
April 22, 2003
Insulin Pumps
Question from Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA:
My husband has type 1 diabetes, recently had a kidney removed because of cancer, and his kidney function dropped from 108% to 85%. His doctors want him to go on insulin pump thinking that it will help control his diabetes and help regain some of his residual kidney function. However, he is a mechanic, and we were wondering if a pump will get in the way or get broken.
Answer:
I can attest to the idea that many people with a variety of physical jobs wear insulin pumps. I think he can do this with the appropriate education and care. It is true that good blood sugar control is important in decreasing the risk of kidney involvement from diabetes.
JTL
[Editor’s comment: See Is pumping for you?.
SS]