Just dropping in…
I just posted a short question, but I thought I would introduce
myself. My husband is a brittle Type 1 diabetic. We found this out
about a month before his 30th birthday. He works hard at keeping
track of his levels and making sure he keeps them as level as
possible, but it’s very difficult for him. He’s been looking for a
bulletin board or chat for type 1’s for a while now, but hasn’t found
one yet. I thought I’d check out this group for him, if ya’ll don’t
mind. 
Anyway, I may jump in with some questions and/or comments
from time to time, so bear with me, please.
I have noticed that one or two of you have switched to the pumps. How
are they performing for you? How difficult/easy was/is it to control
your levels before/after the pump? How difficult/easy is it to care
for/wear?
Thanks!
Marjorie
July 19th, 2003 at 10:09 pm
— In type1_diabetes@y…, “xjsportchick” <xjsportchick@y…
Hi,
This is my perspective on it. I was diagnosed as a type 1
diabetic 28 years ago. As far as comparing the pump to multiple
daily injections, both of these regimens will give you more
success as you put more effort into them. With a pump, you can
keep very detailed records, track all of your dosages and
glucose tests and constantly try to correct things and get tighter
control. Or you can be more or less careless to varying degrees.
I think a pump will give you better results for your efforts than
injections possibly can. Using injections, I would hardly ever
think of giving myself an injection of less than five units. With my
pump, it is not at all unusual for me to give myself a bolus of 1/2
unit or less.
Even if I didn’t think I could achive better control with a pump, and
I do absolutely believe I can, the greater flexibility in my life would
be worth switching to the pump. I give myself insulin to match
what I eat or the exercise I’m getting. I never eat or change my
behavior to match insulin I’ve taken.
I never have to excuse myself to find a restroom or someplace
where I can give myself an injection.
My last A1c was 6.7, which isn’t great, but it’s better than I’ve ever
done before, and i know I can do better if I try harder.
Jerry