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CF and Diabetes
- Thread starter anonymous
- Start date
rotandroll
New member
Hi, I have had CFRD since I was five, insulin dependent since I was 11 and just recently (in the last month) started on an insulin pump. I have found it to be really convenient after we have found the right adjustment of basal and bolus rates. There were a lot of highs and lows the first couple of days, but that all evened out once we adjusted everything correctly.
I think what's most convenient about it is that I don't have to do any other insulin injections, just program the pump several times a day. The things I find inconvenient is that I always have a pager-sized pump to carry around. I started on the pump to prepare for pregnancy but am much more in control of my blood glucose now, so I am overall feeling better with more energy and my A1C has already dropped. There are definite links to better control over lung infections when your blood glucose is better, so that is a definite plus as well. Depending on what I am wearing, I either tuck it in my bra or in the pocket of my skirt/pants. There are lots of other places to wear them, though.
What specific questions do you have?
I think what's most convenient about it is that I don't have to do any other insulin injections, just program the pump several times a day. The things I find inconvenient is that I always have a pager-sized pump to carry around. I started on the pump to prepare for pregnancy but am much more in control of my blood glucose now, so I am overall feeling better with more energy and my A1C has already dropped. There are definite links to better control over lung infections when your blood glucose is better, so that is a definite plus as well. Depending on what I am wearing, I either tuck it in my bra or in the pocket of my skirt/pants. There are lots of other places to wear them, though.
What specific questions do you have?
Rotandroll,
Hi! My name is Hilary and I will be a senior in the fall. I am doing a senior project on physical and mental disabilities. I read your message that you posted and your life story intrigues me. My vision for the project is to create a movie after conducting several interviews on different stories of those who are dissabled. I would like to talk with you some more about your trials and tribulations of living with cystic fibrosis. My e-mail address is Hilary_Stoudt@Watkinson.org. I would greatly appreciate it if you would e-mail me! Thank you so much.
Hi! My name is Hilary and I will be a senior in the fall. I am doing a senior project on physical and mental disabilities. I read your message that you posted and your life story intrigues me. My vision for the project is to create a movie after conducting several interviews on different stories of those who are dissabled. I would like to talk with you some more about your trials and tribulations of living with cystic fibrosis. My e-mail address is Hilary_Stoudt@Watkinson.org. I would greatly appreciate it if you would e-mail me! Thank you so much.
princessgiggles
New member
hey i was just put on insulin yesterday cos of my recent symtoms (don't think i'll ever know how to spell that!!) of what the docs are sayin is cfrd, scary sometimes isn't it? but i'm sure we've been through worse & once we get used to it we'll be grand!! i suppose that isn't much help but just letting ya know you're not alone!<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
rotandroll
New member
Princessgiggles,
Having CFRD gets easier, I promise. The injections and everything will be second nature, just like taking 'zymes and everything, before you know it.
Does your CF care center know a lot about CFRD? Will you be seeing an endocrinologist seperately to care for your diabetes?
Having CFRD gets easier, I promise. The injections and everything will be second nature, just like taking 'zymes and everything, before you know it.
Does your CF care center know a lot about CFRD? Will you be seeing an endocrinologist seperately to care for your diabetes?
Rotandroll,
You say that, with time, one gets used to taking the insulin injections, "it becomes second nature". Do you even flinch when you're about to stick the needle in anymore? Obviously you can feel it, but does it still hurt you? I dont have cfrd, so I was just curious how it felt,
Shamrock, x
You say that, with time, one gets used to taking the insulin injections, "it becomes second nature". Do you even flinch when you're about to stick the needle in anymore? Obviously you can feel it, but does it still hurt you? I dont have cfrd, so I was just curious how it felt,
Shamrock, x
rotandroll
New member
Hey Shamrock, I don't do daily injections anymore because I am on an insulin pump now. I do injections once every three days. Doing insulin shots sucks more because of the hassle of it than the pain. Giving yourself an injection is like a little pinch, sort of. Sometimes it doesn't hurt at all though. I did my own injections from the time I started doing insulin, so I did them for about 12 years.
