but it’s not a big deal. I use skin tac now and make sure I change every 3 days. I used to go longer I think. And remember BD is coming out with a new sure-flow infusion set so that looks promising for occlusions. But for me since I still take all my basal in a shot it would be no big deal. Just rip it off and take shots until I can replace it. I think that’s the biggest weakness of a pump is you’re dependent in short acting for basal. But the untethered regimen removes that weakness. I will never go without my Tresiba.
@rgcainmd – I meant CGM sorry!!!
@Allen3: I’m very impressed by the great way you’re handling your diabetes, Allen. I have taken some notes to keep with me for when I get a pump (not sure if I will, but just in case). I think it’s a good idea not to wear the pump at night if one doesn’t have to!
[quote=“Allen3, post:30, topic:54657, full:true”]The main reason I wanted to go back to a pump to test was that I just get tired of taking a shot versus pushing a button. I do a lot of bonuses for food and lot of corrections. Plus I can take very small corrections easily now. It’s just convenient. Ofcourse you could do the same with the omnipod.[/quote]And I do 
This, programmable basals, and complex bolus delivery (i.e. dual-wave, extended, etc.) are why I pump. I was pretty excited about Afrezza when it came out, then got a chronic cough that took months to resolve, so I wasn’t able to give it a go. Then, kinda forgot about it.
I may still give it a shot. However, the flexibility a pump has to carefully adjust insulin delivery, in very fine-grained dosing, probably makes it still the best solution for tight control.