Shots vs Pumps

Hi Everyone!

My apologies for the long wait in-between posts! I took time off during the holidays, so now I am hoping to post more regularly. This week, I am going to discuss my decision to use shots instead of an insulin pump. To be honest, there isn’t a lot that goes into this decision. There are just a few key points as to why I like a shot instead of a pump. Once again, I think part of it comes from my younger years and not wanting others to know about the diabetes. However, this decision still holds true to this day, so there is clearly something else behind this decision.

I would like to preface this by saying when I was first diagnosed, I didn't give myself my own insulin shots. My Mom gave them to me (Thank you Mom, I love you), so I think somewhere along the way, I just got used to getting a shot and the idea of switching it up has never been appealing to me. And really, still isn’t.  

First on the list of why I don’t want a pump, I don't like things being attached to me. This is why for a very long time I didn’t want a Dexcom or something like it, because it is always connected to you. I also don't like having to rely on things that I can't really control. When I was first diagnosed, they wanted me to try one, but once again, it was an outward sign that I didn’t want others to see. They are also very bulky, so I never wanted it. I was told that I should at least try it and see if I would like it, but I was stubborn and never agreed. This is really the main point to me not wanting an insulin pump. I really don't like having things attached to me and I don't like having to clip things on to me. I never would have made it during the era of the pager, for this reason. I don't even love the fact that I have my phone on me constantly, but that has become more of a necessity than anything now that my Dexcom sends my numbers to my phone. So it is never very far away. That makes having a Dexcom a little easier though because I have my phone with me most of the time anyways and it is much smaller than a pump, so I only tend to notice it when I hit it against a wall or it gets caught on my clothing. My Dexcom also doesn't move, so that helps, whereas the main part of the pumps can be moved and attached to different pieces of your clothing, which sounds like a hassle to me. 

Second, I don't love the idea of a machine giving me insulin. Probably because what happens if something were to malfunction on the pump? Then I all of a sudden get a large dose of insulin that I wasn't ready for and wasn't prepared for?! Or I don’t get any at all? Both of these things could potentially be a life threatening error. If my blood sugar goes low without me realizing it, it could get bad very quickly. I think that fear is a very real reason why I've never wanted a pump because I'm not fully in control of it. You are, but you aren’t. If this makes zero sense and someone with a pump can correct me, please let me know. That is why I think I was able to get past the Dexcom thing. Even if the Dexcom malfunctioned, it's not going to hurt me in any way, if that makes sense? It will just tell me the wrong blood sugar, then I would just go and check it as normal with my blood sugar checker and figure it out, no problem. Also, I keep close enough eye on my blood sugar that I would know if something is super off. So whether the Dexcom fell off or just didn't read things correctly, really whatever the malfunction would be, it still won’t hurt me the way a pump could by accidentally giving me too much or too little insulin. 

Maybe I just have a control issue and I like to control things that can affect me so drastically because that is basically what I do all day, every day. Since having a really low blood sugar, as many people know, is not fun and not something you want to have happen to you, being in control of a shot is much more appealing to me. Probably because you're choosing the dosage and you are choosing when you take it. Maybe the real problem is I don’t trust technology? Or I just assume it will fail me, even though it probably won’t. Either way, taking a shot really helps me feel like I'm in control of my diabetes more than I think a pump would, even if a pump would be more convenient in others ways. Speaking of convenience, let’s talk about what kind of shots I use. Yes, there are different kinds.  

When I first was diagnosed, we used syringes and vials of insulin. This is one version. These vials of insulin had to be kept cold at all times, even once they were in the shot. They had to be kept at a certain temperature before I could take them or else it would go bad and not work correctly. Since insulin is so expensive, you never want to waste any. That was a definite strain on myself and my Mom for sure because how do you take insulin with you when you're going to a restaurant or how do you keep it cold when you're traveling and things like that. Well, there is a lot of coolers involved, there’s a lot of small ice packs involved and it's very cumbersome. The day I changed over to an insulin pen was a glorious day! This is another version of a shot. I don't remember how old I was, but I very distinctly remember my doctor and my Mom talking about using a pen. And if we have learned anything thus far, it is that I hate change, so my main concern was that it was going to be different than the syringes that I had gotten so used to and I wasn't going to like it. Well, lucky for me, I was basically told that they are the exact same thing! You still get a shot, you still control the dosage, but once you start using a pen, it no longer has to be in a refrigerator or cool once you start using it. Like I said, GAME CHANGER! This slight variation of all of the insulin being preloaded in one pen and then once you start using it, you don't have to keep putting it back in the refrigerator!? It still seems to good to be true, but that is what I do! So all of my stored and unused insulin is in the fridge, but once I start using a pen, it doesn't go back in. With this change, I was now able to go to sleepovers, go to restaurants, go on trips and not be worried about my insulin going bad because it's not cool anymore! Also, it's so much easier to just dial in how many units of insulin you need instead of filling a syringe. I really cannot talk up pens enough because it changed everything about my life and how much easier it can be. 

I am still a pen user to this day, and I don't take for granted how much better it is or how much easier it is than a vial and syringe. I really like being in control of how much insulin I am getting via a shot over a pump and I don’t really foresee that changing. Now, I am not saying I will never try a pump. If my Dexcom taught me anything, it’s that there are things out there that can make your life easier, so I should embrace them. For now, I think I will keep with the pen insulin and keep myself open to other options, in case I ever desire that change in the future. 

In closing, I would like to say everyone should do what works best for them and makes them feel most in control! Don’t worry about what others are doing, we all lead different lives and need different things, so embrace that! Talk with your doctor to see what kind of options you have. This is just my opinion and it is what works best for me. If anyone has any opinions on a pump vs a shot, I would love to hear them! I don't know much about day to day pump usage, it's something I've never done, so if you can tell me pros and cons, I would love to hear it! Feel free to comment or send in a form on my Day and Night Diabetic website. Or send me an email at dayandnightdiabetic@gmail.com.  This community is vast, and we all have different experiences, so I'm always interested to learn more! 

Your Diabetic Friend,

Marlee