Insulin Pumps

Humalog / Humulin U500

Khalannah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:59:57 GMT

Hi there, I am a pumper, very new to pumping. I seem to be exhibiting signs of extreme insulin resistance. I am desperately seeking any Canadian who is currently on Humulin or Humalog R U500. This is the insulin I need to be on, but my nurse (diabetes educator) needs me to find a doctor/endocrinologist in Canada who is currently prescribing this and familiar with it as a reference.

Any help at all would be appreciated, thanks a bunch!

Insulin Pumps and weight loss surgery

lindanurse — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:00:59 GMT

Does anyone know of a someone who has had weight loss surgery and still needs a pump?

Anyone on the OmniPod? Feedback

Arsinoe — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:24:15 GMT

Hi Everybody! It's been a long time since I was last on the Joslin board. Happy to report that I have been feeling quite well and keeping busy with a number of interesting projects.

Although I have long recognized the usefulness of insulin pumps for T1, I was never able to get past the issue of being "attached." Most every pump user that I know loves their pump, but I could not tolerate the tubes no matter where or how the pump is worn.

In recent years pumps, from all of the manufacturers, have gotten better and better. So even though I don't mind MDI, I knew that one day I would re-open the question of pumping.

A few weeks ago I requested and received the OmniPod demo pod. I slapped it on to my thigh--where the profile did not show through my clothes--and found that it was very comfortable. During those three days I was in Florida and found that the pod was comforable, even during warm weather, while swimming, etc.

Is anyone here using the OmniPod? Are you happy with it? Is there anything that you don't like about the OmniPod?

Is there anyone here running an OmniPod on insulin R? Is it possible to program the OmniPod for the longer curve of insulin-on-board? Waiting longer between bolusing and eating has never been much of an issue, and has some advantages. (For any number of reasons, I prefer not to switch to any of the insulin analogs.) Changing insulins would pretty much be a deal breaker for me.

Does anyone know whether Medicare will cover the OmniPod? (I have traditional 80-20 Medicare, plus a medigap and part D plan.) If not, what are your monthly out-of-pocket expenses for pods and any other pump-related expenses?

And does anyone here know an endocrinologist that they like, who has experience using the OmniPod?

Thanks a lot.

question

spurry — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:17:24 GMT

My 10 year old son was just diagnosed with type 1 and has admitted in moderate DKA. home now on injections, and being seen at local pedi endocrine clinic.

They have never brought up the subject of an insulin pump. Why? It seems so much easier! Also, he is a swimmer and I don't know how that would work with a pump.

Lastly, we live within about an hour of joslin. Is it really that superior to other places? we've had classes, and things seem ok.

Look forward to replys. thanks!

Symlin/amylin

drLaurie — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:50:23 GMT

I've been using Symlin since Spring 2009 and - except for having to take a shot (I use the pen) before each major meal - I do love the results overall. For those not familiar, Symlin is another hormone that diabetics are found to be missing. It normally works in concert with insulin, and it slooows the dumping of digested carbos into the bloodstream. This slowed dump also lowers the SPIKE that many of us get after a meal.

We take the Symlin just before a meal (seconds before is AOK), eat the meal and compute carbos. Just after the meal I take a combination bolus with 30% "now" and 70% spread over 2 hours. Each of these variables is individual, so YMMV.

Symlin dose does not vary once you ramp up to a "full" dose. Then, as long as the meal has 30+ carbs or 250+ calories, you can take a dose.

I still struggle with some high fiber meals -- to get the insulin timing & dosing right. I'd love to exchange tips & tricks with folks also used it.

What's been your experience?

Help with getting my 18 year old son on a pump

soonalyn — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:32:52 GMT

My Son was diagnosed two years ago and initially did a great job managing his diabetes, two years later his AIC is close to 8 and he is getting ready for college where it will be even harder to manage. He is resistant to using the pump, hating the idea of an appendage. Any ideas on how to get him to at least try it?

OmniPod Cost

Donna From Dexter — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:48:27 GMT

If anyone uses the OmniPod system, would you kindly tell me your cost. I currently pay $15 per pod directly from Insulet . I now have a new third party provider in Wixom MI (J&B Medcial Supply) and in one month they went up to $22.50. I am just curious what other folks pay.

Thanks.

pumps

spurry — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:33:29 GMT

I know this has been asked a million times but ....

Son diagnosed with type 1 in may of this year and lately it has just been a ride, with sugars often high. Diet, compliance is no problem. He's on lantus and humalog. When is he pump worthy? Does he have to stabilize? Does anyone switch to the pump while they have labile blood sugars? What is it about a pump that allows tighter control, or is that false?

