Insulin Pumps

[Mela Monkey]

Who here has, or know someone who has, an insulin pump?

I'm possibly getting one this summer..

One other question, are they only for type 1 diabetics?

 

[Freedom&Light]

No, I've heard of type 2's getting them. Anyone who takes multi-dose insulin.

I'm debating about asking my doc for one. Especially since I dropped my vial of Novolog on the floor this morning. Luckily I had a back up!

 

[scraparcs]

My brother-in-law has type 2 diabetes (I think, anyway. I think he was in his mid-20s when he developed diabetes so that is probably type 2, right?) and has an insulin pump. I have got to be really careful with my diet and exercise, so far it's controllable quite easily with medicine for me but still, so far to go.

 

[Mela Monkey]

Thanks for the info Freedom :] and that doesn't sound good.. i've dropped my insulin bottles before, but never had one break, luckily!

And to Scraparcs
Hmm.. getting it in his 20's sounds like type 1, and also because of what Freedom&Light said about pumps (i've also never heard of a type 2 diabetic using a pump), he probably does have type 1.

 

[Freedom&Light]

I have to call my doctor in the morning to see if she has any more pens. I'm gong to run out faster than I thought.

There is a type called late onset type 1. A person can actually develop type 1 any time of life.

My doctor called me a type 2, but I'm thinking about going to an endocrinologist to double check, especially since I'm insulin dependent at this point (and I was only diagnosed in March). I've debated about it, since it wouldn't change my treatment. But I think it would help for insurance reasons.

I'm still thinking about the pump, though. I'm currently on 4 shots a day (3 novolog and 1 levemir), and I wouldn't mind having a pump!

 

[Tea]

My daughter is 14 and she has been pumping for 2 1/2 years. Personally we love pumping, and it has been great for us. It is, in the end though, just another method of delivering insulin, and still requires you to carb count, and do blood tests. For the first 2-3 months of getting the pump, I did around the clock 2-3 hour blood tests, and constant adjusting of her basal rates, until we were confident that her insulin rates were not too high, or too low. As a result her Ac1's have been in the low 6's, which are the best they have ever been. BTW, she has had T1 since she was 4. I you have any questions, I am more than happy to try and answer them for you.

In general the difference between T1 and T2's, is for T1 their pancreas does not make insulin, which is why they require insulin. T2's do make insulin, but their body has set up a resistancy, either hormonal, excess fat, or the result of a combonation of meds, that doesn't allow their blood to recognise all of the insulin in their blood stream, which is why they take meds to stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin into the blood stream. In cases of extreme resistancy, they also use insulin.
T1 and T2 are two completely different diseases.
HTH

 

[Migdala]

I have one and am about to throw the stupid thing in the garbage-I've had more problems than it is worth. lol But when it works right, it's great, and very convenient.

 

[Northlander]

I am with Migdala on the use of a pump. I had one for 15 months, and ended up going back to injections. The cost of supplies was more money than using shots as well. I had infusion site problems that led to the canula getting clogged on occasion resulting in 600+ readings because of no insulin being sent to my body. I also had my insulin pump freeze while out icefishing in -20 below weather a couple of years ago. Shots are a hassle, but my control is a bit better. I have type 1 for 42 years, so I am not a rookie at this at all, by the way.

 

[Alton]

Hello buddy,...
I watch out all the posts and all the posts very informational about insulin
pump.It is the best for high diabetes patients.Mostly diabetes patients
use it.

 

[bachatagirl]

im am a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump from Animas even though i dont care much for it,,,it has greatly improved my blood sugar control..ive been diabetic 39 yrs now