Quinte Insulin Pumpers- Minutes of the group meeting, March 17, 2004

Quinte Insulin Pumpers- Minutes of the group meeting, March 17, 2004

The smaller group made it possible for those new to the therapy to have their
questions answered in detail by Jill Milliken, diabetes nurse specialist and by
those members using pumps.  

Appreciation

On behalf of the group, Chair Nancy Stafford expressed appreciation for the
sponsorship of the skating party, Sunday, February 1, 2004,  at 8 Wing Trenton
by Shopper’s Drug Mart, Trenton. Pizza followed this event which took the place
of the February meeting.

Reference Materials

Nancy announced that she now has in stock the excellent references, Pumping
Insulin ($35.00) and the 2004 edition of The Doctor’s Pocket Calorie, Fat &
Carbohydrate Counter ($10.00). John Walsh, one of the authors of Insulin
Pumping, will be an invited speaker at the Canadian Diabetes Association
conference for diabetes educators and researchers this October in Quebec City,

The Reader’s Digest book, Quick Cooking for Diabetics has attractive
illustrations, but Joan Coyea cautioned that the recipes may not be practical
for family use.

New brochures from pump suppliers, Animas and MiniMed, were on display for
participants to take home. Disetronic pumps are not currently licensed for sale
in Canada or in the United States. Books and videos from the Quinte Pumpers’
library were available to be borrowed.

Samples including fridge magnets and flash cards to help with carbohydrate
counting from www.type1tools.com were on display
thanks to Jill.

Tips for Insulin Pumping

The pump is a tool. It won’t do the thinking for you.

The pump model numbers reflect a series of developments. As time passes, new
features are tested, proven and incorporated into a new model. Those who own
MiniMed products may arrange for upgrades.

You can do all the programming of your insulin pump that you need without a
computer. However, if you have a computer, you can download printouts of your
records for up to 90 days.

Before you start on a pump, you have to be carbohydrate counting. After eating,
the pump user adds a bolus against the effects of consuming a specific number of
carbohydrates. In this way the pump acts like a bionic pancreas, meeting the
body’s need for insulin.

Fats, proteins and fibre slow down the process of digestion. For example, after
a glass of pure pulp-free orange juice, the pumper with a particular basal rate
might administer a bolus of 4 units of insulin for this amount of carbohydrates.
After a Big Mac, the insulin for this amount of carbohydrates would be
delivered as 2 plus 2. Not everyone would need those amounts; it would depend
upon their carbohydrate ratio.

Pumpers check their blood sugars frequently: 4 or 5, up to 10 times a day.

Do not exercise if your blood sugars are high already.

A three-month average of 6.3 is fabulous if your blood sugar results are level
with no extreme swings up and down.

Even if a patient is fasting and is receiving a steady stream of insulin based
on the pump basal rate, stress from an illness can raise the blood sugar count.

It is recommended that site changes be done every three days. To save money,
some pumpers use an infusion site for a longer period and they end up with
infections and scarring.

A few persons have allergies to the materials in the infusion sets. Adjustments
can be made.

Ketone strips reveal what has taken place in the past. A blood ketone monitor
gives a current reading for pumpers.

In Ontario,  insulin can be purchased from a pharmacy over the counter without a
prescription.

There is such a thing as a "bad" batch of insulin!

Pharmacists are experts when it comes to drugs. From a pharmacist you can
obtain a great deal of information. Often they know much more on the subject of
drugs than a doctor. 

A person with Type 1 diabetes must become the master of the disease. It cannot
be left entirely to the doctor who may or may not be educated in nutrition and
in the latest techniques for managing blood sugar levels.

New pump purchasers must do their own research. Consider the features of each
model. Check on the availability of supplies. Check on the availability of a
support person, especially during the first week of pumping and later during
times of crisis.

A Useful Website for New Pumpers: pumpschool.minimed.com

Pumps are Tough

While tobogganing, a child lost her insulin pump. Because it was insured under
the household policy, it could be replaced quickly. Spring came. The snow
thawed. The original pump was discovered on the ground.  New batteries were
inserted and the pump is working fine now.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Quinte Insulin Pumpers will take place on Wednesday,
April 21, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Avenue,
Belleville.