Offered pump!

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fencesitter

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Hello all
My T1 son William (15) was offered the possibility of a pump at his hospital appointment a few days ago. The consultant said he'd get one on the grounds of restricted injection sites, as he has lymphoedema in both legs. He's also v.thin so currently only uses his tummy for novo and top of right hip for lantus (left hip affected by lymphoedema too). He has a lot of fluid esp in left leg, and some fibrosis unfortunately. He wears compression garments.
William's diabetes is well controlled right now, HbA1c 5.8. Dr says he's probably still on honeymoon, and that things are going to get much harder (depressing to hear that). He takes 12 Lantus and his ratio for insulin:carbs hovers around 1:10.
He's not that keen on the pump right now, but the seed has been sewn, so I think he'll chew it over.
My question is about infections at the site - is that really a problem? I have read/been told it's a risk. This is quite a consideration for us as William is vulnerable to infections even if they start elsewhere, and he can develop cellulitis quite easily. He doesn't have problems with injections on that score, and takes no special precautions other than a fresh needle every time.
Any insights gratefully received!
Thanks, Catherine
 
I can't answer your question, but just wanted to wish you the best of luck with the pump 🙂 I seem to remember Monica's daughter being very reluctant about the pump initially, but now wouldn't part with it, so hopefully Wlliam will feel the same 🙂
 
Hi Catherine,
I've been pumping for over four years now and have had no infections at all from cannulas. Very few have a problem from what I can gather, it's normally due to either not changing the cannula as often as it should be changed or an allergy to the type of cannula used. Obviously both are easy to fix 🙂
 
Pumper_Sue said:
Hi Catherine,
I've been pumping for over four years now and have had no infections at all from cannulas. Very few have a problem from what I can gather, it's normally due to either not changing the cannula as often as it should be changed or an allergy to the type of cannula used. Obviously both are easy to fix 🙂
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I'd second that.

You say he's not too keen on having a pump - one thing to remember is that if he tries it and hates it, he can always go back to MDI. He's not signing up for life.
 
Very true, he could always return to MDI. I think we'll gently steer him towards trying it out during a long holiday. We might not pick this summer as he already has three weeks of intensive treatment for the lymphoedema lined up ... but maybe we'll aim for the Xmas break. Would be great to test it out on all the cake and chocolate :D
 
LOL at the cake etc.

I change my sites 'religiously' every 48 hours. Have a reminder set up on my meter (which is part of the Roche Spirit Combo package) and it beeps at me unremittingly until I flipping do it! :D (Well you can turn that off of course, but I have lipo issues and I really don't want any more)

You can hardly call that a 'pain' when you've been doing 5 or 6 jabs a day for X years! And I would have imagined that LESS making of holes of any sort has got to be to Will's benefit bearing in mind his other probs.
 
Northerner said:
I seem to remember Monica's daughter being very reluctant about the pump initially, but now wouldn't part with it, so hopefully Wlliam will feel the same 🙂
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That's right, Carol wasn't keen (in case you don't know, Willsmum - Carol is 15 now, got the pump age 14). She wouldn't give it back for anything in the world now.
How about doing a saline trial? That way he can do it any time, because it's only saline, so if he makes any mistakes, it doesn't matter (He'll still need to inject though). Carol did hers for 1 week before going "live" with insulin right during school times.

So far, touch wood, Carol hasn't had any site infection yet. She changes her cannula every 3 days - like trophywench religiously. I have an alarm set on the outlook calendar. Should she have to change it at a different time, I simply change the alarm.

Maybe Will might like to ask Carol about it. If he does, just let me know.
 
Thanks all. Nice to hear Carol is so happy with her pump, Monica. Can I ask, did everything go pear shaped in terms of control once the honeymoon was finally over? I'm dreading that I must say.
 
Hi, just wanted to add in the time my daughter has been pumping we have had no infections from the cannulas. We have always used the top of her buttocks due to age and resticting her fiddling, and in the early months she was still in nappies making risk of contamination higher but been fine. Does your son have a specialist/anyone for his lymphoedema you could run it by? Also, as others have stressed, he will need to make sure it is changed within time frame for whichever cannula he would use ( 2 or 3 days) Risk of infection heightened if this is not adhered to.
Millie coming out of honeymoon was very gradual, had to tweak things every so often, which remains the case as she grows, I think honeymoon periods are variable but I would think adjusting would be easier with the pump. 🙂
 
This is very reassuring, thanks everyone. We do have a lymphoedema specialist and hope to be seeing him in the next few months, so we will ask him for a view.
 
Hi Catherine,
just remembered there's a young lady living in my previous home village who has lymphoedema. That young lady has a pump as well. 🙂 As far as I know she has had no problems with her pump. If you would like me to I will pop in and see her at the end of next week when out that way and ask her for you.
 
Hi Willsmam. I have been on a pump a few years now & "WOULD NOT" go back !! Have not had any infections. Much more addaptable when set up ! for william. I know what i would do ? 😉
 
Yes please Sue, that is really interesting. I would love to have her take on it. Is she also affected in her legs? Thanks very much
Catherine
 
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