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dems posted on Sun, Mar 1 2009 6:22 PM

I'm looking at insulin pumps & trying to figure out which one is best for me. I like the minimed with the medtronic device that checks your blood sugars regularly. I've been diabetic for almost 20 years, how hard is it to switch from injections to a pump? Is it more expensive or less expensive than just buying prescription insulin & syringes? Has anyone had major problems with this pump? My husband & I are thinking about having a baby in the next few years. Should I change before or after? 

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Julie_ replied on Sun, Mar 1 2009 8:22 PM

I went on a pump after 20 years of Type 1.  I found pumping easier than shots, but I never tried the CGMS.  I think that would be an additional thing to manage and would take more time.  The additional quality of life benefits you would get from the pump would outweigh the extra time you might have to devote to managing it.  Are you an American with health insurance?  I could not afford to pump without my insurance which pays for 85% of the infusion sets, which are quite expensive.  Have you asked your endocrinologist whether a pump would help you in preparing for a pregnancy?  I would think the doctor would say yes, do it now.

 

Julie

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Molly replied on Mon, Mar 2 2009 10:35 AM

The pump takes some getting used to but you can manage your sugars much better and therefor you can take better care of yourself. It takes a few months to figure it out but at this point why not. The medtronic has a computer link and the glucose monitor auto uploads. You can track all your info online. It's a great tool. Many companys have pump wear too. What is the worst that happens, you go back to injections but be detrermined to give it at least three months.

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tomjef replied on Mon, Mar 2 2009 1:26 PM

As an outsider, being male, a pump will give you much better control of your BG levels, and that has got to be important in the success of a pregnancy. I switched from injections to a pump after 52 years of injections, and didn't find it difficult.

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BarbaraD replied on Tue, Mar 3 2009 7:32 AM

Hi Dems:

I have the Cozmo insulin pump and I LOVE it.  It has a glucose meter (NOT continuous)  attached to it and also has a food bank that makes it easy to program a bolus for meals.

Minimeds continuous glucose monitor sounds great too.  All the pumps have their pros and cons.  I went to the Joslin classes and they gave us info on all the different pumps and told us to pick one that we felt suited us.

As for pregnancy, I think they recommend going on the pump BEFORE so that you can have better control.

Good luck! I for one would NEVER go back to shots!

Barbara 

Dx 2/01, pumping with Cozmo, Celiac, dx 8/05

 

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