Diabetic Pump

I don't know a lot of specifics, but my cousin was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was about 7 or 8, she is thirteen now and got the pump about a year ago and she loves it! It automatically gives her the amount of insulin that she needs and she doesn't have to worry about giving herself the shot, it sort of looks like she is just carrying an mp3 player on her side! Hope this helps a little!

Hi J.!
I am type 1 with adult onset as well. I was diagnosed 10 yrs ago when I was 26 and after a few years went on a "tight control" regiment, meaning testing at least 6 x per day and taking 5 shots per day. It was a challenge at times to make sure to have all my supplies with me and to keep my insulin cold enough, especially when we were traveling, etc.

In 2004 I got my pump and I LOVE it!!!! Yes, I still have to check my blood sugars at least 6 times a day and I still have to count my carbs and watch what I eat and how exercise etc affects my bloodsugars. But I'm ok with that and I love the advantages that come with having a pump - I don't have to worry about carrying insulin, syringes, alcohol wipes, etc everywhere I go!

Ok - this is how it works (when I say "you", I am referring to the diabetic / your husband): The pump is about the size of a pager and most people will think that's what it is until you tell them otherwise. It's kind of difficult for me to explain how it attaches to your body, so you may want to check the web for pics or something (just google insulin pumps). However, it does attach to your body with what is called an "infusion set" and a thin plastic tube connects the pump to the infusion set. When you're on the pump, you only use short-acting insulin (i.e. Humalog) and your healthcare team helps with programming the pump to give you a small amount of insulin every hour of the day. This is called the "basal rate" and basically takes the place of the long-acting insulin that your husband is probably taking now once or twice a day.

The insulin amount you need to cover your meals is called "bolus". My pump has a "bolus wizzard" - when I am ready to eat, I check my bloodsugar, enter that in my pump, then I enter how many grams of carbs I am going to eat and it will calculate the amount of insulin I need to take, based on the my insulin sensitivity and carb ratio that my doctor gave me to program the pump with.

Ok, sorry this got so long. Please feel free to send me a personal message if you or your husband have any other questions and I'll be glad to give you my email address.

Take care,
Nicole

my mother has the pump...she is 69 though and not that active. she does like it, of course, in stead of the shots. but, she has to be very careful about keeping track of what she eats. i believe she needs to enter in the information constantly as the pump then dispenses medicine based on the food she eats. it is a little box, like an I-pod that she wears on herself...i think in her pocket. if he is pretty active or self concious, he may not like it. it is easy to hide under clothes in the winter, but in the summer it is kind of obvious that you are wearing something.

Hi J.,
My son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 14 months old. He is now 10 years old, and last year, we finally had the courage to get the pump. It has changed his life in ways we never imagined. It is virtually painless to use compared to the needle injections, and has saved him thousands of pokes this year alone!

My son is extremely active, and the only time he takes his pump off is when he goes swimming. Even then, the little plastic inset stays in the skin, so putting it back on is so simple he can do it by himself in a matter of seconds. There is also a way to adjust the amount of insulin he gets when he is active!

I would recommend doing a web search for an insulin pump, such as Minimed (my choice) and get more information from them. They were very helpful and even worked with my insurance company to assist us in getting everything taken care of!

I have an aunt, friend and a friends 9 year old son that all use the pump and they said that it is the best thing going. The pump has greatly improved their quality of life. They choose a site to place the needle and they leave it for several days, then change a few days later. They said that their blood glucose level is more even, they no longer have the spikes that they had in the past. Also keeps your blood glucose levels in range between meals and overnight.

check out his webpage http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/insulin-pumps.jsp

Best of luck to you and hope for a healthy delivery!

J.,

I am a Registered Nurse and a diabetic educator and work for a retail pharmacy chain. We have several patients on insulin pumps and all of my patients are very happy with the pump and are in much better control. Some did have some problems initially setting their basal insulin but within a couple of months they are doing very well. You can get alot of information at www.minimed.com. This is the Medtronic website that makes the pump and they have alot of patient information there. Good Luck!!

J.

J.,
I am not a diabetic, but my mom works as a CMA in a diabetic clinic for a doctor who does a lot of traveling and speaking on diabetes. He has also helped host a diabetic seminar here in town for a few years now that I have been fortunate enough to volunteer my time at. The seminar is put on by a non-profit organization out of California called Take Control of Your Diabetes. They have a website, www.tcoyd.org. The people that work for that organization are very well informed, knowledgable, and wonderful at helping when they can. Several of their employees do have diabetes, and one of the gals does have a pump herself. I hope this source can help you through as well as the wonderful advice given by others on this site.

