insulin pump
For more information about: insulin pump visit the Diabetes site DiabetesFAQ.org today.
Q: insulin pump?
is it inconvinient and uncomfortable to have an insulin pump? how do you sleep with it? and like swim? can you take them off or do they stay on at all times?
A: Really you get used to it and don’t really notice it. When I sleep, I just lay it on the bed beside me. You can take it off when you swim , shower, or whenever. Some are waterproof and you can take them swimming with you or disconnect, whatever you are more comfortable. I’ve been on my pump for 6 years and it is great. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me.
Q: Insulin pump?
I have type 1 diabetes and am interested in the insulin pump. My sugars are fairly well controlled with 4 injections a day but am trying to conceive my first baby amd several websites have suggested that I’d be a good candidate. I am going to ask my diabetes nurse at my appt in April but anyone’s personal experiences would be great.
Love my mom – is it necessary to be rude?
A: It’s been a godsend. It’s the closest thing to having a normal pancreas. Not perfect, but a heck of a lot better than constantly injecting yourself. It gives you so much freedom! I can give myself a dose if I have a piece of candy (I normally didn’t give myself a shot unless I was 7g of carb or more), I can dial it down when I exercise so I don’t have to eat, and I can run different insulin rates at different times of day to cover my dawn phenomenon in the morning or if I’m on my period.
As for having something connected to you all the time, the only time it’s an issue is when I’m sleeping, if I happen to roll over onto it because it’s a little uncomfortable, but after a few weeks you learn to move it around subconsiously. I unplug it when I shower or during “intimate moments”. My husband is funny…it’s an aphrodisiac when he hears me unhook my little velcro belt before we get it on! But sometimes a challenge to find a home for it when I’m wearing lingerie…hmmm…
You’ll love it and in 95% of cases, people will not give it up because they like the freedom it gives them. It takes some time to get your pump set to the right levels for you, lots of intensive testing for the first few days. Then you should be good. Good luck!
Q: Insulin Pump…?
Hey i was just wondering what everyones views are on insulin pumps? My Doc says I’d benifit from one as it would give me freedom.. Im 17 and slightly worried about having a pump attachted to me all the time….
A: Better to cure the problem. Read Joel Wallach (Dead Doctors Don’t lie) Supplement with Chromium and Vanadium. Choose not to be a slave to the AMA and the pharmaceutical industry.
Q: What do I do with insulin pump and bloodsugar transmitter while on an airplane?
I’m getting ready to take a trip and am diabetic. What do I do with my insulin pump and transmitter while on the plane?
A: I wear a pump and travel regularly with it. The airline security personnel have been trained to recognize the pumps in general. (Maybe not every model, but the type of unit it is). One screener told me that their training includes identifying medical devices (oxygen equipment, braces and prostetic limbs, hearing aids, speech modulators, etc.)
I usually wear my pump on my waistband, rather than concealed — and as I pass through the security I point it out to the staff. In every case, they wave me right through. If you usually hide yours under clothing, consider wearing it visibly, at least as long as you’re in the security area. Mine has never beeped the security tunnel, either.
Only one time I was asked to have it chemical-swabbed, out of 20+ flights. BUT, I’d switched schedules, and got the super-duper pat-down anyway, just for having a fresh ticket.
The transmitter (meter to pump) only has a small range, and isn’t strong enough to interfere with airline electronics.
However, I do have a general letter from my doctor that I carry with my passport for international travel. It indicates that I am diabetic, I am carrying insulin and syringes in addition to the medically necessary pump and supplies. I have NEVER been asked to produce it or defend wearing the unit.
Since you’ve accustomed your body to receiving insulin on a regular schedule, you run more risk of trying to switch back to injections and manage your glucose levels, in any case.
Q: Where to disconnect you insulin pump when swimming or taking a shower?
i just recently got an insulin pump and use the Sure-T needle, i dont know where to disconnect this when going into water, can someone please explain to me where?
