My Decision for Insulin Pump Therapy

30 Years of Diabetes – Part 4:

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 7 so daily insulin injections and nutritional management were my therapy. The years went by and my endocrinologist began to recommend using an insulin pump.

Insulin Pump Fear

I was terrified. My doctor said, “An insulin pump is a device that works similar to what your own pancreas should.” I imagined having to have major surgery, a horrific pancreatic extraction and the insertion of a mechanical device to deliver my insulin. My imagination obviously got the better of me. I assumed that’s what an insulin pump was… However, I failed to ask questions AND my medical team failed to actually describe what an insulin pump was. I shouldn’t be 100% to blame!

Years later, after I had moved away from home, I realized my diabetes management could be improved. I began to ask questions. I learned, insulin pumps are not “inserted” they are worn on the outside of the body so there are no scary surgeries or anything; just a simple infusion set that needs to be changed every 3-4 days.

I Decided to Try Insulin Pump Therapy

I finally decided to try an insulin pump but I was so scared. Rob often recounts the story of how the night before I got “hooked up” we watched a movie. I will then recount how I don’t remember what movie we watched, let alone anything about that night. I was deep in thought, scared to death about what the next day would bring. Did I mention I was still fearful of insulin pumping?

I had received my Medtronic insulin pump a few days earlier. It was the size of a pager and it didn’t appear as sinister as I’d imagined, but it was still “different.” In the box, there was a blue plastic device that I would use to insert the infusion set just under my skin. The infusion set was a simple flexible cannula, like a small needle, that would deliver the insulin to me, continuously. This cannula would be attached to a length of thin tubing and connect to the insulin pump. I would wear the insulin pump in my pocket, or on my belt clip (not internally as I originally imagined). Some ladies are well-endowed and can tuck their insulin pumps into their bra! Not this girl.

Hooked Up!

The next day I arrived nervously at the Diabetes Clinic. My nurse was there to greet me. She taught me how to load the insulin reservoir with insulin and insert it into the pump. The nurse showed me how to hold the insertion device to insert the infusion cannula under my skin. With a press of a button, I inserted my first infusion set. It was so simple. I was very impressed.

That evening, I tested my blood sugars frequently and to my surprise, my blood sugars were pretty darn consistent. At the time, I was dating Rob. His dad was in town and we had plans to visit a local brewery for a beer tasting event. What a way to christen an insulin pump eh?

The First Few Days on Insulin Pump Therapy

Over the following days I tracked my blood sugars regularly. At meal time, I no longer had to inject insulin… I pressed buttons instead. I spent time and reviewed all of the material provided by the nurse because I would need to change my infusion set and reservoir in a couple days by myself. Thankfully, I managed to do that too. Insulin pumping might not be so bad after all! In fact, I’d never had such amazing blood sugars since my diagnosis. Actually, it didn’t take more than 24 hours for me to be convinced that insulin pumping was my friend.

Insulin Pumping and Physical Fitness

Fast forward a few years, Rob and I were now married. We’d moved far from home, to the USA and life was anything but normal. Actually, we’re still trying to figure out what normal is. During this time, Rob had also been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, but that’s another story for another day. We began to get active… we started with an elliptical trainer, then came P90X followed by running and many more at home fitness programs. We led very active lives.

At this point we were both on insulin pumps using continuous glucose monitoring technology. Without such medical technology, we would have been so fearful of physical fitness. As a Type 1 Diabetic, it’s almost easier to be a couch potato. However, we knew the benefits physical activity would have on our health so there was no question to remain active.

The insulin pump allowed us to customize our active lifestyle. Now, neither Rob and I are bound by our diabetes – it does not control us. If we are busy and have to miss lunch, we can. Or maybe, if we want to go for a 10 mile run – we can. Perhaps, we want to eat a piece of chocolate cake – we can. The insulin pump uses fast acting insulin so we simply “bolus” when we eat (the bolus is calculated by the pump depending on the number of carbohydrates we enter and the active insulin on board). Don’t worry if it sounds complicated, it is BUT – the insulin pumps themselves make the user interface so incredibly simple that even children use them effectively!

Today

Gone is my fear of the insulin pump. I never ever want to live without one. At this time, I have had 2 medtronic insulin pumps and later this month I will receive a new system; a Tandem t:slim with a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (CGM). I am feeling exactly like I did 10+ years ago when I first got started with an insulin pump – excited and nervous. My medtronic system has worked so well for me for so many years that I am hesitant to make the switch, but, if I never try another system, I’ll never understand another manufacturer’s technology. Since I work with so many diabetics in regard to fitness and health, it’s only natural for me to want to expand my horizons.

What insulin pump/CGM system are you currently using?

Comment below.