Hi, just a lil' introduction...

[JessArt85]

Hi everyone!

This looks like a great forum and I am glad that I found it! There are so many experienced and invormative people on here I am quite amazed and happy that I was so lucky to stumble on such a great site!

A little introduction about myself. I was diagnosed at the age of 10 and I've had diabetes for 20 years! Go figure, huh :) I originally started with nph and um, ah it seems like it's been forever I don't remember what the other insulin was. Then I moved to use nph and humalog, then to humalog and lantus, and I'm now with a humalog pen and lantus. My doctors always tell me how great I do with my diabetes, and they are always trying to think of stuff of what I could do better! I like that I am under control, and I used to never think that I would want a pump. My doctors would ask, but I would always decline and say that I was doing just fine with what I have. Which don't get me wrong, I do do fine. My A1c's are usually around 7% and I know I've seen way better on here, but I guess before checking around 7 was good for me! (and still is, as far as I know)

Anyways, last summer I was a counselor at camp and from the time when I was at camp (as a camper) to being a counselor of a cabin with about 25: 7-10 year olds, there is a HUGE differene between pump users and non-users then and now. There were no pumpers at camp that I know of when I was a camper @ age 10 and 11, and now at camp it seemed that around 75% of the campers were pumpers :o Kinda a shock for me, because I guess I never thought about it or even realized how easy pumping is and could be.

But even after seeing all the pumps, I still had/have the question of whether or not I really want to have something attached to my 24/7 :confused: I just don't know, I mean if what you have is working good, why change? Well I guess you could say that was my thinking for the most part of my diabetic life, until maybe the last month or so. I don't know, something just went click in my head, like "Jessica, yeah, you will have something attached to you 24/7, but for 1. they aren't HUGE and for another thing the advantage of not having to worry about giving your insulin when outwieghs having it attached"

Now don't get me wrong, I still am slightly reserved about going on a pump, but I think after looking more and more into them, they just sound soo high tech and exciting, I can't believe I never wanted one before. I'm such a techie nerd like that:cool:

So anyways, (sorry for the long intro, but I've been searching all around I just thought this was the best place to say "hey" and tell you a little bit about what I was going through) We still have to call the minimed rep (that's the rep my doc reccomended, this is a good company, no?) and see what insurance will cover.

So if you read this far! Thank you!! I hope to be around the boards more and here's a few questions if you just want to help a newbie out!!

1. Anyone here have blue cross blue shield and know their stance on pumps/pump supplies?

2. My doctor said pumps cost around $8000, but I thought I once read more like $3000. I'm guessing my doctor is right, but why such the big discrepancy?

3. I read a lot of people who have animas pumps, is there a reason you would chose animas over minimed (other than maybe that's all insurance would cover)?

4. For the cannula's why would you want it angeled as opposed to straight? I'm thinking the straighter and shorter, the better, but is there flaw to my thinking?

5. Does anyone know if there is a picture comparison of the different pumps that shows how large each is in comparison to the body?

6. How to deal... Where are the various places you could place your pump? And how do you attach the pump, is a clip strictly the only way of attachment, other than putting it in your pocket?

7. What's the longest (reccomended) amount of time you can be without your pump on? (ex. for swimming)

[JessArt85]

Oh yeah, and non-related to diabetes,but to this site. How come my profile picture doesn't show with my posts? Is there something I have to check somewhere that I am missing?

[Jana]

Welcome to the site! My 2-year-old was dx'd almost a year ago, and we are starting on the pump right now. If you are curious about the pump, the best thing to do is talk to some of the pump representatives in your area. You should be able to schedule a test run. They'll let you wear a pump with saline for a bit, so you can see what it is really like. My husband and I both tried out pumps for a weekend because we wanted to know more about what it was like before we put one on our child. We came away from the experience with a much better perspective of pump therapy. It made our decision easy, and it gave Gabriel the chance to see Mommy and Daddy wearing a pump. After that...he was sold :D. He's always wanted to be big and do everything we do. ANYWAYS (I ramble)...Testing out the pump (or several different pumps) is really the only way to know, for sure, which treatment is best for you. As for your questions:

1. Anyone here have blue cross blue shield and know their stance on pumps/pump supplies?

We don't have blue cross, but the pump companies should be able to tell you easily...or just call your insurance.

2. My doctor said pumps cost around $8000, but I thought I once read more like $3000. I'm guessing my doctor is right, but why such the big discrepancy?

I have no idea...sorry...

3. I read a lot of people who have animas pumps, is there a reason you would chose animas over minimed (other than maybe that's all insurance would cover)?

We liked Animas and Cozmo over Minimed because those pumps are waterproof whereas Mimimed is splash resistance...and because Minimed's memory is volital. Here's a great site to compare side-by-side.