A: I use the Sure T as well you disconnect where your tubing is closest to your pump. From that point there is a small amount of tubing to your insertion site. If you are still confused call the toll free number on the back of your pump they will answer all your questions and guide you through everything. Best of luck.
Q: What insulin pump is best for a young child?
I’m looking to get a 4 year old an insulin pump, but websites only mention what to look for when selecting a pump. Anyone know of a site, or can personally recommend a pump for a young child? Please let me know what advantages/disadvantages you’ve discovered after you got your child one. Thanks
A: We put a 3 1/2 year old on the Animas pump last year and it’s been working great. One feature to look for with little kids is how small a basal dose is given to them. Some pumps give you an average (let’s say .5 per hour) but the dose is actually given only 2 times during that hour. The Animas pump gives really tiny doses repeatedly during the hour. They both average out to the same amount, but there is a difference.
I think all pumps have the lock-out feature.
Different pumps use different sets and you may like some more than others. Ask the pump reps to let you try a couple on yourself.
Q: How does the insulin pump monitor your blood sugar?
I am doing a project on the insulin pump for my biology class ive done plenty of research so far but i still haven’t found out how your blood level is monitored. Is it built into the patch attached to your abdomen? Please help me out Thanks
A: You still have to do a blood test to determine how much insulin to give.
Every person on the pump has different basil rates.That is the base amount given all day long.
When we eat, we count our carbs and take a blood test to determine how much insulin we need.
Q: How do you waterproof the site for an insulin pump?
My 5 year old cousin has an insulin pump. We want to take him swimming. What is the best way to secure his site? We’ve tried Tegaderm and Band-Aids. Any suggestions? We don’t want to water log the site. If he’s in the bath very long, the skin around his site becomes loose.
If you have a pump, what do you do to keep water away from your site?
Thanks in advance!
A: You can get different sizes of tegaderm, and cover it again with plastic and tape, you will most likely have to re-apply, always monitor it to check for seal leaks. try a couple of layers of tegaderm, and have some on hand just in case
Q: Will you experience more weight gain with the insulin pump?
I’m planning on going on the pump but I’m scared that with the tighter control that the pump promises, I will gain some more unwanted weight. Will it cause me to gain weight or will the decreased dosage of insulin over a longer period of time help me lose weight? I work out 6 days a week for 30-40min and am reducing my caloric intake.
A: As long as you don’t use your insulin pump as a tool to overindulge, you will be fine.
Q: Where can I buy insulin pump supplies at a discounted price?
I have a Medtronic Minimed Paradigm insulin pump. I am currently without health insurance and the supplies are extremely expensive. Does anyone know of any international websites that offer the same supplies at a lower price? I am hoping they might be cheaper from Canada, Germany, etc… Thanks.
A: Minimed pumps use proprietary infusion sets and resevoirs, which means that only Medtronic/Minimed is allowed to make them since they own the patents.
Since Medtronic is a US owned company, all the supplies must pass through their hands, which means that even if you order from another country, they have already passed through the US, and your price won’t be dramatically reduced.
You can go to http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/. They sell Minimed supplies for less than ordering directly from Medtronic, and if you are willing, you can switch to a cheaper infusion set such as the Polyfin, which costs about $170 for a box of 24, instead of the normal $100-$120 for a box of ten of most other sets.
Q: How does an insulin pump work?
My friend’s sister has diabetes and she has an insulin pump. How does it work?
A: It’s got absolutely nothing to do with which brand of pump used. They all work in a similar fashion.
Insulin is ‘trickled’ into the bloodstream, via being absorbed through the fatty tissues where the cannula is fitted, continually over every 24 hour period. This is called the basal rate, and this can be changed several times in any 24 hour period. (I currently have 5 different basal rates programmed into my pump.)