I have been a diabetic for years,and take alot of insulin, the pump was suggested, but the docter decided is was not practical becuase I would need to change the pump everday, as it only has a capacity for a 100 unit per day. It all depend on weather it is pratical or not.Personally I don't mind the shots either, as I check my blood 4 to 6 times per day and use a sliding scale for the amount of insulin I need to take.
I found that carb counting is the easy way to keep sugars and weight under control. A good Nutristionist can be helpful. for two months I kept a daily log of the number of carbs I ate for each meal and how much insulin I needed to balance my sugar. Now I do the math in my head, because i have learned how many carbs are in the food I eat. once in awhile Irefer to my carb books for reference. Good luck and happy eating with your decision. Make sure he is taking selinum and chroimum supplemental vitamins to help his body efficiently process insulin and sugar.

Hi -

I have 3 children all with Type I diabetes and all on the pump for many years. It is the best. Their control is so much better. You do have to check your blood many times per day (which helps you keep better control), but insulin is immediate and you can take as much as you need for what you are eating without adding a shot. Every 3 days you insert a new "site" into your abdomen, leg, wherever, and a tiny tube stays in ther e and connects to the pump. You can take the pump off to shower or whatever. My kids have no problems with it - and it's made them so much healthier. Feel free to ask more questions - I'm happy to help.

J.,

I would not give my insulin pump back for anything. You wouldn't believe the freedom it gives you. Much less to say you only change the sight every three days. So 1 needle every three days instead of every time you eat. So easy. I had my doubts at first, but I's sure your husband will love it if he chooses to get it. They have a device called the cleo 90. You clean the spot you wish to have your infusion put in the cleo 90 comes all inclosed you put it next to your skin and push holding for 10 seconds or so. Then release and slowly take the plastic container off at an angle. The little tube is already in your skin next hook the tubing up to your pump and fill the tubing. then attatch it to the part you just attatched to your body. and start the pump. That easy. I have no doubt he will find it extremely easy. There are several pumps out there and he would have to choose the one that would fit him best I use the Deltec Cozmo and Just love it Good luck From a satisfied customer Peg O

Hi J.! My hubby has type 1 but he was diagnosed when he was 3. He has had the pump since he was in high school and he LOVES it! My hubby is a contractor and so he is extremely active and he is able to regulate his blood sugars better by using the pump. It is much more discreet, in my opinion, than shots. It is attached to the body through a very thin "catheter" which just means that there is a small tube that allows the insulin in. You attatch the catheter to the body using a small needle and then take the needle out. You only have to be poked every 2-3 days! All the pump supplies are in a sterile pack with everything you need.
You can easily unhook your pump for showering or swimming as there is a connector midway through the tubing.
The pump allows you to regulate blood sugars more efficiently. Before eating you just key in how many carbs you are eating and it delivers it. You can adjust the ammount of insulin at any time. It also gives you a set amount at few times an hour. If you have any questions you can message me. I am a huge fan of the pump! So is my hubby:)
oh, ask your endocrinologist about all the benefits and to show you a pump.
BTW the pump looks like you have a cell phone attached to the belt. It is not very noticeable- even in the summer:)

It's been my experience that they won't attach a pump simply for convenience of lifestyle. It is fairly invasive, considering that it is permanently attached to your body. I've had a couple of friends that have had to get one and it was because through shots, their blood sugars couldn't be controlled anymore. (one friend was on the verge of being on dialysis.) Largely, it would depend on how much insulin he is taking and how often, and whether his blood sugars are staying under control. Sorry to say it, but just from what you've written, I don't think a doctor will do it.

I had to respond when I saw your posting. I have been a type 1 diabetic for over 25 years, since I was 9 years old. I have 3 children, almost 5, 3 1/2 and 19 months. Needless to say I was on insulin shots several times a day for many many years. 6 years ago I decided to try the insulin pump and let me say, it was life changing. My health and blood sugar A1C's have been best ever and I feel great. I can honestly say you do not experience the high and low fluctuations like on insulin shots. I was very scared of the unknown, I was young 29 years old and getting married when I decided to try the pump. I was mostly afraid to be connected to a device 24/7. It is awesome...a semi cure for me. You get used to it quickly. It is small and inconspicuous. It allows you to be more active and mobile. I am as active as they come and it does not inhibit me a bit. The only time it can become a bother is if you swim alot, you must detach because the pump is not waterproof. Not a big deal. I just went to the WI Dells with my family and took off pump for 1 hour at a time while in the water. Initially it is a learning curve to put it on and calibrate at first. After 1 month, you will forget it is there. You do all the work yourself in terms of attaching and detaching. It is a small soft catheter like (1/4 inch) that get injected into your area of choice then you pull out the needle and you tape it on. and you are good for 3-4 days until your insulin reservoir is empty...then you fill it up again and reinsert for antother 3-4 days. Beats the 3-4 times a day shots. the pump clips to your jean waistline and most people think it is a cell phone or pager. Good conversation piece. I love the insulin pump and have NO regrets having it. I have the Medtronic Paradimn. If you have any additional questions at all email me: ____@____.com
Good luck!

wow... I'm surprised at all the responses to this..never knew that there were so many of us. I was diagnosed with type one when I was 28 and am 30 now. I consisdered the pump, but I am still on shots. I'm not saying anything bad about the pump...but it was going to be expensive for me. The initial cost wasn't a bother because insurance was covering it...but the monthly expense was going to be somewhere along the line as another car payment per month just for pharmacy stuff. I pay about 50 - 75 now...so still cheaper this route. I am a SAHM, and we could not afford that right now... But I do hope to be on it someday when I go back to work!
Good luck and hope you are able to get the pump!

