inulin pump?

Question

My boyfriend is 24, got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in november, the DR. sent for his insulin pump and should be here in a month, my question is: We watched the video, read the information, etc. I still dont see how it's any easier than injections. (He takes humalog 3-4x a day, the fast acting, and lantis once a day the long acting) He doesnt "count" his carbs, like he's supposed to he just guesses, and he seems to be getting it down, since his first a1c was over 12 and now it's 7.5 he's going good they said, but does it have to be ACCURATE carb counting with the pump? anyone with type 1 and/or an insulin pump that can give me some more first hand information that would be great! Anyone have troulbe with it? what about while you are umm..."in bed" swimming, showering, I guess i'm kind of worried but he gets mad if i worry. thanks for any help!

Answer 1

The pump offers MANY benefits over injections...to start with there is a reduced number of injections such as you say your bf has to inject himself 3-4 times a day, witha pump he will only have to change the infusion site about every 3-5 DAYS not times a day ....also when you are on the pum pyou recieve insulin EVERY hour through out the day and then when youeat or drink anything w carbs in it you enter the amout of carbs along w your blood glucose readings & it automatically figures out how much insulin to give you you push abutton & it gives it to you without having to give another shot....its MUCH better control & a lot less hassel than injections.....I have had type 1 diabetes for 20 years & have been on thepump for only 2 1/2 & I swear to you ITS SOOOO MUCH BETTER and Im so much healthier!! Also as per your worry as to what about when your "in bed" or swimming or whatever, not to wory , you can detatch the pump from you body without taking out the infusion site & your free to move about pump free fom about 1-2 hours w/out having to worry about messing anything up...the only thing that is left on your body is a littel plastic/patch type thing that kind of looks like a nicoderm or irth control patch w a little plastic part in the center & it doesnt get in the way.......I was VERY hesitant as to getting a pump for many years my DR wanted me to get one & I refused, I SOOO wish I would have done this sooner. If you have any questions feel free to email me direct, Ill help out any way I can I swear to you the pump has made my life MUCH MUCH easier & healthier tell you bf to go for it & not to worry...as per counting carbs, thereis a book that is pocket sized that has EVERYTHING just about you could possibly want to eat or drink including ALL fast foods, candy, restraunts, alcoholic drinks EVERYTHING in it & it tells you how many carbs/calories/fat is in it AL...go to CalorieKing.com to see it you can also get it on Amazon.com for lie $10 w shipping & handeling it takes the guess work out of it all....BETS OF LUCK!!!

Answer 2

My son who is 8 years old has type 1 diabetes and is on an insulin pump. Less shots was one of the benefits for us, what 8 yr old likes shots? It offers better control is what they say and so far he seems to be true. My son was on Lantus and Humalog. With carb counting and his insulin to carb ratio it was pretty hard to draw up 1 and 1/4 units of insulin into the syringe. Now he just puts in the carbs and the pump automatically figures out how much insulin to give him, as little as 0.25 units. So for us it really is better.
As far as swimming and showering, he disconnects it while he is swimming or whatever. He is a soccer player and he disconnects then too. The exercise from swimming or soccer or any form of 'exercise' usually will make up for the missed basal amount. The shower because he isn't it there for any significant amount of time-his sugars are fine when he disconnects for that.

Hope some of this helps!!! Good luck!!!

Answer 3

take it off in the shower
i'm 13 and i love it.
it makes life easier