Getting a pump

[Robert 2170]

Hi all just been told I am getting a pump.
So what will happen now I no there is training on it but how long and did you find going from daily injections to the pump ok.

 

[noblehead]

Great news Robert, really pleased. There's a few members making the transition to a pump at the moment, Elydave is one and Yingtong is another, hopefully they or other members will advise, good luck!!!!

 

[Robert 2170]

Looking forward to it and also not sure what to expect but will give it my best shot

 

[yingtong]

Hi. Robert,I have like you,just got approval.What I have been told that it takes 2-3 month for the PCT to get sorted,my DSN told me that I will have meeting with other new pumpers and some people who are experienced pump users and choose which pump I want.After that I will meet with a specialist nurse from the pump manufacturers,that's as far it has gone,but I have an other appointment with my DSN in 2months and she said she will go through how and when I will be able start pumping.

 

[donnellysdogs]

There is great training from hospitals and Accuchek reps. Take somebody with you though when you go for your instruction time as a back up for remembering things.

Accuchek have got great learning stuff on line and you come away with excellent manuals as a back up.

If getting a pump and get a choice of them, do consider accuchek and waiting for their new one to come out in the next few months. These are going to have brilliant fine tuning capabilities for basal rates and from comparison to others, no other pump will currently come anywhere near the fine tuning of these. However the drawback (if you want one) is that they do not have the capability of cgm linked in. Their new remote control looks like an iphone, far superior to their current remote control.

I wear my pump on my arm so the fully functional remote which has the blood tester built in to it is vital to me. Otherwise I would have to be stripping off to access the pump to do any bolus's etc.

Have a look round.. People used to be swayed by the colour of the covers available, but, this is nothing to consider compared to how you want it to operate and how it is needed to fit in with your lifestyle.

 

[Robert 2170]

I am up in Glasgow I have been told 4 to 5 weeks and should get the pump as they have just got more pumps to give to people this year.
I take it they do not push what pump they have you can make your own mind up

 

[Stattovic]

Been reading these posts, cant say I have heard of the pump, can someone point me in the direction to find out what its about.

Is it recommended by the DN or do you have to request it ?

Thanks
Vic

 

[noblehead]

Been reading these posts, cant say I have heard of the pump, can someone point me in the direction to find out what its about.

Is it recommended by the DN or do you have to request it ?

Thanks
Vic

Vic, have a read of the following:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/Insulin-pumps.html


It has to be your Consultant or DSN who consider and refer you for a pump.

 

[Stattovic]

Many thanks for the information, very interesting. I will discuss this with my nurse on my next appointment.

 

[donnellysdogs]

I am up in Glasgow I have been told 4 to 5 weeks and should get the pump as they have just got more pumps to give to people this year.
I take it they do not push what pump they have you can make your own mind up

Never assume.... My hospital 4 years ago bought up 30 pumps in a deal, so that was the only choice.....

 

[Robert 2170]

Ok will wait and see what is on offer

 

[donnellysdogs]

Ok will wait and see what is on offer

Accuchek.. Say you would like to wait for new one...)

 

[Robert 2170]

Is this the one with the remote for it that would be better if it was means you would not have to take out the unit to adjust or what you do with it
I have read the pros and cons of using a pump and there is a few things you think o right how would I get bye that but no don't I will find this All out when j so the course

 

[donnellysdogs]

With the accuchek pump on my arm I nevertakeit off except having a bath orshower which you would master to connecting back up to about 15 secondsfor repriming a few units through the tube as it gets suck back when disconnected for any amount of time.

Other pumps (one has a remote of some capacity) you have I believe to test on a separate machine and enter the reading on the pump-which means access to it-which would mean me stripping off!!

Accuchek were fantastic with their one hourly x24hr basal rates yet alone their new one which will be 15 minute programmable.

You have to balance up what you need. I totally love one remote control that does testing and talks to the meter. I would dislike having to remove my pump everytime I tested or ate.. Because I just wouldnt do it!!
I am a rarity though and accept that. There aren't many people that wear their pumps on their arms. I love it this way cos at night I just strip n go bare to bed, and again, never have to worry where the pump is, taking it off clothing or anything.. And the pump is still facing downward rather than horizontal. When you wear as others do you have to weartucked in PJ's or roaming somewhere in the bed. I'm not a normal pump wearer and accept this totally.

 

[Robert 2170]

Thanks for all the info I will come back on when I know or get the pump
Thanks again

 

[tfishuk]

I have been using an insulin pump for 5 years now, I was given a choice of pump so I decided on Medtronic, however I had lots of issues with The Medtronic pump and recently changed to Omnipod which excellent. No tubes to worry about as it is totally worked by wifi, my sugar levels have never been so good.

 

[dtennant9]

I am up in Glasgow I have been told 4 to 5 weeks and should get the pump as they have just got more pumps to give to people this year.
I take it they do not push what pump they have you can make your own mind up

I am in Tayside and I know the Scottish Government have had a big push on getting people on to pumps.
I didn't get a choice of what pump I'm getting, with the exception of colour, but I'm not sure if this is a NHS Scotland thing or if thats just what they do in my local area.
I started the process in January this year and was approved in March. I didn't hear anything else until the start of August.
I now have my meeting with the other new pumpers on 24th October, go on my saline start from 13th November and insulin going in from 17th November.
I would say it has been quite a long process here compared to what some other users on the forum have experienced so I guess it may be different in Glasgow.
All areas of Scotland have targets to meet by March 2015 so I think it may also depend on how many they need to start in order to meet their targets.
When I spoke to my DSN in June I was only one of two people on the waiting list so I'm not sure if this also has a bearing on how quickly things happen.
Hope everything goes well for you.

 

[malky39]

I am up in Glasgow I have been told 4 to 5 weeks and should get the pump as they have just got more pumps to give to people this year.
I take it they do not push what pump they have you can make your own mind up

I too am from Glasgow, I attend the Victoria Clinc, I was put on the waiting list for a pump Last week and was told it could be anything up to a year before I would get one, the Victoria do not currently have a pump section so could be earlier if I go to the southern General then continue my care at the Victoria when they have theirs up and running. I was told aswell that there is a big push in Scotland for they pump and they have targets to get people on it.

 

[Robert 2170]

I saw my consultant last week at stobhill and he said 4 to 5 weeks to get the pump he was the one that asked me if I wanted it as I do a lot of cycling and the pump would help

 

[Mrsass]

Hey rob, i asked at my clinic about a pump at beginning of January, 2 weeks later I had an appointment with my DSN to trial the hospital 'loan' one, knew within days it was perfect for me, had my own one by beginning of March but was allowed to keep the hospital one while I waited for mine, I wasn't put on a carb counting course or anything obviously that's recommended but I've managed great without going on one, had my first hba1c result couple weeks ago and I've gone from 66 to 51 in 8 months! I've been diabetic for 25 years and this is the best thing that could have ever happened to me I can't imagine life without my pump now, I've got a Medtronic pump. Hope you have amazing success with yours and don't have to wait too long

Abbie xx