What kind of work do you do?  There aren't too many jobs where having a
pump will interfere.  It's like wearing a pager only 24/7.

The effect I my life was immediate and fantastic.  Got my first pump in
1996 after 18 years of MDI hell.  My A1'c were in the 11's.  Now they
are in the high 5's low 6's.  I don't crash like I used to nor soar to
300-400 around 3AM to 8AM.  I used to eat to survive the killer insulin
overloads every day.

There really isn't any downside to pumping over MDI except for cost, but
if you have good insurance that's not an issue.  Besides, some folks
make enough money to pay for all the stuff even if they don't have
insurance.

You can leave the pump off for about an hour.  Under some circumstances,
maybe stretch that to 1-1/2, almost 2 hours.  You can get a Sport Guard
to protect the pump from physical damage like contact sports, or to make
it fairly waterproof.  For normal swimming in a pool for recreation,
just take the pump off for the brief period you are in the pool.  Hot
tub water will cause your set to come off if you are like me.  My wife
wears a pump also, but her sets stay on her better.

Just imagine not eating to survive the next 15 minutes, or sleeping in
late, or taking a catnap.  How about eating a big meal at YOUR chosen
time, instead of when your insulin is peaking?

If you are going from sedate to very physical, at work, you will have to
take that into consideration when you pick your target bg's.

You can set either 12 or 24 basal rates per day, IIRC.  I use about 8 or
9 different basal rates for a day.  I need a lot more at night than
during the daytime because of the dawn phenom.

Side effects?  Happiness. Euphoria, at getting some semblance of a
normal lifestyle back!

dave

depends on the job.  generally it physically does not get in the way
since it can worn completely under your clothing.  yes you can very
easily disconnect and reconnect for short periods of time.  Depending
on the individual and whether you take extra insulin just before
disconnecting you can be off the pump from 1 to 3 hours.

allows for very flexible control, but you must test more frequently
than when taking injections.

 Can you adjust the amount of insulin on a

yep and lot's more options as well.

 Unfortunatly, my job's physical requierment

well the pumps allow you program temporary settings anytime you want
or need to so this change in activity isn't a problem.  sweating may
be a problem if the tape comes loose.  But the newer tapes work far
better at this.  One thing you could do is ask your endo to obtain
some samples of infusion sets.  Simply remove the needle then cut off
the plastic canula and then put the taped part of the infusion set on
your body just as you would if you were actually pumping.  Then wear
it for 3 days through all your normal activities.  If the tape doesn't
hold up, discuss the various options available and if they don't work
then pumping and your job will probably not be a good idea.  When I
got set up with my pump a mechanic was getting set up with his.
Actually both loaner pumps from our mutual endo that he lets his new
pumpers wear before deciding to actually order one.  His work is too
dirty and sweaty for him to feel comfortable wearing the pump.  He
sweats profusely.

who taught you to do that?

if you are hypounaware you must test very frequently to avoid lows.
If the pump stops delivering insulin for some reason then you can go
DKA in a couple of hours.  Pumping requires attention to detail.

not that i've noticed other than the 2 problems I already mentioned.

you should go to http://www.insulin-pumpers.org to get links to all
the pump makers web sites and to discuss this with the largest
community of pumpers anywhere online.  There are bound to pumpers
working in some field like yours who could give you specific advice.

Mack
Type 1 since 1975
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org

In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

Thanks for the replies!  I do have good insurance (I think!) but I'll
have to see what they will pay.  

Good idea about testing the sweat factor.  I work in a plastic factory
and it can get pretty hot sometimes and I have to sometimes get in
tight places.

I think I'm going to try to get one.  I'm really tired of the peaks
and low game.

PS:  Mack, I learned the big shot/snack routine years ago when I was
too poor to see a doc.

Check out http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/

RCt2

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