Insulin Pump therapy is one of the best ways for a diabetic to control blood glucose levels.
I am now using a Medtronic Paradigm Insulin Pump. I do not use the continuous monitoring system because of insurance restraints. The continuous systems keep a near real time blood sugar check and are quite good, although very expensive. Instead, I check my blood glucose levels several times throughout the day and use the built in insulin wizard to calculate how much insulin to infuse through the pump.
I used an older version of the pump several years ago when I first began. I had a disagreement with Medtronic over their payment policy/plan and was forced to drop the pump for a while. I recommend insulin pump therapy FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT. The truth is that the medical companies who monopolize the supplies rob the patient with exorbitant costs. My honest feeling is that (in my case) the 20% (co-pay - the insurance pays the 80%) fee for the pump supplies should be high enough to cover all the month to month insulin pump supplies. Anyway, I am back on the pump now. The chief drawback to the use of the pump is its cost. The pump alone may be $7,000 or more. The supplies are very expensive as well. Be sure to check with your insurance company.
If you cannot afford the insulin pump, I can testify that you CAN control diabetes without it! So, do not despair. However, if you get the opportunity to try the pump therapy, I believe you will like it.
Diabetic Pump Poll
Insulin Pump therapy (by Wikipedia)
The insulin pump is a medical device used for the administration of insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy.
The device includes:
* the pump itself (including controls, processing module, and batteries)
* a disposable reservoir for insulin (inside the pump)
* a disposable infusion set, including a cannula for subcutaneous insertion (under the skin) and a tubing system to interface the insulin reservoir to the cannula.
An insulin pump is an alternative to multiple daily injections of insulin by insulin syringe or an insulin pen and allows for intensive insulin therapy when used in conjunction with blood glucose monitoring and carb counting.
An Insulin Pump With Infusion Set
I use a different type pump than the above picture, but all of them are similar. The pump mechanism flows insulin into the infusion connection to the body!
The procedure is fairly simple and easy to learn. The infusion set attaches to body through a needle which is retracted after insertion. The infusion site should be changed every two to four days.
Continuous monitoring insulin puimp systems
These systems have an inserted sugar glucose monitoring sytem attached to the body. They are a little harder to learn to use, but provide near real time monitoring of sugar levels in the bolld and quicker correction!
The above Picture is from Minimed
A. The MiniMed Paradigm 522 or 722 insulin pump A is small so you can wear it almost anywhere - under your clothing in a leg pouch, thigh pouch, bra pouch or on your belt like a mobile phone.
B. It delivers insulin through a soft tube called a cannula B that sits under your skin for up to 3 days after being inserted in a single virtually painless step. You can disconnect from the insulin pump easily and quickly for activities such as bathing, swimming or changing clothes.
C. Continuous glucose monitoring is made possible through a tiny glucose sensor C you wear for up to 3 days at a time. Like the cannula, it is easily inserted using an automatic insertion device provided with the system.
Essential Diabetes Resources
- How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes? - Diabetes
- How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes? plus articles and information on Diabetes
- Preparing Your Child and Family for Life With Diabetes - Diabetes
- Preparing Your Child and Family for Life With Diabetes plus articles and information on Diabetes
- Get Rid of Your Diabetes - Diabetes
- Get Rid of Your Diabetes plus articles and information on Diabetes
- Insulin Pumps - Type 1 Diabetes - American Diabetes Association
- A guide to insulin pump therapy from the American Diabetes Association.
- Compare insulin pumps for diabetes
- Compare current insulin pumps: Deltec Cozmo, Animas IR-1200, Disetronic D-Tron, Minimed Paradigm, and Dana Diabecare
- Insulin Pump Therapy and diabetes management for adults and children with diabetes
- Information about diabetes, insulin pumps
diabetic complications, as well as advances in diabetes management and
treatment for adults and children.
Lots of links, books, FAQs info on carbo-counting, mail lists,
recipes, support groups and more...
Books on the insulin pump
Insulin Pump Therapy Demystified: An Essential Guide for Everyone Pumping Insulin (Marlowe Diabetes Library) by Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer
Increasing numbers of people with type 1 diabetes, more...0 points
Understanding Insulin Pumps & Continuous Glucose Monitors by H. Peter Chase, MD
The First Edition of "Understanding Insulin P more...0 points
Smart Pumping : A Practical Approach to Mastering the Insulin Pump by Howard Wolpert
The insulin pump has opened a whole new world for more...0 points
History of insulin pumps - First pump in 1978
Discouraged because your diabetes professional recommends a diabetic pump. Look at his 1978 model. We've come a long way baby!
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Insulin Pump stuff on eBay
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Insulin Pump Resources from Amazon
Invisapump Insulin Pump Case - Hides your Pump
Amazon Price: $27.98 (as of 11/28/2009) 
Insulin Pump Therapy and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (Oxford Diabetes Library)
Amazon Price: $22.45 (as of 11/28/2009)
Insulin Pumps for youth can be made fashionable!
The image does not have to be drab looking. The above image taken from:
Insulin Pump fashions
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Debiotech Insulin Nanopump - (From Ministry of Tech)
by DJ Neawedde | 23rd April 2007
Debiotech ofo Switezerland is working with French/Italian manufacturer STMicroelectronics to develop a mini insulin pump. It uses microfluidic MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) technology, essentially a very small pump mounted on a disposable skin patch providing continuous insulin to the body. Read more about the technology [video] and visit the product page.
Via Medgadget
Importance of wearing a DIABETIC BRACELET and your need to Purchase Medic Alert Bracelet!
Important, if you are a diabetic, you should purchase Medic Alert Bracelet and wear it!!!!!
I have already had one personal close call where my bracelet was used by paramedics when I passed out through a low sugar event. Please get you one if you are a diabetic.
Where to purchase quality Medical Alert Jewelry!
Where can I get a high quality Medic- Alert Bracelet? As you shop around you might want- and should consider American- Medical ID's.They meet all the- criterian outlined in this lens!
If you would like a- great ID Bracelet check out the link below!...
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DON'T- LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!-
Reader Feedback
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Reply
- BR549 BR549 May 22, 2009 @ 7:00 am
- Don't forget the invaluable help from your endocrinologist. A pump is a valuable tool, but ti must be used properly. Insulin therapy is nothing to be played with!
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