Comments on: Insulin Pump Disadvantage

By: Blogging Diabetes - Top Insulin Pump Advantages

Blogging Diabetes - Top Insulin Pump Advantages — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:02:35 +0000

[...] I wrote a blog post on the disadvantages of being on an insulin pump. I felt like the advantages were obvious and widely known. [...]

By: Blogging Diabetes - Blogging Diabetes - Best of 2009 YTD

Blogging Diabetes - Blogging Diabetes - Best of 2009 YTD — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:23:03 +0000

[...] Insulin Pump Disadvantage [...]

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:40:26 +0000

Hi Tony, I have just found your Blog, and am quite interested because I am a 33 year Type 1 Diabetic who is considering a pump and trying to learn as much as possible before hand. Your site and the comments that have been left have already taught me so much, but I am still am unsure if a pump is the right thing for me. Right now I am on Lantus and Novolin daily injections and doing well, but my diabetes Dr. has suggested a pump, just to tighten up my control.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:44:00 +0000

I’ve had my daughter’s insulin ‘go bad’ before; she is a pumper and loves the freedom that comes with it.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:26:37 +0000

@Jeff – I agree that there are times and activities, like water sports where the pump can be difficult to work with. I like the ‘untethered’ approach and will keep this in mind. The pump becomes difficult to work with when on vacation and in the ocean/pool for extended periods. Thanks for sharing your experience.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:57:05 +0000

While I believe that overall a pump is much better for my daughter, There are times when it would be easier without one — Sports/Swimming come to mind. Last year at summer camp my daughter was in a program where they turned off her pump basil and put her on Lantus so that she didn’t need the pump during some activities. It worked quite well. They called it the ‘untethered’ program.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:45:46 +0000

@Rainbow – I know a lot of people who successfully control their type 1 diabetes with injections. I wish better health care was available to everyone and the cost of pumps and CGMs were more reasonable. But they aren’t.

Yes, I do understand that some people may be limited because of the cost of the pump, which was not free for me either.

I didn’t ask for nor do I want sympathy from anyone about the demoralizing aspect of unexplained high blood glucose numbers. This issue that I discussed is not just limited to those on the pump. People who take shots can also experience erratic numbers due to stress and other factors.

If you reread the post, you might understand that being on injections can have its benefits. This post isn’t anywhere near a bragging about how much I love my pump.

Finally, look at the positive side. At least you have the medical care and coverage to control diabetes unlike many unfortunate people across the world who truly don’t have a choice. Be grateful for what you do have.

By: rainbow

rainbow — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:05:11 +0000

How nice that you have a choice in the matter. How nice that if you wish, you can choose either a pump or injections. Guess what. Some of us don’t have that choice. It’s shots or nothing. I can’t choose between pumps and shots because I don’t have the money to buy a pump. I get laid off from my job next week, and even if I weren’t being laid off, my job doesn’t provide extended medical benefits that would extend to the thousands of dollars a pump costs. So forgive me if I don’t have any sympathy for your “demoralizing” pump problems.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:29:37 +0000

@Rachel & Jeff – Yes, I wouldn’t trade the pump to go back to injections. Just remember, there’s a small chance it could be the insulin.

@Scott – really it was the first word that came to mind, but completely fits the description. Whenever I think about how hard it can be sometimes, I always am reminded of your quote from the SUM blog comment. It is so very true.

Yesterday, I mentioned to a few people that it would be nice to be free of the pump/infusion sets for a very shot time. Typically when I change my infusion set, I shower after removing the old set and before inserting the new one. It’s kind of a nice feeling of freedom to not be connected to anything. Maybe some time I will go a little while with no set and use my shots. Even still, the pump is here to stay and I can’t imagine not having it. I fear the day that my pump dies on me.

By: Scott K. Johnson

Scott K. Johnson — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:38:04 +0000

Hey Tony! Thanks for the mention!

I too run down a list that matches yours almost exactly item for item. I also really appreciate the way you describe it as demoralizing, which is a PERFECT word for it.