Diabetic Recipes
Stephen Davies
I'm writing two posts today because I am so incredibly frustrated I really need an outlet. I am about to start throwing things through the wall (which I really don't think my neighbors would appreciate). Particularly, I'm going to throw my stupid pump through the wall (I know they really won't appreciate that!). I have been having a lot of trouble with it since day one. The worst part is that I am having so much trouble with the company and getting help.
I'm not sure if I am expected to be able to automatically manage my pump and manage it well but it really seems like that is the implication. Originally, I was told that I would be able to contact my trainer at any time with questions. I was told this company was the leader in customer service in the pump industry. BIG FAT LIE! I say that because I have had the WORST service I have EVER had in my entire life since starting on this pump. I started off with a trainer who barely knew what they were doing and didn't follow up after putting me on the wrong basals, next I got a trainer who was just too busy to reply to me, then I had money issues with them. Now I'm having issues trying to get a little more help before just giving up on this thing.
I've been on the pump since late October so we'll say four and a half months. In that time, my basals have been all over the place. My blood sugars have been even more all over the place. My A1c has actually gone up! I have been constantly frustrated by the extreme highs and lows and lack of help. My second trainer started out pretty good. They reset the basals, which seemed like a good starting place. After that, I felt deserted. Maybe it's just me because I know nothing about pumps and I feel desperate to find someone who can really work with me in detail. I would email and not get a response for a week to sometimes two weeks (when my blood sugars were consistently running in the 300s and I couldn't figure out how to fix them). The last times I emailed I didn't receive any response. I was just left hanging. It's been over a month on that one.
In December, I figured out that my trainers and that company were obviously not interested in helping me. I bought books and talked to a few people that pump. I went into my doctor and he made a small adjustment (he's very busy and not deeply experienced with the pump so I'm not expecting him to help much). I started adjusting everything on my own. I've done that since early January. My averages are still all over the place and I don't feel any less confused about the pump. I am only getting more frustrated because now I'm almost up for another doctor's visit. I know my A1c is not going to be any better.
So I emailed one of the managers of the company asking for a new trainer to help me out a little more because I've come across some stumbling blocks. The response email is what has me restraining myself from throwing the pump through the wall (or better yet, the manager's window). I have now been told that the pump manufacturers (READ: trainers) legally can only follow me a few months. I have been told to set appointments with my doctor every three months (that's a given!!! Are they trying to insult me?) and to attend pump classes. I already mentioned my doctor is too busy. The pump classes (which are almost two hours away from me) happen to only be when I already have regular classes! Imagine my frustration!
Apparently I should already have this pumping thing down and if I don't, well sorry Charlie to me! I want someone who is trained in pumps, who understands the frustrations I'm feeling with basals and exercising, who will be able to email me back timely. I really don't feel that I'm asking for too much! But maybe I am? Am I? Maybe the pump just really isn't for me and this is only further proving it. I don't feel like the pump is conducive to my lifestyle anyway. It has only complicated my world. I don't even feel like I can eat what or when I want. I feel like I need to exercise either every day or not at all. My schedule just doesn't seem to fit. Or maybe my schedule would fit if I had a trainer who had the time to email me?!? Of course, LEGALLY they can't help me out anymore. What kind of law is that anyway?
I don't know what I would have done with out having a knowledable endocrinologist. Everytime I go in, he looks at my numbers, presses a few buttons on my pump and off I go. (A1c down to 7.1 from 8.4) Also the other doctor in his office is a pump trainer. My only piece of advise is to find an endocrinologist who knows alot about the pump. I would get a list of endocrinologist that are accepting new patients in your area and call them to see if they know much about the pump. Even after being on the pump for 4 years, I would hate to program it all by myself. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!!
I was in a museum.. That would be the strangest place for me.. My hubby was at a red light... He was driving..
I have a question.. This is my first day on the site.. I don't know how to start a blog.. could you please post how to do that ..
Thanks.
OPPS I replyed to the wrong post.. I am so sorry.
I know it can be frustrating, but hang in there! I would never go back to shots after being on the pump. I've been pumping for 6 years. You do need to find a good endo, but a book that really helps when you can't get into the doctor is called "Pumping Insulin". It's helped me out lots. I still have times when I get confused, or basals need readjusting (they say usually every 6 months or so). The pump I have now comes with too many bells and whistles, and I just don't use those features. They aren't necessary. I have found that the bolus wizard on my pump does not work as well as another program I have used, so I don't use the bolus wizard. I use a program on my pocket pc that calculates it all for me and doesn't just count carbs, it counts carbs, fats and proteins which all factor in to your carb & insulin ratios.
You should be able to find the book on Amazon. It's a pumpers necessity in my opinion.
Tracy
Everyone keeps saying get a better endo, but my insurance only allows me to go to the one I go to (or a few others that are just the same). What is the pocket pc program that you use? I think I really need something that calculates fats and proteins with the carbs because I keep getting these highs about 6 hours after some meals. I have the book and it helped some but there are still some things I can't get right. Thanks for the help!
The program I have is called "Diabetics Pocket Insulin Manager". The guy who created it must have sold his product. It used to be free, but now you have to buy it from Handango. I do still have the set up files for the free version that I could email to you if you want. I've used it for about 3 years. It has a huge food database (which you can add to), it gives you all kinds of reports, it's very user friendly. There are a few others out there (not free), but I haven't really tried those. They are Diabetes Pilot and SiDiary. Just do a search for Diabetes software and you'll see them.
If you are interested in the one I have, I have the version for a pocket pc (which also includes a desktop version that it syncs with). I don't have a palm, but there is a palm version out there too.
Tracy (tsommerio@cox.net)
Lindsey,
Your anger and frustration toward the pump company is misdirected. It is the job of your doctor to set your basals. I've had a pump for 15 years, and never has a company rep set a basal rate or determined a bolus amount. It just isn't their role. You need to go back to your doctor and get that office to help you. The pump trainer cannot help you, as it sounds like they explained to you many times.
If you can get your basals straightened out, I think you'll be very happy using a pump. Since your insurance company has paid for the pump, and it isn't doing you any good, maybe they will be interested in finding a doctor who will do his job. After all, a pump is a big expense for the insurance company. Complain to them. Good luck!
astronomer- Thanks for the comment. My anger/frustration at the pump company is because I was promised something but now it is being revoked. I was never told to rely on my doctor, I was told to rely on the trainer I was assigned. They are now standing true to what I was promised and I've had some side help from other pumpers. It's all getting straightened out. Thanks for the interest.