Pros and Cons to and Insulin Pump?
155203
I highly recommend an Insulin Pump.  I have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 21 years now.  I have worn a pump for around 10 of those years.  I got my pump from MedTronic MiniMed.  I currently have the Paradigm 511 pump. I would put up a major fight before I would give up pump therapy.  I definitely would not change my choice.  At first it felt akward wearing it on my side-now if for some reason I take it off or forget to put it back on I feel akward.  If anyone ever notices they think its a beeper.  It's very compact and versatile.  My life is much better- I was taking about 4 shots a day before-which I didn't mind the actual shot-it was the rollercoaster up and down;having to get up from the table becaused I forgot my shot or maybe even forgot if I had taken my shot.  The pump has the history of when you took extra insulin how much you took and its right with me;I dont have to leave the table or run to the bathroom in public to take a shot(some people don't understand!!)You don't have to get up early on the weekends just to eat and take your shot-your diet is much more rewarding.  You don't have to eat at the same time everyday.  And you only change the site of delivery about once every 3 days.  The pump provides so much freedom and flexibility as what I had been accustomed to.  It is worth ever penny.  I guess I wrote too much but I would love to tell you more.  GO FOR THE PUMP NOW!!!!
152399
RBK pump 2.0\nbet ya !!! no shoez better thn da !!!
945704
Do NOT use insulin that has been frozen. Some insulins are made to release slowly, others immediately. Once it's been frozen the structure will have been altered. Fast acting insulin may not work or be unpredictable. Those longer acting insulins might be released more rapidly or not at all. Throw it out and get a new vial.
159484
An insulin pump is a device used to deliver insulin over a period of time without having to take shots all the time. Here's how it works. First, before you ever go on a pump your Doctor or Diabetic Educator will instruct you how to use it, clean it and prepare the infusion set. Basically here is how it works. Your Dr. will create a BASAL RATE this is the amount of insulin your body requires every hour. The pump automatically injects this for you. Depending on a number of factor this basal rate is very small. This is doing the same task as your pancreous (sorry for the misspelling) would normally do if it were working. Then before you eat or snack you would push a few buttons to deliver extra units of insulin to cover the food you eat. Again, your Dr. will explain how much insulin to take. The insulin is delivered through an infusion set. This is tubing anywhere from about 12 inches to 24 inches. At the end of the tubing is a small cathator that is inserted by you usually in the stomach but other sites are also available. Inside the pump is a syringe that hold enough insulin to last 24 to 36 hours (give or take a few hours). This limits the amount of times you actually have to inject yourself with a needle. Pumps have come along way since they first appeared on the market in about 1986. They can now be worn in the water, have special features, and some models even have remote controls. Most diabetics have great success with them. One thing to be very certain of is to check your blood sugar very often to be certain that your sugars are not too low or high. By the way, in 1986 I was one of the first diabetic patients to test the insulin pump during pregnancy in the state of California. I'm pleased to say it was a great success.\n\nGood luck!
947113
what kind of glucometer machine do you have?? Every machine is different. I have a One touch and I use strips and once the correct steps are followed I obtain my sugar level. No machines don't get blood into them unless inproper steps have happened.
419534
Since my mother is Diabetic this isn't very difficult.  3.  Although 1 is a correct answer it is misleading.  The idea is to lower the insulin but to do that you have to give the person sugar so that the insulin has something to latch onto.
414917
See about getting the insulin pen
701108
If you absolutely have to have it sweet then use Splenda.  It is made from sugar but doesn't have the effects of sugar.  Even sugar subsitutes should be avoid where possible because they tend to elevate you insuline.
1116672
I have been taking beyetta 10mg. for over 6 months.  I have never had any side effects.  I take it before breakfast and dinner.  They say that you need to be sure not to take it after eating.  There is a blog on beyetta.  I looked into it before starting.  There were alot of people having problems with it.  I googled beyetta and found it that way.  Hope things work out for you.  They say it's suppose to control the weight gain from insulin.  It has stopped my weight gain but has not helped me any in reducing.\n\nAgain, I hope it works out ok and don't forget to look for the blog.
1089475
I work with many patients who have used traditional insulin pumps from companies such as Animas, Minimed, & Smiths Medical.  Most folks who have read about or tried the OmniPod system are excited about the ease of use.  It's still early, since the OmniPod is fairly new, but it seems quite promising.\n\n***Be sure to consult your endocrinologist with any specific medical questions regarding your diabetes or insulin regimen!
82219
Pricing is declining, although most of the people rely on insurance or Medicare to purchase this kind of stuff and buy them directly to the manufacturers (prices between 3,000 to 6,000 USD!). Also expensive matter are the accesories or the insulin itself you need afterwards.  Today about 300,000 insulin pump users in the world.\nTry in some webpages for more info.
