to pump or not to pump

The pump is just great! I was doing two shots a day with Lantus, and doing a shot with Humalog before every meal. Now with the pump, one "shot" every three days when I put in the infusion set. I don't have to worry about bringing my insulin because it is always with me. I don't have to eat if I don't want to, and I can sleep in with minimal worry. FREEDOM is what the pump gives you. It is harder than shots, and I don't believe it is for everyone. You have to want it, you have to count carbs, you have to change infusion sites. It is worth it.

Hi Bucky,
I'll begin with I am a pumper and started pumping Dec. 17, 2008. My Diabetes team kept suggesting that I go on the pump for over a year to get better control. I resisted just like I resisted switching for oral meds to MDI . I was up to 5 Injections daily Lantus 2 times a day and Novolog before every meals. While I thought it was working it wasn't until I went though treatment for cancer that I realized my BG was out of control ( it is important to me to have good control ).
My Diabetes team put me through a lot of training before ordering my pump Medtronic 722. I have learned that it is the best tool to help control diabetes, but it requires more work than MDI but when you pay attension.it works.
My a1c before I started pumping was over 8 and my first a1c after only 1 month of pumping was 6.6 and my first full 3 month test is coming in about 2 weeks I can't wait to see what it will be.
Pumping has made life a lot easier and I would never go back to MDI.
I'll gladly answer any questions you have.Good luck with your decision

Hi I am asking for a friend who is not on this site. She is a type 1 and was to have a tripple bypass last week she is 47 by the way. Well they were unable to do her surgery her sugars were over 500 and they did not want to take a chance. She was told she needs to go on the pump to gain better control. Could u please tell me what type of pump she should get and why?? You mentioned MDI but I dont know what that means. Any info will be very useful I thank you very much I would love to help her in any way that I can. Thanks so much dyanne

Hi Dyanne,
I use a Medtronic Pump and there is another popular brand Animus. Both pumps have different features and it is up to the person to choose which they like.That decision can be made with the help of your diabetes care provider and by contacting the manufacturer sales rep and they can arrange to show you the pump and all the features. You should also keep inmind that the pump is a tool to assist you with your control of your BG.
I would recommend that you get the bood pumping insulin by John Walsh. That will explain a lot (it can be ordered from Amazon).
Finally the term MDI means multipul daily injections. I am always more than happy to answer any other questions you might have and Best wishes to your friend

Thank you so much for your quick reply and your info. I will tell my friend Nancy how you have helped. I would call her now but its just about 2:00am here. LOL. I might not have a friend anymore… Many thanks to you for all your help. there may be more questions coming . Have a great night.
dyanne

Thank you so much for your quick reply and your info. I will tell my friend Nancy how you have helped. I would call her now but its just about 2:00am here. LOL. I might not have a friend anymore… Many thanks to you for all your help. there may be more questions coming . Have a great night.
dyanne

Thank you so much for your quick reply and your info. I will tell my friend Nancy how you have helped. I would call her now but its just about 2:00am here. LOL. I might not have a friend anymore… Many thanks to you for all your help. there may be more questions coming . Have a great night.
dyanne

I personally don't know this answer but some others will come along I am sure with answers about this one. I don't have the pump so I don't know though they do sound much better if needed. Good luck. Sheila