have you ever used an isulin pump or know someone who has?

Question

i'm looking for opinions on insulin pumps
like the postives and negatives about them
and how do you know which one to choose?
i want to know your personal expeirence
i've looked on websites thats not helped

Answer 1

I've had mine for 6 years. I use a Minimed 508. It's an older pump (it was my first and so far, only). I love it.

Before I went on it, I was taking 4-6 shots a day. I hated the schedule I had to stick to and I hated having to carry around all the syringes and vials of insulin. With my pump, my sleeping and eating schedule is much more flexible. I also don't have to carry all that stuff. I DO carry an extra infusion set and one vial of insulin with me in a bag whenever I'm going to be away from home for more than a couple of hours. I also carry a glucose meter and some glucose gel in that same bag.

Once, when I was visiting my sister, her dog jumped on me and tore out the infusion set. No problem...I replaced it with the spare one I carry with me.

Pumps have pros and cons. The cons are few...at least to me. For instance, when I wear a dress, it's hard to find a place to clip the pump to. I usually just clip it to my undies or pantyhose under the dress. For the most part, it can be clipped to a waistband. Also, I swim for exercise so the pump has to be disconnected for that since it can't get wet (it can survive an accidental dunking but that's all).

As for choosing a pump, you should choose the one that best suits your lifestyle. There are several makers and numerous models of pumps. Minimed, Accu Chek and Animas are only 3...there are a few others.

As for cost...insurance will cover most of that. You do hav to have a prescription for one so talk to your doctor. You will also have to take a training class to learn how to use it. They're really not that complicated. The supplies can be expensive but again, insurance will cover most of it (you also need a prescription for the supplies). You can't buy the supplies at a pharmacy. They have to be shipped from the company.

Since I've been on my pump, my sugars have been much more stable and my A1C has improved. My weight is stable and I feel great. I will never go back to MDIs.

I hope I've answered your question.

EMT

Answer 2

I have been pumping for the past 5 years. For me it was the best decision that I could make. My control is so much better and so much easier. Before the pump I had a lot of problems with going low and was constantly eating to keep from going too low. With the pump I don't have that problem. It's also better because I don't have to worry about taking a shot every time I decide to consume something.

The cons are that it is not a panacea. You don't just hook up the pump on the first day and bam your blood sugars are perfect. It is a lot of work to tweak your pump to the perfect settings for you. You must be diligent with your diabetes care. You must test your bg a lot and be strict when counting carbs. Another con is that since you are only receiving rapid acting insulin if something malfunctions or you have an occlusion and the insulin isn't getting in your body you can be very high very quick and run the risk of DKA quicker than with long acting insulins. Another reason to test often. And one last thing, depending on your insurance coverage, pumping can be a lot more expensive. The pumps a alone are $6000 plus supplies are way more expensive than traditional needles and a bottle of insulin.

As far as which one to choose, it has to be a personal choice. Personally I chose the minimed 522. I chose it because I am interested in getting the continuous glucose monitoring piece once my insurance covers it. Here is a link to a page that does comparisons of the different pump brands. Good luck with your choice.

http://www.integrateddiabetes.com/pumpcomp/pump_comparison.htm

Answer 3

My 4 year old uses the Animas 2020. It;s been great. He now eats like a normal kid instead to having to eat at specific times, eats when he's not hungry, etc. The animas is great for him because of the tiny increments in which we can administer the boluses. If he was older and had a little more fat on him we would have gone with the Omnipods. tubeless would be great. The only negative things I've heard about Omnipods are that some women who wear snug clothing have hard time concealing it. So far for us we have no negatives. He just as active as always (he even swims with it on). I would recommend you check out the pump it up message board on the ADA web site and ask more adults their opinions. www.diabetes.org

Answer 4

My ex-wife uses one. She likes it because she says it saves her always having to take isulin shots. She told me it was more convenient because she wasn't always having to carry insulin shots with her everywhere. It produces the amoung of insulin she needs, and she said something about being able to regulate the amoung it dispensed. But we didn't go into to the brand and model she was using.

Answer 5

there,s a Sheriff at the new Braunfels jail she works as a nurse there name Deehle she has a pump
she would tell you her professional apinion she is very caring and sweet

Answer 6

I have not personally used one, but my friend uses one and says she loves it.
I would suggest talking to your doctor, to find what is best for your situation and such.