I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a little over two years ago and have been taking insulin shots ever since. The shots have become a real pain to deal with everyday so i want to consider an insulin pump…i have heard of the omnipod too….which is the best pump to use and does it check your blood sugar for you without you having to do it yourself???
And are the pumps really better than insulin shots?
ANY SUGGESTIONS???
Rose!
February 28, 2010 at 6:10 am
I personally think they are because they are much easier to deal with because you can check up on your BS every few half hour so yeah its easier. It automatically gives you insulin, which you replace every couple of days. I heard the Minimed is really good. I forget what exactly it’s called but it’s something Minimed.
Happy Pumping
Edit: Heres a site I found for a comparason: http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php
sue
February 28, 2010 at 6:27 am
I was just reading a website for a new super mini pump that is to come out soon!! I think all kids should be considered for this one!! Grandmas too!!! I want one of these.
http://www.debiotech.com/debiotech.html
The mom
February 28, 2010 at 6:41 am
A lot of Type 1 diabetics do enjoy the freedom of the insulin pump. Not all of them check your blood glucose automatically, though- some of them still rely on you to use test strips, and some do testing using strips in the pump. There are two on the market that I know of that do test – one by Medtronics and one by DANA, though others may. I’m most familiar with the Medtronics version. There are about 8 or 10 different companies making pumps though- and determining which suits your needs is something you have to discuss and decide with your doctor. Deciding on medical treatment, whether it be choosing an insulin pump or medicine- isn’t something you do based on advertizements. You would still have to keep the regular supplies on hand though- in case your pump malfunctions- so it won’t entirely free you of injections sometimes. A lot of young folks like the freedom of the pump, but they also can fuss because it can prevent things like swimming or other really active sports/recreation activities. I don’t imagine it would be anything you couldn’t adapt to or arrange for- but the final choice of pump needs to be made after you have the discussion with your doctor and look at everything that’s available to you.
Kipper to the CUP!
February 28, 2010 at 6:48 am
I’m a huge shot person, i don’t like the pump but I have thought about it.
It’s nice because it mocks a pancreas, giving you insulin throughout the hour every hour. And it replaces your slow acting so you only need 1 type of insulin – fast acting.
As for checking your blood sugar, they’re still not quite there with the technology to be 100% accurate. It checks your tissue sugar, not your blood sugar, so again it’s not exact and you still need to calibrate the monitor often. Pumps do not replace finger pricks unfortunately, soon though, soon!
Mozz
February 28, 2010 at 7:34 am
Depends on what piques your interest the most. They all have an area of expertise. For Animas, it’s the ability to deliver in .01 increments. They also claim to be on the edge of becoming waterproof. Cozmo’s spring loaded injections cause the least amount of pain. Minimed is compatible with the Continuous glucose monitoring System (CGMS). CGMS takes a reading every 5 minutes, and alerts the diabetic to highs and lows. We just got approved for this by individual consideration from our insurance company and, although it’s early for me to give an informed opinion (she’s only been wearing it for about 18 hours) so far I REALLY like it and I slept great last night for the first time in 3 years! The monitor did the worrying for me.
dingding
February 28, 2010 at 7:59 am
Nobody could take my insulin pump away from me – I love it that much! I can adjust my baseline (basal) rates throughout the day, including setting it higher in the morning to cover Dawn Phenomenon and lower before I exercise, it calculates the insulin I need based on the carb I dial in, and it gives me freedom to eat a little something here and there and give myself tiny amounts of insulin to cover it (chocolate kiss – 0.2 units!). It’s the closest thing we have to an artificial pancreas.
With that said, they are not perfect. You have to check your BG’s several times a day because you only use fast-acting insulin and can get in trouble if your infusion site is clogged. Even the new continuous glucose monitoring system that some pumps sell seperately doesn’t eliminate the need for finger sticks. If you leave your infusion site in too long you will get an infection. You have to be conscientious with it, but it’s still a wonderful thing.
Paige L
February 28, 2010 at 8:39 am
I have been a type 1 diabetic since i was 18 months old. I have been insulin dependent the entire time and only take 2 shots a day. I would never consider a pump just b/c i am an athlete and it doesn’t seem very practical among other reasons. If you have good control of you blood sugar levels then i wouldn’t switch. However, if your control is not very good the pump could help…
Lydia W
February 28, 2010 at 9:10 am
hi, well i have had it sence i was 4. i got the pump when i was i think11 was a good start it was still a little bit of a pain in the butt. but because i was having trouble with my BG it being to high with the pump because i think u have to change the settings to much with it. but that might just be me. i still have mine. im keeping it till im older and my diabetes is getting more confusing as im growing and getting older. because u got it about 2 years ago u might not want to use it right away. when u get it it will be eayser to use. then after a while u wont want to use it cause of some dificulties. but im just keeping mine untill im older and i really understand it. but i could tell u more about the pump if u want. again im only 13 but i no alot about it cause of the 10 years i had it.