I don't think a pump is right for me

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
1

Hello, I've been diabetic several years, MDI for about 6 years and just started using an Animas Ping a couple of months ago. My last two Ha1c were a consistent 6.4 on a sliding scale of Apidra and 60 units of Lantus.

A couple of months ago, I was working a very sedentary job with a very private office, not much interaction with co-works, could come and go as I pleased, which was great while I got familiar with my pump.

Thankfully, I accepted a new job offer and now I am on my feet probably 5 hours a day in a front desk type roll, where there are people coming and going and it's more difficult to get away.

A couple of things, because I'm moving so much, my pump keeps falling off of me, off my pants, out of my pocket, I ripped a set out, too. It just seems more of a nuisance than a help. Changing sets in the car on my lunch, worrying about batteries, am I going to have enough insulin in my pump to get me through a four hour meeting, stuff like that.

My thought is to see what my next A1c is in a month or so, and decide if I want to stay with it or go back to MDI.

Are there others who were MDI, tried the pump, and then went back to MDI? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.
Michelle

2

Have you seen the tallygear site? Lots of options to keep your pump secure and in style as well. Can get a Velcro sash, or a pull up with or without Windows.
Others options include spibelt, thighthing, baby sock in bra, as well as pin on pockets etc.

Try a search on how to wear pump with dresses etc. There have been several threads.

Have you read Pumping Insulin by John Walsh yet. It is a great reference for dialing in your pump and making adjustments as your life changes. It has become my go to manual.

When I first started pumping, I was a klutz at times and pulled set or two with clothing "adjustments". Have since learned how prevent those kinds of issues.

I am loving the flexibility my pump has given me. Would not be able to do the active job I do as easily as I do now with out it. MDI for me ment 6-8 shots a day, to achieve the kind of control I wanted.
Now I can be one with the couch or take day long hikes in the high peaks with out having major control issues. Could not do that on MDI with out chasing insulin with food or eating up or down to a dose.

Give it some time, change can be scary especially if you do not have an especially helpful pump team. Do your home work, Knowledge is power.

3

Problems with your sets? Why are you changing them in the car? The Ping uses a 200 Unit reservoir right? Should be plenty to allow you schedule set changes at a more convenient time.
Also it tells you when the battery is getting low. They last a couple weeks, right? Easy enough to keep track of how long they typically last and change them when it's convenient.

Why are you concerned about having enough insulin to go four hours? Are you just filling the reservoir without calculating your usual TDD, and then waiting for it to run out?

4

Another Pumper, which isn't who you're looking to speak with buuuttt... while you're still on the fence or waiting to see your A1C, maybe us pumpers can be helpful. :)

"people coming and going and it's more difficult to get away." To me, it would seem easier in this sort of situation to punch some buttons instead of whipping out a needle. Maybe I'm odd in thinking this?

"my pump keeps falling off of me, off my pants, out of my pocket, I ripped a set out, too." I have an omnipod so I don't have this problem. On the other hand, I did trial wear a minimed and never had it with that either. How are you wearing it?

"Changing sets in the car on my lunch" I'm assuming this is because the set ripped out, and isn't a pattern, right? :)

"Worrying about batteries" They last a long time. I keep a spare in my purse (with my testing supplies) and I also keep an entire backup kit in my desk at work (spare pod change, batteries, spare testing kit). In your purse, you'll want a spare set change, batteries, alcohol wipes, and also a spare syringe and your bottle of insulin. That way, you don't have to worry about "what's going to happen." If it happens, you'll have everything to deal with it, so that's okay.

"am I going to have enough insulin in my pump to get me through a four hour meeting" Your pod should say somewhere on there how much insulin is left in it. You can, from there, do the math. Look up how much insulin you're using per hour.

**** You're going to hear a lot of pumpers say how convenient the pump is. I totally don't think it's any more convenient than MDI, honestly. I mean, the math is nice for it to calculate but, honestly, that's like... I might as well just have a calculator or an app on my phone, ya know? No more convenient. What IS nice about the pump that you can't do with MDI as well is changing the basal rates according to a schedule. I'm at like 0.15 units and hour during the night, but 1.5 during the day. Kind of a big difference. Nearly everything else with a pump can be done just as well with MDI (but in a different way), but Lantus isn't going to help you with varying basal rates. So, don't diss the pump just because it's more convenient for everyone else if you disagree -- you're not the only one who disagrees. It is more powerful, though. :) Good luck!