Sarah’s Story Part III – Me and My new best friend (my Pump)

I was at the DRWF wellness day in April 2011 and met a lady from Roche who was promoting the Accu Check combo pump. When I first saw the stand I was very interested, and as my stand was next to hers, we got chatting. I had always thought I had good control and wouldn’t want or get the local Trust to fund an insulin pump. I was wrong – thank God.

Anne let me wear the test pump whilst in a lecture, my worry was that I would always know it was there, but after it was attached I didn’t feel it. I talked to Anne about my levels being higher and my increased night hypos - she said she thought the local Health Trust would fund the pump and she also thought I would benefit.

When I got home I emailed my DSN and arranged a meeting the following week. We discussed the benefits and again she thought I would be a prime candidate for the pump as I understood my diabetes and new this is not a cure all device!

A few weeks later she gave me a test pump which I wore for a full week with saline instead of insulin. This was to get me used to having the pump attached to me and getting used to it. After a day I just wanted to be on it.

I was very lucky and my official pump date came about 8 weeks after my first consultation, I spent a day with the Roche representative and 3 others who were also going onto the pump. They set the basal rate depending on how much insulin you currently take, and put in your carb to insulin ratio. The best thing is that you can set by time so at night-time some people need less insulin, which was why I was having my night hypos, so I reduced the rate.

The first week was interesting I found myself testing a lot and had to change my basal rate and my bolus rates. There were a lot of ups and downs the first month. At first I also thought I shouldn’t take it off so would be very quick in the shower and would try to get dressed with it still attached! I soon realised that I could relax a bit more and didn’t need to stress and rush when getting dressed in the morning. I did however manage to get my levels steady and stopped having night time hypos which gave me a lot more confidence.

Talking about confidence after having the pump for a few months I went swimming and felt great. I didn’t have bruises all over the tops of my legs.

I also thought sleeping would be interrupted but you get used to it. The length of the cannula I am using will dictate where I put it. If its 80cm I will leave it next to me, but if it’s a short, 30cm one, I tend to put it in a pouch and put it on my pyjamas.

At first, I would always wear trousers as it was easy to know where to put it, but after a while I got more inventive and would wear it in my bra, or at the top of my legs if I was wearing my fat knickers! I am getting better at experimenting with clothes.

I am due an up to date HbA1c next month so fingers crossed it should be lower.

• Less night time hypos
• Sugars are more constant rather than big ups and downs which makes me feel better (less tired)
• No pain in the tops of my legs and stomach from bruises
• Eating out is easier as you can use the extended bolus and you don’t mind doing a correctional dose!
• Only one needle every 3 days rather than at least 5 a day!

I will keep you posted on how my levels are doing with my pump.