Insulin Pump Therapy

Mark Bernstein

The fourth in a series of articles by Mark Bernstein, a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes thirteen years ago. Over the following months, Mr. Bernstein will address the financial impact of diabetes and offer some practical financial suggestions to living with diabetes.

It isn’t easy to manage diabetes on a daily basis with the countless tests of blood sugars, injections, carbohydrate counting, and exercise. However, as diabetics, it is important to recognize that we are lucky for the treatments available to us. It gives us the ability to control our sugar levels while minimizing the consequences associated with the disease. With the constantly changing treatments and new technologies, we can try new management, finding the best options that can maximize comfort, enhancing our lifestyle and our blood sugars.

Since being diagnosed with diabetes at the age of thirteen, a majority of my regimen was focused on finger sticks and injections, using NPH/Lantus for the twenty-four hour basal rate with Regular/Humalog to counteract my meals acting as a bolus. I was always hesitant to try the insulin pump. The idea of having a machine attached my body made me feel as though I would be a ‘bionic man�?inducing limitations on my lifestyle. After having numerous conversations with my doctor and with the backing of many patients who transitioned their treatment in a similar fashion beforehand, the consistent passion and belief in the treatment convinced me it was time to try the innovative technological advance.

Conversation with your Doctor

It is very important that you speak with your doctor to learn about insulin pump therapy. Many doctors are advocates of the treatment because the numbers are beginning to show blood sugar results and A1C levels are significantly better. When speaking with your doctor make sure to familiarize yourself with the treatment, ask lots of questions, and ask how it may enhance your lifestyle or create limitations. It will help you to find the difference in regimen and routine versus your current therapy. If you decide to make the transition, find an educator to guide you through the transition and learning how to operate the pump.

Costs

The upfront costs of an insulin pump could be a substantial out of pocket expense for you, but in the long run can potentially save significant money on supplies. Keep in mind, if you are insured, a majority of the costs are covered. Once therapy begins, I have found the costs are less than my injection treatments. Insurance fully covers many of the supplies for the pump, because they find it to be a superior treatment for diabetics, minimizing the long-term consequences associated with the disease. Simultaneously, there are fewer supplies needed, so co-pays decrease as well.

Classes

If you decide to move forward with the therapy, there are a number of resources that will help you in your transition. There are always 24-hour help lines that assist you in the new processes for treatments. Most manufacturers of insulin pumps offer educational programs to teach you the basics of insulin pumps and diabetes treatment. Depending on where you live, there are insulin pump groups, classes, and meetings. If you are not in an area where these services are available, online classes are offered as well.

Personal Experience

The transition that I experienced with the insulin pump was very smooth. As with any new treatment, there are trial and error periods involved initially but don’t let that discourage you. That is part of the learning curve in order to protect us from hypoglycemic reactions. As treatment progressed, my familiarity with the process and therapy became second nature and comfortable. My blood sugar fluctuations dissipated and suddenly became very tight.

The insulin pump is very different from any medications I had used in the past. There was a transition period where I needed to adapt to the new style. First off, instead of taking 5-7 injections a day, I was now changing the injection site on my body just once every three days. For me, this was a huge upgrade. Learning the process took time, but now it is a part of my routine, just like any other treatment.

The most important part of insulin therapy for me is the flexibility it allows with my lifestyle. Whether I am working early or late, going out for a big dinner with family and friends, exercising, or just relaxing at my house, I have found that the management of my blood sugars is a push of a button easier. Over time, the sophisticated insulin treatment features on the insulin pump offer tighter controls that mimic how your pancreas would react in real life situations.

If you are interested in learning more about insulin pump therapy, make sure to do your due diligence before moving forward. It is a great option, but make sure you understand the processes and confirm that it coincides with your lifestyle and comfort. We all want to live our lives without having the daily diabetes therapy affect our goals and dreams. The insulin pump is one way to achieve that, because we can eat, sleep, and exercise at our leisure, offering more flexibility. It is crucial that we tighten up our control, get A1C levels on target, and free ourselves of the pains and hassles of strict, tedious regimens.

Next Month: Researching the various types of insurance plan options to make sure you are minimizing your out of pocket expenses. Strategies to match the right plan for your family and your style.