March 23, 2004
Daily Care, Insulin Pumps
Question from Spokane, Washington, USA:
I’m 16 years old have had type 1 diabetes for almost three years. Throughout that time, I’ve struggled with a severe eating disorder that included manipulating my insulin and am recently, within the last few months, getting professional help. I would like to know how other teenagers handled being on the pump. Would it cause a huge amount of weight gain even on a strict eating schedule? How long would you consider waiting to go on a pump after my blood sugars are under control again and meeting with a dietitian regularly every few weeks? During the summer, I usually go to a lot of summer camps, but none for diabetes. Would the pump be helpful this summer or more of a burden?
Answer:
Your best resource for talking about the advantages and disadvantages of pump therapy when you’re also struggling with an eating disorder is your diabetes team. I would make sure that your diabetes physician is well aware of your struggles and keep up with your counseling also.
Most teens do very well transitioning to pumps. There is not a “huge” weight gain associated with pump therapy. Most see the pump as being very beneficial, not a burden. However, your individual perception of the pump can be dramatically affected by your eating disorder and any decision to use a pump should take that into consideration.
MSB
