How soon can I get an insulin pump?

Just recently put on MDI pens. I’m still figuring out a lot and how to manage everything. Is it too soon to ask/ talk about an insulin pump? How soon did you go on a pump? And when is the right time?

No, it’s not too soon to consider switching to an insulin pump. There’s plenty to learn about using a pump well and also understand best practices, care and maintenance of using infusion sets. It’s not rocket science, but does demand your attention.

I went on a pump three years after my diagnosis. This was back in 1987, so pumps were not very common then. My doctor suggested trying a pump a year earlier but I resisted. My pump is part of an automated insulin dosing system that includes a CGM and an algorithm on my iPhone.

The right time to go on a pump is when you are motivated enough to do the learning and the work. Pumps have a lot of benefits but they’re not for everyone.

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If you don’t have a cgm yet, I would advise getting that first. Either Libre or Dexcom. That will help you see better how your bg changes with food, exercise, stress, etc and far more beneficial at your early stage. You may be in honeymoon phase where your pancreas sputters out some insulin.

I was on injections 25 years, and pump 30 years.

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Most doctors want you to be well controlled for a year before switching to a pump.
They want you to know and understand the process really well before allowing a pump to take over. So you can intervene if it’s not right.
Pumps are getting better and better so not sure what your doctor will do.
With my first pump they made me take an entire weekend at the hospital for training and basal rate adjustments. I had to switch to regular insulin before going too.

I’m certain that’s not done anymore. And every person there knew it was not necessary.

I love my pump

I agree with @MM1’s suggestion to get a CGM first. It will provide an invaluable insight and education about how your glucose metabolism works.

Diabetes is a dynamic disease; it will not dependably respond the same way given the exact same inputs. This is a source of irritation to people who are trying to keep tight control.

A CGM can also increase your safety as it can provide realtime warnings that permit timely responses. Think of wearing a CGM as way to prepare for an insulin pump.

It’s not too soon to talk about it. To actually do it, is less clear to me. Why do you want to move to a pump? Why would you think that is what you want to do?

It is really hard to comment on your question since you really haven’t told us anything about your experience of diabetes other than you recently started MDI. Questions that come to mind are, when were you diagnosed? What were you diagnosed as, T1 or T2? How long have you been living with diabetes? How has that been going?

Are you old enough to vote in the US? Do you live in the US or outside of the US? :confused:

I also wonder why you want to go with a pump. A pump is not the cure all for diabetes issues. Sometimes it brings in another whole set of issues.
So really thinking through what you want in your treatment plan and than finding a pump that checks off your most important needs.
I love my pump and have been pumping since 1990. Wouldn’t give it up! But the biggest change for me was a CGM. Now my pump and CGM talk back and forth and make all the diabetes decisions I use to make by myself.
Not trying to talk you out of this but I just wonder why you think you need the change.
Good luck with whichever way you go and keep asking us questions.

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I resisted going on a pump for a number of years because I didn’t want to be hooked up to a machine. However, after 15 years of not being able to get my A1c under 8, I bit the bullet and have enjoyed better control since going on the pump/CGM system 10 years ago.

That may be old thinking. My endo said you do not have to be well controlled before the pump. I was not well controlled and the pump assisted me greatly.

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I agree. I don’t think how long you’ve had diabetes is the reason for deciding pump or no pump. I have meet people who get a pump with diagnosis. Everyone is different and everyone will need a different treatment plan.
My only concern would be after using MDI, you have a better understanding of insulin and how it works. So if you have pump issues, you can switch easily to injections if necessary.
But when to start using a pump? Whatever works for you!:blush:

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With type 1 your insulin needs will change rapidly for the first year or more. Most doctors want you to learn how your body works and reacts to insulin, learn to count carbs and all that.
I know a young teenage girl who was encouraged to wait 2 years which she did.
But I guess you could jump in. It is a lot of things to learn all at once

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Just remember that with most insurance companies, it is a THREE to FOUR year commitment before you can change to anothe pump, so make sure your doc has great training and classes in choosing the right one. And sometimes insurance will only cover one brand and not another. Lots of docs like Medtronic for example, but their CGM is not the best. Dexcom is the gold standard.

There is a wealth of information here. Ask any questions you may have.