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php

4. For the cannula's why would you want it angeled as opposed to straight? I'm thinking the straighter and shorter, the better, but is there flaw to my thinking?

There are short angled cannula's as well...I believe Gabriel's is 6mm. Angled is very good for people with little body fat. Since it goes in at an angle, it doesn't go in as deep...so you're less likely to hit muscle.

5. Does anyone know if there is a picture comparison of the different pumps that shows how large each is in comparison to the body?

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php

It doesn't show life size pictures...but it does give you exact measurements of the pumps.

6. How to deal... Where are the various places you could place your pump? And how do you attach the pump, is a clip strictly the only way of attachment, other than putting it in your pocket?

We put Gabriel's pump in his pocket, but there are a variety of pump packs out there. There are thigh holsters (like garders), there's a bra one (so the pump sits just between the girls)...You could probably come up with a great option for yourself if you look around. Here's a thread (under Parents of Children w/ type 1---How do your children where the pump) where people discuss different companies that make pump packs and accessories:

http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=559

7. What's the longest (reccomended) amount of time you can be without your pump on? (ex. for swimming)

Ummm...I'm not sure on this one. We're not planning on having Gabriel's off much.

[Hollyb]

Hi there!
My 14-year-old has been pumping for about a month. It's amazing to me how quickly he got used to being "hooked up," and he really loves the freedom it gives him, even though he was doing very well with injections. I can offer a few answers:

2. My doctor said pumps cost around $8000, but I thought I once read more like $3000. I'm guessing my doctor is right, but why such the big discrepancy?

Aaron's Animas cost $6500 Cdn -- somewhere in between the two. The newest minimed has an additional real-time glucose sensor, which sounds wonderful but is quite bulky, requires changing a second infusion site regularly, and adds a lot to the cost, so perhaps your doctor was referring to that product?

3. I read a lot of people who have animas pumps, is there a reason you would chose animas over minimed (other than maybe that's all insurance would cover)?

We chose the Animas for a few reasons:
- as far as we could tell, it seemed to have a better reputation in the customer service department
- they were prompt and thorough in reply to all our questions, sent a rep to our small town to meet us and demonstrate the product, but DIDN'T hard-sell us. Minimed was rather hard to get a reply from, and then rather pushy abou their product.
- Aaron preferred the look and size of it (very sleek and slim)
- It's waterproof, though he doesn't intend to actually wear it swimming that's still good for times when he forgets and jumps or falls in (we have a cottage)

4. For the cannula's why would you want it angeled as opposed to straight? I'm thinking the straighter and shorter, the better, but is there flaw to my thinking?

Funnily enough, Aaron thought he would really prefer the short straight-in set but actually likes the short angled set better, even though it looks more intimidating. It stays put more securely for an active kid and he prefers being able to ease it in slowly (the straight sets have to go in fast or they tend to wrinkle up the cannula). On the other hand, we find the angled sets leave a bigger "hole" after they are removed that takes quite a while to completely disappear.

For straight-in sets, the best length depends on the amount of body fat you have. Skinny people need the short sets or they hit muscle. People with a bit more padding need the longer set to make sure they get good absorption.

6. How to deal... Where are the various places you could place your pump? And how do you attach the pump, is a clip strictly the only way of attachment, other than putting it in your pocket?

Aaron used the clip for a while until it fell off in gym. Now he mostly uses the leather case that came with our pump, fastened to his belt loop. He puts it in a baby sock and pins it to his boxers for sleeping, but we also have a nice soft case -- wide elastic and a velour pouch -- that would be good for sleeping or activities where you don't want it bouncing around. It holds the pump close to your waist, under your shirt.

7. What's the longest (reccomended) amount of time you can be without your pump on? (ex. for swimming)\

I understand that most people are fine to disconnect for an hour or so, maybe more if you're being active. Aaron takes his off for sports (after having a dodge ball send his pump flying!) and swimming. If you're swimming all afternoon at a cottage, it's easy enough to just check your BG now and then, hook up and take a small bolus if you need to, and then get back to the water. It takes literally a second to "plug in" or "unplug."

One problem we've had that worries me a bit with summer coming up is getting the tape on his infusion site to stick on the whole three days. With the amount of swimming we do at the lake, I think it's going to be a struggle to keep it secure (we're already using Skin Tac and sometimes extra tape to keep it down now). Most people don't seem to have a problem with the sites lifting up though -- something about his skin chemistry maybe.

Good luck with your decision!

[ann-lolly]

HollyB---thanks so much for the indo on the Animas pump--we just had someone come to our house yesterday to show us and my 5 yr. old the pump and you answered questions that I never even thought of, I like the sock idea. Thanks again!!!

