Insulin

So your doctor has prescribed insulin. You are not so crazy about this idea and have been avoiding it since you got a diagnoses of diabetes. Right?

GOOD NEWS!

Insulin is not as bad as you may think. Not by a long shot. As a matter of fact many changes in insulin therapy have made insulin easier to take, achieve the ultimate diabetes control, and make it the drug of choice at McKinney Diabetes and Weight Management. Not so fast, you think. Why should I go to a place that actually promotes insulin? They could not relate to my concerns. Wrong!

Answers:

First, we work with you initially to get you off your medications; all of them including insulin. That has always been and willl always be our primary goal. We have patients who can tell you of their journey to medicine-free diabetes. However, not everyone can live without insulin. You may be one of those. We will still work to get you on your lowest necessary dose to achieve the best glucose readings possible. Yes, even people with type 1 diabetes have lowered their insulin dose by as much as 75% with our coaching. But if you need insulin, we are the experts at helping you.

Insulin Pumps

If you are ready for an insulin pump, we can help. If you are not ready for an insulin pump, we can help you get ready. We provide insulin pump and glucose sensor training. We do not sell insulin pumps. The training we provide is available to you at no charge.

Insulin Pump Selection

It will be up to you and your physician who is prescribibg your pump to decide which pump will best fir your needs. You can go online and search for information on insulin pumps as well. Cpontacting various pump companies can aid you in gathering  additional information about their pumps. Remember all pump companies feel theirs is the best, so be open to the different features with your own needs in mind.

First things first:

You will always start on injectable insulin. Your physician will fill out the paper work to prescribe your pump, and your insurance company will determine how much they will assist you financially with costs. The rest is a matter of choice between you and your diabetes team; your diabetes educator, your primary care provider, and of course YOU!

Because different pumps require differnt steps of training, we include here and example of the different steps you might need to initiate your insulin pump therapy.

1. Pre-Pump Training: Gets you ready for the day you begin using your pump. You should review any pump training manuals supplied with your pump. Your first training meeting takes you to the next level and reinforces what you have learned. This training also includes an assessment of your insulin use, and vital instructions for your pump start day.
2. Pump Initiation Training: Gets you started using your insulin pump.
3. Follow-up Training: Evaluates your 1st initial days on the pump and your ongoing skills and understanding for safe and continuous use.
4. Pump Upgrade Training: For those upgrding to a new model, this training facilitates a smooth transition.
5. Sensor Training: Continous glucose sensor initiation will always take place after initial training and at a seperate session once basic pump skills have been evaluated.

Once you are ready, insulin pump therapy is a breeze and provides you with a level of control you will love, and a quality of life made easier.

NOTE: Inhaled Insulin is no longer available.

If you would like additional information about how we can help you with your insulin therapy, contact us at 501-922-5763 or email

McKinneyDiabetes@sbcglobal.net