Hi

I was wondering if any of you out there are using insulin pumps. My Mum is diabetic and injects herself twice a day but has now decided she wants a pump as she feels it would make her life that bit easier.

I was hoping that someone would be able to share there pumps in the UK!

I was on a Disetronic insulin pump for a little over 3 years. There are really two big pump companies. Disetronic, which is the most popular in Europe, and Minimed, which is the most popular in the United States.

There are a few misconceptions about pumping. It is not easier! It is an entirely different way of controlling your diabetes. It requires you to be more technical than taking shots as you program the pump. It also requires you to be more comfortable with needle insertion as the infusion sets have to be hand inserted and the needles are longer than an insulin needle. When people would ask, I would usually tell them that it is like an I.V. that stays in all of the time.

On the flip side, there is nothing out there that will replace the kind of control you can have on a pump. It is easier on some fronts and gives you more freedom. I would NOT recommend a pump for someone who simply wants to stop taking shots. Pumping requires a commitment in order to get better control.

I would recommend going to either pump company's website and doing some research. Good luck

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Mindy :o)

Just an update; All of the insertion sets have Inserting devices. You only need to load the kanula device with its needle and aim it and then push a button. The new types, of which I have used three, are all comfortable. The longest one, the silhouette is the most felt of the kanulas upon insertion. I just changed to the soft set unit it is the better of the three. Either choose a 9mm or a 6mm kanula. This one I do not even notice at all. You do need to be able to push buttons and read an LCD screen. But you are not taking 2 to 9 shots per day to stay under control. It is different, but I like it over the injections. It is better control and this has helped me when I would forget to regulate myself. I can simply forget the pump and live my life the rest of the day.. Mini Med is a good company so far for me. I recommend you view their webpage. Look at and read all they have there. There are also small demos and movies. It is a well built website and very informative. You will get a far judgment about the pump with the WebPages. There is a great deal of info there.
Don http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I just want to second everything Don said.

I use the Minimed Paradigm and, despite a few technical problems with the electronics (which Paradigm was wonderful about responding to), I couldn't be happier with it. I use the quickset 9 mm canula with the quickserter device, and it's a piece of cake to insert.

My numbers are much, much better since I've been on the pump, with very few lows and those only down to about 60 at worst.

Also, I have MUCH more flexibility as to when I eat and what I eat; when I get up, when I go to bed, etc. I don't have to try to time my life around shots.

You do have to be very motivated, however, as you MUST count carbs. But it's not that difficult to learn, and with the increased flexibility in terms of what and when you can eat, I think it's very well worth it.

Ruth

I have to add my "two cents", as well! However, the previous posts really said it all very concisely. I've been a pumper for 3+ years now and have seen my control improve dramatically. It's truly like stepping from a Model T to the space shuttle! It does require that motivation, though, as it's much more involved with carb counting, being willing to do basal checks, taking the time to self-educate,etc. The freedom, though, is well worth it, along with those good-lookin' A1c's. I'm currently on the Minimed/Medtronic Paradigm 512 and am very happy with it. Minimed has been a very good company to work with from the sales reps to the 24hour hot line to the nurse educator...all are very professional and helpful, even if you feel like your question might be "dumb"! Good luck to your mom...if the pump is right for her, she'll love it!

There is a good pump discussion board at the link below.
http://chat.joslin.harvard.edu:8080/~diabetes

Ron

This is the site you will want to check out
insulin-pumpers.org
There is everythin you ever wanted to know about pumping concerning all types of pumps, lottsa links and the message boards are chock full of info......