It’s been about two months since I started using an insulin pump (Medtronic Minimed), which followed 35 years of insulin injection routines. Overall, I am very satisfied with the pump, though, as always in diabetes care, there’s always room for improvement in self-management.
My biggest hurdles are the estimating the carb counts; previously, I pretty much just ate and did not think much beyond skipping the sugar. I am bit more restrained now, but still sometimes just take some wild guesses at the right amounts.
My overall blood glucose numbers are lower than before (maybe averaging 120-130 where before it was more like 150-160), and the real show is in a month or two at my next A1C test, where I had been running in the low 7.0s and maybe a 6.9 now and then. At my June doctor visit, we made some adjustments to the basal rates (setting higher rates for day time) that have helped a lot.
I have been wearing the pump while running and it’s not too much in the way, as I was already carrying a small fanny pack anyhow to hold glucose tabes, keys, and the ipod.
And actually for being out and about and work-related travel, it simplifies things as I do not have to cart around needles and insulin containers to meals; I just need my blood tested (with me or before I go).
So the pump update is… I am gald I started on this as a new routine.
Did you know... "In 1924, a 14 year old boy Leonard Thompson was the first human with diabetes to receive insulin" (from DoctorNDTV)
See more diabetic facts...



July 25th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Hi, Alan,
I just accidentally found your great blog while googling for any info on this year’s New Times 10K.
I am a type 1 diabetic since 1973, an insulin pumper since May of 2002, and a runner, since a long time ago. I’ve been running various distances since Jr. High, and I’m now 47.
It’s always great to meet another diabetic runner. I haven’t had time to read very much on your site, but I’m looking forward to it.
The web site I put into this comment form is just where I keep track of my running stuff. It isn’t really much more than a few links to text files, listing races run, times, etc.
We have run a few of the same races, and we may have actually met briefly. Hope to see you again.
Cheers,
Jerry
July 26th, 2006 at 7:13 am
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for sharing your run results, which are very impressive and inspiring… looks like you improved marathoh times by almost an hour since you started. I am aiming for the 2007 PF Changs to be my first full one– maybe we’ll cross paths!