To Pump or not to Pump

At some point you might ask yourself this question. "Should I be using an insulin pump?" An insulin pump is a good choice for many diabetics. But, maybe it is not what you need. You should ask yourself these questions:

Is my Diabetes out of control?
Do you experience erratic swings in blood sugar? Do you find yourself going from very high blood sugars to extreme lows? Many diabetics experiencing this can find some control with an insulin pump.

Does the thought of going on an insulin pump scare you?
Some people are worried that a pump might not work properly & give them the wrong amount of insulin. Pumps have built in safety features to keep this from happening. It would be very unlikely to happen. Maybe your also afraid of being connected to a machine all the time. I know that this was a very real fear for us before my daughter went on the pump. But, you would be amazed how unintrusive it is. My daughter often forgets it is even there.

Are you worried about the time you will put into learning to use the pump?
I will tell you that it definately takes a commitment on your part. It takes some work learning how to use it but, in the long run it is so worth it. You will need training with a Diabetes educator learning how to use the equipment & change infusion sets. It may take several weeks of insulin adjustment before you get the most effective basal rate set up.

Do you worry about the amount of money it will take to use an insulin pump?
This is a very real worry. Most pumps will cost you over $5,000. The cost of supplies & insulin can run up over $2,000. You should check with your insurance company to find out what they cover. Medicare will cover some of your supplies but, I have been told by some pump users that not all supplies are covered. So make sure you find out ahead of time how much is covered & if you can afford to cover the rest.

If you are the type of person who works long hours & has a hard time sticking to a meal schedule a pump might be ideal for you. One of the wonderful things about insulin pumps is the freedom it gives you to eat when you want. The fact that you can set it up to give you a constant background basal of insulin & then bolus insulin for meals when you eat them.

One of the awesome things about an insulin pump is the fact that it gives you a shot at being "normal". This is what my daughter calls it. She says she feels more like a normal kid while on her pump. She can eat when she wants & doesn't have to constantly eat to cover lows. Kid's find it easier to participate in sports. You can set up a totally different basal rate for while they are doing sports. Parent's don't have to worry as much about low blood sugars while the child is participating in a sport. They just set up a lower basal rate.

You are always using a fast acting insulin. No longer do you have to use a long lasting insulin that can cause peaks & valley's. You are using one insulin that is working just like your pancreas would release insulin (if it was able to produce insulin).

We also found that we could alleviate the Dawn Phenomenom. No more 2am blood sugar readings. This is awesome for children whose blood sugar is going low in the middle of the night.

What pump company should you go with? This is a personal choice because I have heard wonderful things about all of them. We bought ours from Minimed. I have heard that Anima's has awesome customer service. I would contact them all & request an information packet. You can find a list of company's on my website at Insulin pump info.

So what do you think? Are you ready to pump? It was the best decision we ever made. My daughter Ashley has been pumping for 3 years & we love it. I would never go back to injections.

Have you ever met with a Dietician?
 
Some Diabetics do not realize how important a Dietician can be.
I have talked with many diabetics who have no idea what they should be eating.
I know that many doctors don't have the time to put together a healthy meal plan for their patients.
A registered Dietician has training and expertise in how your body uses food.
They can teach you how different foods effect your blood sugar & what changes can be made.
They can teach you how many calories you need each day. How to cut down on fat in your diet.
Also how you can make your diet more interesting so you don't get bored with the same foods.
It is important to have someone who can help you put together a healthy meal plan.
  
                      *-----------------HOT TIP'S------------------*

                     Satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh or dried fruit

                     Eat a small serving of your favorite dessert, instead of something ordinary

                     When you are eating out , split desserts with a friend or family member

                       *-----------------HOT TIP'S------------------*

This Newsletter we will be reviewing Life Scan's One Touch Ultra Smart Glucometer

This Glucometer has it all. OneTouch® UltraSmart®.Meter and electronic logbook in one. Get the big picture with the OneTouch UltraSmart System. You don't just test. Now you can keep track of the things that affect your diabetes. Food, exercise, medication. All with push-button ease. See trends and spot patterns to help you stay in control. It's simple. The OneTouch UltraSmart System is easier to use than a paper logbook.The ONE TOUCH« UltraSmart, LifeScan's newest blood glucose meter, sets a new standard for speed by producing results in five seconds. The ONE TOUCH Ultra uses FastDraw™ Design test strips, a new capillary action, end-fill test strip that takes only 1 microliter of blood, is touchable, and is approved for alternative sites (e.g., the arm instead of the finger tip). I found that they are selling this Glucometer at Diabetic Express for $29.95 after a $20 mail in rebate.

Updated: 10:20 AM EST
Divided U.N. Backs Partial Cloning Ban
By LEYLA LINTON, AP

UNITED NATIONS (Feb. 19) - A bitterly divided U.N. committee approved a resolution calling on nations to ban all forms of human cloning incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life.

Supporters of stem cell research said they will not be bound by the declaration, calling the language vague and expressing concern it could be interpreted to ban all forms of cloning, including stem cell research.

The 71-35 vote Friday reflected the divisions among the 191 U.N. member states. There were 43 abstentions, including many Islamic countries.

The resolution now goes to the U.N. General Assembly for a final vote. If approved, the resolution would only be a recommendation, not a legal requirement.

The United States called it a victory.
"We're obviously very pleased," said Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations. "This means that the United Nations is stating very clearly that member states should adopt legislation outlining all cloning practices."

