[mrsbonjovi74]

I have been a type 1 diabetic for almost ten years now. I so desperately would like to be on the pump, but my doctor that I have been going to for the past year doesn't think the same. He keeps trying to change my insulin and get my numbers under control, but now my numbers are worse than before. I have never had good control since being diagnosed and I just think this might work out better for me. I have been diagnosed with neuropathy in both feet about 7 years ago and I worry about what else will happen if I don't get it under better control soon. My doctor keeps telling me that going on a pump sometimes makes it worse not better. I told him that I am tired of giving myself 4 shots a day. I have two kids and lead a very hectic life, many people that I have talked to who have the pump think that it would really help me. What does everyone think?

Michele

[dano]

Do you already count carbs and bolus for carb coverage?

Do you see a nutritionist on a regular basis?

You say that your control is not very good, most endos will not prescribe a pump if you don't have a certain amount of control.

[arcoms]

The pump will not help you it delivers the same insulin that you are getting with the injections. I know because my son is on the pump.

[goodwillhunting]

If you have been seriously watching/testing your BS and eating well and things are still not going well, you may want to considering getting opinions from other endo specialists. I do think that you need to have a good handle on keeping things under control before switching just because all the pump really does is apply all the information learned into a more automated application.
Your insurance company will need to see that things are going fairly well manually (with needles) before they approve your pump otherwise it really won't get any better if fact could be dangerous for you.
That is my opinion anyway.

[jjhoffer]

Most endos won't put someone without good control on a pump, with good reason. Pumping requires a high amount of diligence, frequent testing and carb counting. Plus going from poor control to the lower bgs, that often arise in the beginning of pump use, quickly can often lead to more complications. With your busy lifestyle I do agree a pump would be more convenient. However you really do need to be in fairly good, though not great, control beforehand. And you will need to show your endo, if you haven't already, that you have a high level of commitment. In the year leading up to my starting the pump I had to be very diligent about keeping logs, which was tough for me. I am a terrible log keeper, but with GB I am actually beginning to be a good one.
Good luck!

Smiles,
Jenny

[tmarkert2003]

Michele,
Being an Auto Mechanic that works 10+ hours a day, has 3 kids, and works on his friends cars for side $, I know what you mean by a hectic lifestyle.
My Dr also yelled at me about my logs and tests. This past 6 months I have been very active in my control.
Even to the point of calling my Doc and asking her to up my perscribed amount of test strips per month because I kept running out. How do I do it?

It's very simple really. My job requires me to be on the phone from time to time to talk to a customer or order parts, I test then.. My boss and I talked about this and he knows that it's a must. I test before I drive my car which usually ends in a meal but also adds that bit of saftey knowing I am not gonna run into a problem. I test getting out of bed.. I roll over, hit the alarm, and grab my meter and Lantus pen. And I either test right before dinner (in my car) or a few hours after (right before bed)..
Anyone who makes a fuss at this has no interest in your health and well being. I had troubles with my boss at first untill I explained to him that me doing this now will save him $ in the future with me not having to get amputations and disability.
As far as logging goes, yeah thats a bit tougher, but now that I found GBuddy, I am ontop of it.. Heck my iPods in the pocket of my meter case anyhow..
My rock climbing hobby is tough. With hiking I can test whenever, BUT 60 feet up a cliff face is NO TIME to feel woozy so I test before I tie the rope to my harness. If I am under 90 mgdl, I let someone else go first while I have a small snack and then type the BG into Gbuddy, then the snack I can figure out later by saving the wrapper and knowing that it goes in where the low test was.
Make testing a game.. Find some diabetic friends to compare BG's with. Have the kids get involved by having a present for which ever kid reminds mommy to test and log.

Good Luck! Oh and to help get it rolling, I was at 62 right as I sat down to dinner tonight! How were you?

[robertsboysmom]

I say get a second opinion. You seem to have a doctor who does not know much about pumps if he refuses to prescribe it. Pumps give you lots of flexibility and will improve your numbers. Get a new doc or at least another opinion!

[ferret]

I have had diabetes for 20 years now and wanted to know if an insulin pump would be good to control my diabetes better then 4 injections a day.

[kelster]

Long story short: sounds like you need a new doctor. Switching to a pump will not automatically fix all your problems, but it is a huge step up from injections.

[extreme_ride]

I've been contemplating the same as well, I've had type 1 diabetes now for 38 years. I must admit I'm extremely fortunate with my condition. The main problem that I have concerns low sugar reactions and not being able to sense the onset. Therefore I test approximately 10 times a day. Is your doctor a true endocrinologist, if so he should be able to resolve your problems. It's important to be honest and up front with your Doctor, due the fact that you are only hurting yourself. I take four needles a day, 3 shoots of Humalog and 1 shoot at 9:00pm of Lantus. This arrangement works great for me, but I find at times due to scaring the absorption rates change, which is the main reason for needing to change. As well incorporating that with a CGM device should be the solution to the problem for most diabetics. I have a feeling that the control aspect of diabetes is only going to become easier to manage. As mention make sure you are dealing with a specialist for diabetes endocrinologist. GP's think they know it all but they do not which is a grave concern. Keep your chin up, a positive mind and don't let diabetes bring you down. Cheers.......