New to site & new to pumps

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Sputnick

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I am totally new to this game though pretty computer literate in terms of web searching, buying, banking etc.
I have been a type 1 diabetic for 43 years and am discussing whether or not to have a pump.
I realise I'm an individual but would love to hear some feedback both good or bad, on how people find them.
I am particularly bad at wearing things like belts around my waist unless they are fairly narrow because my rib cage and my hip bones are very close together that is to say, I have a very short body length.
Thank you if you can comment
 
Hi there and a warm welcome to the forum sputnick im not personally on a pump but theres a good few that are so you will get some great feedback, they is a pumping section on here as well so you will get some fab info from that also.x
 
Welcome to the forum............

Its a big decision going a pump, but a good one though. I may be making that decision soon too.

After so long, do you think you need the pump for health reasons or purely lifestyle...?
 
Hi welcome to the forum Sputnick 🙂 Ive been a diabetic for 30 years and had always avoided a pump because of not wanted to have something attached to me saying i was diabetic ! I completed a Dafne course in June and was advised because of certain things a pump would be the best option so after weighing up positives and negatives i went on a pump in september and its the best thing i have ever done after only being on the pump for 7 weeks i am achieving the best blood sugars i have had in 30 years !!!! I would suggest everybody who can gives it a go , if you really cant get on with it theres nothing to say you must carry on with it . I currently wear my pump just above my waist on a belt and actually find its no problem at all . Hope this Helps Jenny
 
Hi spudnick

Welcome to the forum..

I've only been diabetic for just over 20 years, so in your books still a newbie to it all🙂

I've been using a insulin pump for almost 3 years and older one with no wizards:( and I wouldn't give it back or return to MDI willing at all, believe me if anybody attempted to take it away from me I would likely end up in court with a GBH charge against me... It has made that much difference to my quality of life and the longer you are using a pump the finer you get can get your control...

Before going on the pump my long term prospects weren't looking that good at all but the pump has given me my future back...

As to wearing it no problems it's either clipped to my waist band or shoved in a pocket, it can be clipped, secured in pocket etc any where, the only limitation is the length of tubing being used, you be surprised where pumpers wear there pumps, in bras, shirt/trouser pocket, even in lower leg pockets of combat trousers.. Leg/arm hoisters are available the list goes on..

My best advice is same as Jennywren's, give it a go and if you really can't get on with it you can hand it back and return to MDI...
 
Hi sputnick

I've had type 1 for just under 20 years, and have been using a pump for just over 2 months. I love the pump and am hoping to secure full time funding for it soon. I find it very convenient to wear - either clipped to my pockets/waistband or tucked into a pocket. You don't have to wear it on a belt/band if you don't want to!

I find the benefits hugely outweigh the cons. I can manage my levels much better using tiny amounts of basal insulin, and can deal with food such as pizza and pasta much better too. I change my cannula every 2 days and it is quick and easy to do.

Of course, relying on equipment means that things can go wrong. Cannulas can kink, tubing can get blocked, air bubbles can form in the line. However, if these are spotted early they can be rectified quickly.

Would your hospital be able to lend you a pump for a few days for you to try wearing?

🙂 Shiv
 
Thank you so much to everyone that has welcomed me and taken the time to give their personal infor/experiences.
It has helped me come to a decision that I will now go in to battle to have a pump to try. Where I am there is only so much cash to go around and so far I know I will have to struggle to receive funding.
I was not sure before as to whether this struggle would be one worth taking on and as I only have limited strength resources, I have to sort of pick my battles with some care!
I will now re-go to my GP and see where I can get - thank you so much once again.
 
....new to pumps

Thank you regarding John. I did actually meet him when he came and talked with us at our local BDA monthly meeting a couple of years ago, but had lost his contact details - so thank you for that update for me.
I just worry about the stress involved - these days I do not handle stress at all well. So will see what the GP initial contact, request for support from him, goes first and then see what the position in.
Thanks again
 
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