In my 16 years of diabetes I've only ever been able to afford shots/pens. So I guess by default I prefer them. As much as i want a pump with all their fancy technology, I do just fine with shots and can keep my a1c between 5.6-6.2
Gabriella,
Pumps are the best. I have been a type 1 for 42 years. I did shots for about 31 years and never got used to them. I went on a pump therapy about 12 years ago and haven't taken a shot since :). My a1cs are 5.5-6.5 without any bad lows. While on shots, my a1cs were 7-8 accompanied by a few bad lows, where I needed help from others. Cheers to pump technology!!!
Bill
Fully functional pancreas.
Not an option?
Okay, I guess I have to say the pump then. I did MDI for many many years and I don't have terrible things to say about that experience, but being on the pump is just better for key reasons.
First, once it's programmed, there's a lot I just don't have to think about all the time. I punch in BG and carb intake, or just BG, and the pump does the rest. As long as I don't get lazy with staying on top of ratios, corrections, and working IOB in a very general sense, there's just not as much micromanagement with a pump.
Second, basal delivery is a no-brainer win for the pump. Before having a true pre-programmed 24 hour basal profile, I never realized how much my daily routine was dictated by the idiosyncrasies of long-acting insulin. Again, I can't be lazy an I have to pay attention to what's going on, but it's just a lot easier to program a pump then it is to work with something like Lantus.
I probably wouldn't mind injecting boluses with a pen for corrections and such but the action of insulin when injected compared to through a pump cannula are just way too different for me. I end up having to inject two to three times as much insulin versus bolusing with my pump, so it's just not worth it if I don't have to do it.
There are drawbacks to a pump. Malfunctions are certainly much more catastrophic but, luckily, they are not common. In the long run, which this is all about, a pump is more effective for me.
I very much prefer the pump. I especially value the teeny tiny doses I can use. I don't need to eat up to a full unit (even though some pens will do 1/2) nor do I need to wait until my bg is high enough to accommodate a full unit. I also like that accuracy of the dosing, I can take into account insulin on board (IOB), what my reading is and the carb/protein nature of a meal. I microdose often and thus have had A1C's between 5.2-5.5 for over a decade now.
I will use a syringe if I need to do a major correction, but I can do that with my pump as well.
I kinda wish I could try a pump, but I doubt I could get one because my a1c is 6 and I'm (technically) doing fine with my pens. I mostly would want one though because I feel like I'd get a better dose with it with some meals. Like I have meals where I know I'd do better with something.5 units but because I don't have a pen that does .5 units and syringes that do that are kind of difficult/unreliable it's kind of just a pain and I have to figure out a lot of times if I have to just go under slightly or give myself an entire unit more to cover things that are too close to the next number. I also feel like maybe it'd be nice to just reduce how much time I have to spend in the bathroom at a restaurant or at someone's house before eating a meal. Like I could deal with still going to test but having to hassle with my insulin pens to just eat and do things sometimes makes me annoyed and it'd be easier if I could just press a few buttons and be good to go. I also feel like it might make cosplaying a little easier where I don't have to take parts of my costume off to take my insulin. I don't mind the site changes idea at all and the maintenance involved with a pump tbh as long as I could MOSTLY care for it at home and not have to hassle with it when I don't need to. I'm saying mostly because I know things happen out of our control, but I feel like it'd make things easier. But as I mentioned I feel like I'd get laughed at or possibly have more trouble at the same time if I went on a pump. I figure if my blood sugar actually goes really bad again I might see about it but an unobtainable pipe dream.
Gosh guys sorry I ramble on every single post I ever make lol.
I had very good control before I got my pump.
I love my OmniPod and can't imagine going without it for all of the reasons you've outlined and then some, such as the amount of insulin you need is "generally" reduced when you are on a pump.
You should ask your doctor about it.
Done both. Actually done all three (T2, includes meds/diet/exercise as option 3).
I'm the Omnipod with a Dexcom G4 CGM. I will have to be executed to pry these technologies out of my cold, dead, fingers.
