I want to live a long and healthy life, but am really opposed to the pump because it makes my disease a visible one. I’ve always been a social butterfly, I have an interesting story to tell, informed views and a generally warm and inviting personality. I suppose in some ways, its a bit of a communal thing. I don’t want to make MY diabetes a burden on someone thats happens to look at my waist.
The pump has allowed me to be more of a social butterfly. Depending on what color you choose most people will not even notice the pump.
I chose a purple pump! Fun!
Actually, I don’t believe I am burdening someone with discussion of it. More like educating because they often come up with some really intelligent questions. And from there … who knows where the conversation may go?
Lois La Rose
Milwaukee, WI
I don’t even think about it anymore. I’ve had people comment things like, “I didn’t know they even made pagers anymore.” I was never one to hide when i did MDIs and I’m not about to start now. More often than not, it opens the door for some diabetes education that might not otherwise have occurred. Of course when people do find out you are diabetic, they turn into the food police…
I don’t mind people seeing the pump and talking about it, but I know many people who wear the pump so that it is not visible at all. Some pumps have remote controls (like PING and Minimed) so you don’t even need to pull it out to give boluses etc. Omnipod might be another interesting and less visible option for you!
I just started on the Ping a few weeks ago and was worried about a lot of of the things you’ve mentioned above going into it. I was afraid that wearing one would be a reminder to myself and others that I have this disease that I have to deal with constantly. That is why I ended up going with the Ping (and…I won’t lie…the color choices didn’t hurt either!) - the meter serves as a remote. So far I have hardly taken my pump out of my pocket. No one has noticed it and the only people who have asked me about it were the people who knew I was getting it before hand. 
My numbers, though, were kind of out of control as of late (A1c was in the 7 range etc). That was the major deciding factor for me. The pump isn’t my ideal choice, but I figure that if I want to stay healthy and be able to live a long life then it might just be my best option. If you’re doing okay with shots then there is really no need to go on a pump, in my own humble opinion. Some doctors laud it as being the best thing ever…but eh. It’s what works for you at the end of the day.
No one seems to pay any attention to my pump at all when I am out. Most just think it is a cell phone or pager. I bolus anytime I need to without hiding it and attention has never been drawn to it.
i hate that!
Honestly, in this age of constant and instant communication, most people who spot it assume it’s a cell phone.
The pump has helped socially, as I no longer need to excuse myself to go shoot up when out with friends (everyone has known about my D and most have seen me test, but I did not do shots in front of people). Most of the time, people do not even notice it.
It’s easy to bolus without anyone thinking about what I am doing. But, as far as the dating scene – there does tend to be some minor adverse effect from the pump (and the big D, too, for that matter) – can it be taken off for intimacy or does it hurt if the infusion site gets bumped. I don’t let it stop me, though. The pump and D are part of who I am, and the rest of the world can just deal with it.
I, too, worried about people noticing my pump before I actually had one. Now I have one and would not trade it in for anything.
The pump is small, and mostly everyone thinks it’s a cell phone. It’s a good conversation starter once people find out what it is (should you choose to tell them). I kept my diabetes hidden from people for years until I finally realized that I was only hurting myself by doing that. Now I’ll tell anyone who wants to listen!!!
The pump will allow for more flexibility during social functions. You can delay a meal, skip a meal, lower basal rates while dancing at weddings, etc… plus, it will help with your overall control, which is what it’s all about, right?
You should not feel guilty about making your disease a burden on someone else. If they feel that way, tough. YOU have to live your life!
I agree with a lot of the comments here.
People think it’s a cell phone. I taught an advertising class for High Schoolers and they thought it was the lastest phone.
I don’t mind people talking to me about it. I actually like to show them it. Most friends think it’s neat and want to learn more, so do other random people. But it’s not like everywhere I go that happens, they can’t even see it in my pocket.
All in all, I don’t even worry about it. People don’t notice it, and it makes giving insulin easier when in public.
If a pump will make you self-conscious about your diabetes, by all means don’t get one. In five years I’ve had about five people as about my pump, which I wear on my belt and they usually assumed it was a pager.
As for burdening other people with my diabetes - NOT. Letting people know I have diabetes does not place any burden or obligation on them whatsoever. If it becomes a burden for them it’s because they chose it make it one, it’s not because of anything I did by simply telling them.
In the end, if MDI’ work for you, there’s no need to change.
Terry you make some good points.
I personally FAILED on my first pump. It was about 7 years ago.
The REASON… The minute I walked out of the office with my pump attached I felt handicaped. I never felt as much like a Diabetic as I did with something attached to me. I thought I was ready, but mentally I wasn’t. I was scared as well of social reaction.
After failing on a pump I knew I needed to still gain better acceptance of my Diabetes. Something that has come and gone many times in my 20 years having DIabetes.
But if I didn’t try the pump again after I failed would my Diabetes be where it is today? I don’t really know. But I feel at least I have tried to do something that can offer better control and flexibility.
Good Luck.
But failing was a good thing. Because now I use a pump and do well with it. I
I too was worried about the aesthetics… I know a lot of people here have said people will mistake it for a cell phone but that was what I was worried about, I’ve never been a fan of people strapping their cell to their belt!
Most people don’t even notice and I’ve had a couple of un-educated comments like “oh people might think it’s a colostomy bag” (what?!!) or they think it’s an MP3 player. But I couldn’t go back to MDI now - the pump has made my life easier in so many ways.
Most people don’t know it’s a pump. Someone asked me about my purple “Blackberry” on my waist the other day. Anyhow, it doesn’t affect my social life. It actually makes it easier. If I want to join friends for golfing, or any other activity, it’s a quick adjustment to my basal rates, and off I go.