[acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do.

[Veronica Elsea]

Hi there!
I am currently using the Cozmo from Smiths Medical, which is no 
longer available. I have been on a pump since 1991 and wouldn't go 
back to MDI for love nor money. <grin.> It's not something I fuss 
with all the time, quite the contrary.
I enjoyed reading the description of using the Medtronics and I 
cringed a bit. Problem is, when you enter your amount through the 
easy bolus, that amount isn't calculated into the insulin on board 
feature. Yikes. That's one of the things I really like about the 
pump. If you test your blood sugar and then want to take insulin to 
correct a high, the pump will factor in the amount of insulin you 
have still active in your system and subtract that amount. This 
prevents stacking and really cuts down on lows.
Here's what I would suggest you do for research. Because none of the 
pumps are what you'd call truly accessable, everyone's comfort level 
with figuring out the work-arounds is quite different. Your best 
research is to set up sessions with someone from each company so you 
can actually get your hands on each pump and see what feels right for 
you. The various reps are more than happy to do this. They do it for 
sighted people too.
I would meet with a Medtronics rep, an Animas rep, an Omnipod rep and 
an Accucheck Spirit rep from Roche. The Spirit will give you the most 
in terms of audio feedback, but it doesn't have as many features 
built into the pumps as the others. On the other hand, if when you 
check out the pumps, you don't think you'll be using those features, 
then the Spirit just may be your best option. None of the meters 
which link directly with the pumps talk at all.
The last time I had the round of visits was April of 2009. I'm 
honestly not sure which one I'd choose today if I had to because I 
can really access so many of the features of my Cozmo, including 
setting basal rates and stuff in their software. I'm spoiled.
But for me, the pump has given me so much freedom and flexibility. As 
someone who periodically ends up on steroids, man, I can't imagine 
sorting out those times without the pump. It's made meals more 
flexibile and allowed me to be much more spontaneous than I was on 
regular injections. The other big thing for me is that because of how 
the pump works, I was able to gain better control with half the 
amount of total daily insulin. That alone would be reason enough for 
me to put in the effort to learn a pump. I did not find it difficult 
at all to learn filling cartridges or connecting infusion sets. 
Although I did have more trouble with the Medtronics sets. And by the 
way, I am totally blind.
So, I really encourage you to have a grand, fun snoop. Your best 
homework is just hands-on play. And then feel free to come here with 
any questions, rants or whatever. <grin.> And keep us posted, of 
course. Good luck and have fun with the process.

Veronica
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