I have had Type 1 for 2 and a half months, and have been managing my diabetes very well by using Humalog 3 times a day and 13 points of Lantus every night at 10. I have been researching pumps, and they seem to be the best for people who are insulin dependent.
However the thought of having a plastic box on my side bugs me. I’m athletic and always on the move and i would fear bumping into something, or it being torn out at any given time.
I was wondering if people who have experience with a pump could tell me a little bit about how they work, and the comfort/ease of using a pump over syringes.
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate any feedback
Hi Marty
I used injections for 23 years before switching to a pump 2 years ago and I wish I’d done it years ago.
I’ve written an article about the top questions people ask when thinking about a pump - you might find that helpful? Take a look at http://www.shootuporputup.co.uk/2009/04/pumping-for-beginners/
Alison
I fought getting a pump for almost 22 years. I didn’t want to be attached to a machine all the time. I was skeptical when I started pumping (about this time last year) but it didn’t take long for me to totally change my mind! The pump was the best decision ever. My a1c has never been so good! Alison’s link to the top questions is an awesome resource, check it out!
You get use to having it on you really quickly and you stop noticing it is even there. You learn what works for you really quickly. Like I figured out on the second day of pumping that if I used a baby sock and clipped the pump to my nightshirt, I didn’t have to worry about ripping out an infusion set. You get a shot once every 3 days or so when you put the infusion set in and I think the sets hurt far less than shots do. Basically the pump will give you a basal insulin 24 hours a day to replace your Lantus. The doc will set you up on a basal initially based on your lantus dose now and you will tweak it with the doc’s help over the first week or so of being on the pump. Once you have your basal set properly you no longer have to eat on a set schedule anymore. So if you want to sleep in on a Saturday, go for it and you will wake up with a good BG if your basals are set right.
So for me I got more freedom to eat when and what I want and I feel more in control than ever. Do I test alot? Sure! But I am also healthier now than I have been in years and I feel great!
This has been helpful feedback for me too, as I’m also considering the pump. I read your article Alison… the dress question was one of my first, and the nurse also suggested the inner thigh as a site : )
Hey there! I’m also a T1! Woot! Same boat - using humalog and lantus, shots before each meal and 21 units of lantus at dinner time. I’m also athletic and love sports. I’ve read blogs on people who have a pump and it seems like a hassle. I just asked my doctor last week if he thought that I should go on a pump and he said it was up to me, cause my A1C is fine, I’m ok with giving myself shots, and looks like things are going well. He told me that people who go on a pump usually 1) want to go on a pump for convenience or 2) they are unable to control their BG’s after using syringes. So I think it’s totally your call. If you are under control and don’t mind the syringes, you’re not hooked up to something 24/7. I will probably go on a pump if I get prego again. Other than that… I’m ok with not being hooked up all the time. The lows can be a pain, but manageable. Good luck with your T1 adventure. Best of luck to ya!
~Lindsey~