rotandroll
New member
I think it would probably be easier and more practical to use a long lasting insulin like Lantus instead of using an insulin pump strictly at night. Lantus is nice because it doesn't ever peak (most insulins have a peak time where they are strongest, which can sometimes cause problems with low blood glucose) and is a pretty steady coverage over 24 hours. But then again, I'm not a doctor...! Do you just do insulin for night time feedings (sounds like it)?
princessgiggles
New member
Thanks rotandroll! I'm sure i'll get used to it soon enough it's actually becoming easier each day, but thanks for the message it was real nice of you, hope your keepin well!!<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
rotandroll
New member
An insulin pump works by releasing short acting insulin into your body in two methods. One is a basal, which is a constant, slow infusion (you will set it to your specific needs, i.e. with me I'll get between 1 and 2 units per hour depending on the time of day) and then a bolus which is infused when you program it into your pump. A bolus is based on your blood glucose and your intake of carbohydrates. I guess it provides better control than the combination of a long lasting insulin and short acting insulin in seperate injections.
My insurance (surprisingly) covered it 100%. I am on Medicaid. They originally asked for C-peptides as well as a pretty comprehensive log of my blood glucoses from the previous month (they wanted 6 to 8 tests per day). I was approved for the pump just four weeks after my doctors sent in the request. I was told that with CFRD your body does not release C-peptide levels (or whatever they'd be called in this tense!). I think that's BS that your insurance won't cover a pump unless you are type 1! CFRD works SO simularly to type 1 diabetes-- we just don't have the stupid antibodies for diabetes mellitus type 1! Ask your doctor if they will send a letter specifically pertaining to your case and your personal need for an insulin pump (to your insurance). Maybe that will sway them?
My insurance (surprisingly) covered it 100%. I am on Medicaid. They originally asked for C-peptides as well as a pretty comprehensive log of my blood glucoses from the previous month (they wanted 6 to 8 tests per day). I was approved for the pump just four weeks after my doctors sent in the request. I was told that with CFRD your body does not release C-peptide levels (or whatever they'd be called in this tense!). I think that's BS that your insurance won't cover a pump unless you are type 1! CFRD works SO simularly to type 1 diabetes-- we just don't have the stupid antibodies for diabetes mellitus type 1! Ask your doctor if they will send a letter specifically pertaining to your case and your personal need for an insulin pump (to your insurance). Maybe that will sway them?
rotandroll
New member
I was thinking about my previous post, and maybe also a letter to your insurance company from your CF doctor detailing that when your blood glucose is better, your lung functions and infections are usually better, which could fuel the argument that by paying for an insulin pump, your insurance company could ultimately be saving money by less hospitalizations and less antibiotic use in the future. Just a thought.
mojogurlie
New member
Hey, This is to the person who was wondering about an insulin pump just for night feedings. I've had blood sugar problems my whole life, but have only actually needed insulin for the last 2 years or so. When i'm healthy i only use insulin with night feedings. I did shots for a while, but i ended up needing so much and was mixing insulin with different peaks and it just wasnt working. My doctors talked about just using a long lasting insulin like one person mentioned, but since i needed no insulin during the day they decided that it might be dangerous to have insulin on board when i didnt need it. I eventually got the pump, and it makes life so much easier. It's especially nice since i use different amounts of insulin at different times of the night. Anyways, i found that it was easier than shots because once u program the pump to the times u need all u need to do is suspend it and take it off during the day and restart it at night. Also when u need more insulin during illnesses or anything, u can just program in different rates and give basals when u need them instead of doing shots every time. I hope this was helpful.
~Sarah 18 with CF
~Sarah 18 with CF
hi my name is james stewart and when i was 1day old i found out that i had cf and i needed to take my med. so i can stay a live and some times is hard now just 3 months ago i found out that i have diabetes and i need to take insilen and if i do it out in public people look at me until they go some where