MDI was way better than meds. It took me from walking dead zombie not really living on standard T2 treatment, to a vibrant, alive happy, healthy, person again.
The pump and CGM were a similar step up in improvement. I almost feel like a non-diabetic -- dealing with it now is truly a mere inconvenience, an annoyance, most of the time. And a very minor one at that, as such:
Before insulin, I was always the odd man out, unable to share in much of the fun and pleasure when out with friends. The fact of human beings simply is, food and drink is a big part of our socializing, leisure, and pleasure.
On MDI, I could now loosen up much of the contstraints on enjoying myself in social situations. I could have a Mai-Tai. Eat the canape's at the party. Have a big slab of prime rib with the garlic mashed potatoes at that wedding reception. Still, it's quite a disruption to have to go to the bathroom, check BG, run some numbers on my smartphone, then bolus. Then come back to the table, where everyone knows what was just going on.
With the pump, I glance down at my CGM display, pull my PDM (Omnipod pump controller) out of my pocket, punch a few buttons, and put it away. Start eating. Only those closest to me "in the know" have any idea what was going on. Everyone else thinks I was checking my cellphone or something.
I posted about my opinions on meds (T2 only) vs. MDI vs. pump.
You need to be your own best advocate for this. BG control is not the only factor here. Quality of Life is just as important.
You have a right to have your condition treated not just to keep you alive and free from serious complication, you have a right to have a good, normal life too.
If a pump (and CGM) will make that happen for you, learn everything you can first, then go equipped with knowlege to have a talk with your endo.
You might be surprised. Again, I'm a T2, but my endo was all over it. She is a big advocate of pumps and CGMs, for any diabetic that can handle the technical aspects. These devices result in better BG control and much happier patients almost 100% of the time. And, they record friggin' everything, so she get good, detailed data.
It's a win win win, all around. The biggest issue is simply cost.
"I'm the Omnipod with a Dexcom G4 CGM. I will have to be executed to pry these technologies out of my cold, dead, fingers."
LOL ... I TOTALLY agree ... I couldn't have said it any better!
Though I know all coverage is different, I have not experienced insurance turning down a pump because A1C was good. Some doctors have their own ideas; ironically some turn people down (or try to) because their A1C is "too good" and some because it is "too bad". My control was fine on shots. (in the 6's), but I much prefer my pump. If you want one, you should contact a pump company and have them advocate for you with your doctor and insurance.
The pump gave me my life back. I can sleep in, eat when I am hungry, deal with medication related challenges on the fly and actually eat desert unplanned. WOW!!! I would never go back to shots.
I AGREE!!!!
I already use very little insulin (I think? The most I have used of novolog in a day is 12 units and that was a bad day, most the time I use 4-8 units of novolog) and I use 10 units of Lantus. From what I've understood this is like a bare minimum but it's still just enough for me...and I really worry the insurance would be like lol nope about it even though I think it'd be so nice at times. I mean I'm dealing with the pen and whatnot for now thinking maybe if I show I can control myself , I could prove that I can take something that's likely more convenient if I could say oh hey can I go on the pump now? I've read about them and it might make certain situations that I've now experienced a lot of easier? I mean I don't know for sure, but I feel like that'd be convincing?
coverage for pumps is pretty common (for T1 anyway), so check it out if you are interested
I'm probably going to look into it after I finish college...I feel like I need to get satisfied with my diabetes supplies before I drive everyone insane as I switched around. I started to distrust my meter earlier this month, told my Endo, and he gave me another one for free, before that I switched from Humalog to Novolog because I hated the pen (basically only that but then I figured I just like how novolog works for me too anyway) . I still wanna research for a while anyway and decide which one to go for anyway.
I don't have any of those problems regularly. I hit 288 after the first failure and was like 78 after the second, although both were during runs, one in humidity and one in rain. For me, the pump has been way less work as suprise BG are the exception, rather than an everyday occurrence.
I'm with you AcidRock