I am a newly-diagnosed type one, just under six months. I currently use Levemir and Humalog pens. I am considering switching to a pump, as my educator thinks it will better fit my active lifestyle. I have done a little research on pumps, but just want to hear some opinions.
Do you prefer a pump or just using pens?
Any suggestions on pumps?
Thanks!
I starting pumping about a year and a half after diagnosis and have been very happy with the change. I like going from maybe 5 shots per day to one site change every three days. I also like being able to exactly match my carbs with a bolus without going through contortions. One of my goals when going on to a pump was to gain a bit of weight and I've been able to do it.
I've been pumping with the Deltec Cozmo which I love but it's no longer on the market so I can't recommend it. I would say that if you have a low toleration for things going wrong - bent canulas and bad sites, you might not like the Omnipod which seems to have more problems in that regard. If you are able to deal with such frustrations, then the Omnipod might work very well for you. Lot's of users are very happy with it.
Maurie
I never used pens, I went from R/ NPH shots to a pump and it's been awesome!! I have a Medtronic pump, my second since 2008, and I've been very happy with it although I just belay the tube around my belt. My job is casual so I've had no fashion-type of issues.
I injected insulin for over 20 years before I started using a pump. I wish that I had started pumping as soon as one was available to me. Looking back I can see that my vanity was clouding my judgement. I had several problems with basal insulin that caused low night time BG and DP which caused high BG every morning when I got out of bead. The constant hypos and BG rebounds every day where making me old before my time.
My pump enables me to vary my basal needs, which are very low in the late evenings and extremely high in the early morning hours. When I started pumping I also discovered that my insulin needs throughout the day dropped dramatically my I:C , and sensitivity need to be reduced throughout the day. These small subtle changes where imposable to administer with injected insulin.
The pump change my life:
1). I can sleep soundly at night.
2). My am BG is within target range.
3). I can maintain a normal BMI, seldom am I forced to eat because of too much active insulin.
4). I'm not forced to comply with a injection schedule, in the old days I could never fall asleep early if I injected my night time insulin before 10pm It would cause a hypo about 2am and a sweaty rebound at sunrise....
5). I can eat foods that I never dreamed possible buy having the ability to spread out a bolus it gives me the ability to eat high protein, high fat, foods without high BG 4 or 5 hours down the road.
6). I can reduce or increase my basal insulin on the fly, enabling me to do activity's on short notice...no longer do I have to decide the day before if I'm going to ride a bicycle or even just wash my car without having a low BG event. I even had trouble walking around the block or going to a big department store without going low in the evening hours because I always had to much IOB by 3 or 4 pm every day if I added any extra activity.
I started pumping about 8 months after diagnosis…for all the reasons JohnG posted above.
It’s mad my life with diabetes much more flexible and substantially improved my control.
It’s good to be comfortable with carb counting before switching to the pump…it’s not magic, you still have to do the thinking you do with pens, the delivery is just far more easy and flexible.
I wouldn’t go back unless I had to.
Oh yeah… forgot to add… I use the Omnipod, and have had a good experience with it. I like the “no tubing” and automated insert aspect of it. I also like the fact that I can shower, swim, etc without disconnecting.
I did shots for over thirty years before switching to a pump about ten years ago. I've never used a pen, but switching to pump therapy was the best move I ever made for managing my diabetes. When exercising (racquetball, softball), it's easy to disconnect and cap until my workout is finished. I use a Minimed pump, no CGM. Good luck with your decision.
When I was first diagnosed I was using a needle and a vial of insulin...then I went to the insulin pens now I am on the pump! I have to say that I love the pump no more 5-8 shots a day..just every 3 days change a set out..very convenient. I think the only reason I would say pens are better are if you are not on the pump and it's a choice between the pens and a needle/vial of insulin just because the pens are a lot more convenient in that aspect. :)
Thank you everyone for the feedback! I am thinking that a pump will be a good fit for me. I have always been active and have exercised, but since my diagnosis, I have sort of strayed away from doing much because of the low readings. I know exercise is important in management, but it is hard for me to actually plan out when I am going to work out so I can adjust my dose accordingly. Plus, I would love to not have 3+ shots a day!
Your feedback has been very helpful, thank you!
I love my pump. I have gone on and off one over the years, but definitely see the benefits of pumping. It is work and there are some things you want to do or consider during your investigation and before you actually order a pump.
Pumping is not some magic cure, nor does it make managing diabetes as a whole easier. An insulin pump is a great tool that will likely provide more flexibility and tighter overall control.
I second MBP's advice to know your benefits.
Your annual OOP (out of pocket) maximum may make a big difference in lowering your cost in the first year of pumping despite the up front cost of the pump. You may also realize (as I did) that the OOP max in the first year could allow you to get CGM essentially free during that year.
