Hi Bev
I am back using the pump now. Yes its been tough at times and to be honest there were times where I literally wanted to throw the thing out the window!! I have a good team and actually tell them what I think the problem is and it ususally ends up being that what I say!! My nurse says I could work for a pump cpmpany as I know the pitfalls but then they might not want to hear them? I have tried 3 pumps including a patch pump but it either fell off or had delivery problems. I am back to a medtronic as this is the most reliable apart from not being water proof but unless you get in the shower with trunk shorts on where would you put a water proof pump anyway?! I have extreme insulin sensitivity which menas even 0.1 unit error could mean 30 or hypo it is as simple as that and as such pump therpay is the best option but bad days are a fact of life that I have gradually accepted but everyday gets better. Being realsitic is what keeps you safe on a pump. I don;t think that education necessarily comes into it as I think that most people who 'fail'on a pump fail because they have unrealistic expectations that are fuelled by miracle claims by companies and the lucky diabetics who do have over night success (and they are right to celebrate who wouldn't?)
Many clinics now advocate the use of pen injections after 1 high BS reading and this is a reality for some people who like me have diffiuclties that the pump can't always handle. This doesn't mean the pump is negative rather its just not totally reliable in every situation. To be honest since I have listened to my body, my readings and my instincts about what the pump can and can't do my diabetes and life has been much improved. My consultant has a saying - 'it might be unusual but if it works for you it works for you' and this is what I would say to anyone about a pump. I have to have 4 times my usual basal between 5am and 9 am and this goes against theory but it works for me. I also have to count fat and protein as well as carbs because if I eat cheese my BS goes up - now in Poland diabetes doctors tell diabetics to count cheese so although it may be against protocol in the UK its not necessarily as mad as it sounds! I test my BS 8 times daily and adjust as needed - no 2 days are ever the same and this is why patterns don;t always work either. I have had diabetes for 28 years since childhood and this is the best solution I have had so far. Its not perfect but life never is and you have to make the best of what you have. We hate Lantus when we get on a pump but I remember Lantus being a miracle compared to the insulins we had, and we may hate it when blood sugar meters give error signs in the middle of the nigth but I remember when you had to read the test strip against a colour strip at 4am - it wasn't actually that long ago so we have to be garteful for what we got?
Are you a pump user? What's your experience?
I am back using the pump now. Yes its been tough at times and to be honest there were times where I literally wanted to throw the thing out the window!! I have a good team and actually tell them what I think the problem is and it ususally ends up being that what I say!! My nurse says I could work for a pump cpmpany as I know the pitfalls but then they might not want to hear them? I have tried 3 pumps including a patch pump but it either fell off or had delivery problems. I am back to a medtronic as this is the most reliable apart from not being water proof but unless you get in the shower with trunk shorts on where would you put a water proof pump anyway?! I have extreme insulin sensitivity which menas even 0.1 unit error could mean 30 or hypo it is as simple as that and as such pump therpay is the best option but bad days are a fact of life that I have gradually accepted but everyday gets better. Being realsitic is what keeps you safe on a pump. I don;t think that education necessarily comes into it as I think that most people who 'fail'on a pump fail because they have unrealistic expectations that are fuelled by miracle claims by companies and the lucky diabetics who do have over night success (and they are right to celebrate who wouldn't?)
Many clinics now advocate the use of pen injections after 1 high BS reading and this is a reality for some people who like me have diffiuclties that the pump can't always handle. This doesn't mean the pump is negative rather its just not totally reliable in every situation. To be honest since I have listened to my body, my readings and my instincts about what the pump can and can't do my diabetes and life has been much improved. My consultant has a saying - 'it might be unusual but if it works for you it works for you' and this is what I would say to anyone about a pump. I have to have 4 times my usual basal between 5am and 9 am and this goes against theory but it works for me. I also have to count fat and protein as well as carbs because if I eat cheese my BS goes up - now in Poland diabetes doctors tell diabetics to count cheese so although it may be against protocol in the UK its not necessarily as mad as it sounds! I test my BS 8 times daily and adjust as needed - no 2 days are ever the same and this is why patterns don;t always work either. I have had diabetes for 28 years since childhood and this is the best solution I have had so far. Its not perfect but life never is and you have to make the best of what you have. We hate Lantus when we get on a pump but I remember Lantus being a miracle compared to the insulins we had, and we may hate it when blood sugar meters give error signs in the middle of the nigth but I remember when you had to read the test strip against a colour strip at 4am - it wasn't actually that long ago so we have to be garteful for what we got?
Are you a pump user? What's your experience?
