Omg, I'm on a pump!

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
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Started my saline trial yesterday. I’m in my first 24 hours of wearing a pump! First impressions? It’s bulky and awkward.

I had a few challenges already, such as trying to decide where to put it when I went to bed wearing a long nightgown, and juggling with it when I’m on the john, getting dressed, etc. I was trying to disconnect for as short a time as possible.

(Is there an alarm you can set that will ring when you’ve been disconnected for close to an hour?)

Tomorrow the MM rep will come back and give me a trial sensor. Then I’ll live with the two for a few days to see how they work together. After that, I think I’ll test out the Animas to compare. (Wonder if I should test the Omnipod just for the heck of it!)

Anyway…had to tell you guys! Will report back on further impressions.

Jan :slight_smile:

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I put mine on my bra. It fights right between my boobs. Yes, the pump will ring a ding ding if you dont respond. I love my pump and sensors. You will too. It takes some adjusting to.

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Hi! I’m in the beginning phases too. I’ve had my pump since late October. I usually clip my pump to my pj bottoms and it never bothers me. I disconnect for short periods of time like when I shower. I disconnect when I exercise. You definitely want to limit when you disconnect. Wear your pump. You will get basal insulin throughout the day so need to be connected. I just went online and purchased a leg strap the pump fits in. I thought that if I couldn’t wear it in my bra I could wear it on my leg. I just want options. All of us girls should start designing clothes that our pumps fit in nicely. Good luck. You really will get used to it.

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I remember how weird I felt the first day I wore my pump. I was constantly aware of it, and didn’t really know what to do with it all the time. You will find out, by trial and error how to deal with it – for example, when I want to change clothes, I get the clothes out, and put them on the bed, and then I put the pump on the bed and stand near it while I’m changing. I use the long tubing, which helps.

For some reason, I’ve never been able to manage the pump in the bra thing – I am reasonably large, but if I put it between my breasts, I look like I have 3 boobs! So when I want to wear a dress that doesn’t have a pocket, I use the leg thing, which wraps around the calf, and works well for me, although, because I’m not used to it, I’m aware of it all the time.

Most of the time, I wear jeans and a T-shirt (being retired means no one is dictating my fashion choices!), and in that case, it’s clipped to my waistband, and I almost forget it’s there. For bed, I wear pajamas and do the same thing. The reason is that I have an MM CGM, and the pump and CGM need to be close together. But before the CGM, I wore nothing, and just let the pump free-float in the bed. It only fell out a few times, and there was no harm done.

I’m really hoping this works out for you – I wouldn’t give up my pump for anything! :slight_smile:

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Exciting stuff! It is awkward at first. We are big fans of the Omnipod for the reasons you listed, so I would try it too. It’s not for everyone. You are kind of married to the pump for 4 years so you want to find the best match for you! Good luck.

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I’ve been on a pump for about 9 years. Got the sensor last year. Don’t use the sensor all the time. I don’t take it off except to take a shower. Even figured out how to snorkel with it. (Use a sports guard.)

Pumpwear is a good company for accessories. I’ve done some T-shirt designs for them - “I run on Insulin” is one of the designs that I especially enjoyed working on.

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Hey,Congratulations!,I just had my first a week ago!.

hope the “bulk feeling” goes,I didn’t have a problem with that at all.but I did take my time on where to put it,my favourite is right beside me in bed,and on the band of my skirt at school and it’s going pretty well.

oh,and happy pumping!!.

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Oh, you’re all so supportive. Thank you, thank you for your helpful replies.

Michelle: I heard about the bra thing, but I would find that horribly uncomfortable. Good thing to know about that alert, though!

Gayle: I usually wear a nightgown (especially during warm weather), so don’t have pj bottoms. But last night I stuck it inside my underwear, and it never bothered me all night. Thanks for the tip about a leg strap! Will look for one.

Natalie: Ha ha, great to hear about how you get dressed! I’m going to try that tonight. You say the pump and sensor need to be close together. I thought they could be several feet apart…?

MidwestMommy: Yes, the Omnipod definitely came to mind last night! Trouble is, I think such a large site on my body would be even more awkward for me to deal with. Also, the programming increments on the Omnipod are a bit larger.

Melanie: My MM rep mentioned Pumpwear.com to me yesterday – had never heard of it before. Looking forward to checking it out! That’s so cool that you design T-shirts for them!! Next time I need one, I’ll definitely get one of yours. :slight_smile:

Asma: Congratulations to you, too! Sounds like you adjusted like lightning. Hope I have the same experience.

