@richyb
Unfortunately, due to the cost of funding, pumps are not offered unless someone makes a subtle noise of discontent
with the bolus/basal regime even after completing a carb counting course and getting what may seem to be a
good hba1c. If tighter control results in worrying about low bg levels during the day and night, then quality of life can come into the equasion and can be used by a consultant to request that a CCG funds.
Pumps are hard work though at times and demand a lot of attention to getting the settings ok so by no means - work magic and
give everyone a normal life.
Frequent bg testing is a must (about 8-10 times per day) so if you are not already doing that on MDI and cant get your control any better, then a pump is not really going to help you if you only test 4-5 times.
Also, some hospitals will support pumps and some think that they are a bit dangerous leading easily to DKA if bg testing isnt done, so look at what you are doing now and see if you can get your control to be better simply by testing bg a bit more but keep in mind, quality of life if you do decide to make more of an issue in wanting one. If your nearest and dearest start to be affected by worrying over how you deal with the low bg levels, then that is another quality of life issue.
Unfortunately, due to the cost of funding, pumps are not offered unless someone makes a subtle noise of discontent
with the bolus/basal regime even after completing a carb counting course and getting what may seem to be a
good hba1c. If tighter control results in worrying about low bg levels during the day and night, then quality of life can come into the equasion and can be used by a consultant to request that a CCG funds.
Pumps are hard work though at times and demand a lot of attention to getting the settings ok so by no means - work magic and
give everyone a normal life.
Frequent bg testing is a must (about 8-10 times per day) so if you are not already doing that on MDI and cant get your control any better, then a pump is not really going to help you if you only test 4-5 times.
Also, some hospitals will support pumps and some think that they are a bit dangerous leading easily to DKA if bg testing isnt done, so look at what you are doing now and see if you can get your control to be better simply by testing bg a bit more but keep in mind, quality of life if you do decide to make more of an issue in wanting one. If your nearest and dearest start to be affected by worrying over how you deal with the low bg levels, then that is another quality of life issue.