Quinte Insulin Pumpers Meeting: September 15, 2004

Quinte Insulin Pumpers Meeting: September 15, 2004

Special guests

Two persons who have not yet been prescribed insulin pumps were in attendance with family members. They came to learn about the therapy and its possible advantages and Quinte Insulin Pumper (QIP) members cheerfully demonstrated how their pumps delivered insulin and they explained how their lives had improved after adapting to this technology.

Fund Raising

One of our members, Heather Gammage, is planning to participate in a 42.2-kilometre international marathon in Rome, Italy, March 10-14, 2005. Money raised will go to research funded by the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). Heather applied and was accepted and now is in the process of raising the $5,500 she has pledged. The proceeds of the evening’s 50-50 draw were donated to Heather, and then, when she won the draw, she immediately declared that the funds would be directed to the CDA marathon. If you would like to share in Heather’s good-works adventure, contact her at (613) 969-2063 or at heathergammage@hotmail.com

Position Available

The chair, Nancy Stafford, called for someone to develop meeting programs, arranging for guest speakers, etc. If interested contact Nancy at (613) 967-6518.

Paediatric Diabetes

Paediatric patients are started on insulin pumps after being referred to paediatric clinics in Kingston, Ottawa, Smiths Falls or Toronto. The Whitby Clinic serves only those of the Oshawa region now. Several spoke highly of Dr. Hussan, paediatric endocrinologist, Kingston, who makes herself available 24 hours per day for emergency telephone calls during the period of adaptation to the insulin pump. Normally this period of adjustment lasts a week. A rough estimate by a group member suggested that there are approximately 50 school-age patients with Type 1 diabetes in the Quinte area.

On-going Care and Supplies

Members had high praise for the staff of the Trenton hospital of Quinte Health Care. The staff is well-informed about insulin pump usage, especially in the emergency and surgery departments.

It is important to purchase supplies from a pharmacy that stocks the brands you require, and whose staff is knowledgeable about insulin pump therapy. Trenton Shoppers’ Drug Mart was rated as providing "phenomenal service", and it was reported that because they have three insulin pumpers on staff, they are especially sensitive to the needs of diabetics.

It was agreed that the telephone help lines made available by pump suppliers such as Medtronic are very useful.

Insurance

Health insurance policies vary. Some companies pay for pumps; some pay for supplies only. Purchasers of Medtronic insulin pumps, who have a "letter of necessity" from their doctor, can take advantage of Medicom, a service that negotiates with the insurance companies for the best possible coverage.

Brands of Pumps

As it happened, all present at the meeting were users of one of several approved Medtronic models. However, other members of QIP, not in attendance, use products from Animas and Disetronic. The latter expects to have a new product available in 2005.

Adapting

Patients must be familiar with carbohydrate counting before switching to insulin pump therapy. Heating boxed meals such as from Stouffers or M and M with the nutritional content listed can be very helpful at the start.

During the first week of converting to pump delivery of insulin, patients may ask themselves, "Why am I doing this?" and they may declare, "I’m not doing this!" Then, after reverting back to needle therapy, they say, "No more of this!" and become determined pumpers.

Lows may be experienced at first while there are still traces of the long acting insulin present in the body.

Dealing with all the issues that create variables is challenging. Stress may drive one person’s glucose level to 30.0 while another may drop to 1.8 in similar circumstances.

Growth spurts, hormones and being female can create variances. Different sites on the same body may have different reactions. The duration and intensity of exercise can make a difference.

A Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS), available at clinics, worn for three days can reveal patterns in highs and lows and thus help in adjusting basal rates.

Advantages of Pump Therapy

Improved control over blood sugars and the attendant complications is the reward for perseverance. One member said that in the past three years, her highest A1C was 6.6.

Rather than having diabetes control one’s life, a patient using insulin pump therapy controls the diabetes. One no longer eats to match the insulin injections; one administers insulin to match the food choices.

On pump therapy, patients are less jumpy - mood swings are lessened. This is a great help in family life.

The person with an insulin pump who goes out for business or recreation is freed from worrying about times and places to eat.

A family with a pumper has been able to maintain an active life-style involving hours at the arena or in other extra-curricular activities.

Coping with diabetes at school is more manageable and less worrisome for a child with an insulin pump.

Next Meeting

Quinte Insulin Pumpers will meet Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Avenue, Belleville, 7:00-9:00 pm.