Info For All Potential Pumpers

After wearing a pump for a long time, I can say that it has really helped me manage my blood sugars better than injections. The main reason I love the pump is that it gives me so much more flexibility in terms of when and what I eat, and when I exercise. Basically, it's the ultimate way to customize your diabetes management. Pumping isn't for everybody, but it is definitely worth trying. Choosing the right pump and getting the right education on how to use it will make a big difference in how successful one's transition to pump therapy is. If you think that pumping might be for you, read on!

Just like there are different brands of cell phones available, there are also several pump brands and models from which to choose. They all do the same basic job, but some have more bells and whistles than others, and some are more reliable than others.

And even though the role of an insulin pump is slightly more important than that of a cell phone, choosing one is not all that complicated. Many companies will even let you test their product before you buy it (with the help of a doctor and certified "pump trainer").

Last week, I recieved a letter from my insulin pump company in the mail. It read: "Dear Svati, Your warranty coverage for your CozMore insulin technology system is expiring in January 2009... This is the perfect time for you to purchase the latest version of the CozMore insulin technology system."

This means it's time to either renew my contract with the company and get another Deltec Cozmo, OR go a completely different route and switch pumps!

Smiths Medical's insulin pump model, the Deltec Cozmo, is great. In fact, I switched from  to the Cozmo from another pump about six years ago, because at the time the Cozmo had the most advanced features of any pump on the market. Since then, however, the other pump companies have caught up, and each one has a great product.

Other than Deltec, the Animas and Minimed corporations have insulin pump models that I am considering.

In my opinion, these are the best pumps out there:

1. The Deltec Cozmo    

2. The Animas IR2020    

3. The Animas/OneTouch Ping     

4. The Minimed Paradigm 522/722

Here are a few things I'll be thinking about regarding each pump in the coming weeks:

• Is the pump compatible with any type of infusion set?

I like to use an infusion set (the tubing and cannula that delivers insulin from the pump's cartridge to your body) manufactured by MiniMed, called the Quikset. Even though I don't wear Minimed's pump right now, I can still use this set because the Cozmo is compatible with any type. The Animas pumps, also, can be used with any infusion set, but the MiniMed Paradigm is only compatible with a few types. Luckily, I happen to be using a MiniMed set anyway.

• Is the pump waterproof?

Personally, I would never wear my pump in the pool or shower because it's simple to temporarily disconnect from it without removing the infusion site. Also, where would you wear it on a bathing suit? Nevertheless, some people do choose to swim with the pump, and if this is important to you, find out what each pump can handle. Some are merely "splashproof" while others can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at a time.