As a Type 1 Diabetic, you will need insulin to survive. Currently, there are 2 ways to achieve this. This section will attempt to touch base on the pros and cons of daily injections vs pump therapy.

This is where the majority of Type 1 Diabetics start Depending upon your age, activity level, and type of insulin, you'll give between 1-4 shots every day. There are multiple places you can do this. It's very important to rotate your injection sites. DO NOT continue to give shots in the same are over a long period of time. You'll probably be tempted to do this as some sites will be easier than others to use. If you do use the same site, the area will stop absorbing insulin properly and you will notice your insulin is not working right.

Pros of using daily injections:
Cost- supplies are much less than pump supplies

Easy to find / get supplies

Nothing mechanical to break down

Nothing strapped on you that could potentially fall off or come loose

Cons of using daily injections:
Difficult to maintain level blood sugar readings through out the day, over night, and over longer periods of time

Hard to find / adjust basal rate (continual rate of insulin through out the day)

Pain of multiple injections daily

Meals and snacks must be used as control vs the insulin dose you have taken. Can be very tricky and  mistakes are common.

Injections in public can be tricky. Slipping off to a bathroom to give a shot is anything but glamorous.

Must wait 15-30 minutes after injection to eat

Todays modern insulin pumps are basically mechanical versions of our pancreas. They can give varying basal rates, corrections and keep records of everything for you.

Pros:

Better control. Period. Pumps will slowly let out a constant trickle of insulin through out the day and night, just like your pancreas.

Give a meal time bolis (dose of insulin to cover the carbs in your meal) instantly as well as make corrections on the spot.

1 injection every 3 days

Better long term control and improved A1C scores vs daily injections.

Cons:

Cost. The pumps and supplies are expensive if not covered by insurance.

Supplies are usually not found locally. They have to be ordered from the manufacturer and need to be kept up with.

You're stuck with a device hanging on you all of the time. They can be disconnected for a short period of time (sports / swimming, etc), but care must be given as to how long and adjustments might have to be made (injection to cover high blood sugars).

Mechanical devices will wear down and may break over time.

Keep fresh batteries on hand at all times. The pump will go for weeks on 1 battery, but make sure you have a fresh one ready when you need it!

---

 My personal opinion is, if you can afford it and you or your child are old enough, get a pump.

You're long term care will greatly improve as well having a new sense of freedom (free to eat more regularly,not having to run to a bathroom to sneak in a shot, etc)

This ad-free site relies on donations from visitors like yourself to continue to provide free, helpful information 24/7 to those who need it most.

 Please consider a small donation to keep this service running. Type1.mobi is another 100% free public service site from Idea Earth