View Full Version : Why I love pumping
Pammers
11-03-2006, 03:48 PM
I haven't had any time to read or post, but wanted to share the good news.
Since, dx, Joey's a1c fluctuated from 7.2 to 8.2. 1 month after pump start it was 7.0.
While things have been better on the pump, we have still had days where he has numbers in the 200s and an occasional 300 or 400, but nothing like before. I expected him to be around 7 again.
Well, today he came in at 6.1!!!! Wow! It totally gave me the affirmation I needed for all the hard work.
Phooey on all those doctors that balk at pumps and say it doesn't help enough with glucose control. We live so much more normally (and even had candy on Halloween) and have better numbers to boot!
I totally recommend pumping!
AmyMcCracken
11-03-2006, 03:55 PM
I totally agree. It makes it easier to deal with and Kaylies numbers are more stable than with MDI. I LOVE OUR PUMP! :)
jeep_bluetj
11-03-2006, 04:18 PM
Phooey on all those doctors that balk at pumps and say it doesn't help enough with glucose control. We live so much more normally (and even had candy on Halloween) and have better numbers to boot!
I totally recommend pumping!
Those must be the doctors that don't read medical journals. By far, it is clearly indicated that for caring for IDDM:
Pumping > MDI (lantus/levimir) > NPH twice a day.
A dr that doesn't know this is one I won't talk to anymore.
Congrats on your successful pumping.
karonray
11-03-2006, 04:57 PM
Well, today he came in at 6.1!!!! Wow! It totally gave me the affirmation I needed for all the hard work.
I totally recommend pumping!
CONGRATS :cwds: .....
Adams first a1c since starting the pump came in at a nice 8.6 down from 9.9. Taylor is hold strong to a nice 7.8, could be a little better but she has outgrown her basal rates and now we start over again.
Its not just the a1c's that make me happy , its also the ablity to correct when ever they need it at anytime.
Pammers
11-03-2006, 05:01 PM
Yes....if only they would release the "Navigator" I'd be in heaven.
Momof4gr8kids
11-03-2006, 05:48 PM
Pumping > MDI (lantus/levimir) > NPH twice a day.
A dr that doesn't know this is one I won't talk to anymore.
I would normally agree, however it does depend on how you use it. When Julia was wearing the pump during her saline trail we met a woman in the store who was telling us about her pumping expirience. To me it sounded like she was using it as a $6,000 syringe.
jeep_bluetj
11-03-2006, 06:54 PM
I would normally agree, however it does depend on how you use it. When Julia was wearing the pump during her saline trail we met a woman in the store who was telling us about her pumping expirience. To me it sounded like she was using it as a $6,000 syringe.
Isn't that what it really is? One that has nicely programmable basals and other neato things, but I _could_ do everything with a syringe that I can do with a pump. I'd just need to give 24-48 injections per day. So it's a really convienient $6000 syringe. (And worth every penny, IMHO, and IMinsurance company'sO)
And method of treatment is dependant per person. Some folks get fantastic control with 2 doses of NPH/R per day. Some aren't willing to deal with the downsides of pumping. But, for the average t1 person, it's the option that yeilds the best control.
hold48398
11-03-2006, 08:54 PM
Yeah! We love our pump, too and wouldn't ever want to go back on shots!! I don't expect our A1C to be lower then last time because Mia started Kindergarten but I KNOW we have had better control with the pump than if she had been on shots (unimagineable for us now that she is in K)!!
Its always nice to get affirmation.
Pammers
11-04-2006, 02:36 PM
Yes it easier for me to have better control since Joe's with me 24-7 (except for a 1 hour class 2x a week). I know when he goes to school he will probably be higher in general since I want to reduce as much as possible (translation - eliminate) the chance of hypos. I know most people wouldn't pick up on the subtle signs. As it is I have a correction target of 120 for him now....and I'll probably have to raise it. The idea of him losing consciousness or having seizures scares the *$@# out if me, forget about it happening when I'm not around!
I wouldn't care even if there was no change in his a1c, the change in our lifestyle is PRICELESS.
agh! Reading all these just makes me so envious. I still can't quite convince my son to go for the pump. We were just about to go for it at one point about 6 months ago, and went to the pre-pump class at our hospital. I think the whole thing just scared him even more. Also, I knew our insurance would be changing over the summer, so I didn't push it any further then.
Recently a local girl a few years older than my son showed him her pump, and I think it made a bit of an impression. I'm trying not to push too hard (it tends to send him running in the opposite direction). He did say a couple of weeks ago that maybe he would try one next summer. We go back to the endo in late November, and I hope to get the ball rolling then, but I don't want to scare him off again. He is 11. I'm afraid that week of saline trials will completely turn him off since it is kind of the worst of both worlds that week.
I really think if he gives it a try, without judging too quickly, he'll be fine within a pretty short time. I just want him to go into this thinking that it is HIS choice, and not something that I am making him do. Things will go a lot smoother that way as he is a pretty stubborn kid! Is there anyone else who had to convince a preteen to try a pump? Any good suggestions (I am not above bribery!)
Momof4gr8kids
11-05-2006, 01:59 AM
Julia is 5, but we left it up to her. She was really hessitant at first. I think they think of an IV when they see the thing go in, and such. Next time HE brings it up, ask him if he would like to meet with some of the reps so that he could play with a few of the pumps.
Also Animas has a pump budy program that they can set you up with, if you are thinking of going with Cozmo, or Minimed they might have the same thing. There are also some books for teens that are just about D, but cover pumping, and injections so it wouldn't be like pushing him, just giving him more info. One is (I think ) 487 really cool tips for kids with diabetes. It has some info about the pump
Goos luck, I think it is really neat you aren't pushing him into it!
Jamie
Pammers
11-05-2006, 10:34 AM
Beth, ask if they can do the saline trial on YOU. That way you all can get used to the features and he won't have double pokes.
good ideas...thanks Jamie and Pam!
mom2jjm
11-06-2006, 10:31 AM
I'm not familiar with the Animas pump buddy program. Could you tell me about it? We're already pumping with Animas, but we could be buddies for someone just starting.
Melissa
Ben'sMommy
11-06-2006, 04:49 PM
I totally agree Pam!!!
PUMPS ROCK!
Congrats on a super A1c. :)