Hi everyone, I am just gonna get my first ever animas vibe pump. I have heard and red a lot about it and finally decided to get one. I am well-aware of all the medical advantages it has and how it will help me better control my diabetes. But I just can't get over the idea that I will be attached to this machine 24/7, the though is quite scary.
Also what do you do when you want to go to beach, pool party, or just wear a nice dress to Spring Ball or some events like that. The society I come from, people tend to be quite intrusive in everyone else's business and that is why there is very few people around me who even know that I have diabetes, so this will make things very complicated for me.
I just really do not want to face all the questions about my pump, explaining everyone what it is and why i am wearing it. I am young and I do lot of things like sports, traveling, partying and now I have to always think and restrict myself in what cloths I chose so that this thing is not sticking.
Did anyone else have these feelings and how to overcome it. I know I can always go back to just injections, but at the same time if there is a chance to control my blood glucose better I do not want to miss it out.
Any suggestions, supporting words, or even tips from ladies on how you wear your pump would be appreciated.
I was concerned about this also. But, I have been pumping for about 3 months and cannot imagine ever going back to injections. I wear mine in my bra the majority of the time. Its easy to access to bolus and stays hidden. This would work for a dress for a Ball or sports or really anything. As far as the beach and pool parties, I am trying to figure that out myself. I am trying new sites for my infusion set like my lower back and it seems to be a better choice for summer activities. I personally use the T-slim and love it. Hope this helps.
Well, congratulations first for making this decision. its not easy, but i am sure you wont regret it. In terms of beach, pool party:
if you have the possibility of keeping one or two lantus vials, you can always skip back to MDI for lets say one day. it takes some practice, but it can work out. sometimes i even just disconnect my pump and give myself small boluses every 1-2 hours to deliver my "basal" insulin (this requires a lot of testing).
skirts, dresses: you can always put your pump in your bra where nobody will see it. try it out at home. best thing for me is to take a baby sock, put pump in it and clip it to the connection of the 2 cups. you wont see it.
hope i could help out.
take care
SC
Welcome to pump world! I love my Animas Ping (I'm in the USA so I am still waiting for the Vibe to be available here. There are a couple of things you can use for dresses. There is a pump camisole at the Diabetes Mall (www.diabetes.net) it is awesome. It is a cami with a shelf bra. In the shelf bra part is a pocket for the pump. It keeps it secure and while discrete, you can access it from your neckline (of course a turtleneck makes it a bit more difficult. I have also used a bandeau bra that is too small for me to wear as a bra. I wear it around my waist and tuck the pump in there. There are also pump bands (you may find them at www.pumpwear.com) Again, they go around your waist. It isn't as easy to access, but it does allow you to wear a strapless or spaghetti strap dress.
As to beach/pool parties. I think it was here on this site that I read where it is possible to put your infusion set in on the site of your breast. I haven't tried it myself yet, but will come summer (I've been pumping about 8 years now), That would take care of even the skimpiest bikini.
Thanks for answer. yes I guess bra seems a reasonable option. I guess that would even work for my Spring Ball dress, I will get it and see how it goes.
Thanks. That was what I kind of looking for someone would say that I could just for a day get back to just injections, like when I go to the beach or some special occasions, i will need to take myself off pump. I guess figuring out the units for Lantus and boluses would be the challenge but totally managable and better than stressing myself over for excluding and missing all parties :)
You make it sound so easy :) but agree that I won' miss anything, I will find a way around this machine too, I hope I will appreciate it as much as others do too :)
Going off the pump for a day or so. that's "untethering" I believe you may find a reference to it at TCOYD.org (Taking Control of Your Diabetes) It is an organization with conferences started by an awesome Endo who has type 1 and pumps.
I like my pump so much I will work around it rather than taking it off. I went from R/NPH to pumping but seriously could feel the difference almost immediately. There's lots of people who don't have that opinion and will go back and forth so that's an option but the sense of having an insulin "gas pedal" was really liberating for me. I hope you like yours as much as I like mine!!
Acidrock, "gas Pedal" that's a great description. I love my pump too. It would take something major - like a cure (!?!?) to make me go back to MDI. Today's pumps may not be perfect, but in my opinion they a far superior to MDI. At least for me and my lifestyle they are.
Thanks, I will definitely have a look at it. I am not saying I will necessarily do that, I guess I will see how I feel once I have it, but just want to make sure if and when I need to do that I will be able to take control of my BG.
Yes, I understand that. Lot of people actually say the same thing, that's part of the reason for me to considering getting a pump. I am also willing to work around it, just want to reserve an option, it is not an easy thing at least for me and my lifestyle to be attached to pump always.
I'll try to locate where I read up on untethering, and post it here. I have done it when I learned that my wetsuit wouldn't accommodate my pump (there's a reason one of the manufacturers if wetsuits is called "body glove" - I can't imagine a person with claustrophobia ever being able to tolerate wearing one). Anyway, having options and flexability is key to managing life with D - you got that right.
ok, i can not imagine putting a set there, i personally would recommend butt or just taking off the set and put on a new one in the evening. tell me how that trial goes...
Sofie, I just googled "untethering insulin pump" And several good references came up (not just Wikipedia) There is a reference form Dr Edelman (the Endo with type 1) and some others including Children with Diabetes - a great site. They mention the "untethered regimen" So you should have some great starting points.
