Comments on: When MDI is B-A-D — Time to Pump

By: ed

ed — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:04:12 +0000

well I am using mdi and don’t have any problems with it whatsoever. I do not understand why people are pushing the idea “I can’t control with mdi, so I am using a pump.” with mdi and about 5 min effort over the whole day, I have hba1c of 5.5. I race bicycles and watch my carbs, and maybe hit 3 glucose tabs once in a while but that is it. shots do not hurt whatsoever…fingersticks hurt a little. I just do not understand why anyone cannot get control via mdi doesn’t make sense to me. I am type 1

By: Kathy Mclaughlin

Kathy Mclaughlin — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:37:29 +0000

I have an Animas R 1200 pump that I want to sell. I bought this pump in February 2005, and stopped using it March 2006. It is in perfect working condition, as it was only used for 1 year. Also included is the ezManager Palm Pilot, all the user guides, plus some unopened cartridges, canulas… Thank you

By: robjohnston

robjohnston — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:19:43 +0000

After three months on the pump, my ophthalmologist could see the improvement that tighter control made on the state of my retinas. After six years (with regular A1C counts at about 5.5) there is no way I’ll go back to other approaches.

Carbo counting and portion control are essential. I have used the Disetronic D-Tron Plus for the last few years. Its best feature is that it uses a 300 ml cartridge of Humalog that I can get in boxes of five at the pharmacy. Replacing the insulin supply is fast and does not require moving insulin from one container to another.

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:14:22 +0000

Hi Amy,

I was a pump holdout for many years and just started with the Cozmo 6 weeks ago. I love it!

That said, it’s definitley been an adjustment and I’ve had more highs in the last 6 weeks than for the previous year before this! Lots of new stuff to get used to. However, I’m having much fewer lows and am able to stay in the 80-120 range for hours without going too low or high. Pretty amazing!

Also, keep working on the carb counting because it matters even more with the pump, that’s been part of my adjustment!

Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you, it’ll be great!

By: goosta

goosta — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:29:45 +0000

Hi,
I am so glad to hear you are going to try a pump. I have been a MiniMed user for six years. After several malfunctions and disappointments with my current pump (the Paradigm) I am switching to the OmniPod system. It should be on my doorstep today or tomorrow and I am being trained on it on Friday. I am looking forward to being tubeless. In my profession as a middle school teacher I think it will be very helpful.I will keep you updated on how it goes. Again, I am so excited for you and wish you luck!

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:03:19 +0000

I am a former pumper myself, I tried using my Animas R1200 for about 4 years but found it did not deliver any real improvement and actually had more problems with it than I had with MDI (multiple daily injections) and concluded that while pumps are great for some people, they aren’t the best solution for everyone.

We’re all individual, and what works for one person does mean its right for everyone. Also, something may work great for a while, but things change, and so it might not work for you forever. Also, don’t be afraid to try something for a while, but change to something else, and then go back and revisit it again a few years later. There is no one solution that works forever, so it might work for a while, then something changes, and maybe it will find that its not right for this moment in time. Remember, we’re not fixed to any one treatment, so things may evolve over time. The important thing is to determine what your needs are right now, and assess whether a particular form of treatment is meeting those needs right now, and if not, revisit it and don’t be afraid to try something else.

I found that I have no basal needs all day long, but need it overnight, therefore a pump wasn’t right, Lantus wasn’t right, but NPH overnight seemed to work great! Similarly, don’t be afraid to try different insulins. I tried Humalog, and that worked ok but not great, Novolog had its plusses and minuses, but Apidra seemed to work best at this time (who knows what will happen a few years from now).

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 02:04:45 +0000

Congrats! I’m so happy for you, and all I have to say is, “It’s about time!”

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 00:00:52 +0000

Amy,

I did MDI for 36 years and now pumping for almost 4. I was the biggest chicken about switching over to a pump and now I realize what an easy concept it truly is. A big syringe with a fishline like tubing inserted just under the skin and pushing buttons instead of shooting up. But with that being said, remember it is so not a cure. You may still have issues accomplishing your quest for Alc’s under 7.1. You will still have highs and lows if you don’t count your carbs correctly or decide on the spur of the moment to run around the block and have a major low. All that being said I can not imagine going back to shots, and I have 7 different basals and can change them for that lovely time of the month. There are so many more options for fine tuning your diabetes with a pump and you will be amazed as to why you waited. Pumping is the best form of insulin delivery, and you will be so glad that you changed, but do remember it is far from a cure and it is not a pancreas.

Karen

By: Tink

Tink — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 23:57:43 +0000

Congrats on the decision to start pumping Amy. All pumps are good, they just have different bells and whistles. Would strongly suggest reading Pumping Insulin and joining (or at least checking out) Insulin-Pumpers.org

Good Luck!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 23:56:09 +0000

Good to hear, Amy. I have been on a pump since 1982 and have used every possible pump…I currently have a Cozmo and love it. And I do swim with mine. I love the attached meter as well. However, I just started on the Dex Com and I am in love. I can make minute adjustments via small pump doses as I watch the trends throughout the day. I didn’t hear the low alarm the other night, but my hubby did, woke me up and I fixed it with a small amt of juice–caught at 75 instead of my unaware 38′s and then corresponding huge surges. I have had no false alarms, no “noisy” readings…I am completely sold on the CGM…and the dexcom price is right. I’m connected to a pump, the dex com and symlin (using an old pump) and although it can be awkward at times, the peace of mind and stable blood sugars (for once in my 43 years of diabetes) are worth every tube and gadget!