Last year, the United Nations abandoned efforts to draw up a legally binding treaty on cloning because members could not decide whether to ban all human cloning or to ban reproductive cloning and allow stem cell and other research, which many scientists believe may lead to new treatments for diseases.

Instead the General Assembly decided in November to seek a nonbinding political declaration.

The assembly's legal committee approved a text drafted by Moroccan Ambassador Mohamed Bennouna, the chairman of a working group that spent much of this week trying to forge a consensus.

The resolution adopted calls on member states to quickly adopt and implement legislation "to prohibit all forms of human cloning in as much as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life."

It also calls demands that countries "adopt the measures necessary to prohibit the application of genetic engineering techniques that may be contrary to human dignity."

Member states are also asked to take measures to prevent the exploitation of women in the application of life sciences."

After the vote, many countries expressed regret that it was not possible to reach agreement by consensus. Those against the resolution, led by Belgium, said it would lack clout because it had to be put to a vote.

"Belgium doesn't feel bound by this declaration and doesn't intend to call into question its legislation in this area," said its representative, Marc Pecsteen.

South Korea's representative, part of a group of at least 20 nations who favor therapeutic cloning, said: "Human life means different things to different cultures and religions."

He said it should be up to member states to decide their own laws on therapeutic cloning and insisted that stem cell research did respect human dignity because it helped release people from suffering.

Costa Rica's U.N. Ambassador Bruno Stagno, who has led the fight for a total cloning ban, said scientists conducting stem cell research were purposely creating human life in order to destroy it to conduct research and that was not compatible with respecting human dignity.

Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said his country voted against the resolution and said Britain would continue to permit therapeutic cloning research "because of the hope it offers of new treatments to benefit millions of people and their families."

"This is a weak, non-binding political statement." he said. "The number of states that failed to support it is greater than the number that backed it."

02/19/05 04:03 EST

Lemon Meringue Pie - sugar free
Reduced-Fat Pie Pastry or favorite pastry for 9-inch pie

2-1/4 cups water
1/2 cup lemon juice
10-3/4 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 36 packets Equal® Sweetener*
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel (optional)
2 tablespoons margarine
1 to 2 drops yellow food color (optional)
Baked 9-inch pie shell
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3-1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 12 packets Equal® Sweetener
* Equal® Spoonful™ cannot be used in meringue recipes.

Mix water, lemon juice, 10-3/4 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Beat eggs and 2 egg whites in small bowl; stir in about 1/2 the hot cornstarch mixture. Stir this egg mixture into remaining cornstarch mixture in saucepan; cook and stir over low heat 1 minute. Remove from heat; add margarine, stirring until melted. Stir in food color. Pour mixture into baked pie shell.

Beat 3 egg whites in medium bowl until foamy; add cream of tartar and beat to soft peaks. Gradually beat in 3-1/2 teaspoons Equal® Measure™, beating to stiff peaks. Spread meringue over hot lemon filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping.

Bake pie in preheated 425ºF oven until meringue is browned, about 5 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 223, Protein: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 29 g, Fat: 10 g, Cholesterol: 53 mg, Sodium: 223 mg
Diabetic Food Exchange: 2 Bread, 2 Fat
50% calorie reduction from traditional recipe.
Source Pastry Wiz

A very special friend of mine requested that I put in a Kid's Corner. So Katy here it is. If there is anything special you would like to see in this area don't hesitate to write to me Kimberly.

If your looking for fun creative ways to wear your pump and some beautiful diabetes awareness items than check out Pump Wear Inc. at www.pumpwearinc.com

Okay here is something awesome I found on the American Diabetes Association page & it is FREE. I ordered it for Ashley & even at her age (of almost 14) she thought it was very cool. It is called A Wizdom Kit. Go to this page http://www.diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/wizdom-kit.jsp & order your FREE Wizdom Kit. It comes with alot of fun stuff that will help you learn about Diabetes. Ashley especially liked the juggling balls.

Here is a great Web site called Kid's Have Diabetes Too. This is a family oriented site that is geared to the young diabetic. Check it out.

In this area you will find tips that should be helpful to Diabetics. If you have any good tips or tricks please send them to me Kimberly.

Tips for Insulin Pump users:
Did you know that your pump can reset to factory setting's if it get's a jolt of static electricity? We found this out the hard way not once but, twice. If you put a small piece of fabric softner in your pump case it will cut down on your chances of getting this jolt. We change the piece of softner every time we do a set change.

Have you ever had problem's with your infusion set popping out? Or maybe you are prone to rashes under the wings of the infusion set. The sandwich method fixes both of these problems. First put down a piece of IV3000 tape. Inject the infusion set right through the tape. Then put the bumpy white tape that comes with the infusion set over the wings of the set. Then over that put the clear tape with hole in the middle. After changing our tape application to this way we never had problems with sites popping out. It also keeps the set away from the skin so no scratchy rashes.

Some people have an allergic reaction to the IV prep. If you find that you are getting rashes from the IV prep ask your pump company to send you Bard instead. Bard has alot less alcohol in it & is much nicer to sensitive skin.

If your site injections are painful try rubbing the area with an ice cube first. There is also a product called Emla cream that numbs the skin before you inject. Your pump company should have this cream & you can even order it from your pharmacist.

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Online issues can be found at
http://www.elviradarknight.com/diabetes/archives.html

Kimberly Advent
Ashley's Diabetes Information Center
kimberly@elviradarknight.com
Copyright 2005 Kimberly Advent