I am considering obtaining a diabetic pump.?
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!
426756
I have prescription coverage, and I still mail-order all my stuff. Insulin, test strips, infusion sets for my pump... i get a three month supply delivered to my front door. And, it is cheaper to get stuff that way. I'd check out the company, and then go for it.
588738
I have an Animas pump.  It is ok. It is a little larger than I would prefer and it beeps a lot!  Overall, I think any pump that your insurance will pay for is an excellent choice.  I do like this pump because it has been extremely reliable for the last five years.  The staff and nurse are always helpful and the supplies are always here when I need them.  I have no complaints with the pump, the staff, the equipment or the nurse.  It was easy to learn and maintain.  The batteries last a good amount of time and it has several different programs (i.e. pregnancy, PMS, Thanksgiving :) for insulin delivery.  Check out the website, they may send you a video to review to help you make a decision that is right for you.  I would call the companies that you are considering and see what kind of information you can get before you make a decision.  This pump may be right for me but not for you.  If you need any more help, feel free to email me.
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!!!!
380971
As I read though earlier answers I see there is some good and some incorrect information.  People need to be specific when speaking about diabetes because there are two types.  Type 1 also known as juvenile diabetes is not curable.  Yes you could have a transplant of the pancreas but honestly that would be worse than having to take insulin everyday.  With transplant surgery there a many drugs you have to take to keep your body from rejecting the transplanted organ.  These drugs can do more harm to your body than diabetes (if you are keeping your glucose in check).\n\nNow with type 2 which is typically brought on by obesity can be "cured" with healthy diet and exercise in some people.  Type 2 diabetes does not act the same way as type 1, your pancreas does produce insulin but your body does not know how to deal with it -you are insulin resistant or you just don't produce enough.  If your diabetes is not tied to obesity then you are not likely to be "cured" by diet and exercise.  Type II can also be attributed to genetics,  or life style (excessive drinking, inactivity, certain drugs) also women who had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop Type II diabetes later in life.\n\nAs for you and your "cure" don't rely on the medications to "cure" you.  You need to change your lifestyle if weight is your issue.  Healthy diet and exercise - walking, running anything that gets you moving and your heart rate up.  Once you get your glucose levels in check you will see a big difference in your erectile issues (pun intended), because you will have better circulation.  Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.\n\nJust a side note of information - most Type II diabetics see their primary care physician for there diabetes care, your primary physician is not very likely to have been schooled extensively in diabetes care so you should see a specialist -an Endocrinologist.  A specialist would be a great person to help you get on track and they will usually set you up with a dietician.
323414
Try contacting the american diabetes association.  www.diabetes.org
1060670
First of all contact your insurance company. They can be a valuable resource. Second, contact your local American Diabetes Association chapter, they can provide you with endocrinologists along with a vast wealth of information. Finally, visit www.childrenwithdiabetes.com there is some GREAT help available there.\n\nPlease feel free to email me with any other questions...I've been in your shoes. Hang in there, ok?
824983
I have no idea, but I imagine, you would get the same benefits as if you were still an active marine.  Go on a insulin pump at www.minimed.com.  Having type 1, as I do, the insulin pump is much easier mentally.  Good luck.
