Negative aspects of Insulin Pumps

Make sure an insulin pump is right for you if you’re thinking about using one. Using an insulin pump can help you better manage your diabetes. However, before choosing a choice, there are a few things to consider.

You can regulate your blood sugar with an insulin pump by changing the dosage of insulin you take. Insulin can be injected into the body via a catheter using insulin pumps, which are compact, portable devices.

Usually worn on the wrist or attached to clothing, they are operated by a remote control device that is worn on the body. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who need several injections daily but would prefer less frequent injections than what four to six injections a day can offer (depending on how their body absorbs the bolus) may use them.

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What drawbacks exist?

Size and Weight

It weighs around the same and is big and heavy. It must also be worn all day in a waistband or bag. A long, narrow set on the pump penetrates the skin and fastens to tubing. This may feel intrusive and uneasy. Additionally, there can be fluid seeping or leaking from the injection site.

Set Insertion

One of the main disadvantages of insulin pump therapy is the insertion of the set. This may be an issue for a number of reasons:

The insertion hurts. Insulin pumps take a needle and some poking about to get just right because they have to be put under the skin. By no means will this procedure be pleasurable or painless.

For certain diabetics, it can be challenging, if not impossible (e.g., those with extremely high blood glucose). This drawback becomes noteworthy because a sizable portion of the population that could benefit from using an insulin pump but is unable to do so because of inexperience or a lack of skill necessary for a successful insertion into their skin is affected. Children and teenagers make up a large portion of the insulin pump user base.

The time required for insertion—roughly 10 minutes per week from beginning to end—adds up rapidly when you consider how frequently you must perform this daily in order for your body’s metabolic systems to operate as intended!

That’s more than thirty minutes a week dedicated to a single, basic task like giving oneself a shot. Just think of all the time wasted, sitting there and staring at an IV pole, waiting for things to go as planned (which isn’t always assured).

The Set of Infusion

The tiny tube that is put under your skin is called the Infusion Set. It has the reservoir that holds the insulin and the needle. You can’t lose the infusion set because it’s tied to your pump, and they may be reused.

You are free to choose a different infusion site whenever you’d like, but if swelling or discomfort require a new one, attempt to choose a region that is as close to your previous one as feasible (i.e., don’t relocate it too far away). Make sure to thoroughly clean the area with alcohol wipes before inserting a new infusion site. Avoid trying to sterilize it with soap or water as this may aggravate your skin even more!

Expensive Prices

Cost is one of the main drawbacks of insulin pumps. The cost of the pump can be somewhat significant, and buying one without insurance may be challenging.

The cannula—the tube that enters your skin—and infusion sets—the portion that adheres to your body—may also be expensive. Infusion sets last for around five days when used once a night or several times a day; occasionally, wear and tear from frequent use causes them to need to be changed sooner.

To prevent bacteria from growing inside of them after extended use, cannulas are typically worn for two weeks at a time before being changed out for new ones. If you use these accessories on a daily basis, the cost can mount up rapidly over time!

Hazard of equipment malfunction

The potentially hazardous nature of equipment failure is one drawback of insulin pumps. The pump itself must be replaceable, and it can become a problem if you are unable to get in touch with customer support at any point.

Furthermore, there are numerous varieties of insulin pumps available on the market right now. While some are more sophisticated than others, you should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each before deciding which one is best for your diabetes treatment strategy.

Problems with Customer Service

Insulin pump customer service problems might be a serious concern. It could be difficult to locate the appropriate individual if you need to call customer support. Insulin pumps are manufactured by numerous businesses, each of which has its own customer service division.

Receiving payment for repairs or malfunctions can be somewhat challenging because the company that made your pump might not have a strong connection with the one holding your insurance contract.

It is possible that your pump’s specific design limits will prevent it from working with parts or supplies you require (certain pumps, for instance, may not be compatible with particular kinds of tubing).

Skin Irritation

One typical negative effect of using an insulin pump is skin inflammation. It may result in burning, irritation, edema, and pain. When utilizing an insulin pump, administering your medication requires you to regularly poke a needle into your skin.

Irritation of the skin may result from improper care of the injection site, such as improper washing or constant bandaging.

To steer clear of this problem:

Prior to administering insulin, the injection site should always be completely cleaned. To lower the risk of infection, use alcohol swabs or soap and water to clean the region.

Replace your needle cartridges on a regular basis; most people should do this once every ten days.

Any recently placed sites should be covered with gauze bandages until they fully heal.

Blockages or Issues with the Cannula

Your device may pump air into your body if there is an occlusion, which is an obstruction of the insulin pump’s flow. This can be a frightening sensation, particularly if it occurs while you’re asleep or if you’re not immediately aware of it.

Occlusions can result from a number of factors:

Tissue buildup or obstructions on the cannula, which is the plastic conduit connecting the pump to your body

improper depth or angle of penetration into the skin

There was excessive pressure used during insertion.

How can one determine whether they are occluded? If you get a bad feeling about your infusion site and there isn’t any harm evident, give Dr. Google a call to find out what could be going on before you take any action!

Consider checking for bubbles when using any viewing portals that may be available (some pumps have windows where users can see their infusion sites) or for discoloration around the infusion site area if you suspect that occlusion may have occurred. If either of these signs appears after experiencing symptoms like fatigue or dizziness, it’s time to act!

You should be informed that the insulin pump may have some potential problems.

The following are some possible issues, hazards, and adverse effects related to insulin pumps:

Insulin pumps may result in allergic reactions or skin irritation. Try varying the infusion location to observe whether the reaction is reduced. Get in touch with your doctor if the reaction persists. They might recommend an alternative form of insulin or an anti-inflammatory drug to assist manage these reactions.

If you don’t use an external glucose monitor (CGM) in conjunction with your pump, your blood sugar levels may climb too high. In most circumstances, an external CGM will alert you to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia before they happen, but that doesn’t promise they won’t.

How to operate insulin pumps correctly

Every time you inject yourself, use a fresh needle.

Every time you connect your infusion set to the pump and before you move the location of your infusion set (such as moving from your abdomen to your thigh), use a fresh insulin cannula.

Every time you attach the pump to a different area of the body, or if handling, use during exercise, or bathing has compromised its integrity in any way, use a fresh infusion set (you should also replace it every 2 days).

If any of the following occurs, or after three weeks, use a replacement insulin pump: You remove every detachable component; you have an exposed wound to which an infusion site should be attached; You don’t have enough money, your insurance won’t let you get another cartridge, etc. Before three weeks have passed, your cartridge supply runs out—it’s preferable to avoid taking the chance of running out entirely!

In summary

Insulin pumps are a source of caution for many people who believe they are excessively complicated or difficult to operate. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that every medical gadget is only as effective as the user.

Assume that before beginning therapy, you have a firm grasp of how your pump operates and that you are prepared to dedicate some practice time. Then, using an insulin pump might be your best hope for controlling your diabetes.