Insulin Pumps help with the challenge of living with diabetes

not on the pump right now ..... the doc wants me to consider it b/c the sugar is uncontrolled .... too many things interfere w/treatment ..... metabolic syndrome, extreme insulin resistance [taking 100 units of R-500, 3x/day], thyroid problems, etc .... Add to all this -- the fact that the docs figure I have been diabetic since the 1970's b/c of the amount of damage, but I was not diagnosed w/diabetes until I went into a diabetic coma in 1999 ...... almost 30 yrs of damage before beginning treatment ..... Think the pump might be helpful for me?

Absolutely! It does take some work, but it should help you take control of a disease that obviously has been controlling you. I have metabolic syndrome, and some other issues, too. The pump typically cuts your insulin needs in HALF! Are you currently going to an Endocrinologist?

I am boarder-line diabetic. My Dr. told me to cut all my starches in half. The reason I wanted to post here was to tell about my dear old Dad, gone ten years now. He had diabetes and it got to the point where he had to give himself an insulin shot every day. Then he changed his diet, started exercising every day on his stationary bicycle, and the result was he ended up having to take one half a pill per day. I was very proud of him. I don't know which type diabetes he had and this was in the "olden days" before the pump. I guess that makes a difference. I just hope I can follow his example and keep myself healthy.

Yes, exercise and dietary changes are very inportant aspects of managing your diabetes. Type II Diabetes, the tyoe I have, your Dad no doubt had, and which you are at risk of developing. Although I exercise as much as I can, and eat as good as I can, I could do better. Studies have shown that just walking 20 minutes per day and losing as little as 20 lbs if you are overweight, can lower blood sugars, potentially reducing or in certain cases eliminate the need for insulin or medication. This is totally dependant on many individual factors. So caled "borderline Diabetes", now considered by anya experts to be prediabetes or even undiagnosed Type II diabetes. There are good studies showing that these patients should be on medication already. Diet, exercise, and frequent testing are what you need to help you stay healthy and avoid complications.

Hello Clinton:

Thanks for posting on this very important topic. I am a type 1 diabetic and I am considering the insulin pump. I am well controlled on my current regimen,though and I am wondering if it would make things easier for me with a pump or not.

How often do you test your blood sugars? Did you notice more hypoglycemic periods? That's one thing I am afraid might happen. My schedule doesn't always allow for strict meal times. Does the pump give you flexibility or not?

Please tell me your experiences with it...maybe it will help me make this decision!!
Thanks.

Sue, The pump give you complete control over your disease. It provides complete flexibility as to when you eat, how much, etc. It does require a committment to fequent testing, but I have found that I have much fewer hypoglycemic episodes since I got the pump. When I was on oral medications, I had frequent hypoglycemic episodes, but have only had about 5 since I went on the pump about 7 years ago and they were all my fault! I test 4-6 times per day to maintain tight control. I have learned that control is more than just a good A1c. You can be high after meals and stil have an acceptable A1c, the pump gives you the power to regulate glucose levels throughout the day. I would suggest you talk to your endocrinologist about the pump. It sounds like you would be a good candidate.

Hey again Clinton:

Thanks sooooo much!! I test about 4-6 times per day now so that part is ok with me. I'm glad you are saying it still gives you flexibility which is very important to me. I really think I want to go this route and I think I will discuss it with my doc at my next visit.

I will certainly let you know how it goes when I get it. Thanks, with your info I think it's a matter of when I get it now and not if!!!

Thanks a lot!!!!

You are so welcome. I think you will love the flexibility it gives you. The other "perk" is that you don't have to be so careful about what you eat, as long as you bolus for it. My doc told me not to go nuts, but I could eat anything I wanted. With a good trainer to teach you, you can learn how to handle a variety of eating circulmstances where if you were on traditional therapy it would be difficult to manage. Have you looked at what pump you are interested in? I use Animas. I think they have the best system out there. Good luck.

Hey again:

I really hadn't looked at any pumps at this point. I will talk to my doc next visit about this opportunity and will certainly keep Animas in mind. Thanks sooo much again. This has been extremely helpful in making this decision.

Hey! Just saw your article.
I'm a pumper for 7 years now.
I was never on pills as I am a type 1 diabetic but the pump is so much better than the 7-8 shots a day I was taking for better control.
I thought I was the only pumper on gather because I never see anyone talking about it!
Nice to see you.
I have an Accu-Chek Spirit pump and I've had my type 1 diabetes for 26 years next month.

Well, welcome to my little chat area. There actrually is a pumpers area I think in the diabetes area. I am notn familiar with the Accu-Chek Sprint. I use the Animas and when I was looking at pumps that was apparently not available. How are your basals? Being a type II and overweight, I am on a high basal rate, but hopefully I can get it down.

Hi Clinton,
My total basals for the day right now are 30.4.
They range from .9 to 1.8 per hour at different times of they day.
My Spirit works well, but, I think if I could choose again I'd go with the Smith Cozmore.
I'll have to hunt and see if I can find that pumper area you are talking about, I haven't seen it yet.

I hope you are going to write more about your pump experiences.
Right now I am frustrated with my insurance company, we changed companys in April and the new one is not covering pump stuff as well as the old one did.

Hello Faith and Everyone,

Faith raises a concern that I think is a fairly comon one. Pump reinbursement varies greatly between insurance cpmpanies and states. Florida, where I live, has a good law and requires insurance comapnies to cover medically needed diabetic supplies, including pump supplies, but each insurance company determines some hoops you have to jump through, In Missouri, the state law (Section 376.385 Missouri Revised Code) requires insurance companies to offer coverage for medically necessary and physican-prescribed diabetic medications and supplies and cannot require greater copays that with other conditions. What specific issues are you having? Insurance companies vary in what they require to show medical necessity, and some are onerous. Generaly, an endocrine group that typically puts lots of people on pumps should be able to help you navigate the insurance maze.

Clint

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you Clint.
My problem with the insurance is my large deductible and how little they cover each calendar year for what they consider to be durable medical.
I'm close to the point I may have to quit pumping because I just can't afford the supplies.
Funny thing is the last insurance we had, up until April of 07, covered it all 100%.
I wish they all could see what a difference it makes it the long run for good health.

Hi Clinton! I have had diabetes for 4 years. Just recently was told I am insulin-resistant diabetic. My sugars are always up and down; more up than down the last few months. My doctor suggested today the pump. IF insulin-resistance means I don't use the insulin shots correctly, how would it be to have constant insulin and it be an advantage?

Thanks
susieb620

As a type II diabetic and having insulin resistance, the pump, when your basals and bolus ratios are dtertermined by your doctor, will definately help you control those ups and downs, It more closely mimics the way your body delivers insulin and you will probably find that you will be on LESS insulin. It is much more efficient way of insulin delivery. It also gives you more freedom of what you can eat and when.