[Closed] So, today I got my insulin pump

Can you still go out on yer bike, thats assuming you do ride an mtb. Gonna need a bike trailer to carry that lot.

Looks like a lot of kit, but it will do a very important and relatively tricky job. Hope it all goes well, and you can set it to cope with a celebratory cake/pint!

Out on the MTB, my initial plan is to tuck the pump in the back of my bib shorts. Meter can go in the camelbak as usual. Rest of the gumpf stays home.

Pint already being had (well' it's Friday!)

Could luck! I couldn't get on with mine but it's supposed to be great if you can. Liking the interaction between the meter and the pump with that kit

Out on the MTB, my initial plan is to tuck the pump in the back of my bib shorts.

My top tip is to buy a pair of the Zipvit shorts; they have a big 'radio' pocket in the back of the shorts; handy for an mp3, even handier for an insulin pump.

One essential bit of kit missing....A pair if scissors so you can cut a little slit in all your baggies/jeans/suit pockets to thread the line thru, don't wear it externally, particularly on the bike as the line can snag and rip your cannula out...Good luck, buckle up for a bumpy ride but stick with it and you'll get your pump dialed in in no time!
Wouldn't be without mine now, life changing for me! 😉

Report back with progress!

whats the crack with that then? if you dont mind me asking. does it replace your injections and you wear it 24/7?

whats the crack with that then? if you dont mind me asking. does it replace your injections and you wear it 24/7?

Yep, that's it!

Rather than using a long acting (basal) and a quick acting (bosal) the pump is constant drip feeding the quick acting so it mimics what should be happening in the body normally. you then do the bolas as normal (but via the pump) after food.

The handset on the pump I've got, does some clever sums and works out what dose you need based on the carb content of what you eat and how much insulin is still active within you, then instructs the pump to squirt it in you. This can be a straight forward 'all in one go' (like you'd do with a pen/syringe) or over a longer period (using those clever sums again).

Fenred -lots of experimenting to be done with positioning, but I'm sure scissors will be deployed before long!

People will accuse you of texting at romantic or important meals.... It happens...

Nice kit I'm told by people who use it. Have fun. 🙂

Accu-Chek™ do like their packaging!

They wanted to fit my 3 year old with one of them, but we are managing a very good average on the needles.

If you don't mind, I'll bother you on Twitter in about a month to see what you think of it long term.

The sooner they come up with a closed loop implant or inhaler the better!

Ooh interesting. Let me know how you get on with it as I've been considering one myself. A friend of mine has one and she loves it. So the pump does your quick acting AND long acting, or do you still do your basal at night or night/morning split? Does the pump monitor your BGL too?

Seeing as there's a bit of interest, I might set up a blog

Pump doesn't do blood testing, that'd be the 'holy grail' closed loop system (tests and delivers insulin according to needs). Pump mimics what would normally happen, so it's continually giving you insulin so you don't need a basal. You don't do any injections, just change the cannula every few days. As Dickbarton of this parish put it to me, think of it as 1 injection every 3 days, whereas I'd normally be doing somewhere around 20ish!

I have heard that there are some implant testers being worked on and thee is some limited success where they last a month before needing to be replaced. Results are blue toothed to a reader

Also, speaking to the guy from Roche, he said there is development with 3D photography for calculating carb content of food. Tell the device your eating, say, pasta, point the device at it, press the button and it works out the carb content from the size of your dinner!!!!

At work at the moment (hence on here 8) ), so will finish up and then sort a blog out

I read somewhere they were trying to develop a special ink for a tattoo that changes colour depending on your BGL. I thought that was an amazing idea but also thought of the revenue to be lost from companies not selling test strips!

Are we any further along with transplanting islet cells from a healthy pancreas and taking anti rejection drugs?

I really don't mind jabbing every time I eat, but I do dislike the chubby bit of my belly that no matter how much excercise I do, won't shrink the belly! I've even switched to smaller pen tips on advice from my docs - but I switched back as I was getting more bruising and leakage from a 5mm than the 8mm.

Over in Oz it's much easier to get a pump. Your doc does a referral and then you go see the endocrinology team. Fortunately for me (as a nurse) I get lots of advise and input from interns and reg's who have done stints on the medical wards and all really keen to talk about management. I'm even the go-to man with regards to diabetes for our mental health patients so get to go to the conferences and talks.