So I think I’m experiencing newbie jitters. One one hand, it’s a bummer that I’ll have to juggle this device on me for the rest of my life (aargh!). But on the other hand, it’s worlds better than MDI which I’m doing now.

Why can’t there be one device that has all the features I want? A single site with two cannulas: one that delivers insulin, and the other that gets true BG readings from your blood (not the interstitial tissue). The site is connected to a lightweight pump that gives you a choice of being wireless, or connected via tubing. A lightweight wireless remote is as fully-functional as the pump, and includes a meter if you want additional fingerstick readings.

And the most important feature of all that would absolutely clinch my purchase decision:
Customer service that includes a masseuse at my beck and call.

Jan :smiley:

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I heard from my MM rep that MM will be rolling out a insulin patch. I can’t wait for that one!!! I think it may come out in a year or so. I am soooo in for that!!

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Omg, that sounds awesome, Gayle! Wonder how it will compare to an Omnipod…

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Of course they told me it was better. Apparently you can trade your old pump in. You can get a credit toward the patch…so they tell me. I am soooo in!

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I found that having an elastic belt helps at night. I clip it on and attach my pump to it. I also use it when I am wearing shorts without pockets. I have also used it under suits where I want to have it not clipped on the belt or pants. I can hide it under a shirt if needed. I started with the Spibelt and then just use an elastic belt that my wife made for me.

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About the sensor and the pump: they can be several feet apart if there is nothing substantial between them. But you can’t put the sensor in on your right side and have your pump in your left hip pocket (not that you would, but I was trying to think of an example I could put into words, LOL), and expect the signal to travel through your body. But, again for example, I don’t have any problems with reception when I go to the bathroom, or when I set it down on the bed (there we go getting dressed again!).

And as far as the other devices – all I REALLY want is either an accurate artificial pancreas, or an immunosuppressant-free islet transplant. Sincerely doubt I will get either, but fantasies are nice, too! :slight_smile:

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Jan –

Yes, if only the pump companies would listen to us :slight_smile: and the FDA process would be simpler and insurance would be cooperative - I’ll tell you all of us together could move mountains and design the perfect pump.

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IF - it is a mighty big word. There are so many little things that would make a big difference!
Maybe start a discussion about what we want, I am sure the pump companies read these forums, so maybe they will get the idea?.

BTW folks, the correct pumpwear site is www.pumpwearinc.com/ - if you try pumpwear.com it might be a little to industrial for you!

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Thanks for that correction, AJ! I hadn’t gone there yet, but was planning to do so tonight or tomorrow.

I’m up for a Wish List discussion!

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Like Michelle, I also keep mine in my bra…it’s handy and out of site. ( I used to keep my cell phone there but it’s now been replaced by my pump, ha ha).
I still find mine bulky at night while sleeping…but you’ll get used to it and it will just become a part of you and your life.

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Hey, gang – I’ve been OOC for a bit, but wanted to chime in with an update.

I had two Medtronic trials, one w/sensor and one w/out. Then I had an Animas trial. (Decided not to try out the Omnipod, cuz I’m sure I wouldn’t like the large pod.)

After trying both out, discussions here, talking to people on-and offline, and even creating an elaborate pro vs. con spreadsheet, I finally made a decision this afternoon. I’m going with Medtronic!

So that oh-so-stressful chore is now over. But I still have some burning questions:
• Where on Earth can you fit a bulky pump into your bra? Aren’t the cups already … er … fully spoken for?
• And if it is in your bra, how the heck do you whip it out in public?
• Also, how do you handle the pump when you’re out for the day trying on clothes in a dressing room?

Thanks!
Jan :slight_smile:

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There’s usually a chair in the dressing room, and I put it on the chair. If I stand near the chair until I’m dressed, there’s no problem. Or if I’m just trying on pants, I hook it to my top, and if I’m trying on tops, I hook it to my waistband.

Dresses are a bigger problem, because when you buy a dress, you need to keep in mind where you’re going to keep the pump. I like long dresses, and unless it has a pocket, I use a leg thing, which I can take along to the store for try-ons. (If you look in the Medtronic Store, you will see what I’m talking about. I know one person who wears Spandex shorts under her dress, and hooks it to the leg of those. If the dress has a pocket, I cut a little hole in the lining of the pocket, and thread the tubing through there, and it works just fine.

As far as a bra, I’ve never succeeded in wearing it there without looking like I have 3 boobs, but some people do that and like it. They must be built different from me! :slight_smile: And some wear it in the armpit.

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What?? The armpit???