If cost considerations are paramount like they are for me, you may want to time your pump start at the beginning of the calendar year, i.e. Jan 2013, in order to maximize the savings of hitting your OOP max.
Thank you for the thorough response! I currently have PEIA insurance, and they only work with Bayer. This is definitely something that I am going to have to look into, as I like the Freestyles meter and strips. I have a hard time getting enough blood for other strips, so I really like these. Of course with my insurance I have been paying for them out right and they are very expensive. I am currently working out ways to get them lowered, so I do have my concerns with the pump.
You are right about the logs. I have kept my readings, but I have not been so good about writing down my carb intake. I need to be a little better about this first I think!
I am definitely going to speak with my Educator/Dr. before hand and try to work out what will be best for me. My main dose of insulin now is basal, so it will be quite an adjustment for me to only be on short-acting insulin.
Truly appreciate the feedback!
Beginning of the year was sort of what I was thinking. Nothing like a fresh start. Thank you!
I was diagnosed in January 2008 and started pumping in October of 2008. At the time I was planning to have a baby so being on the pump was the only way I could keep my bs under the tight control necessary for pregnancy. At first I planned to just go on the pump before and during pregnancy but I loved my pump so much that I ended up staying on it. At the time I was really concerned about being connected to a device 24/7. But honestly I don't really notice it anymore and I got used to the tubing pretty quickly. I have a minimed 722 and I love it! I have had really good experiences with customer service also. My first pump got a crack in it (after 3 years) and they over nighted me a replacement which I have been very happy with. Good Luck with your pump research!
I am glad to hear from you - My husband and I are planning on starting a family in the next year or so, and that is another reason why I was considering. That is also one of the main reasons I joined this site!
Thank you!
I used pens/injections until about a year ago. I have been diabetic 28 years and I can tell you one thing. Switching to a pump is the BEST decision I have ever made and I only wish I had done it a lot sooner.
I have a Minimed Revel. Love mine.
One thing to also consider is future pumps as well as current pumps. I have a Medtronic Revel pump which I love, but I hate their CGMS. So I use a Dexcom and have to carry two devices. I’m not too excited about the Animas Ping, but Animas will be the first pump integrated with a Dexcom CGMS. That pump, the Vibe, has already been released in Europe. My current pump is out of warranty, so I will most likely buy an Animas Ping knowing that with a $99 upgrade fee, I can get the Vibe when it is released in the USA.
Most insurance companies will only let you get a new pump every four years. So don’t get paralyzed so that you can’t make a decision. But do your homework before you make your decision. Remember that this is your pump, not your doctor’s pump. So listen to his/her advice. But make up your own mind.
Just thought I would add a counter-point to the pro-pump opinions here.
I used a pump continuously for over a year (24 years with T1D), and found it tedious; I was always having to 'deal with the pump' at awkward moments. You decide you want a shower after coming home from work? Disconnect your pump, then reprime, reconnect etc after. In the mornings, at bed time and for every change of clothes, having to figure out how to manage the tubing and where to put the pump was a pain. I do a lot of hiking (7-9 days), and pump failure/immersion/flat batteries is not an option. Just extra things to go wrong, and more kit to stow in each car, work location etc.
Before you try a pump, try using ManageBGL.com. It provides the same calculators as a pump, and you need to enter your BGLs, carbs and insulin into ManageBGL in the same way as a pump. If you find you don't like it, then you've saved yourself $5000 or more.
Note - having a carbs to insulin ratio calculator on your pump will not help you count carbs better! It sounds like overnight lows are an issue for you, and a pump can definitely help here.
The new pendiq insulin pens allow 0.1 increments to be dialed up (0.5 minimum). I am going to check them out. With this + ManageBGL.com you could potentially get the same results as a pump - and not have to carry anything extra, you generate less medical waste landfill from your pump consumables, and no need to dynamite pump infusion sets into you.
Good luck!
Its never too early to start planning! I went on the pump in October and allowed myself a good 3 months or so to get used to the pump and get my settings in order. I had an AWESOME diabetes team whom I was in contact with every day during the beginning of my pumping days. It takes a while to get basals set up and just get used to the settings in general.
I was diagnosed 4/2011, started with pens then switched to Medtronic pump late last year when I was pregnant. I switched back to the pen this summer for a few reasons. I didn’t like the tubing and was never comfortable wearing the device (I’m only 5’1" and have a small frame). Also, I left my job and was very active swimming this summer with my 4 yr old so was constantly detaching. And finally, I still think I’m honeymooning so don’t require that much insulin (12-14 basal and anywhere from 0-8 bolus total per day). All of that contributed to changing back.
I’m glad that I tried it though, and now I have it in case I want to switch back. If I do switch back though, I may want to try the tubeless option down the road. Good luck!
Amy