switching from the pump to MDI

I am thinking about switching from an Animas pump to multiple daily injections and was wondering if anybody has done this and if so how it went.Right now I am on a pump using humalog insulin and have been on this for about 10 years.Humalog insulin is very expensive and the pump supplies are as well.I am thinking about seeing if I can find a cheaper insulin and just switching to multiple daily injections.I plan on asking my pharmasist about the prices on different insulins and was wondering if anybody has made the switch from a pump to injections and how it worked out.
I love being on the pump but I could be loosing my insurance in the future and am trying to see what will be cheaper but also keep me healthy.The last time I was on shots it did not work for me at all but I know there are newer insulins now and am hoping that might change things.
Any input on Multiple daily injections would be helpful

I registered specifically to reply to this post.

I have been thinking about going away from my pump also. I too have been on it for about 10 years now. I feel like I can no longer trust my infusion sets, because whenever I take a bolus over 7 insulin leaks out of the site. This is very frustrating, as it does not happen every time, but most of the time and has cause my BS to go very high at times. I only use the pump anymore now for my basal insulin and small corrective doses. Medtronic says this is not common and I am not changing my sites enough, even though this will still happen the day I change my site. The cost of the infusion sets just makes this more irritating.

My worry is how would using Lantus or something rather than my pump's basal affect my BS.

I can tell you, without insurance ANY insulin is VERY expensive. Both my daughter and husband still take regular injections, using Humalog and Lantis. Last I checked, it was almost $100 for one bottle without insurance.

Kim,

I would talk to Animas and explain the situation. I know they offer financial aid toward their pumps and supplies. We use Novalog in Abbie's Ping. Might see what the cost difference is. Just a thought.

Shana, mother of Abbie (6 yo Diabetic) & Gracie (Wildrose DAD pup)

All of the major pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs......but be ready to jump through HOOPS and LOTS of them. One idea IF you have good communication with your dr or DE......they can get you sample insulin vials until things ease up.......some refuse but trust me the companies supply FREE insulin to them every week!

You know there have been times.........I figure if you got arrested....your medical bills would be covered. Your insulin would be covered and you could start a DAD program in prison! WHat is WRONG with our world!!

KC



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2010 03:26PM by FetchExpress.

This topic is very interesting. I too have been thinking of going back on multiple shots. I am on my 3rd Medtronic pump and have had my share of pump and infusion set malfunctions with resulting high as well as low blood sugars. I too am tired of talking to the "helpful" reps about my scar tissue causing the problems. I am also looking ahead to not having insurance and needle costs sure beats infusion set costs.

Ann (diabetic since 1985-hypo-unaware since 2004)
& Lily (std poodle-owner trained DAD since July 2009)


"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday"
~ Unknown

Kim, it is possible that some of us on the forum might have excess supplies that we could share with you. I'm not sure if that is "legal" or not, but, like KC said, medical needs are covered in prison , so, "no problem"
Seriously, Kim, we love you and are here to help in any way we can. I'm certain I have a few "extras" here and there . . . .

Rachel, mom of Abi and biggest fan of Mr Darcy!!
Wildrose Diabetic Alert Dogs, Masters of Scent

I hear nothing, know nothing, and will deny cupabilityon anything.......but pm me if I can help!!!!!!!

KC, if this was Facebook, I would "like" that comment

Rachel, mom of Abi and biggest fan of Mr Darcy!!
Wildrose Diabetic Alert Dogs, Masters of Scent

I think I have a box of needles around...Had to buy it one night when I ran out of insulin and we weren't going to be home for 5 hours.....It would only be short a few...
and see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!

Thank you everybody.I went to my new ENDO and he suggested that I do what ever I can to stay on my pump.As it stands at the moment I will be able to keep my insurance so that means I can continue on the pump.I will keep my fingers crossed that everything works out cause my glucose has been CRAZY lately with a lot of ups and and unconscious downs.Its means more than you know that there are people out there that care!!!!!!

My son is on multiple day injections and he has great problems with his blood sugars. I'm not saying that would be the case with you or that it is the case with others. I have been told though that the long acting insulin is unstable so you can get up to a 25% variable from day to day. My son is on Lantus and that is suppose to be one of the more stable. I have also been told that the pumps work better that MDI because of its ability to give fast acting insulin as your basal.

We had to come up with our own money to pay for his pump and pay for all the consumables he uses weekly which he starts he starts in a months time. My son is currently on novo-rapid, lantus, act-rapid and protaphane. In New Zealand all our insulin is free. What I think is criminal is how they make you pay for something that if you did not have you would die.

An yes I would send you spare stuff from NZ if I could but they keep a tough reign in on how much they give you. Now if my son was a drug addict then he would get all the fresh clean needles that he needed. So yes in a warped way it pays to be criminal.