[JessArt85]

Hi again!

Thanks for all the responses. I really appreaciate everyone's input. The more I learn, the more I am ready for a pump!:)

[Ben'sMommy]

My son is 2 and has been pumping for well over a year now.:D

I don't know anything about prices because we are in Ireland and the Government pays for everything here.
We take Ben's pump off for the duration of bath-time and swimming but also if he's very active it can come off and his activity keeps the blood glucose in line.
Once or twice we have taken it off for 2 - 3 hours (when he's been at activity parks etc) checking his BS to make sure it was ok but doctors here recommend you only leave it off for an hour (give or take a few mins).

www.pumpwearinc.com is a good site for ways to wear your pump. They do a great adult line.

I bet that although your control is good now, it would be fantastic with a pump!
If you do decide to go for it I reckon you'll be back on here in a few months asking how you ever coped without it!!!:)

Best of luck.

Carol.

[wendyc]

Hi,
My daughter has been diabetic for almost 1 year now and we have been pumping for almost 3 months now.

1. Anyone here have blue cross blue shield and know their stance on pumps/pump supplies? We have Empire BCBS. The plan we are on (there are several, so you will need to call and find out what's what) covered the pump 100% and supplies 100%. We have what Animas calls the "Cadillac of Insurance" I told my husband that he cannot change jobs until our daughter is an adult!
2. My doctor said pumps cost around $8000, but I thought I once read more like $3000. I'm guessing my doctor is right, but why such the big discrepancy? I heard $5000-$6000

3. I read a lot of people who have animas pumps, is there a reason you would chose animas over minimed (other than maybe that's all insurance would cover)? We chose Animas 1. Excellent customer service 2. Gives smallest dose of insulin (great for small kids)
4. For the cannula's why would you want it angeled as opposed to straight? I'm thinking the straighter and shorter, the better, but is there flaw to my thinking? We were given the Infuson Inset by our doc. Our daughter only weighs 36lbs, so for her this works best.

5. Does anyone know if there is a picture comparison of the different pumps that shows how large each is in comparison to the body? http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php[/url]
This doesn't show in comparisson on the body, but it does give dimensions. The Animas 1250 is about the size of of flip cell phone.6. How to deal... Where are the various places you could place your pump?
Belly or buttocks
And how do you attach the pump, is a clip strictly the only way of attachment, other than putting it in your pocket? There are belt clips, belly bags www.pumpwearinc.com
7. What's the longest (reccomended) amount of time you can be without your pump on? (ex. for swimming) Suggested, 1 hour. Some people go a little longer. You must Check sugar, reconnect, correct if you are high and then disconnect and go back to having fun.

I know it is a big decision to make both emotionally and financially, but you won't be disappointed! Good luck.[/COLOR]

[leslie91879]

Hi everyone!

1. Anyone here have blue cross blue shield and know their stance on pumps/pump supplies? Yes BCBS will pay part of the pump and the supplies (I have BCBS TN) but wait until you meet the dectucible and they will pay more the last one I got which was the Animas IR1000 cost me just under 300.00 after ins paid their part

2. My doctor said pumps cost around $8000, but I thought I once read more like $3000. I'm guessing my doctor is right, but why such the big discrepancy? It depends on the model and brand you get

3. I read a lot of people who have animas pumps, is there a reason you would chose animas over minimed (other than maybe that's all insurance would cover)? I started with Disetronic and then went to Animas since that is what my endo had

4. For the cannula's why would you want it angeled as opposed to straight? I'm thinking the straighter and shorter, the better, but is there flaw to my thinking? I am on a 45 deg insert and about to go to a 90 deg at the time I started wearing a pump the only one you could disconnect was a 45 deg insert one so that is what made my choice

5. Does anyone know if there is a picture comparison of the different pumps that shows how large each is in comparison to the body? against me mine looks like a small cell phone or a pager the front is about the size of a credit card and just over 1/4 inch thick

6. How to deal... Where are the various places you could place your pump? And how do you attach the pump, is a clip strictly the only way of attachment, other than putting it in your pocket? I usually have mine in my pocket or in a cell phone case on my belt and no one notices that it is there. when the occasion comes around that I need to wear a dress I either get a garter and clip it there or in a baby sock and then in my bra.

7. What's the longest (reccomended) amount of time you can be without your pump on? (ex. for swimming)[/COLOR]I was told that I could go for an hour with out then back on for 2 then I could go another hour if you are swimming I would think that you might be able to go longer I leave mine on when I swim just prick my finger about every 30 minutes to make sure I dont need to snack on something. I do however disconnect when I take a shower or a bath.