It's such a vast specialty and I wish I knew more. Keep learning. Really interested in how you get on.

A blog would be great.

OK, a blog it is then. Bit of work to finish, then buy a shirt for the wedding I have to go to later (I'm organised I am!) and then I'll start on it. Already got the name for it 😀

'Cheezey Feet's Sweet Tweet'?

My brother inlaw is type 1 and has been using a pump for ages . He has it in a bag around his waist .

He is a trail runner , 80 miles plus a week .

A lot better for him .

Please create a blog! I'd follow it as I'm curious... I think I'd find a pump a bit 'invasive'.

Mrs_oab has half a wardrobe of medical bits n bobs for her condition. And every few months a nurse hands her a bag of drugs worth Waaaa more than the car we transport it home in. Amazing NHS time.

I find it very interesting I like to understand this sort of thing. A blog would be very interesting.

househusband - Member
Please create a blog! I'd follow it as I'm curious... I think I'd find a pump a bit 'invasive'.

Tbh you are always aware it's sitting in your pocket or wherever you choose to keep it but you soon get used to it.
A blog would be good OP and the bolus wizard/carb count function on the pumps are a great little bit of tech! You can build in your corrections/food/beer intake without having to even think about it 8)

One of my kid's school friends has had one for about the last 5 years (now age 11).

He seems to do fine with it - plays on local football teams etc with no problems.

Right, blog started, not much in it yet, will do an update with 'first day' experience later today

http://inpumpwetrust.blogspot.co.uk

Is the monitor the "Expert" model? We have one of them but can't use the calculator because of the time lag between testing and my daughter finishing eating. As we don't know whether she will leave some or want more. Teh sumz iz easy though and I can eyeball the amount of carbs in a banana with almost supernatural accuracy.

HtS, just the normal Aviva Combo meter. the Bolus advice only works when you do a pre meal test and then enter the expected amount you'll be eating, which I guess is fair enough. The BG test is only 'held' for 5 minutes for use with a Bolus advice again fair enough. I know what you mean, it would be great if you could so a test, then when you've finished eating, get it to work out the appropriate delivery.

Then again a closed loop true fit & forget solution would be great too!

Good effort my man, welcome to the new world!!! Makes a difference for the better and it's really no hassle for riding...they seem pretty sturdy wee beasts!

Have you got your insurance sorted on it? I can't find the link to the site, but I'm paying £6 a month for complete cover - so if you do something to the pump i.e. skelp it off a tree - it gets replaced within 24 hours...the manufacturer covers manufacturing issues but if you break it, they don't...

Here it is - [url] http://insurance4insulinpumps.co.uk/ [/url]

Got my home & contents with M&S, phoned them this morning, all covered including accidental damage, doesn't even need to be listed as a separate item.

Having said that, I'll look at the link you put up there

EDIT, had a read of that insurance and the recommendations from pretty much everyone, and decided to get the specific insurance. Peace of mind n all that

piedi di formaggio - Member

I have heard that there are some implant testers being worked on and thee is some limited success where they last a month before needing to be replaced. Results are blue toothed to a reader

I did a test for a constant meter a while back, it was external with a wee implant electrode thing but it was suspiciously very streamlined and flat, which didn't work at all for external use but would probably be just the ticket for internal... Battery life was only 10 days though...

Hey, my toothbrush does contactless charging, does that work through skin? Bleargh, obviously, but still.

Five days in, 2nd day 'live' with insulin.

Verdict so far - it's bleedin' awesome 😀

Updates here> http://inpumpwetrust.blogspot.co.uk

Keep on keeping on Gary, all looks good so far, good job!! 😀

Gid stuff...

Thanks chaps 🙂

Pump user here too, been on mine for 5yrs now and has revolutionized my life, just stick mine in the pocket of my baggies when on the mtb or just in my trouser/jeans pocket. In 5 years have never pulled a canula out by catching the tubing and have only caught the tubing a handful of times. They are tough little bits of kit as mine has stood up to several bad offs that have resulted in several broken ribs 😳
My email is in my profile and am happy to answer any questions if anyone wants to ask about life on a pump.

Please post a link to your blog as very interested to see how things go.

