Insulin pumps may be an alternative to injections for some people with Type 1 diabetes. A pump is a small device, about the size of a small mobile phone. It delivers a steady flow of short-acting insulin around the clock.
The insulin is sent through a fine plastic tube that runs from the pump to a cannula (a very thin and flexible plastic tube) inserted just under the skin.
When you're eating you can give yourself extra insulin (known as a bolus dose).
If you use a pump, a dietitian will teach you how to work out the carbohydrate content of your food so that you're able to give the appropriate bolus dose. You can also give yourself a bolus dose if your blood glucose levels are high.
Pumps - the good news
There are lots of advantages to using a pump...
- Fewer injections - the cannula (tube) is only replaced two to three times a week.
- Your lifestyle can be more flexible - you don't have to plan so carefully or eat at set times.
- You may be able to reduce your total dose of insulin as your diabetes control improves.
- It's easy to use - once the pump is set up, you can give yourself a bolus dose at the push of a button.
Pumps - the bad news
... but there are some disadvantages to pump use too.
- You need to test your blood glucose levels more often - because the insulin is rapid acting, so it's important you always know what your insulin needs are.
- You may forget your bolus doses - this is usually just a problem while you get used to everything.
- Infection may develop at the insertion site where the tube enters your skin.
- You may get scarring at the insertion site, which mean changing the infusion set (the equipment) more often.
How about you?
Have you tried to get to get hold of a pump? Tell us about your experinces by filling out the poll on this page or add your own comment.
Your comments
Hi, I have been diabetic for almost 5 years now. I am away to be 13. I have been on the insulin pump for about 2 years. I was reading this page and for people who haven't tried it yet it's sooo much better than injecting. I mean i know for anyone who has diabetes they go on injections at first but its great! I go to drama classes and i am preforming a show tomorow night in Arbroath. i did dancing before i was on the insulin pump and it was quite annoying havin to go and inject if my bloods wre high. But now i'm on the pump i can just do it automatically.
My friend is diabetic too and he is 17. He asked me if i was on the pump and he excpected that it would be just the same as the injections.
But for all those people still on injections, I ensure you, the pump is way better!
You get funky design stickers too, but you actually have to change it every 2 - 3 days.
Thankss x
- Taylor
Hi, I have been on a Insulin pump sice about the end of september. It is not easy at first with all the extra blood tests ect but once it is set up its been alot easier than injecting !!
I have been on Holiday with my pump when it was fairly new which was an experiance...
because you need to take it off when you go in the pool, then heve to cheack you blood every hour. It was abit anoying but at dinner when you wear a dress its easier than injecting because i could use the remote and i does it automatically. Its abit of a pain because it has to be kept on all night, but you soon get used to it.]
I had to wait 2 years for mine and i am the first (along with another girl) in my area to get one ! I definatly prefer to it to having to inject especially when you are out shopping with your mates and you don't have to get everything out in the middle of a cafe or on a bench when you are having lunch. The only thing i would be careful of is choosing which colour you are going to have !! =) - Ella
i've been on a pump for a month now, and we're still trying to get things in order - its no holiday let me tell you. i had to wait two years for a pump so some of you could consider yourself lucky. i had to go through carbohydrate counting training and then pump training. i think its much easier than the injections. but either way, pump or injections i think that carbohydrate counting helps more. inquire about that before you inquire about a pump because you can't get a pump without it. but im sure things will work out fine, and to be honest, i'm happy with it - i really am (: - Holly
I have had diabetes for 2 years now and on the 26th October I started on the pump. I really enjoy been on the pump. I hate it when I get air bubbles! It so annoying. Anyway I really enjoy it but I don't like having Diabetes. Hope everyone is ok with their Diabetes. Have a good a christmas and Happy New Year!! - Caitlin
Ive been diabetic about 3 years now but my blood sugar has been all over the place. sometimes it seems like everythings going well for a while, but then it all just falls apart and goes back to how it was. every so often i get really upset, thinking about all the long-term health problems im going to give myself, and decide to get it sorted out. never seems to happen though. its not that i dont try-i do- but i just dont seem to get anywhere with it.
a few months ago, my diabetic nurse, Sarah, started talking about these pumps. it took me a while to come round to the idea, but now i cant wait to get hold of one! if everything goes according to plan, i might be getting one in the next month or two. its really interesting to read about other peoples experiences with them. most people seem to love them.