236462
An insulin pump is a device used for administering insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.\n\nThe device consists principally of three parts :\n\nthe pump itself including controls, processing module, and batteries \ndelivery tube to carry the insulin \nneedle or more commonly a catheter inserted into the body subcutaneously \nThe insulin pump delivers a single type of fast-acting insulin in two ways :\n\na basal (small) dose that is delivered constantly \na bolus dose that is delivered before meals or to correct high blood glucose levels \n \nInsulin pump in useBecause a single type of insulin is used, it is easier to determine the effect of a given dose by looking at the delivery profile of that insulin. Insulin pumps also make it possible to deliver much smaller amounts of insulin than can be injected using a syringe. This provides tighter control over blood sugar and Hemoglobin A1c levels, reducing the chance of long-term complications associated with diabetes.\n\nThe amount of insulin delivered for a bolus is determined by the bloodsugar level and the grams of carbohydrates consumed. In all cases, delivery rates are determined by the user in consultation with his endocrinologist. Currently there is no means to automatically control the insulin delivery based on the blood glucose level of the user. However, the two main manufacturers of pumps, Medtronic (Paradigm, Minimed), and Roche Diagnostics (Disetronic H-Tron and D-Tron) are testing the concept of a closed-loop system but even if the concept is as promising as it appears there remains the legal problem of what happens if the system is incorrect. For example, continuous blood glucose monitoring technology can report very wide variances of blood glucose. Using the non-US measuring system of mmol/l a closed-system that detects glucose of say, 15 mmol/l might dispense 10u of fast acting insulin. If the patient has an actual glucose of 6 mmol/l (within the accepted glycaemic range), those 10 units of insulin could very quickly lead to hypoglycaemic coma which if not recognised and treated can kill very quickly. There is a lot more research to do on CBGM technology but the first closed-loop systems may be made available for clinical trials by mid-2006.\n\nUse of insulin pumps is increasing as it provides an easier means to deliver multiple insulin injections for those using intensive insulin therapy. It's also interesting to note that because of differences in health insurance and public funding, the US has about 150,000 pump users. In the UK, where public funding is limited, most patients have to self-finance their pumps. Because of this, there are maybe 1100 pump users in the UK by comparison.
594289
You need a bike pump.  I use the foot pumps theyre the best for me.  Just attach the valve on the pump to the little valve (with the cap off) on the bike tire and pump.  Easy.  ;]  Bike pumps are like 20 bucks or so.  Maybe less.  Check Target.
195283
Two great recipients would be your local or state chapter of the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) and the Joslin Diabetes Clinic in Boston (www.joslin.org) - Joslin is the leading diabetes research and treatment organization in the country.\n\nHelpful suggestion - make sure you figure this out BEFORE your fundraiser, because it's illegal to do such a fundraiser without being able to tell contributors where their money will go.\n\nGood luck!
272145
you could be a diabetic.
829993
Your Mum should be contacted by the Diabetic clinic or nurse, ask them for any literature on the condition, there is also a helpline number in the phone book, they will take any questions, no matter how silly you might think them, and they will answer professionally and clearly. Type 2 diabetes is not life threatening but care is needed to keep it in check. Simple precautions like taking any medication prescribed and a sensible diet will keep her on an even keel. An extra precaution would be to get her an sos pendant. The nurse can tell you where to get one. It is just a safety measure that your Mum can wear when out on her own and it lets others know her medical conditions and how to treat her should the need ever arise. Don't worry about her though, diabetes can be managed fairly well nowadays :)
744278
I assume that you are speaking of a child with type 1 diabetes in which case the only treatment is insulin often in the form of an insulin pump.  Diabetes is not fun but beginning about 5 years ago really good insulins have become available.  We now have nearly ideal basal insulin (to control fasting glucose) and truly rapid acting insulins (to control after meal glucose).  There are a variety of pen systems and pumps available.  All of the machines to test for blood glucose are equally good.  Joslin in Boston has a nice website.  Type in Joslin Diabetes and click Search.
163784
Contact your local chapter of JDRF.org\n\nI work with the chapter here in NE florida.  I have been a diabetic for 20 years and started as a child.  You can email me any questions you have.  You can get my email address by clicking on my screename.
388588
It's not that they work better together, it's just that you can't get a pancreas transplant without needing a kidney transplant as well.  The train of thought is that it is not worth all the antirejection meds and the surgery just to get off insulin shots, but it is if you are getting off insulin and dialysis.
827357
You always get pump supplies from the pump company.They will educate you and train you on their pump.\nCongrats. This is a big move and gives you so much more control.