Good luck with it but as said above, some people dont get on with it just be prepared to put quite a lot of effort in and the rewards will more than justify it. Good idea to write down as much as possible when it comes to exercise, I have found some quite strange things needed with basal rates pre, during and post exercise including overnight and the following day.

I'm interested in the canula. How do you fit it? How long does it last? How "Euww" is it?

My daughter (4 years old in a couple of days) has probably got all of this to come at some point.

votchy - blog here http://inpumpwetrust.blogspot.co.uk/

HtS - the cannula. I use the Accu-Chek FlexLink, which has an inserter doodah Have a look at this page which describes it and has a comedey video of how it's used. http://www.accu-chek.com.au/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_303_303_-1_50941_302_302_302_Products

In practice, it's very easy - push the top down, pop the new canula in. Remove the protective sleeve around the needle and expose the adhesive. Pull the top away from the bottom - hold against skin, press the button. The actual insertion doesn't hurt (I've barely felt it so far). Next press the adhesive bit down, remove the needle and cap thing, the connect tube from th epump.

Easy

Thanks.

Forgot to say - it's not 'Eeuw' at all!

Good work so far, blog is good to read. I am using a Medtronic pump (virtually identical to yours) and associated software, the graphs produced by the accuchek software you have look better than those by medtronic. interestingly, the professional version of the medtronic software gives much better graphical output so very easy to see trends etc, am trying to get hold of a copy as I can spend hours looking at my data and find nothing, send a download to my DSN and when she and I view the graphs the trends jump out at you straight away!!

I'm gutted that the Medtronic software doesn't work with Windows 8...so I've got 2 months of 'results' waiting to get synced but not got access to a non-Windows 8 machine to get them done.

Dick - I am running Windows 8 and mine works ok, I do get the warning but things still work.

They all seem to be somewhat behind the curve on software. Accu-chek stuff doesn't work on Windows 8 or Mac. It's all a bit backwards really!

I've been looking at my stats, and I'm happy. Yes, it's still early days, but the pump really seems to be making a difference

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheesyfeet/10089039563/ ]4th October 2013[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/cheesyfeet/ ]-Cheesyfeet-[/url], on Flickr

The spike was due to a cannula reaching the end of it's usefulness I believe, so I can live with that and learn from the experience.

Hi, im going to follow your progress with your new pump, I have been diabetic since 1970 and Im just 53 yo. I have really good control of b/s and average was 7.8 last time at the docs, my diabetic nurse is pleased with the way I control my condition and so am I. However when the time comes I should know quite a bit about your pump and the way you control your condition.
Good luck. DW.

PS, quite surprised how many riders on here have diabetes. 🙂

Hi all, just done an update for this week (> http://inpumpwetrust.blogspot.co.uk
) with some of the things I've learnt that they don't teach you in it. Might prove useful to some of you considering a pump.

Oh, and would I recommend a pump now? Too bloody right I would. They are brilliant.

Good read.

Changing prescriptions has proved to be a bit of PITA for us at times. My daughter went from a preloaded pen to a cartridge because she needed ber basal in half unit increments. I thought I would have to bring the consultant and the nurse with me to get that one changed on the repeat prescription.

Also, getting stuff in larger than usual quanities because of holidays has caused some frustration followed by phone calls and various amounts of queuing up.

Ho and indeed hum. 😕

Piedi - I've been on the pump since 2000 with a few breaks in between times for various reasons. Find it the best way of management, but it is INTENSE at times. The pump is great in that you can "turn it down" just before exercise. I run at 30% to 50% basal usually depending on intensity of exercise. This works really well for road biking or running - it's generally steady arobic exercise. However, it doesn't work so well (I find) for sports such as MTB and skiiing... the reason - adrenaline. For me it's the most difficult of all the factors to achieve control over. Adrenaline will cause your liver to secrete glucose and fire it DIRECTLY into the blood - great of you are "normal" - energy, high awareness, quick thinking - just what you need when hurtling down a trail on the edge. For us unfortunate ones it has the precise opposite affect as the glucose just lies in the blood and never gets to do what it should do. The body tries to flush it out into the urine, you dehydrate and you loose energy, focus and clarity of thought. Perhaps I spent too much time on the edge of control on the bike and therefore exasperated the problem. A better biker or skiier might be able to manage it more successfully. If I stick to XC or road it is no bother. You will get used to physically carrying the 24/7/365 - that's the easy bit. The control is a never ending process of fine tuning as your lifestyle and body go through the natural changes.

