Hi Warren,
Good morning. I was diagnosed at the age of 38. I was initially told I was type 2. With my age, my weight 60kgs (I'm 5'6") I didn't really think this was an accurate diagnosis, plus there was a steady stream of Type 1's throughout my family. I was advised to see a nutritionist who gave a me a diet sheet to follow, but within months I was skin and bone and still presenting very high BSL's. Meds next, they didn't agree with my tummy so they eventually put me on insulin. - that whole sorry story took nearly a year. It wasn't until I had major emergency surgery that the endocrinologist laughed when I told him I was type 2. He ensured that my medical records recorded type 1 not 2 as he said it would affect me getting some help (ie a free pump with health fund etc)! Once I was on needles, I gained a little weight and had so much more control. When my DE suggested a pump, I was reluctant as it had been a bit of a journey getting settled with the needles and constant finger pricks. (I'm a bit anal and was testing far too many times a day).
Needless to say my DE persuaded me 9 years ago to try the pump. She has had her daughter from the age of 11 months on a pump who is now well into her teens. What she doesn't know isn't worth knowing. It made my transition very smooth. I hear of people having pump holidays and going back to needles for a couple of weeks. I couldn't even bear the thought. I absolutely LOVE 💓 my pump. My control is far greater with really great hba1cs each quarter.
I hear your concerns about having it attached to you all the time and that concerned me too, especially at night, but I just clip it into the waste band of my pjs and to be honest I just forget about it. I am a restless sleeper too. As far as the hairy bit is concerned, I'm not sure about that bit, but it would only need to be a tiny area you shave.
Consumables are pricey (especially with no concessions other than an NDSS card) and now that I am using the guardian 3 CGM it is even higher. I'm hanging out for the next round of assistance for diabetics. CGM is brilliant, again another cannula, but it is all worth it. I only have two finger pricks a day now to calibrate the sensor/transmitter. I like to think of it like a well oiled machine. My blood glucose meter blue tooth's my readings to my pump and my CGM blue tooth's to my pump. I have my readings there On the screen 24/7. (It takes 280 readings each day). Once you have your pump set to your specific requirements, it's just a case of pressing a couple of buttons to get the correct amount of insulin each time you bolus. I was never a great carb counter before but now it comes as second nature.
My reasons for CGM despite the price is that I am unaware of my hypos until down in the very low 2's. The alarms are clever, wake me up from a deep sleep and the suspend on low function is wonderful so I don't have those crashing hypos now. . I'm currently using a Medtronic 640g pump and am due my change in April next year. Can't wait to get the new one as it has an auto function to release insulin if you have a high reading too and I believe no calibrations so no finger pricks (I could be wrong there)
Sorry, I rambled on, but it's a worth a try. If you don't like it you can always revert back to the needles.
Would love to hear how you go if you decide to become a pumper.
Cheers.
Jane. 😁
------------------------------
Jane
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 22-06-2020 12:31
From: Warren
Subject: Pumps V's Insulin Pens
I am a Type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed approx. 16 yrs ago when I was about 50. I have always used insulin pens but now considering the option of using a pump.
I have looked at this option on and off for a few years but never really convinced that there was a big enough advantage over pens due to a number of factors, such as,... cumbersome devices having to be inserted and carried, issues with these devices whilst sleeping (I toss and turn a lot during the night), added costs for consumables particularly high if I went to CGM, still requires input information similar to injecting with pens, have body hair which would be a hinderance for adhesive tapes to stick which I have been told I would have to shave the area each time I would need to insert a cannula which over time is too intrusive, etc, etc.
I'm sure most who have converted to a pump have faced issues, if so can anyone convince me to change consideing the concerns I have or likewise anyone that has changed to a pump and not satisfied.
Best Regards,
Warren