Am i the only one who wants a pump?

[Engineer88]

Why do all diabetics feel they are entitled to a pump these days? diagnosed 5 mins and all of a sudden want a pump those of us who have been diabetic 20+ years cant get.

 

[noblehead]

Why do all diabetics feel they are entitled to a pump these days? diagnosed 5 mins and all of a sudden want a pump those of us who have been diabetic 20+ years cant get.

Understand your frustration if you had to fight to get your pump Engineer, but surely if someone is struggling with their control (despite their best efforts) they should be entitled to enquire about a pump no matter how long they've been diagnosed, the sooner bg levels are brought under control the less likely there is of any long-term damage, going by the number of posts lately there does seem to be more and more people being offered insulin pumps, which is quite encouraging.

 

[donnellysdogs]

No body, no matter what age or length of diagnosis should have to fight.

However, Some people seem to want a pump when they aren't really fully aware of the effort to use a pump and that it is far more than injections.. Personally it is this fact that scares me as to why some people think a pump will be better for them.

 

[Jaylee]

I don't pump. & still have no desire to after 38 years.. Lol
The above advice i would agree with.. I'm pretty well controlled myself on MDI.
But i would have to say a friend of mine about the same age & D for a similar number.of years uses an "Omni pod". He was so badly controlled to the point they awarded him with a new kidney 15 years back.. His eyes ain't much better either.. In fact now he's been using the pod for a couple of years. He's still a liability...!!

I personally think you dont have to be "Master Yoda" to qualify for one of these pumps....

 

[donnellysdogs]

I can't get my head around why people would actually want something **** near permanently attached to them if they (like you) could get improved bloods from giving mdi.

If after trying to do blood tests and amending doses etc that reasonable control is not gained. Then it is perfectly reasonable to request a pump.

Just that there seems to more people wanting a permanent gadget attached to themselves without really tring to make the efforts with control using mdi.

It just scares me that people seem to think that pumps are an easy option without the full realisation that the management of them is more effort, testing is more frequent and DKA is possible from set failures etc.

I am eternally grateful that I have a pump, but it just worries me that if effort can't be made to inject and test on mdi then why should people expect to just get a pump, when others have made huge attempts to gain control and still can't gain good levels. Postcode lotteries still apply as well.

 

[Engineer88]

Understand your frustration if you had to fight to get your pump Engineer, but surely if someone is struggling with their control (despite their best efforts) they should be entitled to enquire about a pump no matter how long they've been diagnosed, the sooner bg levels are brought under control the less likely there is of any long-term damage, going by the number of posts lately there does seem to be more and more people being offered insulin pumps, which is quite encouraging.

Noblehead it took 10 years of fighting and hoop jumping and distrust by the drs towards me to get a pump. But what frustrates me is the poor attitude and lack of trying by some who think a pump is a 'cure'.

Do the best you can with MDI before you consider a pump, its a last resort not a first.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Noblehead it took 10 years of fighting and hoop jumping and distrust by the drs towards me to get a pump. But what frustrates me is the poor attitude and lack of trying by some who think a pump is a 'cure'.

Do the best you can with MDI before you consider a pump, its a last resort not a first.

Totally agree...

 

[Minnie45]

I've learnt a lot from everyone here in the short time I've been a member, thank you.

Being a T1 for 39 years it's only in the last few months I've been successful in getting a pump, for too long I had difficulty in managing on MDIs, my control is the best it's ever been with no more violent swings leading to hypos, hooray. But it's not easy, I'm stricter with myself more than ever and am doing countless blood tests. If I'm really honest I think I may have looked at the pump as a more easy alternative, that's not been the case.

I'm really happy with how things are turning out but to the OP please don't look at this as a solution to your current situation, you'll end up surprised at the work needed to get the pump working for you.

 

[CarbsRok]

Understand your frustration if you had to fight to get your pump Engineer, but surely if someone is struggling with their control (despite their best efforts) they should be entitled to enquire about a pump no matter how long they've been diagnosed, the sooner bg levels are brought under control the less likely there is of any long-term damage, going by the number of posts lately there does seem to be more and more people being offered insulin pumps, which is quite encouraging.

There's a difference between struggling and can't be a*sed which some people do not seem to understand. My take on the comment "I can't have a pump because I don't test enough" means poster can't be a*sed with his own basic care. A pumper needs to do a lot of testing so why waste a pump on someone who doesn't care two hoots about their wellbeing?