At each mealtime, and assessment is made as to how much carbohydrate has been imbibed. This will determine how much insulin should be infused at that time. This is called a bolus. For instance, you might need to infuse 1 unit of insulin for every 10 or 15 grams of carbohydrate, but this differs from person to person.
Because CSII (Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion) or pumps only use fast-acting insulin, it is important that frequent blood tests are taken by the individual as there’s a greater chance that things could quite quickly get ‘out of hand’ with either high blood glucose (sugar) levels, in the case of a blockage … meaning that you wouldn’t be getting any insulin … or low blood glucose levels … due to the nature of how fast-acting insulins work, and the danger that carbohydrate intake might have been ‘overestimated’.
The whole process is intended to work in a similar fashion to a normal pancreas in that insulin is provided throughout the day … and night … and that when blood glucose levels rise, more insulin is provided.
Q: How does insulin pump work?What are the benefits and advantages/?
I am a case of IDDM on lantus and humalog. I know nothing about insulin pump.please tell me in detail what it is and how it works and what are its advantage over injection insulin.
A: For you, Lantus works as your basal rate and humalog works as your bolus. Lets say to make the math easy you take 24 units of lantus a day. If lantus is working in your body like it is supposed to, you will get a basal rate of 1 unit per hour with the lantus. Where the pump is different you can change your basal to fit your needs, for example, I need .9 units of insulin per hour during work hours when I’m just sitting around, but after work I only need .6 units until I go to bed, and then I need .7 units. This is all programmed into my pump so everyday this is what the pump gives me. Also if I decide to do some sort of activity that may cause my sugar to go low, I can temporarily reduce my basal so that I can stay in range without having to eat some sort of snack.
Whenever you eat, you take a bolus of humalog insulin. With the pump you do the same thing, however it’s already connected to you, so you just program in how much insulin you need, and the pump will deliver it to you.
Pumps are not perfect and a lot of things can happen to restrict your insulin delivery. Since with the pump you only get short acting insulin, if things go wrong, you can be in a world of trouble with DKA fairly quickly. That is why it is very important for pumpers to test very frequently.
Q: What you can and cannot do with an insulin pump?
Hi, I just recently got an insulin pump and I am wondering can I still play the sports and everything that I used to play before I got it? I am a hockey player, rugby player, soccer player, figure skater, and dancer. Please help.
A: Yes, you can.
Factors you should consider:
*Whether or not to disconnect for the activity (so you don’t go low and the pump doesn’t get in the way).
*Blood sugar testing during the activity (possibly more crucial than wearing the pump).
*Best places to hide/protect the pump during high-contact sports (hockey and rugby).
*Basal rate for sports (before, during, and after), makeup rates if you disconnect, possibility of using Lantus instead of a basal rate..
These are all factors my fellow pump athletes deal with. Keep good records and discuss the results with your endocrinologist.
Google diabetes and athlete and you’ll find books and forum where different techniques are discussed.
Q: where can i clip an insulin pump when wearing a form fitting dress?
i’ve got a form fitting dress that i want to wear but i’ve also got an insulin pump. where can i attach it so i dont have a box shaped lump on my hip or between my breats?
A: Not really sure what to say to this. All I could think to say is take your pump out for the night then put it in when you’re done and maybe give yourself a little extra insulin when you reattach it.
I’ve got Type 1, so I feel your pains.
Q: What is a great skin cream for insulin pump users?
I am looking for suggestions on a very good skin cream for insulin pump users. As pump users know, when taking out the infusion set, a scar/hardened/itchy skin can be left behind.
Any recommendations?
A: What I do is rub some hydrocortisone cream in the spot I am going to put my infusion set a couple hours prior to actually changing it, and then a few days later when I take the infusion set out, I rub the spot again with hydrocortisone cream. This has helped a lot with the hard and itchy skin. For just general moisturizing of my body, I use the Bath and Bodyworks body cream.
Hey redflower down there, hydrocortisone has never affected my blood sugar and I was following doctor’s recommendations.
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