Greetings. I'm a 45 yr. old Type I diabetic (21 yrs. now) and am on a pump. If you're Type I and not on a pump, reconsider! :-) It's truly a revolution in control and care! Anyhow, I'm scheduled to have a full hysterectomy and am curious to know if any other Type I's have had one and found a marked improvement in BS control, especially 2 weeks premenstrual. My guess is that this would be a "yes";however, I've not been able to find much in research out there to back this up. Any input would be welcome. Thanks!

Hi Paula,

I've had Type I for 20 years-since I was 12. Sorry, I can't help you with your hysterectomy question. I just wanted to wish you good luck with it. I am considering getting an insulin pump. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I have to find a new doc first since mine doesn't "do" pumps. I saw an ad for a new one that communicates with the blood monitor. It looks neat. How long have you had yours? Again, good luck with your surgery.

Sharon http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Sharon,

There a discussion board dedicated to pumps at the Joslin site. See link below. They seem quite active in discussing pump issues.
http://chat.joslin.harvard.edu:8080/~diabetes

Ron

Hey Sharon! I really appreciate your reply and kind words. Thank you! I was midway through a reply to you that I just lost while trying to find the message I wanted to refer you to. Ha! Don't you hate when that happens?? Anyway, the bottom line I wanted to convey to you is that I think pump therapy is a WONDERUL thing for those who are motivated to do the learning that it requires. It sounds like you are! I've seen dramatic improvement in A1c's, along with just feeling so much better. I'm running 2.3 miles up and down hills these days. Ya hoo! :-) Anyhow, the message I found that really gives a good, detailed description on how to go about, very easily, getting info and getting set up is under "Children and the pump", currently on the bottom of page 1, written by OneCrazyLady. When you access it, scroll on down to the lengthy message (forget the author!) and read through. She's done a good job explaining the process one goes through with Minimed/Medtronic, which is the company I use (and am very happy with!). And yes, their new pump, that I just got on, "talks" to your glucose monitor and actually thinks through all the calculating necessary to arrive at the proper dose for your current BS and carb intake. It is awesome! Pumps certainly don't solve the quirky highs and lows completely, but they sure make them MUCH less frequent. Minimed's website is real good for "browsing" through while you decide what you want to do. Funny now, but it took me a year to decide to go on the pump. Despite having been Type 1 for so long, I found denial still very easy, and the thought of being "hooked up" to some little machine made me have to, once again, accept my condition and do the best with it. Thank the Lord I did, though! I really believe my chances of living to a ripe old age complication free have improved greatly! Feel free to ask me any questions about pumping, or any other issues you deal with. No one knows what it's like except those who walk there, too! :-)
Thanks again!

Hi Ron!
I saw your post to Sharon and just checked out (and joined...and added to!) the Joslin message board. It looks great like another great source of info, as well as good way to stay current.
Thanks!

Hi Paula and Ron,

Thanks so much for your help. Ron, I'll check that site out soon. When I was first diagnosed, I went to Joslin. Ron, do you have a pump? I also like Minimed. I like the Medtronic company. They're the ones who make this pump, right? I have a morphine pump now that is made by Medtronic and they have been a great company as far as I'm concerned. Thanks again.

Sharon http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I just signed up on that board. It seems like a great one. Thanks again.

Sharon http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Paula and Sharon,

No, I am not on a pump and actually frequent the Type 2 end of the discussion forum (at least when not bantering about low carb diet vs healthy diet - an endless debate!!). I have to admit that I don't read most of the pump posts as it seems to be almost another language (one that I have not taken upon myself to learn). I do consider the pump to be the ultimate insulin method to tight control - one step beyond the Lantus-Novolog combination. However, it does appear to take a person willing to take a highly active role in managing their diabetes - perhaps not for everyone.

Ron

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Type 2, diagnosed Feb 01, Prandin (GlucoNorm), Diet & Exercise

[This message has been edited by Ron AKA (edited 10-14-2003).]