 

[Emma_P23]

The insulin pump wasn't a last resort for me. I was offered one to aid me in leading a more 'normal' life.
Yes they are hard work. They take a lot of effort to get right but when they are right, they are so worth it.
As for people making out that they are nothing but a hassle and most people couldn't deal with one... Why have such a negative attitude?
With the right education, a pump allows the user to be able to gain some normality to a life full of injections.
As for the people who just think they should get one when they aren't prepared to put the effort in, they need a lot more useful information about how much time and effort is needed to run a pump. Not people telling them horror stories.

 

[noblehead]

Noblehead it took 10 years of fighting and hoop jumping and distrust by the drs towards me to get a pump. But what frustrates me is the poor attitude and lack of trying by some who think a pump is a 'cure'.

Do the best you can with MDI before you consider a pump, its a last resort not a first.

10 years is a long time. A pump is not a cure and I can only imagine the hard work that's involved in getting to grips with it, anyone who does switch has to be determined to give it their best shot..........I know I would.

 

[noblehead]

There's a difference between struggling and can't be a*sed which some people do not seem to understand. My take on the comment "I can't have a pump because I don't test enough" means poster can't be a*sed with his own basic care. A pumper needs to do a lot of testing so why waste a pump on someone who doesn't care two hoots about their wellbeing?

I agree with what you say Carbsrok, for most people switching to a pump means hard work and dedication, if your not willing to do that then there's little point in making the move.

My quote that you highlighted was in reply to Engineer, as I don't think the time that someone has been diagnosed should be a major factor in deciding who gets a pump or not, we have members on here who have only been diagnosed 1-2 years and have changed over with great success, but they have been pro-active in their diabetes management and were determined to make it work, one such member is Hale.

 

[donnellysdogs]

The insulin pump wasn't a last resort for me. I was offered one to aid me in leading a more 'normal' life.
Yes they are hard work. They take a lot of effort to get right but when they are right, they are so worth it.
As for people making out that they are nothing but a hassle and most people couldn't deal with one... Why have such a negative attitude?
With the right education, a pump allows the user to be able to gain some normality to a life full of injections.
As for the people who just think they should get one when they aren't prepared to put the effort in, they need a lot more useful information about how much time and effort is needed to run a pump. Not people telling them horror stories.

I know of a youngster given a pump for not giving a ****. She still does not give a ****. Her pump is in the shed. She rarely tests. She rarely injects. This pump could have been given to someone who does give a ****.

No matter how many attempts her father has tried with, her diabetes team.. No one can get through to her.

I am a firm believer that people should show that they can commit to trying everything mdi first.

It is not negative to explain the effort that a pump requires... Its a true realisation. That true realisation has to be factual and nobody here has, to me, been anything other than factual or realistic in explaining this. I can't actually read a negative either...

 

[Emma_P23]

Then if that's the case and it isn't used, that's the hospitals fault for not withdrawing the funding for it. I have the risk of my pump being taken away if I don't attend hospital appointments and show that I have put a lot of effort into it.
The negatives come from people assuming that the person who needs to test more automatically being lazy. No body knows how many times they test already. We aren't in possession of all the facts. I'm not trying to pick fights, but people are just automatically assuming that the person cannot be bothered. I test 5 or so times a day. Maybe they are already doing this?
Also, people's experiences differ greatly. I have fantastic back up from my hospital team with pump specific clinics every 6 months, pump meetings with reps and other pump users every year and also appointments whenever I need with my pump trained specialist. I'm not perfect. There are days where I don't test enough or eat the right things. Does that mean mine should be taken away from me because that's what a lot of people are implying. We're not all perfect so why should we assume that a pump wouldn't benefit the people who maybe struggle with the day to day life of being a diabetic?

 

[donnellysdogs]

The hospital in this case are not in anyway to blame. She
Has had excellent help from every person that you have listed and more including psychiatrists etc. nothing but nothing will get her to test or tow the line. Nothing. She has been and wason being given the pump in and out of A&E consistently in DKA.

I personally, even using a pump would not be happy at testing 5 times a day. I would not get good levels with that amount of testing. If that works for you great.. However, please, please realise that I talk to a great deal of patients and GP's And consultants and the people that actually come to this forum are a) in need of help and b) in the minority.

I have been talking to patients at my practice about this website for help and guidance. Only 2 out of 74 patients I have talked to knew there was help and guidance from real people here.

So bearing in mind that 94% ish of type 1's don't get to target levels it makes me wonder just how many T's realise the need for testing and adjusting.

Again you could say this is a negative, but this is realism. I'm not a do gooder, I don't work for the NHS directly. I talk to Patients from young to old and pumps are not the answer in all cases. I wish they were.

Education and awareness for patients is key, meeting healthy, happy and good control patients would be beneficial.
Sorry this is quite hard sounding, but the NHS and websites likethisshould be doing morein the community raise awareness and to help the90%+ non target achievers to establish better awareness and control.

