Browsing through my list of D-Blogs for the week I stumbled upon a guest post on sixuntilme.com that adressed the subject of, "Why MDI's?" It inspired me to write my own post as to why I use MDI's.
Even since my own diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes, little over two months ago, it sometimes feels as if I am in the minority when it comes to giving myself multiple daily injections. Nearly every time I mention or hear about Diabetes, or contact other Type 1 Diabetics, I hear about the insulin pump. I have never met another Diabetic who gives themselves multiple daily injections - (though of course, this doesn't say much, seeing as I know very few Diabetics). Everyone seems to laud the merits of the insulin pump as if it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. (Note: that last passage isn't meant to offend insulin pump users in any way: using a pump is a decision I respect and support.)
When I first got Diagnosed, my nurses told me, "If you get the hang of doing your injections and managing your Diabetes right, soon we can get you an insulin pump!" My first night in the ER my nurse told me, "I'm a Type 1, too. I've had my insulin pump for two years. I love it." She made it sound wonderful, like this magic machine that completely managed Diabetes for you. Of course, I soon discovered the truth - insulin pumping was just an alternate treatment for Diabetes and, basically, just a needle stuck to your side with tape over it. Not to mention the infusion sets look scary as hell to put in you. But I wanted the insulin pump then. The way I figured it, I was 17 years old, and I could handle an insulin pump no problem. I hoped to manage my Diabetes as well as possible so I could "be good and get my pump." After all, why on Earth would I want to face the downsides of MDI's? 5+ shots a day, constant finger pricking, carrying my supplies everywhere? But the more I read on the pump, the more I started to question my wish to rush into getting a pump. I consulted other Diabetics, read up on the pump, did my research, tried to envision what life would be like with a machine attached to me 24/7. And one day while I was driving with my mom I said, "Mom, I don't think I want an insulin pump."
I'm on Medicaid currently, though only because of my age and my mother's income: my coverage will only last a few years before I can no longer remain on it. If I wanted to get on the pump, time is of the essence, because once I get off Medicaid there is no way I'd be able to afford the pump until I'm out of college and working, with health insurance. But it's been a few months, and I still believe my decision to not go with the pump is the right one... right now, for me.
So many people give merit to the insulin pump, and yet I feel that the benefits of choosing MDI's often go understated. This simple yet overlooked way of treatment manages to balance freedom and good sugar control at the same time, at least for me. I like the freedom that MDI's give me. I give myself my Lantus at around 9pm each day. That keeps my blood sugars managed for 24 hours as long as I give myself Novolog before meals. In an insulin pump, only short-acting insulin is used in bursts throughout the day, so it is essential to keep the pump on in order to manage blood sugar levels. With MDI's, I can give myself Lantus, bring my Novolog pen and go on my way. I can wear sundresses without having to worry about where to stick my pump. I don't feel like a living robot with machines attached to and beeping all around me. I can jump in a swimming pool without a second thought. My cat will not attempt to play with any tubing attached to me. No little kids will ask me when I am working, "what is that thing attached to you?"
Sure, MDI's have their downsides. I have to carry my insulin supplies with me where I go. I have to give myself many shots every single day. I have to stick my finger multiple times a day. It can be sometimes rather time-consuming and annoying to have to take multiple breaks out of your day to do these things. Giving an injection is not always as convenient as perhaps pressing a button on a machine would be, especially when out to dinner. Sometimes it can be annoying to have to try and search for a place to give myself an injection when in public (lifting up one's skirt in a restaurant is oft frowned upon.)
But MDI's have their upsides, too. Sure, my control could always be better. But honestly, who's couldn't? If you're Diabetic, you're not a pancreas. You're not perfect. You can't always have good blood sugar control, and sometimes, you will slip up. However, that is not to say that you can't do an adequate job with whichever method you choose. I've only had Diabetes for a few months and my blood sugar levels have stabilized quite well. It can be tough, frustrating work, but I almost always manage to keep them in range. Occasionally I will slip up by learning that some foods affect my blood sugar worse than others (example, white rice makes my blood glucose go crazy, pancakes always leave me a little on the spiky side, but milkshakes and pizza do hardly anything at all). And at parties I still need to work on not grazing at the chip bowl. But I feel that MDI's are what work for me. With MDI's I truly believe that I am capable of giving myself just as good of care as I would receive from a pump, as it is a method that still requires me to be very on top of my Diabetes.
Would I ever consider the pump? Yes, I would. But I want to wait. I want to see what better options of treatment for Diabetics they come up with in the future. Maybe someday they actually will come up with a full-blown "smart pump"; in which case, sign me up. But for now, I feel that the pump is an unnecessary reminder to me of my disease, which does not have enough benefits to justify my wearing it. And old-fashioned as MDI's might seem, I am perfectly content with my insulin pen needles in hand and machine-less body; because, that freedom is just one more thing that Diabetes has not taken from me.
* Note - in this post I've attached many websites in links for any readers interested in learning more about Diabetes and Diabetes treatment. Please feel free to utilize these resources!
No comments:
Post a Comment