[Diabetes-talk] Pump question

Sat Oct 22 16:23:51 UTC 2011

Cheryl,

I use my pump in a similar way. The buttons are not raised like an
old-fashioned mobile, but they are distinct enough to feel especially
once use to working with it. Every time a button is pressed, it beeps.
My bolus button is very raised and on the side of my pump. It takes a
little more pressure to hit it whereas the four buttons on the front are
a bit more sensitive, but not like a touch-screen or anything.

Regardless of what button is pressed, the first time it just wakes the
pump up so no actual function is happening. Because of the beeping, I
have certain simple menu functions either memorized or written down that
I can follow by pressing the buttons and following the beeps. Like
setting a temporary increase or decrease which I use when exercising or
menstruation.

I have various rates set throughout the day, and I have two basal
patterns I can run. Depending on the pattern, I start off around 0.6 to
0.85 in the mornings. My mid-morning and afternoon rates usually are
between 0.6 and 0.75, but tend to go up in the evening to around 0.8 to
0.95. Adjusting my basal rates is something I know how to do, but have a
sighted person do the actual setting since this is more complicated and
can't do just by following beeps.

My bolus is set to deliver 1/2 unit of insulin per each time I press it.
Like yours, it beeps each time so I can count the beeps. Before
delivering, it beeps back what I just dialed so I can double check
before pressing it a final time to deliver. I do 1/2 unit to 1 unit per
15 grams of carbs when eating. I've been diabetic for 27 years so like
you, I have been doing a lot of this stuff, and know about carb
counting, but I like to be as precise as possible. I've been using
Directions For Me.com to double check carbs and calories on food, and I
discovered the Weight Watchers website has a resource for checking
nutritional info for foods at different restaurants, which is helpful
when eating out like for my mom's b-day this past week.

My husband knows how to use my pump as well. He helps with some of the
functions when I need it, but since he has RP, his vision gets worse
each year. I do have family and friends who help when needed, but I also
have a fantastic nurse educator at my diabetes clinic who I've been
working with for almost eight years, and she's a family friend too. She
will make house calls if necessary to help change anything I can't do on
my own.

I went through a whole process before actually using the pump. I learned
how to use it and operate it before even wearing it. Once acclimated, I
wore it for a week using saline so I could practice with it safely. Once
I started, I had to stay in hospital for two days to make sure all was
good. My doctor had done test after test to make sure my initial basal
and bolus rates were good and safe. It wasn't something I just jumped
into.

I know a pump isn't for everyone, but I love it. Having been through so
many insulin treatments now, the pump is my favorite. I did like using
Lantis and Novolog before, but now that I've been on the pump, I don't
think I'd go back to manual injections.

It's about finding what works for us as individuals though, and finding
a doctor who will find the best pump, and pump plan, for you, should you
choose to use a pump.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 6:28 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question

Mine isn't accessible, but the buttons are raised on it.

Once stuff is set by my doctor on it, I only have to push to button, one
to 
give myself the amount of dosage, it only allows to give myself 10 units
at 
a time, so I don't overdose, it makes a beep for every unit I want, then
I 
click to give myself the insulin, that button will repeat the number of 
units.

example: If I am giving myself 8 units, I press the up button 8 times,
each 
time it beeps. then I Press the other button for it to give me the
insulin, 
I should here 8 beeps in reply, but if I do not press the button again,
it 
will not give me the amount, and it will stop and then I would have to
do it 
again.

So there are safety measures in place for all.

The Dr. decided how much I get per hour, right now I am on 2.8 units
every 
hour, and then when I check my blood sugar I will give myself the
additional 
amount.

That is why it is important that you check your blood sugar, now how you

feel when you are high or low, and always let you Dr. if you are running
to 
high or to low, because he can either have the pump service rep come to
your 
home and set the different settings for you, or a visiting nurse, or
like 
myself, when I was trained to use it, my husband was taught how to do
it, 
should we have to.

Nelson has done it 3 times since I have been on the pump since Feb.

Now this is my own opinion, and if my travel and tourism meeting isn't
at 
the same time as it is with DAN at the Dallas convention, I am willing
to 
show you how it works.

But, if feel it does the job for me, it doesn't talk but it does make
noise, 
it has safety features on it.

Right now, it is tell me that the Cannula is empty because it keep
beeping, 
so I know it is, and then I will remove it, doesn't hurt, and is
attached to 
a little tape so it doesn't fall off, and if you need to take a shower, 
there is a way to remove it, put a little clip on it that they provide,
and 
then when I am done showering just take off the clip, and put the pump
back 
on.

It took awhile to learn, just like anything.

But I like it very much.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in

Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 1:52 AM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question

> I use a Cosmo DelTech, which is no longer available. The only 
> complaint I've ever had is that it's not fully accessible. My sets are

> UltraFlex, and I don't have complaints about these. I've not, 
> personally, experienced major problems with my pump or sets.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at: http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down." The 
> Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dr. Denise M 
> Robinson
> Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 2:37 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question
>
>
> So what type of pump is everyone using? What type of inserts--pros and

> cons of them? Thanks
>
> --
> Denise
>
> Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
> CEO, TechVision
> Specialist in blind technology/teaching/training
> Email:  yourtechvision at gmail.com <deniserob at gmail.com> Website with 
> hundreds of lessons: yourtechvision.com 
> _______________________________________________
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