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Gary Scheiner says

Insulin is a substance that the body normally produces on its own, so there are really no long-term "side effects".  Since people with diabetes take insulin by injection (or pump), it is delivered into the fatty tissue below the skin.  If the insulin is given in the same local area over many months or years, a condition known as "lipodystrophy" can develop.  This involves a breakdown or inflammation of the fatty layer, resulting in hardening and poor absorption of the insulin.  This can usually be avoided by rotating the injection/infusion sites correctly.
 
In terms of pump usage, there is no set time required before one begins to use one.  I have always found it best to wait until the "honeymoon" is over, since blood sugars are usually easy to control on shots during the honeymoon.  But this should not prevent someone from using one during the honeymoon  phase if they with.  Of more importance is the user's SKILL SET.  Prior to using a pump, a person (or their caregiver) should be adept at carb counting, record-keeping, self-adjusting insulin doses, and checking blood sugar at least four times daily.  It also helps to be on a multiple-daily-injection program prior to starting on the pump, and have an understanding of the "basal/bolus" insulin concept.

Gary Scheiner MS, CDE
Owner & Clinical Director
Integrated Diabetes Services
333 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 204
Wynnewood, PA 19096
toll free: 877-735-3648
(610) 642-6055
fax (610) 642-8046
www.integrateddiabetes.com
gary@integrateddiabetes.com

says

Alicia H. McAuliffe-Fogarty says

There is no "prescribed" time to decide to go on pump therapy.  It needs to be the right time for the individual with diabetes....which could be different than the right time for parents.  I know many individuals who were diagnosed with diabetes and immediately went on the pump and I know others who waited.  This is an individual decision that should be discussed with your diabetes care provider.  Saline trials for pumps are available so that you can "try" the pump out before actually committing to see if it works with your lifestyle.  

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