Anyone use an insulin pump?

[EconSean]

I’ve had T1DM for more than 30 years, and am going to get a pump set up and hooked up tomorrow. A bit nervous, but looking forward to having more pinpoint precise control and feeling better. My A1c is always good, but having wild swings between 30 and 240 will give you a good A1c and still leave you feeling like crap, and this was where I’ve been stuck.

Anyway, anyone use one? Like it? Hate it? Things to look out for? Useful tricks/“hacks”? I’m using the Medtronic MiniMed 670G.

 

[Bud Fox]

I’ve had T1DM for more than 30 years, and am going to get a pump set up and hooked up tomorrow. A bit nervous, but looking forward to having more pinpoint precise control and feeling better. My A1c is always good, but having wild swings between 30 and 240 will give you a good A1c and still leave you feeling like crap, and this was where I’ve been stuck.

Anyway, anyone use one? Like it? Hate it? Things to look out for? Useful tricks/“hacks”? I’m using the Medtronic MiniMed 670G.

Both my sister and my brother in law have them. Completely amazing change for the better with both.

Do it.

 

[ericram]

I personally don't have one, but know several who have for years. They say it was life changing. You of will have to get used to a the new routine and care.

 

[NoleFan2U]

Don't use them but help my patients adjust to them frequently. It takes a tittle time for you to adjust, but having your glucose reading in an instant is remarkable and you will love it. Hoping you feel better soon!

 

[maddog69]

My 8 year old foster child was diagnosed with T1D January 1st. Been navigating this for 3 months. Of course wife and I have to count carbs, do math and injections because it is all new to her and her age.

 

[EconSean]

Been on for 3 weeks, and this thing is amazing, like life changing. The technology is incredible...the blood glucose sensor wirelessly “talks” to the pump every few minutes, and the pump responds with micro doses of insulin. As close to an artificial pancreas as exists right now. I’m truly blown away, and feel remarkably better, more than I would have imagined possible (which also speaks to how crappy I was feeling before this...and I had quite good control to begin with).

 

[maddog69]

Glad it's working for you and glad you are feeling better. Can't wait to explore this option with my 8 year old.

 

[EconSean]

Glad it's working for you and glad you are feeling better. Can't wait to explore this option with my 8 year old.

Is she on a CGM system? That alone is amazing, and I would stay on one even if I decided the pump wasn’t for me. The ability to see, in nearly real time, what your blood sugar is, is incredibly useful and informative. It was eye opening for me to see how my body reacts to food, injections, and what kind of “crazy” things it does seemingly on its own (e.g., dawn phenomenon).

 

[seminole97]

Been on for 3 weeks, and this thing is amazing, like life changing. The technology is incredible...the blood glucose sensor wirelessly “talks” to the pump every few minutes, and the pump responds with micro doses of insulin. As close to an artificial pancreas as exists right now. I’m truly blown away, and feel remarkably better, more than I would have imagined possible (which also speaks to how crappy I was feeling before this...and I had quite good control to begin with).

So you’re practically Darth Vader.

 

[maddog69]

Is she on a CGM system? That alone is amazing, and I would stay on one even if I decided the pump wasn’t for me. The ability to see, in nearly real time, what your blood sugar is, is incredibly useful and informative. It was eye opening for me to see how my body reacts to food, injections, and what kind of “crazy” things it does seemingly on its own (e.g., dawn phenomenon).

Just doing finger pricks and physical injections right now. Once after every meal and a 24 hour insulin at night. She was just dx in January and is still in the "honeymoon" where her pancreas is still producing some insulin. Dr's say they will look into other options after a year has gone by after her initial dx.

 

[NoleFan2U]

I’m truly blown away, and feel remarkably better, more than I would have imagined possible (which also speaks to how crappy I was feeling before this...and I had quite good control to begin with).

This is the hardest thing for most patients to understand because they have felt crappy for so long, they forgot how it feels to actually feel good. I love these stories when I hear them!

 

[EconSean]

This is the hardest thing for most patients to understand because they have felt crappy for so long, they forgot how it feels to actually feel good. I love these stories when I hear them!

Eight weeks ago our 8-year old son saw me taking a shot and asked me if I felt good with diabetes. I had to think about that. Finally I had to tell him that I’m not sure what good feels like any more, that I feel normal, but that’s not the same as good. That admission really struck me...that’s no way to live, if it can be avoided, and with the technologies available today, I was being stupid to not change things. I made an appointment with a new endocrinologist (I wanted to start from scratch), walked in 6 weeks ago and told him that have had diabetes for almost 35 years and that I wanted a pump, now. Two weeks after that I was hooked up and running, and I am stunned by the change in how I feel already, and it should only improve as the pump and I get to know each other better.

 

[ParNole]

My wife sells insulin pumps for Medtronic. Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll pass them on to her.