POPULAR SDI PUMP GROUP OFFERS SUPPORT

In the late 70s the insulin pump opened up a whole new world for Type 1 diabetes, allowing them much more flexibility in what and when they ate and better blood sugar control. Its major advantage was that it allowed people with diabetes to match their insulin to their lifestyle, as opposed to injections determining activities.

Insulin pumps mimic the body's normal release of insulin, by dispensing a preprogrammed, continuous dosage tube via a catheter. Studies have shown that the more closely someone monitors his or her blood glucose levels , the smaller the chances of developing life spoiling complications, such as eye, kidney and nerve disease.

Because going from insulin injections to the pump is a bit like graduating from high school to college on the diabetes management scale, it's not recommended for anyone who is not already accustomed to carefully monitoring their diet or who take fewer than 4 insulin shots a day. While it does eliminate the need for insulin shots and allows much more flexibility, the pump is not a replacement pancreas, i.e. it cannot read blood glucose levels and adjust insulin doses accordingly.

"You have to have an understanding of diabetes, be motivated and know what you expect to get out of it," says Jean O'Brian, RN, CDE, who heads the SDI Insulin Pump program. "It's the most technical way to manage your diabetes. But if people feel empowered, they always tend to do better."

Over a decade ago, O'Brian breathed new life into a monthly support group aimed at pump users, their families and anyone interested in learning more. When she first began working at SDI, insulin pump technology was still relatively new and users relatively scarce. But now the Institutes' pump users number close to 1,000, and thanks to O'Brian's efforts, her support group has steadily grown.

Participants range in age from their mid teens to late eighties. O'Brian always recommends that younger patients, who tend to be more body- conscious and have more questions about ease of wearing, come to a group meeting, which often includes speakers. As with most technologies, over time pumps have shrunk to around the size of a beeper and are easily hooked onto a belt, carried in a pocket or tucked under clothing. "I'll demo on a pillow or actually let them experiment with an infusion set just to get the idea of it," she says. "I tell everybody that the actual wearing of the pump is never a deterrent for people."

O'Brian enjoys the group and the good it does. "Some support groups can be kind of a downer. You might only hear about the worst side of things. Ours is encouraging, it's uplifting and fun group." Education on how to use this delivery system is essential to patient success. "If you just turn it over to them and show them how to push buttons, they don't do very well. But if you really educate them, I've seen patients improve 100%. And that's very satisfying."

Cartographer and longtime SDI patient Blake Hathaway, who has had diabetes since she was six and a half, began using an insulin pump eight years ago and gives it an enthusiastic endorsement. "It gives me the freedom to get up and go and has been really great for controlling my diabetes," she says.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday evening of the month at 7 pm in the Cosmopolitan Education Room at the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes, 855 W. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk. If you are interested in finding out more about the program, please call Jean O'Brian at (757) 446-5909.