Saw the educator today to finalize medical necessity form to order my ping today. She was wonderful and thinks I will have my pump in a few weeks or possibly less! I'm so excited-but now nervous. She strongly advised me to think about a dexcom due to my hypoglycemic unawareness. She showed me one and showed me the pump too. We played with both of them a while and I was onboard with having both things until she left me alone in the room with them and my mind started wandering. How do you manage to wear BOTH? I'm a girl-not a fashionista or anything, but still- both things attached at the same time? I know it's a little whiney of me, but the pump felt a little heavier than I imagined-no big deal there, but then the dexcom thing on top of it is a little overwhelming. Not to mention what a clutz I am-how do I manage day to day ie: not flushing either of them in the toilet, dropping them, forgetting them dexcom in my jeans and washing it etc. etc. Am I making too big of a deal of it? How easy/quickly do you get used to that? Anybody out there have any advice- I know it's what's best for me and I have always been committed to do the best I can, but I am a little overwhelmed dare I say panicky for the first time. I've been diabetic for 14 years, and I think I'm reacting worse to this than having to take injections-and I feel a little dumb about it. This should probably be the least thing I should be worried about- my neuropathy should worry me more than this, but at the time it isn't. Thanks for listening-my support system is not what it should be, and they do not get it, or even seem to care.
One thing about the Dexcom, is that it doesn't have to be on your body (the receiver that is). It can be in your purse, it can be within something like 25 feet (?) And for the pump, I rarely if ever use the remote, so I put my Animas pump in a too-small-to-ear-as-a-bra bandeau bra. I wear the bandeau around my waist. And if you are dealing with hypo-unawareness, the CGM is awesome! I am so looking forward to the Animas Vibe getting approved in the USA. Having one device be pump and CGM will be great!.
I just started on the Ping two weeks ago (and love it). I was concerned about the same things as you, even though I'm not a woman. I hardly even notice that I'm wearing it, except maybe when I'm changing clothes if I don't disconnect and maybe for an hour or two after putting in a new infusion set.
I would like the Dexcom too and my Endo said it would be a great tool to have but we decided to delay ordering it until I was on the pump by itself for a month or two just so I could get used to having something connected to me 24 hours a day.
Good luck! You're going to love pumping!
You get used to having something attached to you and figure out the best places to insert your sites and where to wear your pump, how to sleep, go to the bathroom, etc. There are different tubing lengths also. Some people like short tubing I like the long tubing 42 inch as it gives me more options. I can have a site on my thigh and wear my pump in my bra or throw it under my pillow at night. The excess tubing is not a problem at all for abdomen sites I just coil it up and stuff it somewhere like in my waistband. The tubing never kinks off and I’ve used multiple types of infusion sets over the past 11+ years.
Unless I’m outdoors without my purse I generally don’t carry my Dexcom since the range is so great. It picks me up throughout the house. When I do have to carry it it’s not a problem keeping it in a pocket or in a spibelt. I also occasionally use the Dexcom Tallygear case and lanyard.
Whenever possible I look for clothing that has pockets though as that gives me more options. There’s also pump and Dexcom accessories that you may find helpful depending on your lifestyle.
I was in the same boat as you. I was on injections for 20 years before I decided to switch the pump. I was always worried about having something attached to me, but it’s been the best decision ever! At times I do struggle a bit with where to wear it, mostly when wearing dresses or bathing suits, but in the colder months I use something called “a leg thing” which I love and in the summer with shorts I usually just clip it to my waist. I think that the benefits of pumping though far outweigh the worrying about where to put it. I know what it’s like though, I was totally in a panic at first as well. I started using a Dexcom at the same time as my pump because my doctor felt it would be a good tool to determine basal rates. I didnt intend to continue wearing it, but got hooked. I love it because I was an obsessive tester and now I only really finger prick to calibrate or before meals. It also helps with alerting before with my low sugars, which is very helpful when it occurs overnight. Anyway, good luck! Don’t question the decision!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I definitely feel better now that I have had some sleep. My husband is apathetic to say the least and doesn't get it. I have had some dangerous lows in the last 6 months- 2 of which in the middle of the night. He was the one that caught the middle of the night ones-I was snoring and sweaty. I think having a CGM is the best thing for me, so I will do it. I think I just got panicky when the educator laid both devices on the table-it just sort of hit me weird. Today is a new day, I have had more sleep than I had the night before(sleepless child), and I feel better about things. Thanks for being there when others weren't!
Even though Dexcom states that their sensor needs to be placed on the abdomen, I have had excellent results placing the sensor on my shoulder. Other people have put it on their buttocks, thigh, etc. I'm sure that you can find a place to put it.
Animas will be coming out with a new pump (the Vibe) sometime in the next year (already being sold in Europe and Oceania). This pump integrates with the Dexcom G4. You will no longer need the Dexcom receiver, which would be one less thing to carry around. Animas has a very liberal upgrade policy (as long as you're not on Medicare).
At times it can be a lot to manage. But the results are more than worth it. It will take some greeting use to and I’ve pulled out a number of infusion sets by forgetting where I placed them, pulling them out is painless though. One of the big advantages is instead of some 1,200+ Per year of injections it’s only 121 and the Dexcom is only every 7 days. So the total of “injections” is only around 173 per year. The rest of managing the two devices will become second nature after awhile.
It will be a positive change and your control will improve greatly. Like you I was on injections of 15 years before moving to the pump and I just started the Dexcom a number of months ago. Now I not know how I could manage it without either of them.
OMG Kelly! I so totally RELATE! (I could have written what you wrote, I swear!) Do it, do it, do it! It will SUCK at first, for weeks, or even months, you may go through hell, then, suddenly you will realize you will be happier and sexier and more confidant than ever. It IS overwhelming at first, but your CDE sounds great and she is definitely guiding you in the right direction. Ping AND Dexcom = WOW. Hard, but YOU CAN DO IT! Get Pink ones, LOL! Best to you.
It looks like you got a bunch of good advice below...but I will add in one thing. Though I use my Dexcom 24/7/365, you could very well choose to use it for a week at a time, once a month or so to really help adjust the pump. Although I do not have hypo unawareness, I really like being able to head off lows before they happen while at work, exercising, etc.
It is a lot to carry around...but you will likely get used to it and wonder how you did without for so long.
Good luck and best wishes.