the thing i miss most from before i had diabetes was the freedom. from the sounds of it, maybe this pump can give some back =)
xxxx - Maddy
My mum new about pumps from when i was diagnosed in 2002 but the doctor didn't like them then she struggled for years and then last year he went on a course and changed his mind about his opinion on them which was a plus side and last year i was told to go and see if i met the guide lines which i easily did and they then sent off to my health board although they don't have a maximum number per year like other counties i was lucky to get mine in october last year now that i have one my HbA1c has come down from 9 - 4 which is reali good i recomend a pump for anyone struggling with control although it is not for everyone some people dont like the fact it is stuck to you 24/7 but personally i like it as i can't forget anything!!! - Chloe
I've been a diabetic for 15 years. I used to inject 5 times a day. My levels were all over the place so the nurse asked me if I'd like to go on the pump. I was really scared at first, thinking "Where do I keep it? Will people look at me?". I've had it for 3 months now and I love it. It's a piece of my life and I couldn't live without it. I don't even know that I am wearing it. - Linsey
I have had diabetes for nearly two years now, and most of that time I have struggled with my blood sugar control. Admittedly, it was originally my own fault, but now I am injecting every time I should be. I do correction doses and my HbA1c is still high. The nurses know that I am eligible for a pump, but I can't get one until April unless I move up to the adults' clinic which I think is unfair and there should be more staff available. - Caitlin
I've had diabetes since I was four and I'm eleven now. I'm scared of having a pump because it sounds kinda' weird having a needle in me 24 hours a day. I can be great with the injections; normally it doesn't hurt. So I don't know what to do now. - Hamish
My name's Nicole. I'm 14. I've had diabetes for a year and have found it very hard. I found it quite easy at first and now I've started to struggle but I've been given the opportunity to be put on the insulin pump list so if I get my blood sugars and HbA1c down, I will get it - so that is what's keeping me motivated. x - Nicole
I am hopefully going to apply for one. The only thing is, I don't do my blood sugars often and I have to go from doing it 2-3 times a week to 4-6 times a day! It has been really hard and I soo hope I am going to be able to get one but if I don't I am going to be really upset. Wish me luck. I am going in on the 9 November. Fingers Crossed. :) - Megan
I am finally gettin' an insulin pump on October 26th. Can't wait!! - Michelle
I have had diabetes since I was four years old and am almost 16. Sometimes I find it really hard especially in school. I find it easier on the injections because if you are not well you don't have to do your jab if your blood's low but if you're on the pump then it does it automatically. The younger you are, the better you are at using injections, and you should wait untill you're older to use pumps. I have done 11 years of school with diabetes and I coped fine without the pump. Don't rush into getting it, it's not woth the extra hassle. - Michelle
Hey, my name is Lauren and I have had diabetes since May 2005. I am now 13. I used to be ashamed of my diabetes and at one point I got bullied for being the one who wasn't normal, so i asked my doctor if I could get the insulin pump and he advised me that although it sounds much easier than injecting four times a day, it can be a struggle at times and you have to check your blood around 6 or 8 times a day or even more. So to go onto the pump you really have to be committed! I think the pumps are an amazing invention and I'm counting downt he days 'til I get mine :D- Lauren
Every time I ask for a pump all I get told is they can't fund it. - Sean
I have had diabetes for two years now and the nurses have being saying you will be on a pump by Christmas (this was like July 2008) and I still do not have one. I went on a diabetes camp and I met a girl and she got diabetes in March 2008 and she is already on a insulin pump. I am really not happy. - Caitlin
I have been diabetic for almost four years now and hate doing injections so I think that pumps are really good! - Rachel
I think that it is a really good idea and helps to control your diabetes. - Cliona
I have had a rubbish HbA1c level, even though I have taken loads of corrections. My family and I have been really determined to get my blood glucose down. I am getting a pump in a couple of weeks. My GP allowed me to get one without much trouble at all. I am not looking forward to sleeping with it in though! - Eliot
I have the 'basal bolus' regime and I'm beginning to get loads of bruises on my injection sites, so we asked for the insulin pump (which I think is really cool) and have been put on a list to get it. Hopefully I'll get by Easter! - Aimee
I have an insulin pump. I asked my consultant about it and they set me up with one. I only had too wait for like 3 months then I got one. My life's been so much better now that I have an insulin pump. Just ask your consultant and maybe they can set you one up like mine did for me.- Gemma