If you use a pump or are thinking of getting a pump, please help.
Which pump do you use?
Why did you choose this pump over the others?
How easy is it to monitor your blood glucose with the pump?
Where do you insert the needle/where is the most effective place to insert?
Any tips on pump therapy?
I am thinking of getting my son who is 12 an insulin pump. I have looked into the omni pod and a few others but i think I have decided on the Omni Pod, but I want other people's opinions. If you have any suggestions or advice please respond. Thanks!
I've been on a Minimed pump for 9 years, and it is very easy to use, and I really like it. I chose it initially because it's the one the doctor recommended to me, but I've never regretted it. I had the first one for 8 years before it finally died and Minimed sent a new one overnight. I like it better than the Omnipod because the portion that's attached to you is actually about the size of a quarter, and I can remove the pump and tubing to shower or swim. I have a friend who recently started with the Omnipod and he said he chose it because he didn't like the tubing, but I know he has knocked it off more than once, and when that happens you must attach a new pod. Make sure you look into all options because once you pick one, that's what you have for 4 years. Also, the Minimed pump does have a CGM available now, which I'm also using. As I understand from my friend, Omnipod says they're 6 months away.
It's no easier or harder to monitor blood glucose when you're on a pump over shots; you still have to test. A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) working with a pump makes it a little easier, as long as it's inserted properly, calibrated properly, etc. It just takes practice. It is definitely easier to achieve better control with a pump. I still remember when I was taking long-acting insulin I could easily talk myself out of testing. I figured, "What's the point? If it's high I can't really take more insulin at odd times because it may interact with the long-acting insulin already in my system causing me to crash later. If it's low, I can feel it." With a pump, if it's high, I can take a corrective bolus without taking another shot, and at least it doesn't have to be high for long.
I insert the needles (which come out, leaving only a small tube under the skin) in the abdomen or the back of my hips. The Medtronic Minimed pump has insertion sets that I use that go in at an angle instead of straight, (they're called "sillouette" sets) which work well for children too. This helps prevent hitting muscle if you don't have a lot of fat to work with. Make sure Omnipod inserts comfortably. I think they'll all let you try them out, and when you're making a four-year committment for a child, you should really do that.
I have the Medtronic Minimed Paradigm 722. I chose this pump because the medtronic brand is very, very reliable and they have great customer service. Its as easy to monitor my bgs with this pump as it is with any other pump I insert the needles in my arms and stomach. my stomach developed scar tissue so I am currently switching between arms. This works great for me but I know that a lot of boys like to put their sites on their butt because its easiest for them (?) but I didn't like my butt because the tubing would get caught every time I sat down!
Medtronic is great when I have issues with supplies and whatnot. Once I didn't order supplies when I was running out before realizing that I only had 3 sets left! they overnighted new sets right away without any extra charges! Then at overnight camp (not diabetes related) my pump broke due to the HOT HOT weather and they overnighted a new one right away. I am very happy with this pump (and bonus! they come in really awesome colors!!!)
hope this helped and contact me with any questions!
We chose the Animas Ping for our son. He started when he was 4. I got it because it had the smallest basal dose increments (0.025 units, which yes, we do use) and that it is waterproof. At his age we decided the Omnipod was too big for our son to have on him, but I know of other kids his age that are on it. The waterproof was important because little boys can get soaked head to toe with little effort. ;D
You still use a BG meter with the pump. THe pumps only deliver insulin, not monitor BG. But we have found that his BG is much more in his target range with the pump than before on shots (we deal with many fewer lows).
If your son is 12, he should be involved in the decision on which type of pump. He will quickly learn to operate it himself and he is the one who has to wear it. Another potential drawback to the omnipod is that if you lose the meter/remote, then you can't control the pump. We have left our PIng meter at school but can use the back-up meter at home and still use the pump itself to deliver insulin. Just something to consider about your son's responsibility.
There is no right or wrong choice. Pick whatever works for you and your son. IT does take an adjustment period that can be difficult, but we love our pump!