Pump life advice!

Hello, for the past 4-5 years my BG levels have been impossible to control, i am now on DAFNE and while that helps me to manage itm, it doesnt stop it in the first place. after being on continous BG monitoring the consultant at the hospital is recomending that i may need to transfer to the pump rather than keep going with injections. i have done a bit of research and am happy with the idea of this but would really like some info on what life is like with the pump. the consultant can tell me how it works etc but itd be really nice to have some actual feedback on how people work it into their life, eg does the pump effect anything like sleep position? or exercising? wearing tight clothes? on a crowded tube with people pushed up against you knocking you with their bags?
i know the benefits etc but as i don't know anyone with one any feedback would be good!
thanks
Ruth

I attended my DAFNE clinic today and was also asked to consider going on the pump. I am probably older them most of you, but very active and enjoy water sports, where I often end up in the water.

I would be very interested to hear any replies from Ruth's questions,

Many thanks, Margaret

I have just come home from my regular endocrinology appointment. My HbA1c is the best it has ever been and whilst my BGs are not "perfect they are very, very good".

I find it hard work but the rewards are there. I currently have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren here...and I now know why I found it so difficult to get good BGs when my kids were little. I find it easier to run the pump now that I am retired and I am more in control of my routine. I do water aerobics in summer (Sept-May) and it took a couple of weeks to get the basals to the point where I could get in on 6 and get out at 5 (able to drive home and call in and have a coffee and a chat on the way). My pump is an Animas 2020 and is able to go into water. Sleeping is fine...I wear it on my pjs just on the front towards the right or left side depending on where the infusion set is positioned. Occasionally I have to swing it around but I seem to do this almost subconsciously. In the summer when i tend to wear just a T shirt (no knickers!) I wear a band available here in Australia from Diabetezy (I think, I will check and post later). Wearing the pump while exercising is not a problem,,, when in the pool I wear it clipped to the top of togs or on my waist. While doing circuits, Qui Dong etc It is just clipped to the back of whatever pants I have on. I know some people wear their pumps on their calves and on their thighs... I think you work it out to suit yourself. Apparently there is a web site that has a list of 100 ways to "wear" your pump listing hairstyles that incorporate your pump and other somewhat creative positions for the pump. My friend wears hers in her bra but my boobs are to big and why would I want them to appear bigger! I also find it more accessible on my waist.

I have run into problems on an international plane trip(economy class). The non-English speaking person on my right where I had positioned my infusion set and pump kept interfering with the tubing (60cm long), tugging on it etc. I talked to the cabin staff and tried to have it explained but she could not leave it alone. I now ask for an aisle seat on the right of the middle row of seats and wear the infusion set (and pump) on that side so it is not between me and the adjacent passenger. I then make sure the pump is on that side when I board the flight. This has only happened once but it was very disconcerting.

My only advice re wearing the pump is that you will work out what is best for you. You are only limited by your imagination.

Good luck.
Helen

Thanks Helen, that was really useful! glad to know when they say that you can wear it where-ever you actually can! and also with the exercise, i think can get those band strap things here in the uk too have seen them online when looking at the pumps available. I cant imagine why on earth someone would fiddle with your tubing on the plane - i cant imagine playing around with anything of a fellow passanger let alone something so obviously medical related!!!!!!
and congratulations on the low hab1c thats really great!
Ruth

Ruth..being generous i have no idea what the Korean hostess told the passenger as I don't know Korean and I do not know whether the Korean hostess' English was good enough for "insulin pump!". Lost in translation!

Helen

Thank you Helen, for sharing your experiences with us, you gave me very interesting points to think about.

RuthW said:
Hello, for the past 4-5 years my BG levels have been impossible to control, i am now on DAFNE and while that helps me to manage itm, it doesnt stop it in the first place. after being on continous BG monitoring the consultant at the hospital is recomending that i may need to transfer to the pump rather than keep going with injections. i have done a bit of research and am happy with the idea of this but would really like some info on what life is like with the pump. the consultant can tell me how it works etc but itd be really nice to have some actual feedback on how people work it into their life, eg does the pump effect anything like sleep position? or exercising? wearing tight clothes? on a crowded tube with people pushed up against you knocking you with their bags?
i know the benefits etc but as i don't know anyone with one any feedback would be good!
thanks
Ruth

thanks for this Paul, had a quick look and it seems to be a great source of info about how to live with a pump - there is an article about how to simulate wearing a pump that caught my eye, a great idea! thanks, R