Should I Get An Insulin Pump?
The pump is not a solution to everyone’s problems but there are many people who may benefit enormously from using an insulin pump by Advanced Therapeutics (UK) Ltd.
Common Questions About Having An Insulin Pump
Does my glucose control need improving?
If you’re having problems achieving your glucose targets using an insulin injection regimen, you may wish to consider using a pump. Insulin Pump Therapy provides the most natural form of insulin treatment and can be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Many people suffer from wide swings in glucose levels due to unpredictable absorption of insulin (especially longer-acting insulin) from the injection site. Only short-acting insulin is used with an insulin pump and this is supplied in small quantities throughout the day and night. Insulin delivery via a pump is accurate and reliable. You can read more about the benefits of getting a pump here.
Will I Have Problems With Hypos?
One of the main drawbacks of tightening up control is an increased risk of hypoglycaemia and some people on insulin injections are prone to sudden or severe hypos. Often, hypos are caused by injected insulin ‘peaking’ at certain times of the day. Sometimes, hypos are caused by increased absorption of insulin from its ‘depot’ beneath the skin – this is often in response to exercise. Using an insulin pump to provide small amounts of insulin regularly means that these problems are overcome and the risk of hypoglycaemia can be reduced.
Tight control can also reduce the early warning signs of hypoglycaemia. However, Insulin Pump Therapy tends to keep glucose levels stable and, with slightly higher glucose targets, sometimes early warning signs can be recovered.
What If I’m Pregnant Or Planning A Pregnancy?
Tight control is very important before and during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or planning to have a baby, you should consider Insulin Pump Therapy as a means of normalising your glucose levels without severely restricting your daily activities. Fortunately, ours is one of the only pumps licensed in the UK to be used during pregnancy. As a result of our product’s 300-unit cartridge, you won’t have to worry about your insulin needs as your pregnancy progresses. Many worry about how to cope with insulin resistance in the second and third trimesters but we make this much easier.
What About The ‘Dawn Effect’?
Some people have trouble with high glucose levels in the morning. This is caused by an increased need for insulin during the early hours, which is very hard to combat with conventional insulin injections without causing hypoglycaemia earlier in the night. Often called the ‘dawn effect’ or ‘dawn phenomenon’, this occurrence is incredibly common. An insulin pump can be programmed to deliver more insulin just when the body needs it, which is the most effective way to overcome the problems caused by the ‘dawn effect’.
I Lead A Particularly Variable And/Or Active Lifestyle/I’m A Shift Worker – Is A Pump Right For Me?
If you lead a varied lifestyle, or you are a shift worker, then keeping your glucose levels well controlled can be very problematic. Day-to-day changes in mealtimes or activity levels are hard to accommodate with conventional insulin injections. With a pump, you’re no longer tied to a specific routine and you can take each day as it comes without your control suffering as a result.
Avoiding Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
People using insulin injections to control their Type 1 diabetes usually have some residual insulin lying under the skin. If an injection is delayed or missed, this residual insulin helps to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) from developing quickly.
If you’re using an insulin pump and your insulin supply is stopped, you have no reserves to fall back on and your glucose levels will rise quickly. If the body is completely deprived of insulin, DKA will develop rapidly and you could be in danger.
Insulin supply from a pump can be interrupted if the infusion set becomes dislodged or blocked – it is your responsibility to be on the lookout for these potential problems. It is wise to carry some spare insulin and a syringe or pen with you, in case you encounter problems with your pump. Keep a spare battery or two handy as well.
Testing glucose levels regularly throughout the day means that high levels can be detected early. Having been alerted to the problem, you can take prompt action before things get serious.
Carb Counting
To be able to accurately match your bolus insulin doses with the food that you eat, you will need to learn how to assess the carbohydrate content of various foods. It may sound like hard work at first, but once you’ve got the hang of it you will be able to glance at a plate of food and quite accurately assess how much carbohydrate is there and how much insulin you will need to ‘cover’ it. Don’t worry – you don’t have to weigh all your food when using an insulin pump, it is simply a question of educated guesswork. Reference books and food labels will help to guide you.
Insulin Doses
You will receive training and instructions on how to programme the pump and vary both your basal and bolus insulin doses according to your needs. You will need to learn how to calculate your bolus doses to cover the food that you eat and to correct high glucose levels. You will also need to know how and when to adjust the basal rate.
Pump Maintenance
Your pump will require very little maintenance. However, you will need to refill the reservoir with insulin every few days, depending on how much insulin you use. The batteries will probably need changing approximately every 2-3 weeks.
Changing The Infusion Set
With an insulin pump, the infusion set needs to be changed every 2–3 days. It should also be changed if you have unexpected or unexplained high glucose levels. The insertion site (the place where the needle or cannula is inserted into your body) should be rotated to avoid hardening of the skin. You will need to check the insertion site regularly and make sure that it is not red or inflamed, as these are signs of possible infection.
Please contact us if you have any further questions.