When you see the unawareness in the community its frightening especially with the NHS as it stands being in such dire straits....

 

[Engineer88]

Then if that's the case and it isn't used, that's the hospitals fault for not withdrawing the funding for it. I have the risk of my pump being taken away if I don't attend hospital appointments and show that I have put a lot of effort into it.
The negatives come from people assuming that the person who needs to test more automatically being lazy. No body knows how many times they test already. We aren't in possession of all the facts. I'm not trying to pick fights, but people are just automatically assuming that the person cannot be bothered. I test 5 or so times a day. Maybe they are already doing this?
Also, people's experiences differ greatly. I have fantastic back up from my hospital team with pump specific clinics every 6 months, pump meetings with reps and other pump users every year and also appointments whenever I need with my pump trained specialist. I'm not perfect. There are days where I don't test enough or eat the right things. Does that mean mine should be taken away from me because that's what a lot of people are implying. We're not all perfect so why should we assume that a pump wouldn't benefit the people who maybe struggle with the day to day life of being a diabetic?

I think the main point here is the OP has admitted he doesnt test enough and hasnt a clue how to carb count or even know the name of the insulin he is on. Does that sound like a suitable pump candidate to you? concentrate on the ones who give a **** first eh?

Also people need to hear the horror stories as opposed to the magic and fairy dust because it isnt all one or other.

 

[Emma_P23]

I think the main point here is the OP has admitted he doesnt test enough and hasnt a clue how to carb count or even know the name of the insulin he is on. Does that sound like a suitable pump candidate to you? concentrate on the ones who give a **** first eh?

Also people need to hear the horror stories as opposed to the magic and fairy dust because it isnt all one or other.

I was referring to the other person who wants a pump but has to test more often. I have made my feelings clear on the original post before about him not testing and not knowing his insulin on a previous thread. All I'm trying to say is that with the right education people can change their ways and if they want a pump and go through the required education programmes and get the right support, they may just be able to do it.
As for the horror stories, what is the need to be so condescending to these people. They obviously need support, not someone telling them that they would never be able to manage The pump. It's difficult but not impossible!
I'm not going to be drawn into an argument about it. We're all in the same boat. And the holier than thou attitudes don't help anyone.

 

[Deleted member 83869]

I was diagnosed in 2008...and for the first 4/5 years a pump really didn't interest me....it scared me more than anything! But my Hba1C had always been over 100 and DKA a number of times...no matter what dosage of insulin I was on I still wasn't getting my Hba1c down...maybe I didn't have the right control? Who knows? But it wasn't until I went on Dafne about 2 years ago that a pump started to appeal for me and it wasn't until my last bout of DKA that I eventually asked if I would be considered for one....and then I was! And ever since being on the pump my Hba1c has finally come down to a 77 after being diagnosed for 6 years...I have finally got there! It takes a lot of hard hard work and having the right attitude and without the help of @donnellysdogs my hba1c would still be high! I have had another blood test today ad my hba1c will be tested again so I hope that it has come down since! but a pump really is not easy! Yes it makes life seem easier but there is still alot of hard work involved

 

[donnellysdogs]

Sorry, I consider that theses are horror stories on this posting. Just very real life experiences of how education and support can so vastly help people, but it is the Patient that has to be responsible at the end of the day.

A pump is definitely more responsibility and the NHS can't be 100% that non compliant MDI'ers are going to be compliant with a pump.

When a Patient has done everything as a MDI user and still can't get good results then why should they be jumped in the queue.

I know of people on pumps that still don't regularly look at their patterns and regularly log their readings and make changes. So they still aren't really looking after their health as they really should be.

I'm an example of a person being too anal and being told off!! So the opposite because I care too much.

I guess, from my talking to Patients and consultants that I have gained very strong opinions still that our NHS is struggling and cannot afford to have even 1 person given a pump that ends up in a shed.

 

[Engineer88]

Sorry, I consider that theses are horror stories on this posting. Just very real life experiences of how education and support can so vastly help people, but it is the Patient that has to be responsible at the end of the day.

A pump is definitely more responsibility and the NHS can't be 100% that non compliant MDI'ers are going to be compliant with a pump.

When a Patient has done everything as a MDI user and still can't get good results then why should they be jumped in the queue.

I know of people on pumps that still don't regularly look at their patterns and regularly log their readings and make changes. So they still aren't really looking after their health as they really should be.

I'm an example of a person being too anal and being told off!! So the opposite because I care too much.

I guess, from my talking to Patients and consultants that I have gained very strong opinions still that our NHS is struggling and cannot afford to have even 1 person given a pump that ends up in a shed.

If I had of known someone had a pump in their shed I would have gone and stolen it for myself.