Shots or Pump?

Type 1 and LADA
1

Thank you for your comments on my other discussion they are most helpful.
Can you tell me what changes you found by going onto insulin pumps?

  1. Did your blood sugars even out at a more stable level?
  2. Do you find it easier to adjust the insulin ratio?
  3. What problems around the sites have you found?
  4. How often do you have to move the site?
    Many Thanks Bill Alexander
2

1). Yes BGs evened out because now I can take little tiny doses at a time and not whole unit increments. Another thing that has helped with post meal highs is now I also take Symlin and that is also easier with the pump because I take a dual wave bolus with every meal.
2). Yes, it is much easier to adjust insulin and now I can upload my pump to get more info to help with those adjustments.
3). If I leave my site in too long it gets a little red and irritated but thankfully I have never actually gotten infection. Once in awhile I get close to a nerve and that hurts.
4). I average every five days. I am careful that BGs are not creeping up the last day and my site looks and feels fine that long.

3

Thank you, what sort of range of figures do you get now, I work with mml if that helps?

4

1 - very stable, there is a picture in my profile that shows what happens when I don’t have my pump (it broke)
2 - a lot easier to adjust and work in a temporary basal for exercise
3- anything not on my belly or thigh tend to come out. I have tried my back and it works temporarily
4 - religiously every 3 days.

5

How well do you think this would work on my sons 9 and 12 years old ?

6

How understanding and competent are they? Not all children can handle a pump. I hated my first one. I ripped it out, I threw it, I hated it and I hated diabetes.

The pump is not for everyone, nor is it an easy fix all. It takes more discipline and determination to carry out the treatment that essentially can make or break your life.

I’m sorry for not sugar-coating this. But this is the truth. Essentially you may be able to make the decision to place them on pumps, but it will be up to them to carry it out. Especially if they are at a boarding school. I may love my pump, and there are several here who love it. But there are also several here that prefer MDI instead.

7

I have talked to my sons in detail about this in the past. I guess i’m very lucky because my sons are very responsible and would give it a try. I need to get them back under control when they are a long way away. Not easy but I will do it. I just want them well and at the moment things are going wrong…

8

do what my parents did and another parent on this site did. They allowed me to pick out my pump. I picked the pump brand, color, and everything. It may make them more apt to comply with the treatment.

9

I am on MM 722. My blood sugars are much more stable. I have been pumping since April 2008, my A1c’s since then have been in the 5’s every time. I do find it a lot easier to adjust my insulin ratio. I can’t use my thighs for sites regardless of what infusion sets I use as I don’t have enough fat in my thighs. Even the sillhoutes, sure t’s and polyfins bruise my thighs. I rotate every 34 days, I use stomach, love handles and lower back/upper butt.

10

  1. Did your blood sugars even out at a more stable level? by leaps and bounds

  2. Do you find it easier to adjust the insulin ratio? Oh it is not even close, the pump is so much easier

  3. What problems around the sites have you found? Only one. I have had one infection in five years.

  4. How often do you have to move the site? Every three or four days.

Many Thanks Bill Alexander

11

Wow !! every 34 days!!! do you change the site or the nurse ?

12

This is good!! what are you HB1C’s at before and after the pump ?

13

Without a doudt this is a very good idea, thanks for the advice. What pump do you use and which ones do you think are the best?

14

Bill, I cant remember the switch very well, I was on shots for two years, and started the pump at 13 years old. But I will just say that the best thing the pump does for me is calculates my insulin! so no math in my head. Also, it takes into account how much active insulin I have left in my system so that I don’t over correct for highs! I love that.

I can say for the sites though, the biggest problem Ive had is I have reactions to the adhesive. My skin welps up and gets itchy and red. Tegaderm on the skin between the adhesive usually fixes this when it becomes too much of a problem. Also, I think its recommended that the site be moved every 3 days. I leave it 4 or 5 or when it gets too itchy. Ive never had an infection, though.

15

up until recently I used the Minimed 722 - it was a clear pump. I am trying for the Animas pink ping today when I go see my endocrinologist.

A1C wise, I’ve gone from 10.6 to 4.7 - I follow my diet religiously. I exercise, and do everything they tell me to do.

If you have any questions feel free to send me a message.

16

Bill, feel free to join our insulin pumpers group or any of the groups for the five specific pumps (Omnipod, Minimed, Cozmo, Animas, AccuCheck). I think I’m a member of most of them. It’s a great way to go in and read people’s opinions about the different systems. I’ve been a pumper almost 9 years.

  1. yes, having consistent basal insulin working rather than relying on the absorption of a long-to-medium-acting insulin was a HUGE improvement to my control.
  2. YES, you can change it anytime you want. Just change the ratio in your pump and it figures your dosage for you when you input your blood sugar level and your carbs.
  3. got a staph infection once. otherwise, only problem is if adhesive peels up or if site gets yanked out.
  4. 3-4 days. any longer and your absorption is affected, you run the risk of infections from the open place on your skin, and you risk tissue hardening.
17

I second the Tegaderm. I have a bad latex allergy and to several adhesives. Tegaderm is wonderful

18

Hi Bill as I said in the other discussion, my son in 13, on the pump for 1 year 4 mnths, diabetic for nearly 7 years now. Unfortunately - his A1c went up :frowning: since on the pump.

BUT he is at a very difficult stage he is entering puberty and lately we had to change the basals a lot - that is because of the hormones and because in puberty the body has a natural resistance to insulin. In time when his hormones settles (I wish for that time!) his basals will settle and he will later on use less insulin. (he uses about 70 to 80 units total per day now)
On the brighter side - it’s way much easier than shots it’s a lot easier for him because he only have to worry about bolusing for meals and snacks (I do the basal settings). He can even skip meals without problems. If he is going to have a very active day we can lower the basals with a persentage with a press of a button. (when he is very active his BG usualy went down during the night.
We haven’t had any problems with sites so far. We go up to 6 days before changing (For us the pump is more expensive - no insurance)

19

Thanks Riette, i know when they reach puberty things can go off the scale alot, but the results posted are for a 12 year old and a 9 year old. The 12 year old has reached that point but the trends are the same for both boys which don’t make sense if that is the case. The more i look at the trends the more sure i am that the ratios are wrong.
How does he feel about using a pump other than injections ?

20

He loves his pump. I asked him if he will ever go back to shots and he said never. (I said he is 13 but he turning 13 on 22/01 - so practically he is 13 :smiley: )