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Why would I want to be attached to something for nearly 24 hours a day?
This is probably the biggest fear of new pump wearers, and also the quickest to overcome. Honestly, the first few days are a little weird, but the pump will make you so much more free – eat when you want! You will wonder why you didn't get it sooner!
You can easily remove the pump, or wear the SportGuard™ hard case to protect it, whenever you want to take a shower, go swimming or do anything else in the water. That also goes for playing sports.
Sleeping with the pump might take some getting used to, but the infusion sets come in two lengths that make it easy to roll around and not be woken up. The wildest of sleepers have said that they do not have any problems sleeping while wearing the pump.
It will take some time to figure out what works best for you, but you can be in better control of your diabetes than you ever thought possible!
Do I still have to prick my finger to test my blood glucose?
Yes. To make sure that your basal rate is correct and that you are giving the correct amount of insulin to cover your meals, you must check your blood glucose. The pump is not automatic.
It puts YOU in control of your diabetes -- like driving a car -- you have to know where you are to be able to get where you're going!
Will I have to go to the doctor every time I need to program the pump?
No, you do it yourself. When you are first put on the pump, you will be trained on how to use and program it by a certified pump trainer and then you will be able to make any changes you (and possibly your doctor) feel are necessary. Remember, you will still need to visit your Endocrinologist or Diabetes Educator regularly to follow your progress on the pump and to make any changes he or she feels are necessary.
Everyone will stare at it and wonder what it is!
Most people think it is a pager. The pump is about the same size as a pager and it is usually worn in much the same way - hidden away in a pocket or worn on the belt like a pager.
Both boys and girls have a number of places on their body they can wear the pump. It has a belt clip attached to the back of it so that you can clip it anywhere you like. Most people clip it inside one of their pockets and anyone looking at it will think it is a pager. There are also many colours to choose from.
How do I get a pump?
So, you've heard all about the pump and now you want to give it a try. What next? Here's the low down on how to find out if the pump is for you.
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#1 Talk to your parents
First, you have to talk to your parents about the pump and why you would like to try it. You'll want to make sure they have all the information from us -- if not, call us on 1800 668 670.
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#2 Call Medtronic Diabetes
Requesting an information pack from us is a good place to start. It has a lot of good information about the pump. You can request an information pack by calling the Medtronic Customer Service on 1800 668 670.
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#3 Talk to your Doctor
You'll need to have your Endocrinologists’ approval to
get a pump. If your doctor is unfamiliar with pumps, we can
send him/her some information. |
Once you and your parents and your Endocrinologist are ready to go, call us to start the paperwork and then you can get a pump too.
Stay in touch with your Medtronic Diabetes team. They'll make sure you get properly trained on the pump and that you get all the help you need.
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