extreme weight gain after getting pump

[bkromer81]

I go my paradigm insulin pump a year ago. I just started nursing school and have had type one diabetes for 5 years. I am currently 20 years old. I cannot stop gaining weight. I know it is common to gain up to 30 lbs with a new insulin pump, but I have gained about 80. I eat healthy, but I have an extremely stressful life which of course my blood sugars show well by being high. I have very little energy, cannot sleep EVER, and I am always in pain. I currently have had a migraine headache for 6 days now. Help me please. I am in tears because it hurts so bad. I have been to the doc. and have another appt. Mon. but they refuse to give me anything to help me sleep and help with the pain. Basically they keep rescheduling me every few days and when I get there they ask me if it has gotten better!

[JDRF Volunteer SG]

I understand that finding the cause of migraines can be very difficult. Maybe you need to start asking them to run tests to find out the cause, for it may be something very physical and not just the daily stress. Ask the doctor specific questions about what can cause headaches and insist that each of the possibilities be checked for.

As for the weight gain, it may be related to whatever is causing the headaches, or maybe not. Gaining weight on a pump usually happens because the blood sugar levels are under better control and so the person can use the carbs they eat better. The key is to lower the amount of calories eaten, for what USED to be appropriate when your blood sugars were too high won't be appropriate amounts of food when they are normal.

But you say that you are gaining weight while blood sugars remain high. So I would suggest that ask you doctor to check your thyroid function (did you know that many type 1 diabetics have thyroid malfunctions, too?), and also to test for food allergies. Particularly, wheat allergies can cause huge weight gain and headaches, along with other possible symptoms. Check out these two websites for more info about this possibility:

http://www.wheat-free.org/wheat-allergy.html
http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/health_food_addiction.html

I happen to have a brother-in-law with wheat allergy. He is the only member of his family who is not obese. He does not have the upset stomach symptoms, but loses weight and feels much better when he avoids all foods containing wheat. He firmly believes that his two obese sisters have undiagnosed wheat allergies. It may be worth checking into. Simply avoiding wheat for a few days to see what happens won't dost you a thing.  This is NOT the same thing as Celiac Disease, by the way.

[DennisIDDM]

well, first off? Gots to ask your Dr./Endo..somethings wrong
Either Your eating way too many carbs, not doing enough continous exercising, etc.  or maybe a Thyroid issue?
But, I have to tell you.. You maybe going into the wrong profession ( Nursing) if you expect to have good BS Control... why?? Different shifts, erratic work enviroment and erratic eating .. and unless you really have yourself Dialed in and follow a Strict Eating program, that job will kill you.. Pump or MDI..
My Girlfriend was a RN and got T1 afterwards, lasted 2 yrs on the job and just had to choose, either Nursing and ave 8-9% a1c's & gain more weight or Find another profession..She left it and lost 45 lbs and has a 5.5% A1c and a Much Happier life.

[torrem]

I was placed on intensive insulin therapy 8 years ago and have gained 40 lbs. since.  You are not alone.  Yes, you should also check your thyroid and try to reduce your stress level...I know that the migraines don't help.

You also sound like you have depression which is also common among diabetics.  you may want to follow-up with your doctor.