new to board

[parrotletzooParticipant]

HI ” title=”Smile” /> this is my first posting here. I have been type 1 for 24 years and a pumper since september ” title=”Smile” /> I have retinopathy and some minor neuropathy but haven’t had any other complications so far. I jsut wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I’m in the US and hoping to find some different perspectives on Diabetes management from others around the globe…
parrot

[KarenParticipant]

Hi Parrot, great to see you here.
I don’t have d myself, by 6 yo daughter just passed her third anniversary this week, and looking forward to many more.
How have you found the pump? Must have made a lot of difference to your life, are you enjoying the flexibility it offers? And has your A1c and control improved or stayed about same?

I’m looking at the insuflon for Taylor at the moment. For those that don’t know, its basically a port thats fitted to the body in a similar way to the pump, and you use the port to inject insulin into.  Taylor does fabulously with injections, but she’s not sure she wants to look at the pump yet, so looking at the insuflon more as a stepping stone or learning tool for her to get used to.

World wise, things are very different here in Australia. We only have a couple of pumps approved for use, whereas you have a much wider choice. There is also many other things not available here, so you will find many have different ideas on management, some because of the teaching of their med staff, some geared to the equipment available here. So many other things but I’ll leave some for other Aussies to tell you ” title=”Smile” />

I’ve seen people here from all over, so hopefully you’ll get to hear from them also.  Hope to hear from you again soon:)

[parrotletzooParticipant]

I love my pump!

I’ve only been on it since september but my A1c has come down from 10 to 7.1. The best part about it is being able to manage lows so much easier. I can lower my basal insulin when I exercise and while I’m active at work. I was going low at work everyday even without taking an injection at lunch.

The only thing I dont like about the pump is having to carry aound extra supplies just incase i need to change the infusion set or need to change the battery etc.

how are the schools in Aus with kids having diabetes and taking meds at school? How was your daughter diagnosed? 3 is so young! ;(

*hugs*
parrot

[KarenParticipant]

WOW thats a huge improvement in your A1c, congratulations. I’m glad to hear the pump has worked out so well for you.

Schools here… well we don’t have school nurses in primary schools and the teachers aren’t allowed to do anything so that limits us a lot. Luckily Taylor is one of four, so with 2 older siblings at school, I keep a pen there and if she’s too high they give her a shot of H to bring her down. At the moment all her testing is done in the office and they have a full hypo kit there with all sorts of snacks for fast and slow release carbs. I also had to draw up a really detailed plan for her so that there was basically no room for leeway, but for us its working great. She still has one older sister at school next year and then the year after, she should be capable of doing a lot more herself, and will be allowed to test in class etc.

We took Taylor to the docs because she suddenly seemed to lose all toilet training, she was wetting the bed  3 or 4 times every night, and wasn’t making it to the toilet during the day, so we figured she had a UTI or something similar, was pretty shocked to find it was d. The first year was hard, with all the kids and I was still working two jobs etc.. At the end of the first year things weren’t looking great so I quit and stayed home with her and worked hard and getting things under control.

Her control isn’t always great, but at 6.. who knows what she’ll be doing in an hours time. We don’t carb count yet as a lot of docs here dont teach it, but I’ve got a heap of stuff together to learn it over the summer break and we’re looking at about 12 months for the pump if she’s ready. And if not, we’ll just be ready when she is!

[Anonymous]

Hi i’m new to this board thing too
I’ve been using an insulin pump for 3 yrs now and i love it
Mostly i love it for the freedom i can get up when i want, eat whenever i want and i don’t have a set routine
which works well especially with uni where i don’t have a set lunch break and my job where i usually work over dinner time so have to eat eirther earlier or later

Recently however i’ve had a few probs with infected sites (i actually had to have surgeon on one to cut it out but i’ve heard this is very rare), Anyway its all better now
But the prob was a skin infection called staff (i think) from what i’ve been told most ppl have it, it lives in your nose but when u put in an infusion set in this bug causes great problems.  
I’d love to know if any1 has had similiar problems and what they used to treat it
I now use iodine to wipe the skin instead of just alcohol swaps any better solutions skin preps etc?
Also where do u put your sites? i have recently moved to the top on my legs which i am finding pretty comfy ” title=”Smile” />

[parrotletzooParticipant]

Hi Leeanne,

I use IV Prep pads by Smith+Nephew to prep my infusion sites, and so far no infections,

Their product # is 59421200 and they cost around $16USD for 50 pads. I order mine through Minimed when I order my pump supplies.

The IV Prep also makes the skin tacky so the tape on the infusion set sticks better. (but watch out they melt nail polish! lol)

What type of infusion set are you using? If it is the type that the needle remains under the skin perhaps you are allergic to the metal? and a cannula type set would be better for you?  Its just an idea.  

I hope you find out what is causing your infections soon.

parrot

[parrotletzooParticipant]

” title=”Smile” /> i forgot …

I generally use my upper abdomen as my infusion site, I’m pretty active at work and I’m afraid that other areas like my leg or hip will come out.

I’ve also talked to a few people that use a dressing like tagament (sp?) on the skin first before inserting the set.

” title=”Wink” />

[leeParticipant]

Hi Parrot

Thanks i’ll try those IV prep pads and c how i go!! So far with the iodine i haven’t had any infections YEAH i’m happy!!!
I do use a dressing on the skin before i inject and have ever since i got the pump coz i get a skin reaction to the antiseptic thingy on the infusion set  
the bandage stops the rash all together
I use the plastic cannula sets (where u take the needle out) much more comfortable that the metal ones
I find infusion sets in my belly come out the easier (probably coz of my waist bands)
Leanne

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