Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary An insulin pump constantly gives you a small amount of insulin, called a "basal rate," throughout the day and night to help control your blood sugar. When you need extra insulin to cover a meal or to correct high blood sugar, you tell the pump to give you a small dose of rapid-acting insulin. A traditional insulin pump, which is about the size of a deck of cards, can be clipped to a belt or somewhere in your clothing. Plastic tubing connects the pump to a catheter just under your skin. The catheter is a tiny plastic tube that you insert into your skin using a special needle. You have to change the catheter every 2 or 3 days. You can disconnect the pump from the catheter site for brief periods when you want to go swimming or take a shower. Some pumps attach directly to the body and do not need tubing. A remote device controls the pump. And some pumps are disposable and do not use tubing or a remote control. A pump with no tubing is sometimes called a "pump patch." Some pumps also work as a blood sugar meter, or they communicate with your meter. Some pumps continuously measure glucose. And some pumps can suggest how much insulin you need based on blood sugar readings. Your doctor might encourage you to get an insulin pump if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I got my insulin pump 3 years ago. I was pretty nervous about how well I'd be able to program my pump and take care of it. There was so much to learn! But I had a great team of people helping me, including my doctor, my dietitian, and even the manufacturer of my pump. Still, I almost gave up after 3 months. It was always there to remind me that I had diabetes, you know? But my doctor talked me into sticking with it a little longer. Now I would not want to go back. Before the pump, diabetes controlled my life. With the pump, I feel like I am now in control of my diabetes—and my life. Sally, age 50 I was on an insulin pump for more than 2 years, and then I quit. For me, the hassle of constantly taking my blood sugar and figuring out how to program my doses wasn't worth it. Plus, I got a lot of infections at the catheter site. I went back to injections and feel happier with my life now. Abner, age 35 I got my pump as a teenager, and I love it. I'm a police officer now, and having a pump makes it much easier to do my job. Jake, age 22 I have several reasons for not wanting an insulin pump. I'm a pretty private person and I wouldn't want people to notice that I'm wearing a pump. Also, I play football and basketball almost year-round, and it's a big part of my life. I know you can safely disconnect the pump for an hour or so, but my games last longer than that. I just don't like the idea of a pump. Xiang, age 29 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to get an insulin pump Reasons not to get an insulin pump I wish I didn't have to give myself insulin shots every day. I am comfortable giving myself injections. I feel ready to take on the responsibilities involved in using an insulin pump. Using and caring for an insulin pump seems too complicated for me. I want a more flexible lifestyle than my current insulin shot schedule allows. My schedule is the same every day, so it's not hard to schedule my shots. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Getting an insulin pump NOT getting an insulin pump Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. An insulin pump constantly gives you a small amount of insulin, called a "basal rate," throughout the day and night to help control your blood sugar. When you need extra insulin to cover a meal or to correct high blood sugar, you tell the pump to give you a small dose of rapid-acting insulin. A traditional insulin pump, which is about the size of a deck of cards, can be clipped to a belt or somewhere in your clothing. Plastic tubing connects the pump to a catheter just under your skin. The catheter is a tiny plastic tube that you insert into your skin using a special needle. You have to change the catheter every 2 or 3 days. You can disconnect the pump from the catheter site for brief periods when you want to go swimming or take a shower. Some pumps attach directly to the body and do not need tubing. A remote device controls the pump. And some pumps are disposable and do not use tubing or a remote control. A pump with no tubing is sometimes called a "pump patch." Some pumps also work as a blood sugar meter, or they communicate with your meter. Some pumps continuously measure glucose. And some pumps can suggest how much insulin you need based on blood sugar readings. Your doctor might encourage you to get an insulin pump if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I got my insulin pump 3 years ago. I was pretty nervous about how well I'd be able to program my pump and take care of it. There was so much to learn! But I had a great team of people helping me, including my doctor, my dietitian, and even the manufacturer of my pump. Still, I almost gave up after 3 months. It was always there to remind me that I had diabetes, you know? But my doctor talked me into sticking with it a little longer. Now I would not want to go back. Before the pump, diabetes controlled my life. With the pump, I feel like I am now in control of my diabetes—and my life." — Sally, age 50 "I was on an insulin pump for more than 2 years, and then I quit. For me, the hassle of constantly taking my blood sugar and figuring out how to program my doses wasn't worth it. Plus, I got a lot of infections at the catheter site. I went back to injections and feel happier with my life now." — Abner, age 35 "I got my pump as a teenager, and I love it. I'm a police officer now, and having a pump makes it much easier to do my job." — Jake, age 22 "I have several reasons for not wanting an insulin pump. I'm a pretty private person and I wouldn't want people to notice that I'm wearing a pump. Also, I play football and basketball almost year-round, and it's a big part of my life. I know you can safely disconnect the pump for an hour or so, but my games last longer than that. I just don't like the idea of a pump." — Xiang, age 29 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to get an insulin pump Reasons not to get an insulin pump I wish I didn't have to give myself insulin shots every day. I am comfortable giving myself injections. I feel ready to take on the responsibilities involved in using an insulin pump. Using and caring for an insulin pump seems too complicated for me. I want a more flexible lifestyle than my current insulin shot schedule allows. My schedule is the same every day, so it's not hard to schedule my shots. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Getting an insulin pump NOT getting an insulin pump 1.
How can an insulin pump help me manage diabetes? 2.
How hard will it be to learn to use an insulin pump? 3.
How will a pump affect keeping track of my blood sugar? 4.
How will a pump affect counting carbohydrate grams? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: October 2, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardDiabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump?
Diabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an insulin pump?
What are the benefits of using an insulin pump?
What are the drawbacks of using an insulin pump?
Why might your doctor recommend an insulin pump?
Compare your options
Personal stories about insulin pumps
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Diabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an insulin pump?
What are the benefits of using an insulin pump?
What are the drawbacks of using an insulin pump?
Why might your doctor recommend an insulin pump?
2. Compare your options
Using an insulin pump Not using an insulin pump What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about insulin pumps
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Using an insulin pump Using an insulin pump
Not using an insulin pump Not using an insulin pump
More important
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Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
You're right. The most important part of managing diabetes is keeping your blood sugar in your target range. A pump may help you do that.
Correct! Learning how to use and program your insulin pump takes time and effort, but most people find that it's worth it.
That's right. People who keep their sugar levels in a tight range may be less able to sense when their blood sugar is low. You will need to check your blood sugar often (or use a continuous glucose monitor) when you use an insulin pump.
Yes, it's true. You'll need to count your carbs every time you eat so you can tell the pump what to do at every meal and sometimes in between.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits