Today I woke up for the first time with a stranger in my bed. I don’t mean a person, but my newest friend for life, my pump.
Yesterday I finally got connected, to the Minimed Paradigm 522. After a day long training session I was finally sent home with an incredibly positive feeling. This “thing” attached to me feel a bit odd, but I was convinced great things were about to happen.
The training included all the basics of pumping, from loading the battery to changing your set. We started by calculating all our settings based on my total daily dose (TDD) and using some rules to estimate starting values. While these rules are amazing, it was also funny to see when the rules don;t quire work, like in my carb ratio, where the rule wanted me to almost double the ratio I used on MDI (no way that was going to work, so we manually adjusted to a more reasonable number) . We programmed a single flat basal rate, which is probably a good starting point, as well as single insulin sensitivity factor, and single carb ratio.
After setting up the rest of the menus, it was time to put some insulin in the pump, and more importantly, to put in my first infusion set. I must admit that I hate needles , and this part of the process was making me particularly nervous. In addition to that, I started using the Medtronic Quickset, which uses the Quickserter, a spring loaded device that shoots the needle into you… really scary stuff… To my surprise though, I didn’t feel a thing. The automatic insertion was so quick that by the time I looked it was all over. I’m very happy about the insertion process… it turned out to be not that scary after all.
The next concern in my list was sleep. How do you sleep with this thing… I couldn’t imagine how it would be. For the first night, I decided to leave the pump on its holster, and just clip it to my boxers. I chose to put it in the front so at least I could move around and sleep on my back or either side. My body of course had other plans and I tossed and turned like usual. Again, to my surprise, the pump was like it wasn’t there. I even woke up for my 2am blood test and realized that I was sleeping over the pump and could not even feel it. Again, in my case, sleeping proved to be another misplaced apprehension that had no reason to be.
After a day I have virtually eliminated most of the concerns I had about going on the pump, and I can not wait to see the real benefits of this incredible technology. Stay tuned…
May 20, 2009 at 10:01 am |
Wow you sound like a pro already. Glad things went so well for you. I shot up for 35 years before going on the pump and was so scared and now I wonder what I was so scared about, as it is just like a big syringe with fishlike tubing just under the skin. I always hated shots, I struggled every time I shot up, never got use to it. Pumping has eliminated the hassle.
Are you using the CGMS as well??
I take the pump out of the clip, holster and just let it lie next to me at night.
Keep us posted.
May 20, 2009 at 11:51 am |
Hi Karen,
I’m not using a CGMS yet. Here in Australia there is no coverage for it, and therefore costs a small fortune. I’m considering getting one to use occasionally, but want to take it one step at a time.
May 20, 2009 at 10:06 am |
so happy for you!
I’m still messing with rates a bit but from doing 4-6 shots daily…I’m a happy gal!
May 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm |
I tried the CGMS after many appeals with insurance company and I was not a fan. It was not accurate enough for me and the lag time made me over treat my lows. I just test test test and gave up on the CGMS.
May 21, 2009 at 1:43 am |
Hi Henry! As you know, you’re 2 weeks ahead of me, so I was really happy to find your blog via TuDiabetes link (how’d you do that anyway?)
Very happy to see that all went well. I’ll be using the Insets. I’ve already had them in (did it myself after watching something on YouTube – can you believe it?) and they really don’t hurt, do they. That was my biggest worry. Next worry is bent cannulas – had one already out of the 4 I’ve tried. So maybe I have to go to a longer one than the 9mm.
Please keep posting your progress! It’s really interesting to read!
May 22, 2009 at 6:04 am |
hi
i just red it
it’s good to hear about anewly pumper that isn’t whining about that…
go on like this,and be happy:)
May 22, 2009 at 9:06 am |
Thanks Saya!
Really appreciate the encouragement.
Cheers,
Henry.-
May 23, 2009 at 6:14 am |
So glad you are doing well with it. I am a new pumper also. Not doing so well with my bg though. Insulin resistant and novolog just isn’t doing it.
May 23, 2009 at 9:32 pm |
Hi Cathy,
I’m sorry to hear that the pump is not going that well for you. I’ve heard that some times it takes a while before everything settles.
I hope things get well for you soon.
Henry.-
June 2, 2009 at 3:29 am |
I stumbled on your site after making the decision to start using a pump after 26 years of MDI. Just reading a few of your postings has already answered many of my concerns. Keep up the good work! AND thank you very much for this website.
June 5, 2009 at 3:24 am |
Thank you for all of your posts, you have a great way of expressing your different concerns (which are pretty universal, I am sure)! I can’t wait to follow your inset reviews! (Just followed you over from TuD.) – Redmond, WA