Problems adjusting to Insulin pump!

[Paul66]

Maybe it's just me but I've been on the pump for 3 weeks and I've found it mentally challenging to have this device always attached. Even when sleeping, I've got this device on , it's on me 24/7, the only time it's off is to take a shower. When I go to the Gym to workout, people look at you in the change room and for the first time since I've been diagnosed with Diabetes I feel different than my fellow man/woman. When I look in the mirror and I see this device attached I realize that I have this disease and that I'm not normal anymore.

Anyone else go thru this? Is this just me? Please share your thoughts!!

[Gina]

listen... diabetes stinks we all know this.. if you want better control the pump is the way to go. you have only been on it for 3 weeks, once you realize the benefits of being on the pump you wont even care what people think. and you are being paranoid noone is looking at your pump. you are normal, just a person that lives with diabetes. dont let diabetes control you and your life. dont care what people think, let them stare.

It is a mental challenge every day is a challenge but you cant let it get to you. ever. we all go through the ups and downs of having diabetes. Once you get over the bump in the road you will be ok. I PROMISE! and if you need to vent we are here to listen!

[iroseland]

hey,

Good news on the pump.. I hear its great stuff and am still looking forward to getting one myself.

When they look at you like that just give it right back, most folks are pretty uptight about their own appearance and they might learn a lesson or two about what they are doing..

I often cannot resis asking them if they want some to. 8^) I got in trouble back in highschool once for adding that it packed one hell of a buzz... 8^)

You should see how uncomfortable folks get at a resturaunt when you take care of things at the table. When the waitstaff makes the mistake of bothering me they get the whole what the difference between this and an inhaler speech.

I have taken the road of making their discomfort fun for myself.. Its the least I can do as thats nothing compared to the nonstop blood testing and occasionally hitting a nerve.

Ivan!

[Betty J]

If people are curious about the pump take that opportunity to educate them about Diabetes. Although you've only been pumping for 3 weeks you'll learn to take command of your pump and how it works. Having pumped for 8 years I refer to my pump as my exterior Pancreas.

[Kim Elizondo]

Hey there
The pump will take some time to get used to. I remember when I first got my pump, my CDE loaded saline in the reservoir for a day or so so I can get used to having the pump. Yeah, it feel awkward at first, but at the time, I had young children that I had to care for at the time and that was priority of my worry. I got used to it and I really enjoy the freedom of the pump. Ive had it for 8 years (next month). I do from time to time take manual dose from a syringe, but I use the catheter at the site when my blood sugar is tooo high.

[Berta]

I LOVE my insulin pump. When people are curious I am proud and excited to show it to them and they get enthusiastic too. I also have a new continuous real time glocose monitor and Love it also. It does take more time to program and a little more work but I have been without it for a week because out of sensors and I feel like I am in the olden days when we managed with urine tests in a test tube with a tablet. This new technology is wonderful for me and I especially like the bolus wizard. I only buy pants with pockets now and keep my pump there and don't even know it is there. Found a seamstress that will add pockets to pants if they have none. Allso have nightgown with pocket in center front that I like a lot to keep pump in at night. They surely have some kind of night shirt for guys with a center front insulin pump pocket. It really stays out of the way that way. Also if you carry the pump in the leather waist case it looks like a cell phone. Keep trying I think you will like it. And what is this normal stuff? How many of your friends are "normal" ? Look closely, they are all different in one way or another. Good Luck. I have been dealing with this since age 15 and am now 70. You can do it too. Grandmaberta

[KC]

Been using my pump (minimed 722) for about 6 months and love it. A1C went from 10.5 to 5.7. The level of control is great. Occasionally get a look when using in a resturant, but don't care. You can get use to it and will like the increase in control. Good luck!

[Richard]

I felt that way when I started pumping in June of this year. I wore my pump beneath my trousers waist band, out of sight , or in my pocket. After a few weeks I clipped it to my belt in plain view. No one has ever asked me about it. I have never taken a shower with other people viewing me since I started pumping. I would not hesitate doing so now. I like educating people who know so little about diabetes. So many people have never heard of insulin pumps. I hope your hesitance is resolved in the very near future. It is simply a matter of adjustment. Give it time. Good luck!

Richard

[Istvan]

Dude, you far out man! Do you have any idea how fortunate you are to have a pump?
Would you rather be in Africa or Asia where not only is there no insulin pump for anyone, but insulin is very scares as well. Count your blessings that you're where you are and not in some Godforsaken place where you'd technically dry right up within hmm, at most 7 months.
Be happy mate for you are technically the CHOSEN ONE...
As I say... we live on borrowed time, and with the PUMP we are "made men/women"!
Seroiusly though do not dispear, look around on this site and you'll feel at home in no time...
Cheers,
stvan

[Berta]

I am very slow in replying, like a year but I dont know much about computers and got lost. Just found your comment about Africa. My pump has been to Africa with me attached and sure made the trip easier. Went on a safari severa; years ago in the spring and saw all th baby animals. What a treat. My life dream since I was 2 or 3. I also got to gho to Switzerland another lifelong dream. So glad I got to do both because now I am on dialysis and it would certainly be harder. Dialysis is going pretty well and now fits in my schedule. Hope I can figure out how to send this to you.

[Becca]

It can be hard at first, but just hang in there. I started the pump 4 years ago, I was still in High School, definitely had a lot of weird looks, I just ignored it, unless they asked- then I was happy to explain it to them and show them. There are a lot of people who may not even realize that's what it is. If you ever need to vent or talk, I'm here and ready to listen. :)

[Pamela Weisshar]

I have had my pump for about a year now. Each time I change my pump, I go through these relieving it's not attached periods. If my sugars are good, I'll wait an hour before I put it back on. I consider it my hour of freedom. I know that the pump has helped me in many ways to feel more normal, but in some ways I feel more of an outsider. As a substitute teacher, students always ask me what it is. I've turned having a pump from an eyesore into a special part about me. I would tell the students my story, share what it's about and they become quite interested. Now, if I see people I know and they ask me what the pump is, I tell them about it. Most people confuse it for an oldfashioned pager or a cellphone. Having a cool skin on my pump also helps me make it more personal. I know this, I have stopped taking shots 5 times a day and now I take one shot every 4 days. The pump has made my life less prickly. For that I am thankful. Give the pump some adjusting time as I am sure that you aren't quite used to it. In the beginning I felt like I was explaining myself when it wasn't needed. Sometimes it can be more in your head.

[Richard]

Hello Pamela. I am curious about your needing one injection every four days. Are yo talking about changing your infusion sets? Lol! I think that must be it. If you wear each set for four days it is possible you may have scar tissue developing beneath your skin surface. A build-up of scar tissue can cause absorption problems and uneven distribution of your insulin. That would result in high blood sugar. I had that problem when I started pumping in June, 2007. I did not know about scar tissue and I was getting "No Delivery" alarms on my pump. I would then have a test of 200+ and took a regular injection to correct the high. When my scar tissue was diagnosed I began rotating sites to avoid any more scar tissue developing. Scar tissue develops when the same body part is used repeatedly for a long period of time. I am presenrly rotating from my lower abdomen to my upper legs to prevent scar tissue. I rotate about every three weeks. I keep my sites about two inches apart. I can no longer use my upper abdomen because I injected there for over 61 years before I started pumping and I have permanent scar tissue there now. Good luck with your pumping!!