Several comments have asked why I think a pump would benefit me now. So I present to you, my top reasons.
1. Insulin sensitivity- My insulin carb ratio is either 1/20 or 1/30 (depending on time of day) now, so since you can't take below .5 units in syringes, I could bolus much more specifically with a pump.
2. Different basal rates- I'm more resistant during the day than at night, so rather than accommodating that with different carb ratios now (a work around), I could actually set different basal rates and have less lows and highs.
3. Exercise- Setting a temp basal to prevent lows rather than eating would be so nice, and help me lose weight, since I would not have to eat more just to exercise. I seem to have lows after exercise as well as during.
4. Turning off pump during lows-My lows can be very hard to recover from, and sometimes go on for hours. Setting a temp basal would help this.
5. Eliminate weekend highs- My records show I'm way higher on weekends than weekdays, I could use different basal rates to help this.
6. Gastroparesis- Square bolus could match up the timing of the insulin to the timing of my stomach better than shots.
7. Hectic lifestyle- Bolusing with a pump iseasier than taking shots on the run, and less planning involved.
8. Some days I just seem to run low- Setting a temp basal would help this as well.
9. My schedule is going to be even more hectic in the fall then it is now, and over the summer. A pump would make things easier in several ways. Bolusing can be done “on the run,” plus, the pump would handle most of the logging.
10. My insurance co-pay for a pump goes up in July significantly, so if I want one, now is the best timing.
11. Pumps can keep track of insulin on board better than I can by myself.
Yes, I plan on taking this list to the doctor with me.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
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3 comments:
Hi Megan,
This is a good list of very valid reasons for wanting a pump.
It can be so frustrating waiting for all of this to shake out, but stick with it!
Let us know if you have questions.
aren't you kind of new to D fof gastroparesis ?
Bethy, my gastroparesis is not related to diabetes. You can get it for other reasons. I had it before I had diabetes, it just makes some of the diabetes stuff harder to deal with.
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