If you are interested I have just started a Facebook page to share just these ideas. It's specifically for bikers on pumps. Come and join ... you'll be the second member 🙂

Paul

Hello all, quick update to say that the pump is still bleeding' brilliant. Much, much easier than faffing with pens and enables much better control too.

I'd urge any type 1's out there to investigate and seriously consider going pump.

Been updating the blog if anyone is interested in my experiences to date.

Adrenaline thoughts very interesting. That hadn't occurred to me. Ta.

re adrenaline and riding. I was out with my dad once and we stopped for a cake and coffee. Checked my BGL and I was 1.9. Felt fine! Bit scary to not have to warning signs there but not been caught since. I've just got the OK for a pump, my GP's doing a referral. I work in a hospital and the endocrine centre is across the road from my PICU so VERY handy. Really excited!

So I'm nearly 2 weeks into owning a pump now. Bloody hell why didn't I get this sooner? Amazing bit of kit, probably the best wee gadget I own.

Got my hourly rates set up. 2 levels of excercise set in (-20% for walking the dog and -%50 for biking) and +130% for sick days in 4 hour blocks.

So far I've had a couple of hypos which was day one as my basal lantus was finishing off. I don't think I've been over 10mmol/L. Love the bluetooth BGL meter and the ability to check my levels, enter the carbs for a meal and DELIVER insulin.

Just experimenting now with various lengths of tubing. Initially 60mm but that was too short. Had a couple of near misses when I've gone to the bog and nearly ripped the cannula out!

I use the white fabric belt at night and quite surprised how much it's NOT in the way.

It's so nice to be out, feel like having some food and not thinking "ah bugger, forgot my insulin!"

More than impressed!

I've been following this with interest. My 4 year old has it and we have good control with the pen but I suspect we'll switch to the pump when her life becomes more "spontaneous".

Very very interesting thread as a type 2 that's struggling on diet, meds and exercise to keep BG at required levels and being warned insulin will be on the horizon. The other thing is indeed, wow, how many cyclists are diabetic in one form or another!

Ahh hypo on waking. 2.7. Probs those couple of beers before bed. Oopsie.

My machine says "Eat 12g of carbs and retest"

Genius.

Suggsey - Member

Very very interesting thread as a type 2 that's struggling on diet, meds and exercise to keep BG at required levels and being warned insulin will be on the horizon.

There's drawbacks for sure, T1 is "worse" but it does mean you get the Big Stick rather than using more lifestyle tools to control it. It's not something you [i]want[/i] but as chronic diseases go it's not so bad 😉

Easy for me to say I suppose, I can't really remember not being diabetic but with modern kit and good support it's just another thing you do. I think I'd find it harder to be T2, going by folks I know that have it.

How did I miss this tread, twice!!

I think it'll be 3 years in October since I got my pump. It's a keeper. 😉
Harry, the first time I heard about insulin pumps, was from a chap who used to ride with us. He'd seen my Hypostop gels in my pack and we got nattering. His son (must've been no more than 7 years old) was diabetic and had got a pump. It had made such a difference to his lad's control, he said if anything happened to the pump, he'd gladly buy another out of his own pocket (at £2k+)!
Oh, while I'm here, for folks who've done the DAFNE course, I found out the other week, after a Ketone+ test, there's an online DAFNE Handbook. This may be old news. 😳

Met a guy from Norway at a mate's wedding who takes his insulin by nose spray.

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Met a guy from Norway at a mate's wedding who takes his insulin by nose spray.

Nasal insulin has been around for at least a couple of years as part of research projects. I think there was one going on in the North East and Novo Nordisk are based in Scandanavia and may well have research projects going on there as well.

There was an inhaled insulin on the market here about 8 years ago but Pfizer pulled it because no one bought it. You still needed to take injections of long acting insulin, it was hideously expensive, effectiveness deteriorated when you had a cold (which was just when you needed more of the stuff) and there was a non significant increase in the incidence of lung cancer (6 in 5000 instead of 1 in 5000). Furthermore most people who were interested were thinking of the small plastic inhalers used by asthmatics. What they actually got was a device that was about the size of a decent sized thermos and for which a degree in engineering or a life long love of meccano was desirable although not essential.