Sharon and Ron-
Yes, Sharon, the Paradigm 512 I'm on is Minimed/Medtronic. I don't know a whole lot about the morphene pump, but I'd guess it's a similar set-up, at least the mechanics of it. And Ron, you're certainly right...being a pumper is demanding and not all personalities are suited to it. If you're questioning that, Sharon, I'd visit with a Minimed rep and ask as many questions as you want! They're quite good about that. However, the trade off of pump management is the tight control AND the freedom. I LOVE the freedom that comes with it! Again, feel free to ask me any questions about my experience with it or whatever. Always happy to share!
You guys have a great day!

P.S. So Ron...guess you saw the newest study on low-carb diets. Another iron in that fire! It was noted, though, that there were still many variables that couldn't be controlled, but the results were "interesting" enough to cause some rethinking...once again!

Well, I have gone through both!!LOL I am also a type 1 and had a hysterectomy in March at the age of 29. I also had a full hyst so going through hormone hell right now. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif

I have noticed some improvement but I think it has more to do with not having to deal with pain and hormone changes. When is your hyst scheduled? I wish the best

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Mindy :o)

Hello Sister! :-)
Well, I'm scheduled to go under the knife 11/13. I have ever-growing fibroids, along with marked difficulty keeping good control the 2 weeks prior to my period. Plus, at 45, the ol' gang isn't doing much good anyway, so the doc figures why not avoid a prolonged menopause and just get along with it. You're quite a bit younger, so I assume you've had problems that couldn't be controlled otherwise. :-(
So...tell me about your horomone hell. Are you on HRT, and if so, what kind? My doc has recommended estrogen only, but I hear it's usually a couple of months before that's all worked out & things are running smooth. Ain't being a girl just so much fun?!?! :-) Anyway, I REALLY appreciate your reply. You're the first Type I who's had a hyst that I've found so far! I have found, though, that there's minimal research on Type I women and hysterectomies, not to mention menopause. There have been a few studies to "confirm" that type 1 women experience harder to control BG during premenstrual days/weeks, but to me, that kind of falls under the "DUH" category. LOL!
Thanks again...look forward to hearing from you, and many wishes for hormones to smooth out FAST!!!

Sorry it took me so long... I am on Estrogen and progesterone right now. I am only doing progesterone for a year though to keep adhesions from forming. I had ovarian cysts on a regular basis and had a fibroma. All of those required surgery. I had one tube and ovary removed in August of 2001. I had my last baby in July of 2002 and had the remaining tube tied. Again, I got another cyst so we decided it was time to take it all out. I couldnt handle another diabetic pregnancy and I had had 3 kids in less than 4 years. It was time!!!ROFL

I get nauseas with the estrogen patches but the pills dont seem to be doing alot of good. I am supposed to go back in in November and discuss it with the OB.

I can totally understand your reasons for just wanting it to be over with. I dont really know how much my highs have to do with hormones or just not being in good control right now. I have recently switched to Lantus so I have alot of ups and downs right now trying to tweak it.

It is wonderful to get to talk to someone in the same boat. You are right, it is hard to find someone who is both a type 1 and has had a hyst. Good luck

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Mindy :o)

Mindy-
Now my turn to apologize for taking so long to reply! I was out of town for several days and am just now getting back to email, etc.
Boy, you have really been through the mill with your gyn problems. Poor thing! I know you must be REALLY anxious to get things smoothed out. It would be hard to determine how much better control you'll have without a cycle until things are more balanced, I'm sure. I'm not sure what type of estrogen I'll be put on....I suppose they start everyone on pills. However, I saw an ad for a vaginal creme that is only applied once every 3 months. That sounds a lot easier, but I haven't discussed it with my doc yet.
My brother is a TypeI and doing the Lantis/Novolog combo. When you're ready to try it, I would encourage a pump. But as the earlier posts said, it's a pretty intensive experience to get going, and with all you have going on, it might be better to wait until you've got the hormones under control. And girl...I can only imagine how BUSY those little ones must keep you! :-)
I'll let you know what info I get from my doc after we've had our hormone talk. I go in for all the preop type visits in 2 weeks, so I'm preparing my list of questions. I'll be interested to hear what you learn, as well, when you see your doc next month.
You sound like a strong, motivated gal, Mindy...hang in there! As they say, "this too, shall pass"!
Take care, and write drop a note and update when you get a second ("spare time" is a RARE thing for you, I'm sure!)
Have a wonderful week!
Paula http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif