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Diabetic therapies have evolved greatly since the discovery of insulin. Once delivered only by syringe, today's insulin dependent diabetic has several choices when it comes to insulin therapy. There are the conventional devices everyone is familiar with -- needles and syringes. Now there are also some more convenient devices on the market -- insulin pens and insulin pumps. The insulin pump has become a favorite with many diabetics.
What is an insulin pump? It is a compact, computerized device which contains a small vial of regular insulin. The device is worn on a belt or tucked into a pocket inside the wearer's clothing. Insulin is delivered to the patient via an infusion set. The insulin is delivered on a pre-set schedule and in an amount determined by your doctor.
The infusion set is connected at one end to the vial of insulin, and at the other end by a small needle under the skin to the patient. There are many types of infusion sets on the market; consult with your physician to choose the best and most comfortable brand for you. The length of tubing varies according to your choice. You may find that the longer tubing is inconvenient as it tends to tangle up in your clothing or catch on items like doorknobs or drawer pulls. Be careful to always tuck the tubing safely inside your clothing and secure it with a length of surgical tape.
Some of the benefits of insulin pump therapy include tighter blood glucose control, better A1C test results and more flexibility in your meal plan. You may even be able to skip meals occasionally and to have desserts! Don't go overboard; use common sense. You are still a diabetic. The freedom the pump allows should be weighed against future complications that can result from carelessness. Before making major changes in your eating habits, discuss your options with your doctor.
Insulin is delivered at set intervals, and in precise dosages. Regular insulin is used in pumps -- since you have no long acting insulin in your system it is important to monitor your blood sugar on a regular basis. Report any significantly high test results to your doctor. If you have consistently high blood sugars, it's possible the pump may not be functioning as it should. (See your doctor to rule out medical reasons.) With no long acting insulin in your system to counter rises in blood sugar, you may go into acidosis. Keep a strict eye on your glucose levels.
You will be tethered to the pump for 23 hours out of 24, seven days a week. Why? The absence of long acting insulin in your system requires you to have a consistent, steady supply of regular insulin and you can only safely be off the pump for an hour at a time. Is this something you will be comfortable with? You can still enjoy most of your regular activities. The pump is not waterproof, so if swimming is a favorite sport, make sure you remove the insulin pump before going into the water. Other than that, you can safely wear your pump when enjoying the exercise of your choice, be it playing volleyball, skating or bicycling. Be careful not to damage the pump, and try to avoid injuring the infusion set site. Remember to keep a snack handy in case of insulin reactions.
Sleeping with an insulin pump presents a whole new set of problems! Some diabetics put their pumps under their pillows, others learn to cuddle the pump near their bodies and take it with them every time they roll over. With time, you will learn to sleep comfortably with your new companion. It may be helpful at first to secure the pump to yourself with a soft belt or bathrobe tie to keep it from falling off the bed. When you are accustomed to the presence of the pump, you will find that you automatically move it with you whenever you change positions.
Pump patients report being able to schedule meal times with family and friends with much greater flexibility. No longer tied to strict schedules, the pump patient can safely delay meal times or add foods that they had to avoid before the pump! This also makes it more pleasant for the younger diabetic, who may have had to miss fun meals out with their friends. The pump offers more flexibility in this respect than conventional injections ever could.
Relaxed meal times and greater food choices, tighter control of blood glucose levels, and better all around tests results -- the insulin pump is a great tool for the diabetic who is ready for the challenge. Though it requires daily monitoring of blood sugars, urine testing for ketones, maintenance of the pump itself (batteries, infusion sets, insulin vials) and strict attention to the infusion site to avoid infection, the benefits of insulin pump therapy are many. If you are considering an insulin pump, speak with your doctor. Many insurance companies cover pumps and supplies.
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