661585
humans synthesis insulin( beta cells) in the pancreas.Beta cells make up 75% of the working cells of this exocrine gland. insulin is used as a "key" by the body to unlock the cells "door", and allow glycagon to enter, then the cell uses the new energy to function. in diabetes, the key or insulin is in short supply or missing. so the cell door cant be opened and glucose floats freely in the blood stream to the kidneys( making them work harder) and the body doesn't get its needed energy. insulin can't be ingested by mouth due to the high acidic levels in digestion.this would destroy the polypeptides. Pork insulin ( lenti) has been used for years for people who develop insulin Resistance but is being phased out as are other animal derived hormones. synthetic insulin and islets cell transplants(being done in Canada,with success!) are the future of treating this syndrome.oral medication are not insulin but are used to regulate carb absorption or breakdown. oral meds are used at different times of day, alone or with insulin. they have even learned that woman who have PCOS ( who also run a higher risk of developing DM) can be treated with a glucose lowering agent called Glucophage.And new insulins like Lantus, allow better control with one injection a day.
538465
I agree with the previous poster.  I love my pump.  As far as "restricting oral intake"- as long as you count carbs accurately, you can really eat whatever you want.  I take 1 unit to 22 grams, and if I count carbs well, I can eat 100 grams and still end up in range.  It's great.\n\nI have one rate I usually use, and temporary rates for background insulin I can set if I am being active.  This really helps prevent lows.  It's great.\n\nI also like being able to set different amounds of insulin for different times of day.  I used to wake up low all the time, not anymore!\n\nOverall, it works well.\n\nA few links from the post before mine don't work.  The links for the pump companies are:\n\nhttp://www.minimed.com\nhttp://www.cozmore.com\nhttp://www.animascorp.com
96308
When you have a pump, there is a stint that stays in you like with an IV, but the pump and tube itself can be removed if you're going to be active. You won't need insulin during love-making or any other physical activity. The stint is small and you can place it wherever you think is more comfortable - even your backside. When your activity is finished, you can just replace the tube in the stint and you're good to go.
953500
I am a woman and have been on a pump for nearly 5 years. This being a turn off to my husband (when I was married) or to my fiance I have now has always been the least of my concerns as my health is much, much more important to me than that. But, I do understand that it can be a real concern. With a pump, you can still wear it during lovemaking (I have a belt type of thing held with velcro that holds my pump so it doesn't get in the way of lovemaking and everyday tasks). Or, if you really want to, you can bolus (give a little insulin) before lovemaking when you know you are going to be doing so, and take it off at the cannula (insert) site for the time you will be 'busy' then put it back on. Just be sure to check your blood sugar before and after doing this to be sure your blood sugar stays in range, tho. You do NOT want to have it off for more than an hour or two, tho, or else you will be without the much needed insulin.\n\nI can tell you this:  my health has improved sooooooooooooo much since I got on the pump. I went from having A1c's of 9-11% down to 6-7%. My eyesight got better in the one I can see out of (left one is blind; right one went from 20/50 or 20/60 with glasses to 20/30 with glasses). My neuropathy isn't as bad in my fingers/hands. I have sooooooooooooooooooooooo much more energy to do the things I want and need to do every day. And the best thing is:  I live my life according to my life, NOT according to the shots, eating schedule, etc. If I want to sleep in, I can because I have insulin going thru me all the time. If I want to skip a meal, I can and not have a problem. If I go out to eat and eat more than I usually do at home, I can and cover it with insulin right away from the pump. If I want to go to a function where I will be 'grazing' on food, I can program my pump to slowly give me insulin over the period of time I will be eating and know that I am covered for the food during that time. Before the pump, I was up to 6 or more shots a day and could not control it, no matter what I did or tried. With the pump, I have one needle prick (besides the blood sugar tests, that is) every 3 days!! What a major difference this has made in my life!\n\nPersonally, I wouldn't worry about what your husband would think about it, if it will be a turn off for him or not. If he loves you, he won't care. He will care about the person you are on the inside and will want you to do this to take the best care of your diabetes that you can, and in this day and age (as far as I can tell), a pump is the best way. In my personal opinion, pretty much every diabetic that has to take insulin should be on a pump for the best control they can get.\n\nIf you are still concerned about it, talk with your husband about it. Tell him your concerns and fears. Get his opinion on it. I personally think that he will probably say to go ahead and get it so you can take excellent care of your diabetes.\n\nPlease contact me via e-mail if you have any questions or concerns about it. I welcome any and all questions about the pump, the effects it has had on me and my life, etc. Good luck!
386833
Throw it out. \n\nIt's true that many medications can be used beyond their expiration date, and in fact they are often shipped to third world countries where they are sorely needed.\n\nUnfortunately, insulin loses its potency more quickly than most drugs. If it isn't potent enough to control your blood glucose you could potentially end up in the hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis.\n\nPlay it safe. Get some fresh insulin. You and your health are worth the effort.
237260
PROS & CONS \nof Gastric Bypass Surgery \n \nCLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR FULL ARTICLE