Your opinion on the insulin pump. My 15 yr old daughter is wanting to go to the pump. I think there are good and bad points but wanting some other opinions from people who have a pump or who have kids with pumps to help us with information before we talk to her doctor. Thanks! I think it would be good, but would it bother you having this attatched to you all the time!
2006-08-23 08:43:27 · 5 answers · asked by Daisymay3 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
I have had type 1 diabetes for 26 years and have been pumping for about 5 years, (I'm 32). I think the pump is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have great blood glucose control now and don't have to worry about dragging insulin, syringes, wipes, etc. around with me all the time.
Had the insulin pump been out in its current form when I was a teenager, I would have been begging my parents for it!
You should discuss the pump with your daughter and her doctor to see what they think. It's perfect for an active teen because you can adjust your basil rates to not get as much insulin when you're going to be active. The most important question is if your daughter is responsible enough to have a pump. It's a lot of work and you have to test your blood glucose levels a lot!
Good luck! I have a mini-med and I love it, but I've heard great things about the deltec cosmo also.
Oh! And I don't mind having it attached to me at all times, took me about a week to get used to it. It fits in my pocket, hooks on my skirt, or hides in my bra so it's always out of the way!
2006-08-23 08:58:37 · answer #1 · answered by squeak_1974 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had the pump for about 7 years now. It is the best thing I've ever gotten! I've had fewer low episodes, and fewer big highs. I still have swings, but they aren't bad unless I'm just careless with checking my sugar when I should (or rather not checking). It did take a few days to adjust to being attached to it, but I think of it this way. Attached to the pump, I can adjust my insulin if I want to play hard (or work hard) or if I want, I can eat pizza without 2 injections. The best thing, is I ALWAYS have my insulin with me, so if I want more to eat than I planned, or if I want less than I planned, I don't have to take another shot, or try to cram food down my thraot. As for the time to adjust to attached, it was mainly at night because I felt like I would rip it out. That never has happened, and I was completely adjusted by a few days. I highly recommend it.
NOTE: If she gets the pump, DO NOT get rid of your syringes, because if the pump fails, or if the site gets infected, or whatever, she'll need to take a shot to cover that. I have had to get new a new pump due to failure once, but it wasn't that bad.
2006-08-23 09:16:28 · answer #2 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pump is by and large the most efficient and effective way to manage type 1 diabetes. The level of fine tuned control that can be achieved is not even comparable to that on shots. It also offers way more freedom. My a1cs are the best they ever have been.
The only downsides are cost (but insurance should cover it) and the need for constant vigilance (dka can occur quickly if a site gets blocked).
That being said, it can be a lot of work, especially at first. Your daughter has to be willing to carb count, test a lot, and change sites and reservoirs. If you think she can handle this, then she should give it a try.
2006-08-23 09:52:38 · answer #3 · answered by blondy2061h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on if her insulin levels are always out of wack. if so the pump is wonderful. if not dont get the pump for a child especially if she is very active.
2006-08-23 08:46:54 · answer #4 · answered by kingMe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the pump is convienent, easy to learn..and it brought my spouse's A1C down from 8.5 -- 3 years ago to 6.5 a couple of months ago. Make sure you investigate everything, so you know what you are getting into We couldn't do it w/o insurance.
2006-08-23 09:57:01 · answer #5 · answered by JJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