My 10 year old daughter has just gotten approved for the pump. And I am looking for some advice. She was diagnosed in Nov of 2010 so this is all very new to us. Any input is appreciated.
THANKS.
I’m sorry to hear about the DX but I’m very glad you have arranged to get a pump! I resisted it for like 20 years. Sometimes I wonder how things might’ve turned out if I’d gotten a pump sooner because it has been really helpful for me. I was never a big logger but the pump really helped clarify matching food and insulin more accurately and effectively and helps me keep track of things. I suspect you are probably more organized than I am taking care of your daughter but the pump made it a lot less work for me and I hope you have the same experience!
I’ve had my Ping since March, and it’s been life-changing. Having the constant basal, and being able to adjust it for time of day (I have 7 basal rates) makes control a whole lot easier. It’s not nearly as big a deal to wear as I had anticipated. Congrats on getting the approval!!
My son is 10 yo now ex at 5 yo. We started on the Medtronic pump, liked it a lot, their support and software is outstanding. The pumped worked great but allowed you to “stack” too often and did not always correct appropriately. Ultimately we switched to the omnipod because we were having site placement problems. We love the omnipod. Site placement is consistent and not an issue anymore, the protocol used for correcting seems better, we noticed this immediately. It also is easy for others to help out since it asks questions when programing guiding the operator. No tubing is great so no one really knows he is pumping, it is not an issue for him but I know is a big deal for many. Pods due fail on occasion, much less than we were lead to believe.
Our experience echoes Carol’s in a lot of ways. We started out with MM, upgraded to the new MM Revel when it came out, and then switched to Omnipod which we LOVE.
I would research the pumps, narrow it down if you can and then request a free trial from the company. We did this before switching to the Omnipod and it was very helpful (plus the learning curve isn’t costing you any money). My daughter wore it for a week before we decided.
Good luck, all the pumps are great, it’s really about finding what is best for your needs.
I got my Ping last summer, I was on the Cozmo for 4 years before that. The Coz was my favorite but not an option anymore, the ping comes in close second. I especially like the color choices for the ping (I got green, but a 10 year old girl might be interested in the pink maybe!) They are great with support whenever I call them and always try to help me out.
I also really appreciate a low profile clip because, as a girl, I like wearing fitted clothes and really can’t stand the “pump-shaped-tumor” you get when you wear a pump on your waist and then put a longer fitted shirt on over it. The Ping also fits into a fitted jeans pocket without it showing much. Your gal will have to figure out how she likes to wear her pump best, there are lots of options, and probably the biggest adjustment is figuring out what to do with the thing sometimes.
I honestly cannot STAND the Omnipod. I have never tried it, never will, but the idea of having something, once again, sort of tumor like attached to a stomach or arm is not always the nicest thing for a girl who is interested in looking good to have. I don’t know what your daughter is into as far as fashion or how she looks but I have been through tweens and teens with diabetes and appearing as normal as possible was high on my list of priorities! I just remember being at the Joslin last month and this lovely little girl, maybe 9 or ten, in a yellow sundress walked in and, wham, there was the omnipod smack on the back of her arm like some kind of bulb. It instantly drew all of my attention, and I knew what it was. So I imagine it could potentially be a little off putting or strange to those not in the know if you don’t do anything to hide it. Then again, the same thing happens to me when I wear a bikini and my pump site is out there for all to see. But even then I prepare by injecting a site lower down so the bikini bottoms can sort of cover it.
Realize that the pump is going to take diabetes control away from you and put it in the hands of your daughter, almost completely. It can be liberating but also very different. My parents were almost exclusively taking care of my diabetes for me before I got the pump. Afterwards, they had very little to do with it. It can be very liberating but also very different!
I’d suggest calling pump reps from all the companies you think you might want to purchase a pump from and seeing if they can set you up with a trial pump. That way, your daughter can wear all of them and see which ones feels like the best fit for her. Also, pumping can be expensive, so make sure your doctor, the pump companies and your insurance company are all upfront with you about cost. There is a bit of a learning curve when you first start pumping, which can be a little frustrating, but once you get the hang of it, it will totally be worth it!
Just want to shout out to you all and say THANKS for your input