Does An Insulin Pump Make Me Lazy?

In a recent blog post, I expressed that my insulin pump has offered a greater level of convenience in giving my insulin doses. I lamented that I was often slack with carbohydrate counting, weighing my portions and delivering insulin in a timely manner when I was on injections. This led to a few comments from social media trolls that accused me of getting an insulin pump because I was lazy.

Of course, I could absolutely count carbohydrates, weigh portion sizes and pre-bolus insulin on injections. But there were a number of other factors that lead to my ultimate decision, which I wrote about here. I felt failed so often despite my best efforts, that I simply lacked the motivation to do those things that I should have.

So in hindsight, maybe ‘lazy’ was the wrong word to use. I only used it in the context of trying to be honest. However, an insulin pump is definitely not a lazy decision.

Attending an insulin pump information evening was not lazy. Doing my research was not lazy. Making an appointment to discuss pumping with my diabetes educator was not lazy. Going home and giving myself three months to think about the pros and cons of pumping was not lazy, despite how tempted I was to say yes. Being active and seeking out options that may improve my health is not lazy. Wanting to better manage my diabetes is absolutely not lazy.

The very first thing that Gwen drummed into my head is that an insulin pump is not any easier than injections. In hindsight, I would argue that it is much more work compared to injections. There’s a good reason why clinics like to make sure that their patients are deadly serious about it and prepared to make a commitment. Wearing an insulin pump is a big responsibility. Just read every post I’ve written here in the past three months.

I am very conscious that I’ve been writing a lot about insulin pumping here of late, but that’s simply because my insulin pump is a big part of my diabetes at the moment. I certainly don’t have an agenda to ‘push’ insulin pumps onto anyone. I don’t believe that one is any better than the other. I simply believe that different methods of insulin delivery may suit some better than others. There’s a big difference between giving advice, and sharing my experience in the hope that it might inspire you.

Insulin pumps and diabetes tech are often the hot topics among bloggers and diabetes websites, and it sometimes does leave injections looking under-represented. But then again, don’t we all feel we are in the minority in some context or another? I feel in the minority because I can’t play sport to save my life. I feel like I’m in the minority because I don’t work in an office. At work this morning, I’ll be in the minority because I’m the only person who watched Australian Survivor last night. And in the DOC, I feel in the minority because I don’t use a CGM. 

Truth be told, I couldn’t care less about being in the minority! I’m happy to go for a walk instead of a run. I’m happy that I’m employed, earning money and have goals that I’m working towards. I love Survivor. And I’m happy to prick my finger 15 times a day, because that’s what works for me.

It comes back to the point I made last week in this post about inclusiveness. If there’s a topic that speaks to you, then please do add your voice to the conversation. And if I’m reading it, I promise I’ll treat it with absolute respect.

Finally, an insulin pump does offer me the convenience of dosing insulin under the table, or when I’m on the go. Dealing with diabetes every day for the rest of my life is already hard enough, and I refuse to feel guilty for it.