[Diabetes 10] My Second Insulin Pump Introduction | Why I've Been Using It for a Year and a Half Now
Last time, I wrote about my first experience with an insulin pump, which ended in frustration.
This time, I would like to write about the second insulin pump I introduced after that.
To conclude, I am still using it today, and before I knew it, a year and a half had passed.
I am surprised at how different things can be even with the same type of insulin pump when the model changes.
Of course, there are some inconvenient aspects, but it has now become an essential part of my life.
I thought, 'I can't do pumps anymore'
The first one I introduced was Medtronic's MiniMed.
I was hospitalized for about a week when I started, and I learned things like:
* How to operate the pump
* Basal rate adjustment
* Combining it with carb counting
I had no complaints about the treatment effect itself.
The problem was the lifestyle aspect.
For me, the following were major sources of stress:
* The device was heavy
* The tube was in the way
* It limited my clothing choices
* I had to be careful every time I changed clothes
As a result, I stopped using it after about six months.
Because of that, I thought, 'Pumps aren't for me.'
The reason I decided to try again
After that, I continued living with a pen-type insulin injector.
My HbA1c was stable, and I didn't have any major complaints.
However, there were many times when I felt:
* I hate giving myself injections
* I have to find a place to inject when eating out
* I want to make fine adjustments according to the amount of food I eat
Since I had communicated this stress regarding my daily life to my doctor, they introduced me to a tubeless insulin pump.
It is the Terumo Medisafe With Smart.
Tubeless insulin pump
The Terumo Medisafe With Smart has no tubes.
The pump body and the patch are integrated.
Since many of the reasons I gave up the first time were related to the tube, this alone made things much more comfortable.
However, because it is integrated, the size is somewhat significant.
The patch part that sticks to the body is roughly 8x4x2 centimeters by my rough measurement.
Remote control operation
Another thing that was good was the remote control.
Since it is a type that connects via Bluetooth, I can operate it without touching the pump body itself.
The size is also close to a smartphone, so it doesn't stand out even if I operate it in front of others.
When I was using the MiniMed, I was operating a machine connected to a tube, so I was often asked, 'What is that?' or looked at with curiosity, wondering what I was doing.
But now, it seems like I am just operating a smartphone.
Since it looks like I'm touching a smartphone, people either don't say anything, or they often ask if it's a second smartphone or a pocket Wi-Fi.
Basal insulin adjustment
The benefit I feel from the pump is the adjustment of basal insulin.
This benefit is the same for Medtronic's MiniMed.
When I used the pen type, I had the same amount of basal insulin throughout the day.
On the other hand, with a pump, I can set it in detail for each time period.
For example, I can handle cases where the required amount is different for:
* Late night
* Early morning
* Daytime
Of course, the settings are made in consultation with my doctor, but it has become easier to match my own lifestyle rhythm.
Medical expenses for insulin pumps
I think the thing people are concerned about with pump introduction is money.
To be honest, in my case, my medical expenses have increased significantly.
In my case, my medical expenses are about twice as much as when I used pens.
It's not just the pump body; I also need:
* Patches
* Consumables
* Insulin (vials)
Furthermore, I also use a CGM (Dexcom) in combination.
Therefore, the burden has become greater compared to when I only used pen-type insulin.
However, in my case, considering the freedom of life and the reduction of mental burden, I feel it is worth continuing for now.
You still need a pen type even if you use a pump
It might not be widely known, but even if you use a pump, I am still prescribed pen-type insulin.
A pump is a machine.
No matter how convenient it is, there is a possibility of:
* Malfunctions
* Battery depletion
* Communication errors
* Patch problems
If insulin suddenly stops being delivered, there is a risk of hyperglycemia.
Therefore, I always carry pen-type insulin in case of an emergency.
My doctor also told me that I must always carry it.
Medical progress is amazing!
When I stopped using the pump the first time, I thought, 'Pump therapy is not for me.'
But in reality, it might not have been the pump therapy itself that wasn't for me, but rather the compatibility with that specific model.
Medical devices are evolving year by year.
More user-friendly models might come out in the future.
If there is anyone currently using a pump and struggling, I hope you know that there is an option to choose a different model.
Next time preview
As mentioned in my previous articles, I have been hospitalized three times.
And, I visit the hospital once every two months.
I also use several medical devices, such as an insulin pump, Dexcom, and a blood glucose meter.
That brings up the concern of medical expenses, doesn't it?
That is where medical expenses become a concern, right?
Next time,
I plan to write about applying for the Employees' Pension for the Disabled, which freed me from the worry of medical expenses.