The Ups and Downs of Using a Pump

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Before you make a decision as to whether or not an insulin pump is right for your child, it is a good idea to know the facts first. Read the advantages and disadvantages of using a pump below to help you make your decision.

The Upside of Using a Pump

Many people have chosen the insulin pump because they believe it enables them to enjoy a more flexible lifestyle.

The basal-bolus coverage that a pump provides eliminates the need for long-lasting insulin. While those insulins have worked well for some, they forced people to eat a set amount of food at an exact time of the day in order to balance the insulin's most powerful point (called "peaks"). Since pumps use only short-acting insulin, the insulin isn't put into the body until it's needed. Which can mean fewer insulin reactions.

A pump puts its user in control. Many brands of pumps allow the wearer to set different basal rates for different times of day to match various levels of activity, sleep, or to help deal with the high glucose levels that can happen just before waking.

It may sound odd that a machine that's almost constantly connected to you would provide more freedom, but many pump users believe that's true. In many ways, a pump is self-contained. Injecting at mealtime is a simple matter of pushing a button and letting the pump do the work. That's especially welcome outside the home -- in the lunchroom, on dates, or sleep overs, for example.

But the best thing about insulin pumps is that, for some kids, they just plain do the trick. Whether it's the advanced technology, the flexibility, or the attitude commitment the child brings to the treatment, for them an insulin pump has been the right tool for control.

The Downside of Pumping

Insulin pumps aren't for everyone. They're exacting instruments. And even though manufacturers have worked to make operating them simple, the dexterity it takes to accomplish the task may be too challenging for younger children. (However, while pumps were once thought of as a treatment only for adults and teenagers, some health care teams have started using them with younger children, and even infants. In these cases, adults often activate boluses by remote control.)

For kids who are operating pumps themselves, emotional maturity is crucial. For all practical purposes, a pump is worn 24-hours a day, every single day. Being "kinda" committed to pumping isn't enough. In order to get the most from a pump, a child must understand the work involved, and be "sold" on the idea of wearing a pump.

Insulin pumps cost thousands of dollars. Many insurance providers will pay for at least part of that cost of the pump itself. It's a good idea to talk to your insurance company as soon as you begin consider a pump for your child. Be sure to ask about coverage and reimbursement for supplies such as infusion sets, tubing, and reservoirs as well as for the pump itself.

Pumps are flexible, but they can be unforgiving. Because pumps use only short acting insulin, any disruption in the flow of insulin for whatever reason -- from an empty reservoir to a kinked line or lose set to low batteries -- can cause blood sugars to quickly shoot dangerously high. Manufacturers have built-in remarkable alarms to avoid those dangers. But the wearer must be prepared to deal immediately with any trouble.

All kids -- especially teenagers -- goes through a period of time when they're convinced they are absolutely the most hideous looking human being that's ever walked the earth. (Relax. They outgrow it, just like you did.) Keep that in mind if you're considering a pump at a time when body image is important. Talk with your son or daughter about how they'll feel about hooking up to a pump.