Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

I've had a insulin pump since 2004. About 2 months ago I tried to go two days without it and it was hard. Life is much easier with the pump. You won't be disappointed. It is very expensive though so I hope you have insurance.

I have been only on my pump for 3 months now, and I LOVE IT!
I felt that the dr's push for me to get a pump also, so I held off for awhile! I did say yes, and it is one of my best chooses I have made in life!
I'm blood sugar is so easy to keep in range. I don't think I could live without my pump, it's mt best friend! lol
If you have any question's please send me a message! I know I had 101 questions in my mind before I went on it!
Take care and bye for now

My pump changed my life. I never have to give myself a shot! Its so worth it. The only downside is that you have to wear it 24 hours a day except when you take a shower or need it off temporarily. Its nice because you can adjust your insulin levels to different amounts throughout the day. ie: I need more insulin at night than in the morning. My pump is automatically set for that. I would also advised working with an educator for the first few months.

I love and hate my pump. I've had a pump for 6 years now and was on MDI's before that.

In the summer because you find me more often in the water then on dry land switch to injections. I have not found a pump yet even though they proclaim they can be immersed in water that can handle it repeatedly well. Also it's a definite no go in hot tubs as the insulin can't take the warmth and the infusion sets glue can't take the warmth and water.

Also I sweat so much in the summer I have not found anything short of gorilla glue (which you can't use) to keep my infusion set (the part that connects to your body) from coming off.

I do have another friend who tried it and said no thanks but then again he also teaches karate 4 nights a week and it simply isn't good to be kicked even when disconnected the hub being hit was too much and one other who does day care and decided it wasn't for her as the kids somehow kept accidentally pulling the cord causing the infusion set to come out.

A pump is NOT less work but it is more control and more flexible. And nothing beats a pump when you are sick!

You do have to work hard to find your basel patterns (what insulin you need for each hour of the day and night) your carb ratios and you have to test often as only short acting insulin is now in your stream so in 4 hours you could be high and dry even though you think you are connected and getting what you need.

I will also admit, and this may just because I am a girl, some of my fashions are not pump friendly. They don't have a belt to hook it on or a pocket to place it in and I may not even be wearing a sock to put it in (tube socks rule for those skin tight pants with a bit of a flare at the bottom leg and no pockets!).

I have NOT found it to be an issue during sex or sleep as for sex I have even left all the tubing and the pump on and my husband is great at working around it when I don't temporarily disconnect.

I do love it for the holidays as I can eat at the social functions and simply bolus for this or that but the weight gain from such power is a drawback but hey at least my a1c is still good!

I also love it for working out as I can set it so as not to administer as much insulin (for my cardios I have to do this two hours before working out but for my weight lifting days I can alter my whole basel pattern for the next day as I run lower for a full 12 hours about 8 hours post workout - can you see how pattern finding becomes a must to make this successful?).

When I am sick, have an infection, eat something I didn't know the carb count to, or it's that time of month I can easily correct with a bolus set a temporary basel rate to cover it.

And I can temporarily disconnect if the need be (I have done it for up to two hours but beyond that is too hard for me to achieve).
I have had no trouble flying to England, Ireland, Australia, and Hawaii with it but decided to go pump free to China as I did not have a distributor there that could rush me supplies if needed and I felt "safer" knowing that I at least had my long acting Lantus in me at all times.

I do love my pump but I achieved just as good of a1cs off it as I did on it. Some can't do that though. I am comfortable with MDI's as much as I am with a pump. A lot of people can't say that.

The good thing is though if you can afford it as it is a lot more expensive I'd say try it. You can always go back to injections if you don't like it!

Good luck on whatever you decide!

P.S. Also shop around. I have tried the Animas, Minimed, and Cozmore (which is no longer available) but all of them will send a distributor to your area so you can see them in person. Everyone is different so one may suit you much better then another. There are also many infusion sets to choose from.

i would also highly recommend the pump. they sell waterproof cases for them that i will vouch for, as i have tried it out numerous times. also if your insurance covers it, get the constant glucose monitoring system also. i have been diabetic for 38 years and am on my third insulin pump (insurance pays for a new one every 5 years) send me a message if you have any questions.

I have had the pump since 1988. It has changed my life in so many ways. I was taking 4 shots a day and was not in contol. Since I have been on the pump, my A1c has been around 7. It used to be 9. I feel so much better and have so much more energy. I suggest you look at the pumo very closely. I think you would like it.