I am a 58-year-old woman diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetetic in 2003. In 2004 I was having difficulty controlling my blood sugar even with severe restrictions on carbs and lots of exercise. My endocrinologist ran a test and discovered that I am actually a Type 1 diabetic. I was on insulin shots until last spring when I went on the insulin pump. It has changed my life! I love it! The pump is about the size of a pager. About every 3 days I change the insulin container in the pump and infusion set (the part that is attached to your body). My doctor and I set up the amount of insulin I get 24/7 (I get more insulin at night while I sleep because my blood sugar was always high in the morning) and the amount I get for every 12 carbs I eat. I use an inserter device that inserts the infusion set in my body in the stomach area. I also use a 24/7 continuous glucose monitoring system (not covered by insurance). I got this for training for a marathon last year and continue to use it. It's expensive but worth it to me because I get warnings if my blood glucose goes too high or too low. That also has an infusion set and the monitor is about the size of quarter. I change the glucose monitor infusion set every three days. Sometimes I feel like the bionic woman but these devices have made my diabetes much more manageable.

I would say go for it! Have him check with his doctor to get an appointment with someone who is trained in pump instruction. My mom is a dietitian trained in pump instruction and she is diabetic and wears one herself. Hers is from Medtronic.The pump os great and she loves it, but she got hers right when they first came out with them and their customer service was TERRIBLE. There were issues with getting faulty pieces and whatnot. I think they have improved on that, but always have your emergency numbers and the number for your pump instructor handy in case you have problems.

The other people who posted responses described the pump and its use better than I could, so I won't even try. I just know that my mom has been functioning even better than before since she got her pump. It is a viable option for many people in many situations and definitely worth looking into.

My mom changes her set about every 4 days, sometimes 3 days. She does still check her blood, and she carries her other msc equipment in a fanny pack everywhere she goes.

Oh, and you probably already know this, but if you haven't already done it, be sure to teach your 3 yr old what to do if daddy has an diabetic emergency and you aren't there. When my sister and I were very small, we knew if mom was "acting funny" to bring her some orange juice, and that if she yelled at us for bringing it to her, then we were to go get our dad, because she probably had a low blood sugar.

Congrats to your hubby for taking good care of himself. So many diabetics do not...

Yes! I have a son that is on the minimed insulin pump and we like it. It is so much easier to control glucose highs and lows. My son was diagnosed Type 1 when he was 15 months and is 8 yrs old now. He has been on the pump for a year and a half and we are even considering the real time glucose meter.
As far as the insertion goes it is much like giving a shot but you would be placing a small thin candula that the insulin travels to your body.
You should really attend a class. Our local clinic has Medtronic come out to give classes for those interested in getting the pump as well as classes on using it.
Check with your Dr. he/she should know about when where or how to get started.
Just because you take a class does not commit you to going that route.
I can give you names and numbers if you need more info but your Dr. should have all the info.
Good Luck it is well worth it.

T. G.

Hi. I'm a first time expecting mom with Type I diabetes - I was diagnosed 18 years ago (at age 8), and have been on a pump since 2000. It's wonderful! But beware, there is a learning curve! It certainly helps maintain better control (you're getting insulin all day long), and keep a more flexible schedule. It helps to be tech savvy, but there are plenty of training programs, and they don't just put you on a pump and let you run with it.

The pump attaches with a sof-set canular needle (it's very flexible, and you can't even feel it) that gets removed and replaced (rotating locations) about every three days. You and your doctors and diabetes educators set up your dosages based on a number of items. You have two types of doses - a basal rate (a constant rate of units/hour) and bolus doses (you bolus for meals by counting carbohydrates, just as you normally do for injections). You can set a large number of basal rates throughout the day (certain time periods will require more or less to prevent lows or highs) and you can also program different carbohydrate ratios for calculating bolus doses. There are all kinds of bells and whistles (some I never knew about until my pregnancy) that allow you to have even greater control of many factors in your dosing, etc. Not to mention the downloadable information to view your blood sugar and insulin information in incredible ways to see where adjustments are needed.

If you're looking for more information, www.minimed.com is very helpful - their support staff and online training programs are very good. I believe you can also sign up for informational sessions with them to learn more about the pump, its components and how it works. While minimed is not the only pump - It is what I have, so I speak from my experience with them.

I am a huge pump advocate and have seen alot of advancment in just my seven years on the pump. Through my pregnancy, I have also been on the new glucose sensor system, which has really helped me stay in tight control. So far, so good!

Good luck to you and your hubby in this new adventure - one that is well worth the fight with insurance companies! Just keep getting all the information you need and providing evidence of necessity and sooner or later they get the point that this is beneficial in the long run!