who is on a insulin pump?

[Jeannie87]

Also in Scotland the CGM isn't free as far as I am aware from a friend who has the CGM and pump, so basically it's swings and roundabouts with the good old NHS. Of course it may be free with other health boards in Scotland but not mine.

 

[Jeannie87]

Just emailed my dietitian about my decision and received a lovely reply back, saying the pump is there for me when and if I decide, but she appreciated my reasons for declining, basically, she said if I am not feeling ready for it for whatever reason, then it's best I decline at the moment, but it's there for me whenever I want to take it up. I did say I would like to wait until my annual review at the end of June 2015, so I can also see how my HBAC1 is doing too. It's not Utopia as yet (I am smiling at this!!) but I have to say my diabetic team here are amazing. So understanding and so helpful. I really wish every diabetic could have such good and understanding support.

 

[Spiker]

Certain pumps act as a CGM receiver or come with a free receiver, but the it is very rare for the sensors to be free on the NHS

 

[moz1]

Hopefully getting my first pump in a couple of months. Been t1 for 30years now but want the better control that only a pump and hard work can give you.

 

[noblehead]

Hopefully getting my first pump in a couple of months. Been t1 for 30years now but want the better control that only a pump and hard work can give you.

Nice one, have you decided which one your going for?

 

[Jeannie87]

Hopefully getting my first pump in a couple of months. Been t1 for 30years now but want the better control that only a pump and hard work can give you.

I think it just depends on how your control is with MDI - my control with MDI has been really good, just had a bit of a lapse Autumn/Christmas but it seems to be resolved now. I know the pump is there if I want to take it up some time in the future, but as my dietician wrote earlier today in her email, you have to have a certain amount of commitment towards a pump which at present for various reasons personal to me, i don't have. My good control over 43 years of being Type 1 has also been down to a great deal of hard work - but everyone is different - and I wish you much good luck with your new pump and I am sure it will go well for you .

 

[Jenny08]

I am in west central Scotland and have to praise my consultant and team at my local hospital, all their support over the past 27 years has been superb, discussions around a pump option is being considered although the pump consultant I wasn't sure about but first time I had met him, takes time to build up confidence with someone. My nurse at my local gp surgery is great, she sees me in between my annual reviews cause let's face it it never happens once a year it always stretches to about 14 months when making your next appt but where would we be without the nhs, so she checks my hba1c in between and is very supportive. Did the dafne course 2 years ago and it opened my eyes, all type 1 and type 2 should get this training I was sceptical but it was extremely valuable. Still thinking about the pump option. Pump therapy is definitely being increased in Scotland I just wish the nhs could all work together in the uk to be able to ensure patients no matter where they live are offered the same level of care.

 

[ann34+]

I've made my decision today (you will all be so relieved I have done this ha ha) seriously, Spiker, you really nailed it on the head for me, I have declined the offer of a pump via email today to my dietitian. All things considered and I really have considered "all things" in depth, I don't feel my diabetes is at a stage where I am needing a pump. If you like, I am happy with my results, my tests and my life as a diabetic, it's not causing me any great traumas or problems, so "if it's not broke don't fix it". I have asked my dietician to allocate my place to someone more in need of the pump than me, which is only fair. I have also said "may I reconsider in June when I get my annual review and HBAC1 results" if the result is not good, then I will try the pump if that's ok, but otherwise I am quite happy to be as I am, nothing in diabetes is perfect, but I feel on reading other people's stories of how they came to be on the pump, one way and another, my need is nowhere near as great as their's. So I am happy to have made a decision at loooong last, signing off today from Utopia thanks again for your input, most valuable and relevant

Hi, Jeannie, Congrats on your decision! If you weaken in June the first process will only be using a pump with saline in for a while so you get used to it and try out various infusion sets . This alone might make you think of not ever going on - i cant think of many people who would put themselves through regular insertions of these, every 2 days, for ever, and for an unlikely gain in your case....apart from the pain, over the years they can cause difficulties, and, short term, if they get even slightly irritated by pressure, etc minor inflammation develops - this causes the insulin to flow less smoothly, and it can back up - potentially dangerous - you then have to change the set asap - more pain!.

 

[JannyC]

@Jeannie87 I totally agree the Forth Valley team are fab. The support they provide is quite amazing. I got an email today offering me my pump at the end of April and I'm chuffed to bits.

 

[Jeannie87]

@Jeannie87 I totally agree the Forth Valley team are fab. The support they provide is quite amazing. I got an email today offering me my pump at the end of April and I'm chuffed to bits.

Jenny - I am glad for you re re pump and wish you much success. I will be interested in how you get on with it. And yes, the Forth Valley team are second to none in everything they do. For various reasons I didn't attend the diabetic clinics for about ten years and only attended my local GP surgery diabetic clinic 3 -4 times a year(I had previously very bad experience with a very unprofessional diabetic specialist nurse at the hospital clinics back in 2003/4) but three years ago my GP was unable to unravel the confusion of insulin I was on and sent me to the new hospital in Larbert - I was very apprehensive but the "rogue" nurse had long left and the new team were just wonderful and also kind and understanding. It turned out I had been on the wrong insulin for years and it was all corrected and after adjustments all sorted out for me by the new team. They were just amazing and I regretted leaving it so long in going back. I now attend the hospital clinic regularly and also did the New Deal course which was a total eye opener to carb counting. It was also interesting that amongst the great crowd of fellow diabetics on the course - there was no pressure to go on to a pump from the diabetic team just a willingness to help every diabetic to learn and manage their diabetes. Good luck with the new pump !

 

[Jeannie87]

Hi, Jeannie, Congrats on your decision! If you weaken in June the first process will only be using a pump with saline in for a while so you get used to it and try out various infusion sets . This alone might make you think of not ever going on - i cant think of many people who would put themselves through regular insertions of these, every 2 days, for ever, and for an unlikely gain in your case....apart from the pain, over the years they can cause difficulties, and, short term, if they get even slightly irritated by pressure, etc minor inflammation develops - this causes the insulin to flow less smoothly, and it can back up - potentially dangerous - you then have to change the set asap - more pain!.

 

[Jeannie87]

Thank you Ann your input in all this dilemma has been invaluable as has everyone else who had commented - yesterday was a big decision day for me - and now I've made the decision not to go for the pump for now - I am much relieved. It was also greatly helped by the very good understanding reaction from my diabetic team. It is good to think if I should change my
Mind at any time the offer of a pump is still open to me. Yesterday because I had been feeling so low over all this indecision my husband took me out for a lovely meal - and not only this time did the carb counting work really well - and despite having an excellent meal - I only did maybe 2 units more insulin over the day than the usual and went to bed on around a 7 blood sugar. I think problems with diabetes ebb and flow - I went through a bad patch - and fingers crossed I've come out the other side - fingers crossed ! Take care and thanks again for your input - I'm writing this on my phone so excuse any errors

 

[moz1]

Nice one, have you decided which one your going for?

Thinking maybe Medtronic as might go for CGM in the future if funds allow? But any advice on which pump to go for is welcome