I used Lantus and NovoLog before switching over to the pump about six years ago. Getting the pump what is the best decision I ever made! I had the medtronic paradigm , and recently upgraded to the 630 G ( The first CGM I’ve ever had). I hope to upgrade to the 670 the spring! Caring for my diabetes has been so much easier! My A1 C dropped from 8.6 to 7.5 in two months.
“1) I’ve only ever given whole units (a lot of rounding up and down for carb counting), so how much of a pain will it be to actually figure out my dosing with a pump? I’m sure the docs have a way…but yikes, I’m worried I’ll be all over the place!”
No pain at all! You can put the ratio into your pump, then you just put how many carbs you’re eating and the pump automatically calculates just how much insulin you need.
“2) Experience with the Medtronic system? I’ve heard bad things about their CGM, but my hope is that with the 670 coming out, that one will be much more accurate, so I’m just going to make the switch now. I hate leaving my Dexcom in the dust since it’s been my literal life saver these past few months. Anyone have good luck with matching numbers?”
Again this is my first CGM , but I’ve been very happy with it ! I can’t imagine life without it ( and I’ve only had it since November). I like how it’s integrated into the pump . You can set a range for your blood sugars on the pump. When your blood sugar starts approaching low it will warn you 15 minutes before ( you get the same warning with highs) so that you can treat you blood sugar before you go high or low.
With Lantus, The one shot releases insulin throughout the day. With the pump, The pump gives you A predetermined unit of insulin every hour ( called a basal). The Basal serves a similar purpose as your Lantus does.
When you give yourself insulin through the pump to set off carbohydrates or to lower a high blood sugar, this is called a bolus. The bolus is similar to the fast acting insulin you use.
When your blood sugar gets low the medtronic pump stops Basal insulin delivery for two hours. Sometimes when I get a warning that my blood sugar is going low , I will do a temporary basal at zero units instead of eating ( unless of course my blood sugar continues to drop because of the active insulin) , then monitor my blood sugar on my CGM until it stabilizes ( and then of course I will resume my regular basal rate). With Lantus, if your blood sugar is going low, you can’t backtrack.
- With that, I assume not, but anyone have experience with insurance covering BOTH Dexcom and Medtronic? So, maybe if I totally hate the Enlite, I could keep the Dexcom going until the new pump comes out?
I’ve never had trouble getting approval for a pump. If few years ago I was denied a CGM. My endocrinologist has gotten good at challenging denials and doing appeals. When I first got my 630, Insurance denied The glucose monitor test strips . We got that overturned pretty quickly.
“4) I’m afraid of the tubing. I did check out the Omnipod, and was considering doing that with the Dexcom instead…but I’m just so excited to try the hybrid closed loop that I decided against it. I’ve heard horror stories about getting caught and ripping it out, pets chewing the tubes while you’re asleep and them dying/you obviously not getting any insulin…; so…I know it’s different for everyone, but if you could…just how bad can it be? I want to hear the worst. Can I wear tegaderm over the tubing? Is that uncomfortable?”
I’ve definitely gotten my tubing caught on things! I’ve had it ripped out on doorhandles, cabinet knobs, etc etc. But this doesn’t happen very frequently, and it doesn’t hurt when it comes out . Just keep a spare with you.
I also have four dogs, and I’ve never had any problems with any of them chewing on my medical supplies. My dogs are like my kids! I bought a king size bed so that everybody would fit 
But if I was seriously worried that my dogs with you my tubing, I would go out and buy a crate ( yeah they don’t even have one of those) before I get rid of my insulin pump.
I always took the tubing in to my pants, so it’s in my clothes. Or I put my pump under my pillow when I sleep. But I would imagine if the dog was coming up that close to me , and moving around , I would probably wake up before the chewing started!
I’ve had diabetes for 22 years ( going on 23). I waited in till only six years ago to get a pump. Now I wish I would’ve done it sooner! It seriously makes managing diabetes so easy!
I hope everything works out great!
But if I was seriously worried that my dogs with you my tubing, I would go out and buy a crate ( yeah they don’t even have one of those) before I get rid of my insulin pump.
That’s exactly what I was worried about - with the cats - I have two and it’s like they’re always on the lookout for anything that remotely resembles a string!!! But that eases my concerns a bit