On a different note, I do the cooking and yesterday I was in the grocery and almost in tears. It just hit me again. I've been fine since that first week but yesterday was just too much for some reason. It felt like a completely random event, but there I am, looking at labels and trying not to cry. He's only 10 and I love him so much.

Just Started on the Insulin Pump

neurocrnp — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:32:54 GMT

Hello to all I am new to message boards but I am desperate for advice. My son who is 5 years old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in sept of 08. We started lantus & humalog and got his hbga1c to 6.8 which is great. He is very active and we felt the pump would be great for him considering the great benefits it has to offer plus help reduce complications later in life. Since I am a nurse practitioner I felt this was the way to go. We started the pump two weeks ago and I hate it. Sugars are sky high, he started to have anger outbursts and when high enough has bedwetting. As a medical professional I know things take time but I would love to her some experiences with young children being on the pump and if they had a rocky course like us.

Extended bolus/square wave

Dan Lobdell — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:26:48 GMT

I am looking for tips in using extended boluses overnight... I have a tendency to eat late at night and am trying to refine my use of extended boluses...

Chasing my BG

kielbasaisakid — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:23:59 GMT

Even though I think I have bolused correctly for my carb intake, sometimes my BG takes off and then I seem to be chasing it with correction boluses. Then when my BG peaks - sometimes around 250-300, I start to tank and then go low in about 3-4 hours. Anyone else have this problem? I have been on the pump for only about 2 months. I am Type 1, diagnosed in my 60's.

This pump technology is popping my head off... HELP!

MontanaGayle — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:50:20 GMT

I recevied my Cozmo pump and had my first class yesterday. My head is swimming and I'm seriously contemplating sending the thing back. Can somone please give me some assurance that I can do this and that it will be worth the effort. Right now it seems like another full-time job and I don't have the time or energy for that. Thanks.

Type II, ID 15 years, incredibly insulin resistant

Pumps

dems — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:22:25 GMT

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?

pump vacation

mogayama — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:46:49 GMT

I've been using a Minimed pump and CGM for just over a year. Love them both and my A1c has drastically improved! So glad I made the change

In a few weeks, though, I'm heading to the Caribbean and wondering whether to continue to wear my pump and sensor or take a mini pump vacation. Has anyone taken a vacation from wearing the pump? If so, how did it work? Would you do it again or just stay on the pump?

thanks for your advice!

Susan

From the Archives - Weight Gain & Insulin Pumps

zrebiec — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:41:45 GMT

Topic:	Weight Gain/Loss with the Pump (1 of 1), Read 868 times
Conf:	Archive of Best Messages
From:	Karen Chalmers
Date:	Monday, October 13, 2003 12:47 PM

Weight gain still comes down to how many calories you are consuming and how many calories you are expending. Since going on the pump, you are likely using your food more precisely - you are not 'wasting' calories from consistent high BS levels.
Many people loose weight when they start on the pump because:
1. they are having less hypoglycemia which means they are not consuming treatment foods
2. they do not have to eat snacks
3. they are matching their food to their insulin more precisely, so they know how much they are eating
4. it is easier to exercise with a pump since you can adjust more precisely for exercise
5. less insulin is needed when on the pump

I would suggest that you meet with a dietitian to evaluate your intake. If there is a reason you are not able to exercise, then the calories you consume will likely need to be decreased. If you are able to institute an exercise program into your lifestyle, you will be better able to promote weight loss. -KC

From the Archives - Criteria for a Successful Pumper

zrebiec — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:55:07 GMT

Topic:	Criteria for a successful pumper (1 of 1), Read 850 times
Conf:	Archive of Best Messages
From:	Karen Chalmers
Date:	Thursday, August 21, 2003 12:23 PM

I am often asked 'who' make a good pump candidate. Here is some of the criteria we look at when determining who would make a great pumper:

Key Characteristics of pump users include:
1. Self-motivated (not willing to settle for just adequate BS control)
2. Accept their diabetes (as much as one can accept a chronic disease)
3. Ability to problem solve (not rocket science)
4. Good common sense (probably most important)
5. Checks BS at least 4-6 times/day, every day
6. Uses I:CHO ratios and Sensitivity Factors to determine accurate insulin dose
7. Adjusts insulin doses based on exercise/activity
8. Adjusts insulin doses on sick days

Advantages of pump therapy:

1. Tight control while minimizing the risk of low BS
2. Reduce wide fluctuations in BS
3. Help deal with the dawn phenomenon
4. Helps to reduce and manage severe hypoglycemia
5. Manage BS during pregnancy
6. Ability to match insulin to food and exercise (easier to exercise and loose weight)
7. More predictable insulin delivery - you can accurately deliver 1/10th of a unit of insulin
8. More flexible lifestyle