I am 14 years old and have type 1 diabetes. I’m out for sports, so I forget to take my shots, and my hemoglobin A1c is 9.7%. Would a pump be better since I am active and busy and on the go all the time?

Wearing an insulin pump allows great flexibility while giving you the ability to maintain tight control. A pump is often an ideal choice for people with an active lifestyle, but it is also important to understand that it requires some work and commitment on your part. You must be willing to test and record your blood sugar at least four to six times each day. You’ll need to learn carbohydrate counting and how to match insulin boluses appropriately. You’ll need to learn how exercise and various sport activities affect your blood sugar, so that you can adjust your pump accordingly, and you’ll need to work closely with your healthcare team, both before and after your pump start, to accomplish all this.

While you consider this decision, research pump therapy on the web. Talk to other teens who wear insulin pumps, and, in the meantime, work with your diabetes team to improve your control now. Use your meter to find patterns in your blood sugars. Ask your diabetes educator to help you identify where adjustments need to be made. Ask your physician to help you find an insulin injection plan to better fit your active lifestyle. Good control is within your reach, whether you chose insulin pump therapy or injections!

DMW

[Editor’s comment: An insulin pump is not a magical cure for diabetes. If anything, it requires more work than what you are currently doing. You need to show your parents and your diabetes team that you can be responsible first, and then talk about a pump. Please see: Is pumping for you?.

For more information on currently available pumps, visit the: MiniMed, Disetronic, and Animas web sites.

SS]