Daughter Emma and I spent quite a while today with a Medtronics rep finding out the latest re Insulin pumps. Very educational and it looks like it could be a goer with private health.
I have had type 1 Diabetes since February 1970 when I was 20 and a half years old. I have 18 months until I have earn't my 50 years with type 1 Diabetes award. Emma has had type 1 since she was 14, now 42.
My wife has had an insulation pump for 5 years after about 20 years as a type 1 diabetic, and is just about to upgrade to the latest model.
It's been great as far as she is concerned - her blood sugar control has been much more consistent that her previous 4 injection a day routine. A bonus is that you don't have to plan ahead so much regarding meals at set times, and don't need to estimate meals before you inject - adjust insulation after you know how much you have just eaten. Much more accurate. Her weight has been easier to control as well.
It's a steep learning curve, and her diabetes educator and endocrinologist work together to sort out insulin patterns. You'll need to learn how to adjust insulin flows for exercise as well as food. You'll find out about basal insulin flows, and when to adjust these, and boluses (insulin spikes) to help with food ingestion.
The worst thing for me was seeing her with something hanging off her body - takes a while to get used to, but just a normality now.
G'day.
My wife has had an insulin pump for 12 years. Diabetes for 56 years. She has been travelling Australia with me for the last 3 years. She reckons that it is better than 5 injections a day. Better than sex and chocolates.
She has not had any problems obtaining supplies. Just needs a bit of preplanning.
Make sure you check your Hospital cover. You will probably need top level cover.
All in all, she says go for it.Make sure you are comfortable with pumping before setting out on your travels.
Regards Robert
Hi paul, my son has had type 1 since he was 13 and is now 30. He is in mining with BHP and spends most of his week in The Pilbara. He has been using the pump for about 4 years now and finds it has made keeping control of his levels a lot better which was quite hard working long hours and living in mining camps but he did say you do have to have a good understanding of portion sizes etc. Rod.
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Rod.
Ah! The serenity
Tug - Mitsubishi Challenger, Van - Starcraft Outback Poptop..
I should have put in the original post how many are using the "closed loop" CGM system as well, where the consumerables run to around $250 per month that the insurance does't cover?
Emma and I are starting without the CGM, Emma will be ok as she has been carb counting for years. My lazy state of mind these days might make it a bit harder!! Everything is getting too hard for me these days, my get up and go has definately got up and gone.
G'day again,
My wife has used the CGM system occasionally. You are right, it is expensive.
What Maureen (the one who I love and adore), does is 2 or 3 times a year use the chm, usually before she sees her specialist. The rest of the time she checks her bgl several times a day.
She now uses the libre flash system which lasts for 14 days and costs about $95 after the initial set up.
We wish you all the best. Don't let diabetes be an excuse not to do it.
Regards Robert
My grand daughter has type 1 and she has a automatic pump around her waist and a thing stuck to her arm that is connected to her phone that bibs when her readings are not right
Emma has had type 1 since she was 14, now 42.
