An ancient stock photo of a pump I found on the Interwebs
I’ve used a Medtronic Paradigm insulin pump for the past 2 years. Pumps are getting more and more popular in the UK and I get asked a lot of questions. Inspired by Shelley of circleD fame here are the top 11 questions I get asked about using a pump (sorry, I tried for a nice round 10 but couldn’t quite manage it).
How does it work?
The pump is about the size of a mobile phone and contains a cartridge of short acting insulin that drips into your body 24/7 via a tube attached to your body via an infusion set. It works like a pancreas giving you a ;
Thanks Alison – this is a really useful article
As i am going on the pump in the next few weeks this is a great encouragement!
p.s. Isnt Shelley a star!
Good luck Sam, it was quite a change when I first started on the pump but it was definitely worth it. Let us know how you get on. And yes, Shelley is a complete star!
your articles are great and humourous, i hopefully should get a pump in next few weeks, i have had diabetes 42 years, since 1968 im now 51, type 1 since then when diabetes was rare have recently gone onto human insulin coz was taken into hospital for 3 weeks to level out which they still couldnt do and now on 5 injections while b 4 was on 2!!!!! hope to get onto omnipod, now have complications neuropaphy of feet and hands so hopefully will stop this getting worse
@Alison Who’s Shelly?
@Tim Shelley is the godess of diabetes support in the UK – she runs Circle D, a networking/support group for 18-30’s in Kent and is a legend in her own insulin kit bag. Shelley – please say hello.
@Alison Ahh, I know of Circle D (we link to it don’t we?) I’m just not on first name terms with them 🙂
Hi Guys…
I’m Shelley (as above hehe) thanks loads for the compliments, am blushing!!! Any 18-30’s out there please see http://www.circledrocks.co.uk we offer support and loads of fun stuff too….our motto is circle d rocks!!! hehehe Circle D has changed my life 🙂
May I just say that I love love love this website, Alison and Tim you guys rock tooo!!!!
Sheley xxx
@Shelley Thanks Shelly 🙂 Though I feel left out being an ancient 32 🙁
Aww sorry Tim 🙁 Although I do sometimes wonder what will happen when I hit 31, hehe will have to change it to 30-50 haha!! x
@Shelley I look forward to the 80-110’s only site!
@Alison – BTW, I still think the “can you fly with a pump” is one of the best gags on the site 🙂