I was Diagnosed August 20th 2010. I would LOVE to get a pump. I hate shots and i think having a pump would be a major help in controlling some of my WAY too high numbers!( they're so unexplainable!) but my mother thinks its too early and we haven't really discussed it beyond that! (PLUS I haven't asked the doc, yet!) I just hate shots! so I guess my question is how long after you were diagnosed did you start using the pump? and if there was anything stopping you what was it??
Thanks
Caitlyn
I was diagnosed in April, 2005, I started on the pump in July, 2008. I think it's awesome that you're interested in the pump. From my experience, I have heard that usually shots are recommended by doctors for a while, again, just what I heard and I waited as long as I did cause I had a whole 'cyborg' theory about pumps; which I have thusly retracted. LOL. I would say it can never hurt to talk to your doctor and see what they think you do, but if you show that you can handle your sugars on the shots, they'll probably be more likely to approve a pump.
I was diagnosed on January 26th 2010, and went on the pump March 17th, so I was only doing shots for 6 weeks or so, and I'm loving the pump. It really has a lot of benefits.
There was only 2 things that made me think twice before getting it. The first being the price of the pump and pump supplies, but it ended up not being as bad as I feared. The second was me thinking, if I'm going to be diabetic the rest of my life, I might get sick of the different treatments. So should I do shots for a year or two, then go on the pump, and then maybe just switch back and forth every few years so I don't get worn out and tired of it? You know switch things up a little bit. But then I went to this insulin pump support group by me and asked them, and they all thought I should just go on the pump. And here I am, loving it and not sick of it yet.
Chasey was diagnosed March of 2009 and went on a pump October 2009. I know Children's hospital here would like you to go a year before the pump but when we switched endos, the new one felt that wasn't needed and saw no reason to wait. Chasey has been doing extremely better on the pump.
Good luck.
My son was diagnosed in May 09 and started pumping in Dec 09. We took our first pump class in Aug 09. Partly the delay from Aug to Dec was me and actually deciding what pump to get and then scheduling the start at the clinic. We actually received the pump in Nov, but couldn't get trained until Dec. Our endo/clinic is VERY pump friendly and actually encouraged us because we were having so many problems with lows. They started talking with us about the pump while my son was in the hospital at dx.
A pump for you might help with the way high numbers but it takes a lot of record keeping and making tweeks until you get things the way you want. And then you will still get some WAY too high numbers for no good reason. Or you can get them because something with the pump is not working right.
If you are carb counting and using a long-acting (basal) and a short-acting (bolus) insulin, then I think the transition to the pump is easier. You just learn the pump controls and the diabetes management stuff is about the same. If you are on some sort of fixed meal plan though, then the pump changes how you manage your diabetes and you have to learn that on top of learning the pump.
Have your mom jump on Juvenation too and ask away, there are plenty of parents that can help answer questions and address concerns.
Impress your mom by reading "Pumping Insulin" by John Walsh. It will help you make sure you're ready and help you talk over the issues with your parents.
Your parents are probably worried about cost, so they're going to have to check with insurance to see how much it will be. I spend a lot more pumping than with shots, but the control is worth it to me.
I was diagnosed in September, 1986 and I went on the pump in 2005 (during my second pregnancy). This was for personal reasons that I waited so long. But the pump is better for me than the shots. My D is under better control. Before I started, I had training on how to use it and picked out the best choice for me. Once I started the pump, I loved it. Talk to your doctor about it switching to the pump. First, the dr made sure my D sugars were ok. They did not want me switching until they were able to regulate the insulin I was taking to better control the D. Have you mom sit down and speak with the dr too about the pump. Therer are many to choose from, and everyone's preference is different. I also went to Gary at Integrated Diabetes and he helped me alot with the pump and getting started.
Alot of doctors tell you to wait a year, but I honestly think if you want it, go for it! I was diagnosed in February 2008, and got my pump in August 2009. There is lots to adjust and figure out on the pump, but once you get it the way you want it, it's great! In my opinion it's better to do it earlier. Being on a pump was different insulin requirements for me, so it was kind of figuring things out all over again. If you can be committed to checking your sugars lots and taking the time to figure your program out on the pump, go for it!
I was dx'ed in Jan of 1998 and did not get a pump intell Sep of 2005 when I was 10.
My daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed in late March 2010 and went on the pump in August. Pump readiness is mostly about being able to count carbs, test regularly, and understand how to manage highs and lows. Because the pump provides such specific doses, it's important to know pretty precisely how many carbs are in each food. I think we actually do a bit more weighing and measuring now that we did when she was taking shots and we knew she was going to get 1 unit if the carbs were between such and such number.
The pump is awesome though. My daughter would never want to go back to shots. Even though I hear a lot of people say they wouldn't want to be attached to something, for Sarah it's never been an issue. She pretty much forgets about the pump, except when she eats, and lives a super crazy active life. She loves her pump so much she named it after a character in one of her favorite movies (Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors - kind of makes more sense if you've seen the movie, which revolves a bit around the poor guy constantly having to prick his fingers to feed a hungry plant).
Anyway, good luck!
It's never too early! I was diagnosed in 1990 and put on a pump in 2007 - which was MY fault. My doctor wanted me on it way before that, but I was stubborn and didn't want to listen (I've also been in denial 20 years).
There are physicians who place children on pumps the day they are diagnosed (Here in Ohio, anyhow).
It will change your life. It changed mine and gave me a positive outlook on my disease. The pump helps manage my blood sugars better than injections ever did.
It was a LOT of work to get a pump (60 days of blood sugar readings, up to 6 to 8 per day), a food diary, and all of my medical records submitted into my insurance company, along with a letter of medical necessity from my doctor, but it was worth it.
Training with the pump can be super frustrating, just like learning how to ride a bike or switch from glasses to contacts; but with hard work and a great diabetes educator, it'll be a breeze.
Good luck! Let us know what happens!
i was diagnosed last feb 17
i take shots 4 times a day! and i hate them too!
i also want a pump cuz i think it would be easier for me!
but the problem is i think that there's no pump here in greece!
I did shots for 20 years and have been pumping for 10 now and I never think it is too early. My daughter was diagnosed a few years ago at age 3 and we had a pump for her within 2 months. And the only reason we had to wait that long was because she was in the honeymoon stage and some days did not require any insulin. They are life changing and I only wish I had looked into one sooner for myself. Although, that many years ago they were not as great as they are not. They are very user friendly and easy to understand. good luck!
I'm happy for now! My mom said we can ask the doc. when we go about getting a pump!!
do what you whant it not your moms dieses (but do ask your doc)
my dx was 12/01/09 and I started pumping in Feb. 2010!!!! I love my pump!!
It's all down to personal choice, preference and if you can talk your doc into signing the insurance papers (if not dealing with insurance, then that's less power they have to say yes or no).
Personally, I'm a BIG fan of being able to handle your diabetes with shots BEFORE the pump. Even with the pump, there are times (though sometimes rare, but for me a number of times) you will still need to take a shot, or have to go without the pump (such as when/if it breaks down and you are waiting for a replacement).
I have had diabetes for over 16years and have tried the pump but it wasn't for me. I prefer shots and grew up being the one to give myself a shot at school..not like know a days where some parents expect the teacher push the buttons on the pump and take that responsibility and because of that, I personally think it's good to have some time on shots (whether it be pens or syringes) before going on the pump, so that in those moments when you need to take a shot ortemporarily go back onto shots..you KNOW what the hell you're doing and less likely to make a mistake because you're scared of the needle, etc.
But that's just my personal opinion. After having tried the pump, I doubt I will be going on it again unless the technology improves drastically by the time I'm ready to try it again.
Like I said above, it's really a personally choice as to when you go on the pump. If you REALLY want to go on it, then talk to your endo and make them see your point of view. My endo didn't want me to even try the pump when I first asked about it last fall and I left in tears (now looking back, I kinda wished I left it at that! haha) but I called him back the next day and explained WHY I really wanted to try it, and he agreed. Pretty simple in the end to get the OK to give it a 3month trial.
In the end, they are there to help you after all, they aren't in charge.
I was diagnosed in Aug. 1995 and started on the pump in Feb. 2004. I guess I had frowned upon the thought of being attached to something. I had some super lows within the 3 years before that and my doctor suggested I may benefit from the pump. I had told her I wasn't interested at that appt., but the next day I called to say I was and the order was sent in. It helps that we are poor and have our State Health Insurance to cover everything at 100%. With BCBS that I have also through work, I would have to pay $50 copays when ordering the supplies. So if the time would come that the good coverage wasn't there any longer, I wouldn't have a problem going back to shots. I sure wouldn't pay hundreds or thousands just to be on a pump. I can see the benefit of being able to recognize lows better when on the pump and eliminating some lows by having different basal rates, having to poke yourself less, but on the other hand highs can happen like a 448 last Fri. with a clogged site or a 416 today with a bent cannula. There are pros and cons to both choices.
If you have decent control and a good understanding of how to manage insulin then a pump would be helpful.
I think your doctor will want to see you at least are trying by keeping good records and doing lots of testing.
I would tell you to get the pump as soon as you and your doctor are comfortable. I have a 2.5 year old on the pump. we put her on the pump 6 months after she was diagnosed. When you get the pump, you will be able to have more control with the amount of insulin you give yourself.